PSY100H Introduction to Psychology Instructor: Dr. Dax Urbszat, B.Sc., L.L.B., M.A., Ph. D. Office: Room 4093 Sidney Smith Hall Office hours: Mondays 4:00-5:00 (Sidney Smith room 4093) and one hour following class time in Convocation Hall

Psychology Psyche – “soul” Logos – “to study” Wilhelm Wundt (1870s) combines the disciplines of philosophy and physiology

What is Psychology? Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. “anything an animal or human does, feels, or thinks.” Psychology is a science firmly based in empirical research. Psychology has broad application.

Major Perspectives Biological Psychoanalytic Behavioral Humanistic Cognitive Evolutionary

Major Areas of Research Social Physiological Cognitive/Perception Personality/Abnormal Developmental Psychometrics Health Forensics

Professional Practice Experimental/Academic Clinical Counseling Educational Industrial Organization Sports Forensics

Psychological Themes 1.Psychology is empirical 2.Psychology is theoretically driven 3.Psychology evolves in a socio-historic context 4.Behavior is determined by multiple causes 5.Behavior is shaped by cultural heritage 6.Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior 7.People’s experience of the world is highly subjective

Improving Academic Performance 1.Read chapters before class 2.Come to every lecture 3.Print and read powerpoint slides before lectures Developing sound study habits Scheduling (list making) - implementation intentions Study without distractions Reward your studying

Improving Your Reading Survey Question Read Recite Review

Getting More Out of Lectures Read chapters before class Try to listen more than write Put ideas in your own words Ask questions Try not to be passive learner

Improve Test Taking Set a schedule Answer all the questions you know first and skip the ones you are not sure of till later Keep it simple Review (leave a few minutes in your schedule for this)

Multiple Choice Exams Try to anticipate the answer Always read the entire question Eliminate implausible options Broad sweeping generalizations tend to be incorrect Carefully qualified statements tend to be correct

Essay Exams Make time allocations based on marks and your knowledge ORGANIZE – do a brief outline Number points or use headings Use catch words and technical terminology