SOSC1960
Discovering Mind and
Behavior
Wednesdays & Fridays
1:30 – 2:50 pm
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What is SOSC 1960 about?
Introduces the fundamental scientific
knowledge about human thinking and
behavior processes
Illustrates the relevance of this knowledge to
the betterment of human performance and
well-being in a wide variety of settings in
society
Provides a basic understanding of psychology,
especially for those who want to study
psychology further
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What is Psychology?
Textbook definitions
“…the scientific study of behavior and mental
processes” (Feldman, 2013, 2017)
“…the discipline concerned with behavior and
mental processes and how they are affected by
an organism’s physical state, mental state, and
external environment” (Wade & Tavris, 2005)
“…the science of mental processes and
behavior” (Kosslyn & Rosenberg, 2005)
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Ground rules
Introducing your teaching team
Going over…
Course Canvas website
Examinations
Paper assignments
Research participation
Going over the topics of the course
“Q&A” session
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Instructor: Eva Chen
Office location: 2346 (near Lift 3)
Office hours: Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 pm
Email: [email protected]
Background:
Psychology
Human Development & Education
Research interests:
Social and cultural psychology
Cognition
Development
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TA: Kayee Wong
Office location: 3005 (near lift 4)
Office hours: By appointment
Email: [email protected]
Background
Psychology and Counseling
Early Childhood Education
Canvas
(https://canvas.ust.hk/courses/13482)
Please spend some time exploring the
course website!
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Library Toolbox
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Examinations
Examination times:
Exam 1: September 29, 2017 in class
Exam 2: November 3, 2017 in class
Exam 3: TBD, and TBA
Exams are multiple-choice and not
cumulative; see syllabus for more
information on what each exam will cover
Further guidelines to be distributed in
class and on Canvas
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Paper Assignment
Part 1: “Test Your Mindset” online quiz
results due 12 noon, October 17, 2017
Part 2: in-class paper assignment activity
on October 18, 2017
Part 3: individual paper (800 words) due
12 noon, November 16, 2017
Further guidelines to be distributed in
class and on Canvas 11
Research Participation
3 units of participation (1.5 hours) in
research studies or exercises required
Guidelines to join the SONA system to be
emailed after add/drop deadline
Due to the limit of studies and exercises
available, make sure you plan ahead so
that you complete your research hours!
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Academic Integrity
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Final Ground Rule
Please be respectful of the learning
experiences of everyone in class:
Please do not chat with each other
Please keep your electronic devices silent and
use them for class purposes only
Please do not eat lunch or take an early tea
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Scientific vs. Popular Psychology
Geniuses generally have poor social
adjustment.
People who talk about suicide are unlikely
to actually attempt suicide.
Older people are less happy than younger
people.
Most people would refuse to hurt other
people.
Truth or myth?
Key issues in Psychology
Observable behavior vs. internal mental
processes
Nature (heredity) vs. nurture
(environment)
Free will vs. determinism
Individual differences vs. universal
principles
Conscious vs. unconscious determinants of
behavior 16
What do psychologists do?
Psychologists
Researchers Practitioners
Developing theoretical Applying psychological
understanding of behaviors knowledge
e.g., social, cognitive, e.g., industrial/organizational,
developmental, clinical, counselling,
experimental educational
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What do psychologists do?
Researchers Practitioners
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Research methods
How do research What are some
psychologists use ethical issues that
research to answer psychologists
questions of encounter in
interest? research?
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Memory
The processes through which we encode,
store, and retrieve information
How good is your memory? Can we always
rely on our memories of the past?
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Learning
The processes through which relatively
permanent change in behavior is brought
about
How do we learn? How are we conditioned
to behave the way we do?
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Development
The pattern of growth and change that
occur throughout life
How do our genes and early experiences
shape who we become as adults?
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Sensation and perception
Sensation: Activation of the sense organs
by a source of physical energy
Perception: The sorting out, analysis,
and integration of stimuli by the sense
organs and brain
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States of consciousness
Different states of awareness of the
sensations, thoughts, and feelings
experienced at a given moment
What happens when we sleep, meditate,
or take drugs?
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Intelligence
The capacity to understand the world,
think rationally, and use resources
effectively
How do you know if you are intelligent?
Are there different kinds of intelligence?
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Personality
The pattern of enduring characteristics that
produce consistency and individuality
What kind of a person are you? How do you
know?
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Social psychology
The scientific study of how people’s
thoughts, feelings, and actions are
affected by others
Why do we like some people more than
others? How does our society shape our
thinking?
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Psychological disorders
The study, diagnosis, and treatment of
psychological disorders
What behavior and thoughts are
considered abnormal?
How do we treat psychological disorders?
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Health and well-being
The relationship
between
psychological
factors and
health and well-
being
How do we
manage our
stress and stay
mentally fit?
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For next time!
Review the syllabus
Recommended: Read through the textbook
(available in bookstores and in the library)
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