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PSYC 100 -- Introduction to Psychology -- Fall 1997
Dr. E. Shimoff MP 326 (455-2973) (email: shimoff@umbc.edu)
Texts: Peterson, C. Psychology (2nd ed.)
Study Guide to accompany text
Psychology On A Disk
============================================
Course Outline - Quiz Dates, Computer Assignments
Quiz Quiz Topic Computer Activity
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sep 10 Quiz 1 - Ch. 2-3 Introductory Material Scatterplots & Correlation
19 Quiz 2 - Ch. 4 Biological Bases Neural Bases of Illusion
29 Quiz 3 - Ch. 5 Sensation & Perception HV Illusion
Last day to drop without a W
Oct 3 No Class
8 Quiz 4 - Ch. 7 Motivation & Emotion Guilt Detection
17 No Class
20 Quiz 5 - Ch. 8 Learning Shaping, Short Term Mem
24 No Class
29 Quiz 6 - Ch. 9 Cognition Cognition in Recall, Insight
Nov 5 Quiz 7 - Ch. 10 Development Interpersonal Judgment
10 Last day to drop
12 Quiz 8 - Ch. 11 Intelligence
11 Last day to drop, change to/from P/F
19 Quiz 9 - Ch. 12 Personality Personality Evaluation
26 Quiz 10 - Ch. 13 Behavior Disorders Developing a Psychological Test
28 No Class
Dec 5 Quiz 11 - Ch. 14 Therapy
12 Quiz 12 - Ch. 15 Social Behavior Coop-Comp, Segregation
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Course Requirements
Quizzes
There will be a total of 12 quizzes, given on the dates specified above. Each quiz will
consist of about 20 multiple choice items. Many items will be derived directly from the text,
but at least 25% may reflect other material (e.g., syllabus, lectures, Psychology on a Disk,
jokes, etc.). Some additional rules related to quizzes:
1. You must have a pencil, ideally with an eraser.
2. An error in entering SSN or form number means that the quiz must be graded by
hand; this represents a major and thoroughly needless drain on the teaching assistant's
time. Because of that, a quiz with an error on SSN or form number will not be
graded, that quiz will be dropped. If you want the quiz graded, you will have to write
a brief paper (no more than three typed pages) discussing some material in the chapter;
once that paper is acceptable, the quiz will be graded. To have a quiz hand-graded,
you must submit the brief paper within three weeks of the date the quiz was given (or
by the last day of classes, whichever comes first). Details on the brief paper will are
outlined towards the end of this syllabus.
3. Grades will be posted on the bulletin board opposite MP 326. If you have any
questions about a grade, you must check within one week of posting.
4. Quizzes are reviewed immediately after the fact. If you come late or miss a
quiz, there will be no make-ups except under unusual circumstances (described
below). There are a total of 12 quizzes; in calculating course grades (see
below), the two lowest quiz scores are dropped. If you miss a quiz (or make a
mistake on SSN or form number), that quiz will be one of those dropped (unless
you choose to write the brief paper described in paragraph 2 above).
5. If you miss a quiz because of hospitalization (as an in-patient), required court
appearance (as a witness, defendant, plaintiff, alleged perpetrator, or juror),
death in the immediate family, or required military service, you can take a
make-up quiz; come to me after class (with appropriate supporting evidence) and
we will arrange a mutually-agreeable time. Make-ups are not available if you
miss a quiz because of broken alarm clocks, minor illnesses, notes from parents,
poor bus service, car accidents, traffic jams, cars that refuse to start, unverified
messages ("God said I didn't have to"), congenital inability to take multiple
choice exams, or alternative pedagogical models ("Quizzes don't test what I
truly know"). Policies for awarding the grade of I (Incomplete) are specified in
the UMBC catalog. Dropping the class after the second drop date requires
approval of the instructor; I normally will NOT approve such late drops.
6. Student athletes who must miss a quiz because of an athletic event must make
arrangement in advance.
7. You must enter your name and SSN on the quiz question sheet. Quiz questions sheets
will be collected at the end of each quiz (after the quiz is reviewed).
8. In the event of inclement weather, this class follows campus policy; if the classes
meet, this class meets. If classes are canceled on a day that a quiz is scheduled, the
quiz will be given at next class meeting; the quiz will not be postponed. If classes are
canceled on a non-quiz ("lecture") day, the quiz will be given as scheduled (without
benefit of lecture).
Computer Activities
Psychology On A Disk consists of thirteen computer activities that are part of the course;
these computer programs are designed to be informative, interesting, and academically
relevant, but require absolutely no computer skills or previous computer experience.
The course outline indicates when you should complete each activity; for example, you
should have the Scatterplots & Correlation program finished by the first quiz.
Psychology On A Disk activities enter into your grade in two ways. First, there may be
quiz questions on the Psychology On A Disk activities; for example, Quiz 1 may include a
question (or two) about Scatterplots & Correlations. Second, you must submit (by the last
day of classes) a copy of Progress Report (a printout of the Psychology On A Disk activities
you have completed). If you complete all the activities, you will get 26 points; if you
complete 10 of the 13 activities, you will get 20 points, etc. (You do not have to print out
any data sheets; all that you have to submit is a Progress Report.)
Research Requirement
The research requirement for PSYC 100 may be met in one of two ways: (1) by serving as
a subject-participant in experiments conducted by UMBC faculty members, graduate students,
and advanced undergraduates, or (2) by writing a brief paper describing a recently published
experiment in psychology.
Most students fulfill the research requirement by serving as a subject-participant in
psychology experiments. To participate in an experiment, sign up on the sheets posted
outside of SS413; be sure to copy the name of the experimenter, as well as where and when
the experiment is scheduled. If you sign up, be sure to show up. At the end of the
experiment, you should be given an explanation (debriefing) on what happened, as well as a
receipt. Receipts should be saved; they will be collected intermittently throughout the
semester. (It is possible, although unlikely, that I will lose receipts that you hand in; it thus
would be a good idea to keep Xerox copies.) (In the unlikely event that you show up and the
experimenter does not, please give me a written note with your name, the experimenter's
name, the date and time of the experiment, and any other relevant information; you will
receive credit for participation.)
For each hour (or part of an hour) of participation, you will earn 1 additional point towards
your grade, up to a maximum of 3 points. Thus, if you complete a 15 minute experiment,
you get 1 point; if the experiment takes an hour and a quarter, you get 2 points, etc. When
you complete an experiment, you should get a receipt. Once you have as many receipts as
you want, submit them to me, and I will post your bonus points on the grade sheet. But I
will accept experiment receipts only once from each person; please do not give me two
receipts one week and a third receipt the following week.
If you would rather submit written summaries of recently-published experiments, see details
on the brief paper towards the end of this syllabus.
Bonus Points
Bonus points are available for completion of the research requirement and for early
submission of a Psychology On A Disk Progress Report.
Students who submit a printed Psychology On A Disk Progress Report by the date of the
first quiz will receive a three (3) point bonus. You do not have to complete any Psychology
On A Disk activities; just submit the Progress Report showing your name and social security
number.
Students who complete the research requirement will be given up to three (3) additional
points.
Dropping This Class
If you are considering dropping this class, check the UMBC Catalog and the current
semester's Schedule of Classes for relevant policies and dates. Classes dropped within the
first four weeks of the semester will not appear on your transcript. Any class dropped from
the end of the fourth week through the tenth week will appear on your transcript with a grade
of W. After that, you cannot normally drop any class without officially withdrawing from
the university. If you simply stop attending classes and fail to officially drop the course, you
will get an F.
Grades
The syllabus specifies 12 quizzes. Your final letter grade is based on the total number of
points earned on the best 10 quizzes plus Psychology On A Disk (plus any bonus points
earned). (Note that the numerical cutoffs correspond to traditional 90%, 80%, 70%, and
65% criteria based on a 226-points maximum [10 quizzes plus Psychology On A Disk], not
counting the 5 bonus points or the fact that many quizzes may be worth more than 20 points.)
Points Grade
203-226 A*
180-202 B
158-179 C
146-157 D
-145 F
* In order to receive an A, you must get at least 10 points on either Quiz 11 or Quiz 12
(even if Quiz 11 or 12 is not one of your ten best scores); students who miss both of those
quizzes cannot get an A, regardless of the number of points accumulated on other quizzes.
This is to ensure that any student earning an A in Psyc 100 is familiar with the material
covered in those chapters.
Note that these grading criteria are already substantially liberalized; many of the quizzes
will have more than 20 questions, up to 6 bonus points are available, many of the quiz
questions are embarrassingly easy for students who attended lecture, the low quiz grades are
dropped, and the Psychology On A Disk points are, in effect, "give-aways." Thus, if you
earn 179 points, you have earned a C; you have not "just missed a B." Furthermore, there
necessarily will be students whose points place them as the highest B, C, or D in the class.
Please do not come to me at the end of the semester with a plea based on the fact that unless
you get the A (or B or C or D), this course will keep you out of medical school, prevent you
from attending graduate school, make you lose your job, get your parents angry, lead to an
increase in car insurance rates, qualify you for academic probation, keep you off the team, or
get you thrown out of school.
Final
There is no final exam.
Brief Paper
The brief paper requirement comes into play under only two circumstances: (a) if you made
an error entering SSN or form number on a quiz and want the quiz hand-graded, or (b) as an
alternative way of filling the research requirement. The brief paper cannot be used for other
reasons (e.g., you are just one point shy of the cutoff for a letter grade, or you missed a quiz
because you overslept). Here's how you go about writing your brief paper.
First, you must select an article from a psychology journal; ideally, it should be an article
that you find interesting. Likely sources include (among many other possibilities) Journal of
Applied Behavior Analysis, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Psychological Reports,
Journal of Abnormal Psychology, and American Psychologist. Articles from Scientific
American are also acceptable, even though it is not really a psychology journal. These
journals are available in the Periodicals section of the UMBC library. (Sources that are not
acceptable include Psychology Today or magazines like Time and Newsweek that are aimed
at the general public. Except for Scientific American, acceptable sources are not likely to be
found in your local public library.)
Second, check with me about whether the article you have selected is acceptable. If you
fail to check with me, you may choose an unacceptable article, and have to start over again.
Next, write a brief paper outlining (a) the question the authors were addressing, (b) the
procedures used to answer the question, (c) the findings of the study, and (d) why the
findings are important. Your paper must be typed.
Finally, submit your paper, with a copy of the original article, to me. If it is acceptable
you will either (a) have your quiz hand-graded, or (b) get credit for the Research
Requirement; if it is not acceptable, I will tell you what you will have to do to make it
acceptable. Papers will not be returned.
Submitting a paper that was previously submitted by someone else is plagiarism, a serious
form of academic misconduct; please check on University policies, and be warned that I take
a rather hard line on such misconduct.
Attendance
Attending lectures is your responsibility. A substantial proportion of the quiz questions will
be based on lecture. If you memorize the textbook to perfection and fail to attend classes,
you will probably be able to earn no better than a C; failing to attend class is thus very
unwise. (In previous semesters; overall, percent correct on lecture-based quiz questions was
the best predictor of course grade. In other words, students who attended lecture earned
substantially higher course grades than students who didn't.) You are welcome to tape record
lectures.
Attendance may be monitored intermittently; you will be asked to sign a class roster.
There are no formal contingencies on attendance (i.e., attendance will not directly affect
grades), but I am unlikely to be sympathetic to pleas from students whose attendance is
irregular. This policy is designed to encourage attendance (and thus increase what you
learn), as well as to keep me from wasting time with students who spend more time pleading
for breaks than they spend in class.
Studying Time
The introductory psychology course is relatively easy; students who don't do well typically
have problems because of poor study habits or insufficient study time, not because the
material is inherently difficult. If you have trouble with multiple choice tests, or if your
reading skills are not up to par, get in touch with the Learning Resource Center early in the
semester. How much time should you set aside for studying? University traditions suggest 3
hours of study for each hour of lecture.
Learning Resource Center
The Learning Resource Center is located an ACIV 420. If you have trouble taking multiple
choice tests,, or if you have trouble understanding the textbook, or if you seem to have a
tough time with the quizzes, LRC is a good place to start. The earlier you get to them, the
better the chance that they will be able to help you earn a better grade.
Exceptions
Fairness demands that all students in the class have equal opportunities to meet course
requirements. Changes in course requirements (e.g., extra credit work to make up for poor
quiz performance) can be made only for the entire class, not for individuals.
Rule Changes
Necessary and reasonable changes in rules will be announced in class and posted on the
bulletin board opposite MP 326. It is your responsibility to check for such changes.
Textbook care
Once you are sure you are not going to return your text to be bookstore (check with them
for details of their policies on returns), you should write your name in the text. If you lose a
book without your name, the probability of recovery is low.
Where to Find A Computer
Psychology On A Disk will run on IBM or compatible computers. Two of the programs
(Horizontal-Vertical Illusion and Scatterplots & Correlations) require graphics. A Macintosh
version is also available.
Computers are available in the Engineering/Computer Science building, rooms 020, 021,
and 021A. To use Psychology On A Disk, simply put your disk in the appropriate drive and
select Psychology On A Disk from the menu (or, for the Macintosh version, click the
Psychology On A Disk icon). If you have any trouble getting started, instructions sheets and
human help are available. Everything else you need to know is in the insert that comes with
the program, or will show up on the screen.
If you want to print Progress Reports or data sheets, simply follow the instructions on the
screen. Your printout will be available in Room 019. (The computer you will be using will
have a number on it; remember the number, because it will identify your printout.)
Majoring in Psychology
If you are considering in majoring in psychology, we have a Guide for UMBC Psychology
Majors with lots of useful information. You can get a copy in the department office (MP
310); alternatively, ask me and I'll deliver copies in class.
Although it is a little premature, you may want to try the Psychology Major Requirements
Checklist, a simple program that outlines psychology major requirements. You can access
this program at the computer center by going to sub-menu 7 (Class-oriented / Instructional);
all instructions are on-screen.
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PSYC 0210: The Psychology of Learning Catania/Shimoff
UMBC, Spring 1998, TuTh 11:30-12:45, LH5 (Page 1 of 6 pages)
Text: LEARNING, Fourth Edition
Computer Disk: BEHAVIOR ON A DISK, Version 4.0
REQUIRED COMPUTER DEADLINES
Quiz dates Class topics (Parentheses show recommended dates)
Programs Vocab Sets
Jan 27. The nature of learning
29. Classic experiments: films
Feb 3. Quiz on Ch. 1 & 2 Evolution (vA)
5. Stimulus presentations (SH-Easy) (vB)
10. Quiz on Ch. 3 & 4; Syllabus Quiz Consequences of Behavior Progress Report Due
12. Reinforcement (CUM1)
17. Quiz on Ch. 5 Punishment (SH-Med) (vC)
19. Escape and avoidance
24. Quiz on Ch. 6 Shaping: films (SH-Hard) (vD)
26. Selection of behavior (GLS,THR)
Mar 3. Quiz on Ch. 7 Stimulus control (DIS) (vE)
5. Novel behavior
10. Pigeon demonstration
12. Quiz on Ch. 8 & 9 Basic schedules (CUM2,CUM3) (vF,vG)
17. Information, self control, choice (vH)
19. Quiz on Ch. 10 & 11 Respondent conditioning All Programs Above Due
24-26. SPRING BREAK
31. The language of emotion (vI)
Apr 2. Quiz on Ch. 12 Social learning
7. Introduction to language
9. Quiz on Ch. 13 Verbal behavior (vJ)
14. Verbally governed behavior (VSH)
16. Quiz on Ch. 14 & 15 Psycholinguistics (vK)
21. Verbal learning and transfer (VLG) (vL)
23. Quiz on Ch. 16 & 17 Mnemonics demonstration (MEM)
28. Kinds of remembering (STM,RCL) (vM)
30. Quiz on Ch. 18 & 19 Problem solving (PS)
May 5. Creativity: films
7. Quiz on Ch. 20 & 21 Learning & evolution All Programs Due
12. Conclusion (Review session)
14. Reading Day
19. Final Exam (10:30-12:30)
(see Page 5 for key to computer abbreviations)
We make announcements in class from time to time (e.g., in trying to contact students with quiz problems).
If you miss a class, you should check to find out whether anything was announced in that class. Grades
will be posted on the wall opposite MP326. Check often to see that your grades have been recorded
properly. If you want to discuss the course and can't locate one of us, either leave a message in our
mailboxes at the Psychology Dept office (never under our office doors), so we can contact you in class or
by phone, or send an email message.
Catania: MP328 or SS507; 455-2426 or -2973 (ext. 2426 or 2973); Email: CATANIA@UMBC.EDU
Shimoff: MP326 or SS507; 455-2369 or -2973 (ext. 2426 or 2973); Email: SHIMOFF@UMBC.EDU
Psychology Department: MP310; 455-2567 (ext. 2567) PSYC 0210 QUIZZES Spring 1998 (Page 2 of 6 pages)
QUIZZES. Quizzes consisting of true-false and multiple choice items will be held at the start of
class on the dates shown on page 1. Quizzes will be worth at least 17 points each. On quiz days,
bring a pencil with eraser for the opscan answer sheets. There will also be a quiz based on this
syllabus; you can earn 3 points by passing it (passing score will be announced in class).
You can miss up to 3 quizzes without penalty (see below), so makeups of missed quizzes will
usually not be allowed. In most cases we limit makeups to quizzes missed in excess of ones you
can drop (e.g., you legitimately missed 4 quizzes, so you're allowed to make up one of them).
Exceptions: your hospitalization, death in your immediate family, subpoenaed court appearance. If
you think you're eligible for a makeup, check with us as soon as possible; where you know in
advance, we prefer to arrange makeups before a scheduled quiz date. For makeups for athletic
participation or obligatory religious holidays, you MUST make arrangements with us at least one
week before the quiz date. If you've missed 4 quizzes (which is almost 1/3 of the course) and/or
you're considering dropping the course, consult us first about whether you're eligible for an
INCOMPLETE.
Taking quizzes. Take your seat, put away your books and papers, and get settled promptly. Fill
in your Opscan carefully; you MUST enter your name and block in your ID number on the Opscan
sheet (do this at the beginning of the quiz). If we have to determine your quiz grade by hand
because you didn't, we'll require you to do a brief report on a journal article to make up that quiz
grade (see us for details); any such report must be done before the last day of classes. And if it's
not done within 4 weeks of the grade posting (barring extenuating circumstances), 5 points will be
deducted from the hand-graded quiz.
As you take the quiz, you should record your answers on the quiz question sheet, which you can
keep, as well as on the Opscan sheet. When the quiz ends, put down your pencil and promptly pass
in your answer sheet as instructed; you may forfeit the quiz if you keep writing or delay handing in
your answer sheet. We review questions in class immediately after each quiz, so you can calculate
your own grade right away. Quiz grades are also posted, and YOU SHOULD CHECK YOUR
GRADES REGULARLY to insure against scoring or record-keeping errors.
Exam content. You're responsible for ALL course material. We emphasize material from the
text but also may include items on class content and even this syllabus. The quizzes and final are
cumulative: they concentrate on assigned chapters but also cover earlier chapters. Ordinarily, factual
material and vocabulary make up the main content, but we might also ask details such as names of
prominent researchers from time to time.
Old quizzes on reserve. To prepare for quizzes and the final, you may find it helpful to look at
copies from past semesters, on reserve in the library. We haven't provided answer keys to quizzes
on reserve because it's best for you to check out answers for yourself. A good method is to identify
key words in a question and then to use the index to find the place in the text that covers the point
addressed by the question. If you've tried to work out an answer and are still uncertain, then come
to see us about it (but try to avoid last-minute questions in class just before a quiz; that's the most
difficult time for us to answer your questions carefully, because we have to concentrate on getting
quiz materials organized and distributed). PSYC 0210 USEFUL INFORMATION Spring 1998 (Page 3 of 6 pages)
Studying. We recommend the following: (1) read and review each chapter AT LEAST twice
(preferably 3 or 4 times) before the quiz date that covers it; make your first reading a quick pass to
pick up the overall structure and worry about the details in later readings (in other words, start with
the big picture and get into the fine points afterwards); (2) spend some time going back over earlier
material; (3) browse through the whole text now and then, to familiarize yourself with what's to
come later; and (4) give special attention to material about questions you missed on earlier quizzes.
Highlighting. We recommend AGAINST highlighting of your text. You'll get more out of your
study time if instead you take notes, prepare outlines, or write out in your own words something
about what you have been reading. If you must highlight, DON'T DO IT THE FIRST TIME
THROUGH; that's the worst possible time to highlight. At least wait until you've become familiar
enough with the material that you can make an informed judgment about what's worth highlighting
and what's not. And definitely don't rely on someone else's highlighting; try to get a clean copy of
the text.
FINAL EXAM. The final exam, worth at least 65 points, will be similar in form to the quizzes.
You may earn enough points to be exempt from the final (see page 6). TO BE ELIGIBLE, YOU
MUST EARN AT LEAST 13 POINTS ON THE LAST QUIZ (whether or not it is among your best
quiz scores). If your points are high enough, you may also elect to take a B and skip the final, but
in that case you forgo any chance to bring your grade up to an A (again, see page 6). If you take
the final to try to bring a guaranteed B up to an A, your grade will be based on your total points
earned, but we have never had a student in that situation do so poorly on the final that the student's
final grade dropped to a C.
GENERAL CLASS REGULATIONS
Questions affecting grades. If you have a question affecting grades (e.g., problem with quiz
grade, alternative answer to a quiz question, etc.), we will sometimes ask you to present it in writing
and to indicate whether you think the resolution of the problem should apply only to you or to
everyone in class. We sometimes find it's not a good idea for us to make snap decisions under time
pressure in class.
Taping lectures. If you know in advance that you'll miss a class, you're welcome to make
arrangements for someone to tape the missed class for you.
Tutoring. Students having trouble should consult us early; if you come to us with problems only
after the course is more than half over, it may be too late. Tutoring services are usually available
through the Learning Resources Center, but because the LRC must locate tutors qualified to tutor for
this course, early referral is essential.
Classroom courtesy. If you ask questions that are answered in this syllabus, you're taking up
everybody's time unnecessarily. And if your comments to neighbors or other activities are enough
to distract us, we'll assume they also disturb other students and we may ask you to leave the
classroom. When such cases are particularly egregious (look it up), we may subtract one or more
points from your grade. PSYC 0210 COMPUTER ACTIVITIES Spring 1998 (Page 4 of 6 pages)
COMPUTER ACTIVITIES The computer requirements assume no computer skills beyond use
of a keyboard. BEHAVIOR ON A DISK runs on IBM-PC or compatible systems, and is available
as a 3.5" disk (if you have a computer that uses only 5.25" disks, check with us; we may be able to
swap your 3.5" disk for a 5.25" copy). The disk can be used in drive A or drive B (but the
programs cannot be run from the C drive). Many computers that will run these programs are
available on campus and elsewhere. The programs will NOT run on other types of computers (e.g.,
Macintosh, Amiga, etc.).
The programs include games, experiments, and vocabulary reviews. On your first session, you'll
store your name and ID number on your disk. After that, data are automatically stored whenever
you complete a program, so you can print out your Progress Report to be handed in. If you know
how, set printing to start at the top of the page; also, if you use a tractor feed printer, please remove
the punched-hole strips on each side of the paper before handing it in.
Handling disks. Protect your disk from temperature extremes, spilled liquids, and magnetic
fields. If your disk is in a disk drive, NEVER remove it and exchange it for that of another student
unless you first exit from all programs and menus (especially, DON'T try to use the Progress Report
program to print out reports from two or more different student disks; you could mess up BOTH
disks). If you haven't worked with computers before, let the staff at the Computer Center introduce
you to the machines. Ask them to identify disk drives and special keyboard keys for you.
Computer keyboards differ from those on most typewriters in that numerals 0 and 1 don't
correspond to letters O and I.
Computer due dates. Page 1 lists two sets of dates for computer exercises. RECOMMENDED
dates (in parentheses) give you maximum benefit from programs as we cover material in the course
(e.g., you should do vocabulary exercises for a chapter before the quiz date for that chapter).
REQUIRED dates (there are 3) are those on which we will collect Progress Reports. If you miss
the former dates, your penalty will be the natural one of missing relevant questions on a quiz that
you otherwise might have gotten. If you miss the 2nd or 3rd required dates, you will not be eligible
for the computer bonus. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE MATERIAL ONCE THE FINAL
EXAM PERIOD HAS STARTED. You may hand in material early, but don't do programs TOO
early; you get the most from them when you do them close to the time at which we cover the
relevant material.
It's best to hand in your computer material at collection time in class. If you plan to leave it at
the Psychology Department office, have it dated and initialed by a secretary and placed in one of our
mailboxes (NEVER leave it under an office door). And to protect yourself against disk loss or
damage, you should make a backup copy of your Progress Report each time you complete a
BEHAVIOR ON A DISK program.
Handing in Your First Progress Report. Your first computer requirement is to hand in a copy
of your Progress Report. This insures that you've located a computer early in the course and have
learned how to use it and print a copy of your Progress Report (you don't need to finish any
programs on the disk to do that).
PSYC 0210 COMPUTER ACTIVITIES Spring 1998 (Page 5 of 6 pages)
Programs. On page 1, programs are abbreviated as follows:
SH Shaping Game (win HARD) VLG Verbal Learning
THR Threshold Game MEM Memory Span
GLS Goal Setting STM Short-Term Memory
DIS Distribution Game RCL Cognition in Recall
VSH Verbal Shaping (win without expert help) PS Problem Solving
CUM Cumulative Records and Reinforcement Schedules (3 PARTS)
The three parts of CUM, the Cumulative Records and Reinforcement Schedules program, are:
CUM1 Matching cumulative records
CUM2 Discriminating schedule performances
CUM3 Identifying schedule contingencies
In the Shaping Game, you need to win the HARD (not VERY HARD) version for credit. In the
Verbal Shaping Game, you must win without the help of the expert consultant. The computer
shows the best you've done. You can repeat this or other programs without worrying about how
well you do the next time around, because the computer never subtracts from your progress. What
you need to know about each program is given in instructions on the disk, and most programs can be
completed in less than half an hour.
The vocabulary sets review important terminology. When you go through a set, each missed item
reappears again later until you get it right. Each set consists of not more than 20 items. Progress
Report will show your % score for a set when you finish it with at least 80% correct, but to earn
points toward your grade for a set, you must score 90% or better. And we recommend that
you continue until you get all items in a set correct the first time around (100%), to really master the
material. Sets A through M of the vocabulary sets are shown below and are abbreviated on page 1
as sets vA through vM.
vA. Basic terms (Chapters 1-2)
vB. Stimulus presentations (Chapters 3-4)
vC. Reinforcement-punishment (Chapters 5-6)
vD. Differential reinforcement (Chapters 7-8)
vE. Stimulus control (Chapters 8-9)
vF. Schedule properties (Chapter 10)
vG. Schedule performances (Chapter 10)
vH. Complex schedules (Chapter 11)
vI. Conditioning (Chapter 12)
vJ. Verbal behavior (Chapters 13-15)
vK. Psycholinguistics (Chapters 14-16)
vL. Verbal learning (Chapter 17)
vM. Memory (Chapters 18-19)
PROGRESS REPORT: This shows what you've completed. CHECK IT AT THE END OF
EVERY COMPUTER SESSION. If possible, print out your Progress Report soon after completing
each program, so you have a record if something nasty happens to your disk. If you think you've
completed an exercise and Progress Report doesn't show you've done so, or if you have any other
problems with your disk, CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY -- don't wait for the deadline for
handing in your Progress Report.
PSYC 0210 GRADE WORKSHEET Spring 1998 (Page 6 of 6 pages)
Your grade will be based on TOTAL POINTS you earned from the best 11 of your 13 quizzes, the
computer programs, and the final; if you earn the computer bonus, you can substitute 20 points for the
lowest of your 11 quizzes. Grades will be based on this table:
Score: 219 or less 220-239 240-274 275-299 300 or more
Grade: F D C B A
Each quiz will be worth at least 17 points (for a total, with the 20 point bonus, of 190 or more
possible points). The final will add 65 more points, and computer programs (65 possible points) make
up the remaining points. Thus, at least 255 points will be available before the final, and the final will
bring the maximum to more than 320 points. Use the charts below to calculate your grade.
A (Quizzes) Enter your TOTAL POINTS (not %) for each quiz; absence counts as zero. Be sure to
use your grades AS POSTED.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13
If you completed ALL computer programs BY THEIR DUE DATES (including the HARD version of
Shaping game), enter your 10 highest quiz scores from above and then add 20 as the last entry;
otherwise, enter your 11 highest quiz scores from above:
+ + + + + + + + + + = (A)
B (Quiz) Syllabus quiz: Enter 3 points if passed = (B)
C (Computer) Enter 2 points for handing in first Progress Report on time = (C)
D (Computer) Enter 3 points for each program completed. Maximum: 39
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
= (D)
SH-H GLS THR DIS VSH Cum1 Cum2 Cum3 VLG MEM STM RCL PS
E (Computer) Enter 2 points for each vocabulary set at 90% or better. Maximum: 26
+ + + + + + + + + + + + = (E)
vA vB vC vD vE vF vG vH vI vJ vK vL vM
If the sum of (A) through (E) is 245 or greater, you get an automatic grade of
A and you'll be exempt from the final exam; if it is 230 or greater, you may
ELECT to take a grade of B and skip the final exam, PROVIDED IN BOTH
CASES THAT YOU EARN AT LEAST 13 POINTS ON THE LAST QUIZ.
F (Final) Enter Final Exam Grade = (F)
Final grade: Add up (A) through (F) and refer to the table at the top of this page.
(A) + (B) + (C) + (D) + (E) =
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PSYC 446 -- Industrial/Organizational Psychology -- Summer 1997 -- MW 6 -- MP 101
Instructor: Dr. E. Shimoff MP 326 (455-2369 or 2973)
Text: Muchinsky, P. Psychology Applied to Work (4th ed.)
Course Schedule
June 4 Quiz 1 History and Methods (ch. 1-4)
11 No Class
16 Quiz 2 Selection and Training (ch. 5-7)
18 Quiz 3 Organizations and Behavior (ch. 8-10)
25 Quiz 4 The Social Context (ch. 11-12)
July 2 Quiz 5 Job Design (ch. 13, 15-16)
Course Requirements
1. There will be five multiple choice quizzes (30-40 items each) on the dates specified above.
Quiz questions will be based primarily on material in the text, but will also cover issues
discussed in class, and may even reflect information in this syllabus.
2. There will be a variety of written homework assignments that will require you to apply
some of the principles discussed in class. For the most part, these will demand thought
rather than library research, but you will have to hand in written reports. As in the real
world, neatness, grammar, and spelling count, although APA style is not required.
These will be graded as either acceptable or unacceptable; if a report is unacceptable,
you will be able to (and, in fact, have to) revise and rewrite until it is acceptable.
3. On the next-to-the-last day of classes, an Applications Paper is due. The Applications
Paper should be either (a) a presentation showing how material covered in class is
relevant to your own experiences in a work setting, or (b) a summary of a published
study reporting data that can be applied in an organizational or industrial setting. If you
choose option (a), it is important that your paper reflect class material, with appropriate
citations. If you choose option (b), it is important that the research include a relatively
clean experimental design, "robust" data, and potential applicability. The Applications
Paper is somewhat unstructured, and your primary motivation should be pride in your
performance, but an exceptionally good (or poor) performance can shift a marginal grade
up (or down).
4. Final grades will be based on the average quiz scores with the lowest quiz grade dropped,
using the traditional "90% is an A" standard; grades will not be curved. If all
homework assignments are not completed by the last day of classes, there will be a
letter-grade reduction.
5. There are a great deal of data suggesting that attendance is associated with higher grades.
In light of these data, attendance may be monitored intermittently. While there is no
direct contingency on attendance (i.e., it is not a formal factor in the grading system), I
am unlikely to be sympathetic to pleas from students with spotty attendance records.
6. Any student who seems likely to fail the course despite regular attendance and serious
efforts may take the "no-fail" option -- receiving an I, and submitting additional
assignments (typically short term papers) until it is clear that the student has learned
enough to earn a C.
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