General psychology

Course description

General psychology - lecture - will introduce students to the scientific study of psychology. Students will learn about the principles of behavior and mental processes of humans (and other animals), will become familiar with the concepts associated with the major sub-disciplines used in psychology. Additionally, students will acquire a fundamental knowledge about the history of psychology as a science and its “founding fathers”.

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to aquaint students with leading branches of psychology, human mental processes and behaviour, and methodology.

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Course content (includes formal psychological concepts; selected theories of psychology; & the learning process)

The beginning of psychology as a science

Main schools and scientific approaches

Research techniques and models

Sensation and perception

Psychology of emotions and motivation

Learning: main approaches

Memory

Personality

Intelligence

Psychological disorders

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Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:

multimedia presentations, group discussion; ICT tools/MSteams platform

Reading list:

Cummings, J. A. and Sanders, L. (2019). Introduction to Psychology. Introduction to Psychology / Edition 12

Freedheim, D. K., & Weiner, I. B. (2021). Handbook of psychology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..

Hayes, G. (2023). Introduction to psychology. Open Educational Resources.

Kalat, J.W. (2021). Introduction to Psychology. Saskatoon, SK: University of Saskatchewan Open Press.

Nolen-Hoeksema S., Fredrickson, B.L., Loftus, G.R., Lutz, C (2018). Atkinson & Hilgard’s introduction to psychology. Hampshire: Cengage Learning

Learning outcomes acc to PQF since 2019 - specific to teacher profession

Knowledge

Students know and understand:

1. classical and contemporary theories of psychology including theories of social perception and communication relevant in the educational context (N_W02/P7S_WG; N_W12/P7S_WG; M_N_B1.W03)

2. extended formal psychological terminology (M_N_B1.W01)

3. the most important concepts and theories concerning psychological mechanisms of the learning process (N_W14/P7S_WK; M_N_B1.W04)

Skills

Students

1. develop psychological knowledge with the use of various sources, including foreign-language ones, and technologies (N_U18/P7S_UU)

2. independently formulate research problems in psychology and use appropriate tools and methods to analyze and discuss them with other specialists in English philology, with particular emphasis on statistical analysis

(P7S_UK)

3. use the acquired psychological knowledge and skills to deepen academic interests intra- and interdisciplinary (P7S_UU)

Social competences

1. use universal psychological principles and ethical standards in professional activities, guided by respect for every human being (P7S_KR)

2. build a relationship based on psychology and mutual trust between all subjects of the process of upbringing and education, including parents or guardians of the student, and involve them in activities that promote educational effectiveness (P7U_KO).

3. make decisions related to the organization of the educational process in inclusive education, taking into account psychology (P7U_KO P7S_KK)

Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes

1. Active participation in lectures - 20% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3)

2. Final test - 80% of the final grade (outcome 1,2,3,4)

Criteria of assessment: pass at 60%