Mrs. Snodgrass Office: 255 Taylor / Classroom: 241 Buckman ssnodgrass@stmarysmemphis.

net / 901-537-1429
Welcome to Introduction to Psychology! I hope you took this class because you are interested in learning about why we as human beings operate the way we do. My masters degree is in educational psychology and research, and that emphasis will be reflected in the topics we cover during the semester. *Modern psychology approaches *Learning (classical and operant conditioning, cognitive learning, memory, specific learning skills) *Intelligence (theories of, multiple intelligence psychometrics) *Motivation and Achievement *Emotion *Human Development (infancy through old age) *Personality Theory (Freud, Jung, Adler, Bandura/Skinner, Gestalt/Existential) *Health, Stress, & Coping *Mental, Anxiety, Mood Disorders and Diagnosis (descriptions and testing/evaluation) *Therapies (insight and behavior) *Social Psychology This is not to say that all of the biological/physiological aspects of psychology (covered in text modules 3-6) are not important, but much of that information is covered in anatomy courses, and I would rather focus on the behavioral aspects of the field. Speaking of the text, it is Introduction to Psychology (8th edition) by Rod Plotnik and Haig Kouyoumdjian. Please bring it to class every day, along with whatever you choose to keep your notes in (paper folder with brads or dedicated portion of a binder). Additional resources will include videos, textbook webpage tools, current research articles in psychology, and perhaps an occasional outside speaker. I consider this class an exposure course, which means I am much more interested in your exploring, questioning, evaluating, applying, etc. the information as opposed to your memorizing it and giving it back to me on a test. Some of you will enjoy this approach right off the bat, and others will have to let it grow on them. :0) Most of your grade will be derived from reading guides, class discussion participation, Haiku discussion board posts, and projects. I do my grade calculations on total number of points.

Introduction to Psychology

Class Policies: St Marys Episcopal School Honor Code applies to all situations in this class. In case of excused absences from class, please see me to determine what was missed and make up work within two days (unless special permission is given otherwise). Please be aware that work handed in late will be lowered ten points per day late. My office is on the second floor of the Taylor Building Room 255. I encourage you to stop by with questions, concerns, or just to chat at any time. Being of service to you is my number one priority I hope this will be a great learning experience for all of us. Please do not hesitate to ask for outside help if you are having a difficult time understanding certain concepts/theories. I will be happy to help you before school, after school, or during any common free period we may have.