Introduction to Psychology 1/IPSY102/About



Welcome to the OERu micro-course, Evolution, Learning & Perception. This is the second of three micro-courses that jointly constitute the OERu Introduction to Psychology I course. In this micro-course you will learn about the influence of genetics and evolution on our behavior, review the basics of learning and behaviorism, and explore a general framework for sensation and perception in the context of vision.

This micro-course is intended for students who are interested in gaining foundational knowledge about basic psychological processes, including those who wish to pursue a Baccalaureate degree in Psychology. It can also be useful to anyone interested in the Social Sciences and can contribute to a Bachelor of General Studies.

What will I learn
By the end of this micro-course you will be able to:
 * Summarize the basic components of genetics, including chromosomes and genes
 * explain the nature vs. nurture debate
 * explain epigenetics
 * distinguish the concept of genotype from phenotype
 * define behavioral genetics and recognize novel examples
 * compare and contrast behavioral genetics and molecular genetics
 * explain how experience influences with neural development
 * Summarize the field of evolutionary psychology and describe the major criticisms.
 * Compare and contrast physiological and psychological adaptations, survival and reproductive adaptations
 * Describe some of the theories from evolutionary psychology, including sexual selection theory and sexual strategies theory
 * Identify the core premises of error management theory and provide empirical examples of adaptive cognitive biases that the theory explains.
 * Explain what ‘learning’ means to psychologists
 * Identify & explain how learned behaviours are different from instincts & reflexes
 * Define classical conditioning, operant conditioning & observational learning
 * Summarize how classical conditioning occurs
 * Analyze examples of classical conditioning to identify the conditioned & unconditioned stimuli & responses
 * Distinguish the processes of acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization & discrimination
 * Explain the difference between reinforcement and punishment
 * Distinguish between reinforcement schedules
 * Define observational learning
 * Discuss the modeling process
 * define sensation & perception and explain how they relate to the concepts of top-down & bottom-up processing
 * define psychophysics and recognize new examples
 * compare & contrast absolute thresholds and difference thresholds
 * describe the elements of the perceptual process framework

What's involved

 * Completing readings
 * Watch videos
 * Completing elearning activities
 * Writing an exam (for learners taking the course for academic credit)

What prequisites should I have, if any?
Anyone is free to participate in this course; however, it is designed for those who meet Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s English Language Proficiency Requirement. In addition, an internet connection and basic web browsing skills are recommended with the ability to create a blog and microblog account (instructions and self-study tutorials provided.)

What micro-courses are required for course credit?
At some point in the future, OERu-affiliated institutions may choose to offer this OERu micro-course for credit towards an undergraduate credential. Learners may also request prior-learning assessment from their institution based on completing this OERu micro-course. Learners will likely be required to complete three micro-courses to gain credit for Introduction to Psychology 1:
 * 1) Foundations of Psychological Science
 * 2) Evolution, Learning, & Sensation and Perception
 * 3) Consciousness, Thinking & Memory