People sometimes behave differently than we expect or hope, and we wonder why.  Sometimes we wonder what behavior is normal and what's abnormal.  We wonder if behavior can be predicted and influenced.  This course looks at how psychologists have studied human behavior and tried to answer questions like these.  We'll look at how they do their research, and the different kinds of answers they have proposed.  We'll study the biological roots of behavior, as well as the factors in our environment that influence how we act.

Learning requires understanding and remembering new ideas and information, and the first assignment in each unit provides presentations and exercises to help you do this.  But meaningful learning also requires analyzing and comparing new ideas and information to what we and others know, applying new ideas to real life, and assessing the value of what we are learning.  Therefore, the course includes assignments that involve applying and discussing what you are studying.  This requires that everyone work through the course on the same weekly schedule, and, participate during the designated parts of the week for interactive assignments.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the major fields of study and theoretical perspectives within psychology and articulate their similarities and differences; recognize that behavior and mental processes can be approached from a number of different perspectives and identify the perspectives at play in real world scenarios.
• Differentiate between the major observational, correlational, and experimental designs used by psychologists; explain several reasons why doing research ethically is a complex task; critically evaluate real world information sources. 
• Identify the major parts of the nervous and endocrine system including the brain and explain how they reciprocally influence emotion, behavior, and mental processes.
• Explain how environmental, genetic, and evolutionary influences contribute to diversity.
• Explain how people change physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially over the course of the life span using the major concepts of development; demonstrate an understanding of the research methods used in studying the life span. 
• Differentiate between sensation and perception; articulate the major sensory pathways and how/where perceptual modifications can/does occur.
• Define consciousness and describe altered states of consciousness such as sleep, dreaming, drugs, meditation, and hypnosis as it relates to your life. 
• Recognize the influence of motivation in your own behavior.
• Describe the major roles that emotion plays in how people think about, influence, and relate to one another and themselves.

Your course grade will be determined according to the following points:
 

There are 3 proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your proctored exams at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect Empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking proctored exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

We are here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact us when they do:

You may also call us to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or at our campus offices. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard and email at http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.