Hello everybody!

Today's lecture will cover the format of the class and a brief introduction into the history of psychology and where we are today as a field. It will also discuss the nature/nurture debate. Because most lectures take student discussion into account, the lectures will not be as long as a typical classroom lecture. As such, it's vital that you ask questions for clarification. If you don't understand something, all you need to do is ask!

Important Links:

Lecture slides

Youtube video of lecture

Discussion thread 2300GMT

Discussion thread 1100GMT

Discussion Thread for 1600GMT will not be posted, as 1100GMT has been largely inactive. Please post any questions or comments in the 1100GMT Discussion Thread.

Please let me know if any of the links are broken, and feel free to ask any questions. It's been a little over a year since I've taught, so I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Thanks guys, enjoy!

EDIT: PDF of slides here. I have limited dropbox space, so if you want to save them, do it earlier, rather than later :)

Hello!

I will be assisting Series_of_Accidents with this course, and I wanted to provide verification of my education and experience. Hoping the others follow suit at a level with which they're comfortable.

Here's my CV

Twitter Verification

Me talking about why comic books are awesome

Let me know if you have any questions about my background!

Hi guys,

DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE POLL GUYS. COMMENTING YOUR ZONE HERE WON'T HELP, SO CLICK ON THE POLL!

I want to be able to accommodate your schedules as best as possible. I plan to hold discussion threads after each lecture, but I want those of your outside of the U.S. to be able to participate as well. As such, please refer to the map and select your time zone. You can do this by locating your country and identifying the color. Try to match it with the time zone. Zones are matched on color, so if your country straddles two lines, look at the color and find a location in that area with that color and an associated zone label. For example, France is in line Z, but it is blue. Therefore, it is zone A. Once you know your time zone (for instance, I live on the east coast of the US, so my time zone is R) go to this poll and select which time zone you live in. I'll try to schedule discussion threads at times when everyone can participate.

EDIT: Added clarification on how to find time zone.

Hey guys and gals,

I'm posting today's lecture a bit early (OK, a lot early) because I'll be on a plane at 2300 GMT on my way to visit family. I'll do my best to answer any and all questions during that time as well.

So, here is what you guys need:

Youtube video

Powerpoints via Slideshare

PDFs of powerpoint slides

Discussion Thread

As I'll be traveling, it won't be as easy to update with new discussion threads. As such, I'm going to only have the one thread.

Enjoy!

Hi all,

I apologize, but I am not as forthcoming about my identity as Comicspedia is. I've deleted my credentials.

Hey guys and gals,

Here's the first discussion thread where you can pose questions and seek help from others in the class!

Hey gang, here's my first attempt at posting a virtual lecture, hope you find it informative!

Research Methods Video

Slideshow via Slideshare

Discuss this topic here

Lecture

Slides

Video about Phineas Gage

Discussion Questions:

Discuss the brain's plasticity following injury.

What might be some consequences of splitting the brain?

Explain localization of function and contrast that with known examples of associated areas of the brain working in concert (not just the example I gave! Use those google-skills

Hey guys,

Lecture Six Video

Lecture Slides

Video about sodium potassium pumps

Discussion Questions:

What are the primary differences between neural impulses and hormones? What would be the evolutionary advantage of having both fast and slow methods of communication?

How might drugs impact the production of neurotransmitters in the brain?

Describe the difference between agonists and antagonists.

Hey guys,

Today's lecture is on infant and child development. Next lecture will cover adolescence.

Lecture

Slides

Discussion Questions:

How might you criticize Piaget's theory of development through the four stages he outlined?

What is a schema? Give examples of assimilation and accommodation.

How might attachment style influence your future relationships?

How old were you at your earliest memory? If younger than 3, why do you think you remember it?

Hello all,

A number of you have expressed interest in serving as a TA. Please only comment on this thread if you

A) Have taken college level psychology in the past (ideally with a B.A. or B.S. in Psychology)

and

B) Are interested in being a TA and helping to lead discussions.

This way I can keep track of you all.

Hey guys,

Here's today's material.

Lecture

Slides

No discussion questions yet. Feel free to ask anything!

Hey guys,

Here's the information for today's lecture:

Lecture

Slides

Discussion questions:

Describe an undesirable behavior and describe a reinforcement/punishment schedule to change that behavior.

What is the different between positive and negative reinforcement? Provide examples.

Give an example from your own life where latent learning proved useful to you.

Hey guys, sorry for the late posting. Had a bit of an internet problem but after a friendly chat with Comcast, I am back online! Here are tonight's resources:

Lecture

Slides-PDF

SlideShare

Video on the Jim Twins

Clark and Hatfield Study

Discussion Thread

Hi guys,

I'm sorry to say, but lecture six will have to be delayed a bit. My boss sprung a really big presentation on me for this Friday and I need to focus all my efforts on seeing that it is completed to his specifications. I'm still in the office (7:17 PM), and I just won't have enough time to prepare or record without sacrificing sleep. The lecture is on neurons and hormones which is a rather intense lecture. I'll do my best to have it posted Saturday. I'm so sorry guys, this was very "all of a sudden."

I hope you all understand.

Hey guys,

Today's lecture is on classical conditioning.

Lecture here

Slides here

Discussion questions:

Come up with a classical conditioning example. Identify the UCS, the UCR, the CS, and the CR.

An asthmatic patient receives medication for her condition when needed. Later, on vacation,her inhaler is almost empty. A devious friend fills the inhaler with harmless saline solution, and the asthmatic individuals still obtains relief from the inhaler in the absence of the medicine. What has happened here?

Sounds like classical conditioning reduces our behaviors to thoughtless, rote actions as a result of stimuli. Do you agree? How might you support or counter that assertion?

EDIT: Sorry guys, video currently down. Looks like NBC made a copyright claim (had a short clip from "The Office"), so I am removed that clip and resubmitted. Although NBC blows for being so hardcore about this, I do suggest you watch the clip. If you have Netflix, it's the first minute of the episode titled "Phylis' wedding." Thanks for understanding, guys.

Hey guys,

You may have been gone a while, or you may be new. Either way, I know you must have questions. Here's your chance to ask questions about any of the lectures thus far (or any other question you might have!)

Second lecture discussion thread for those who are on now.

Here's the video lecture:

YouTube link

The PowerPoint is currently converting on Slideshare. I will edit this to include the slides once it's done.

EDIT: Sorry for the delay with getting the slides up. Slideshare gives me a file conversion error quite frequently, finally got it to work: Slides

I'll be traveling today and for the next few days, so there will only be one discussion thread. And this is it! Ask any questions :)

Lecture

Slides

I've come down with a cold, I apologize if anything is difficult to understand in the lecture.

Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay, I live in the metro DC area and well, the Nationals had a ball game today and traffic was just atrocious. Anyway, here's today's materials:

Lecture

Slides

I'd like to do a little something with this discussion thread. We have had roughly the same number of upvotes for each lecture, and I assume that pretty much the same people are here each lecture. I'd love to get to know you all. Feel free to tell me a bit about you, or ask me anything. Also, if you have any questions about stress, now is a great time ;)

Discuss the third lecture of this course, Research Methods.