General Psychology

Projects

Throughout the term you will complete 3 projects. Projects are due on the dates listed in the class schedule. The purpose of each assignment is to get you to apply and critically think about concepts discussed in class and in your text.

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Select one of the following for Project #1

a) A woman writes to Parents magazine:

We had a beautiful baby girl three months ago. Now that the hectic new baby period is over, I think more about her future and I wonder what kind of person she will become. What are the most important things in her life for determining her personality? 

Answer this question from EACH of the following perspectives: Freud, Watson, Rogers.

b) What is the difference between a positive correlation and a negative correlation? Come up with examples of 3 positive correlations and 3 negative correlations that differ from those described in class. For each example, be sure to explain why it is a positive or negative relationship and directly identify the two variables involved in the relationship. Finally why can we never say “cause-effect” with correlations? 

c) Finish the following sentence:

“I was most intrigued by ________________ in the chapter on biological bases of behavior” 

After completing the above sentence, describe how your nervous system was functioning when you came up with your answer. Which parts of the nervous system were being used? The CNS? The PNS? Which lobes and parts of the brain? Which brain hemispheres? Which parts were instrumental in writing or typing your response?

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Select one of the following for Project #2

a)On a separate sheet of paper, reproduce the following sensory grid. Fill in the answers to questions for each sense with short but complete sentences.

Sense

VisionHearingTastel

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What brain

structures

are involved?

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What are the

sensory cells?

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Theories?

________________________________________________________________

Future

research issues?

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b) What are the two most important things that you have learned by observational learning? For each, be sure to a) describe what was learned, b) describe what rewards and/or punishers the model received that influenced your motivation to learn or avoid the modeled behavior c) describe how classical or operant conditioning may explain your maintenance of the modeled behavior.

c) Write two TV commercials for products or services of your choice. The commercials should demonstrate the application of memory principles described in class and in the book including chunking, primacy and recency effects, repetition, rehearsal, and levels of processing. Each commercial does not need to include each of the above memory principles, but you must use each principle at least one time across the two commercials (i.e., you must use chunking in at least one of the commercials)

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Select one of the following for Project #3

a)For this project, collect data on attitudes regarding the elderly. Give 3 people that you know each a sheet of paper with the words “old person” on the top and ask them to write down words or phrases that come to mind. Additionally give 3 other people each a sheet of paper with the words “a person 70 years old”. It is important that the individuals responding not know about the different words on the sheets. Additionally be sure to respect their confidentiality and allow their responses to remain anonymous. After collecting their responses, in a paper summarize the responses, and compare and contrast the attitudes collected based on differences in the stimuli (“old person” vs. “a person 70 years old”). What do your results suggest about attitudes towards the elderly?

b) In public settings, observe the language of several children under the age of 5 years old. Provide 2 examples of each of the following:

·overextensions

·underextensions

·telegraphic speech

·overregularizations

Grading Criteria for Projects

I will be looking for the following in each project submitted:

• The question(s) has/have been answered as completely as possible given material discussed in class and in the text. Although these questions are posed for reflection and interpretation, your responses must be based on course content (from class or text) and not simply your personal opinion. 
• Sentences are grammatically correct and free of spelling errors
• Sentences are in the student’s own words.  No quoting allowed. 
• The project is typed, double spaced, 12 pt font 
• The project is no more than 2 pages (single sided) in length 

• A title page and reference page are not required.

I am happy to provide you with feedback on a draft project provided that you allow me sufficient time to do so. Feel free to bring a draft by my office hours before the due date for feedback.