Psychological Foundations of Learning – PSYC 365

Course Description

This course focuses on the study of human learning, including examination of conditioning, modeling, cognitive development, and high-level thought processes. Students will evaluate models of behaviorism, social learning, cognitive development, memory, motivation, and attribution theories.

Rationale

This overview of human learning will introduce the student to the methodologies and topics in the field, with research in the theories and application of Behaviorism and Comparative Cognition. A sample of early and current theorists have studied learning in each of these categories. An understanding of the behavior and thinking of the self and others will be an effective tool for intrapersonal and interpersonal Christian growth and ministry.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Mastery Training Homework Assignments (12)

The student will complete each assigned Mastery Training knowledge quiz. Each Mastery Training will cover content from the chapter readings. (CLO: A, B, C)

PowerPoint Presentation Assignments (3)

The student will develop a PowerPoint Presentation that will address Instrumental (Operant) Conditioning learning theory. In developing this paper, the student will submit assignments in stages throughout the course. The stages of submission are listed below. (CLO: A, D, E)

PowerPoint Presentation: Title Page and Reference Page Assignment

This assignment should include a title page and a reference page. The reference page must include the textbook, the Bible, and a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles, published within the most recent 5 years.

PowerPoint Presentation: Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will choose 5 scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles that report on original research addressing Operant (Instrumental) Conditioning. For each annotation, the student will write a concise annotation (200-250 words) that summarizes the central theme and scope of the research article. The student will then explain why this article might be selected for a summative final research paper (100-150 words).

PowerPoint Presentation: Operant Conditioning Final Submission Assignment

Essay Assignments (4)

The student will answer 2 specific questions pertaining to the assigned readings for each of the essay assignments. Each essay must include a minimum of 250 words per question. Each essay question must include at least one scholarly citation using class materials and one Biblical citation.  (CLO: B, C, D, E)

Quizzes: Chapter Quizzes (12)

The student will read each assigned chapter and complete a brief quiz through the textbook platform. (CLO: A, B, C)