PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY (81 hours)

The course aims to enlighten students with the subject matter typical of 1^st year British University Psychology Courses. It is aimed towards students of a wide range of academic orientations as it is an Introductory Course while simultaneously unfolding the subject matter to Future Psychologists.

Analysis of the Course

• Introduction to the discipline of Psychology. Outline & discussion of Perspectives in Psychology.
• Review of Perspectives of Psychology with examples of clinical behavior. Philos issues – determinism Free will. Case studies of abnormal behavior. Theories of Criminality on Human Nature definition of Criminal behavior. Dilemmas of depicting – categorizing Criminal behavior.
• Measurement of Crime Hypothesis Creation & testing. The Exceptional Method in Psychology. Nature Purpose of Measurement in Psychology (in Assessment & therapy). Modes of Assessment. Ethical Issues in Psychology – in Milgrams Experiments.
• Neurobiological Processes of Behavior.
• Psychological Development. Nature versus Nurture dilemma. Personality. Social development
• Nature of Consciousness Nature of Unconscious. Nature & function of Sleep. Sleep disorders.
• Nature & function of Psychoactive Drugs (depressants , etc.) Nature & problems of addiction & dependency. The operation of Psychoactive drugs on Brain neurotransmitters. Alternative forms of psychology in dealing with Addiction, hypnosis, Meditation.
• Cultural – Social factors involved. Problem Solving.
• Basic Motives Motivation types of brain functions in reaction to Hedonism. Nature of Imprinting. Drug Addiction. Homeostasis.
• Homeostatic processes e.g. Hunger, thirst, Obesity & Anorexia, Bulimia. Nature of – Factors reading to treatment aims. Diet & weight Control.
• Nature of Emotion & Arousal. Discussion of Lie detectors. Expression of emotion – brain localization. Attention & Learning.
• Nature of Aggression in ordinary population and in criminal population – studies relating to this. Origins of Criminal Behavior. – Biological – Learning Social Factors – Studies – Theories. The Psychopath. Issues. Problems. The Mentally ill offender. Issues. Problems. The Correctional System (Prison, e.t.c.)
• Individual differences in Human Beings Assessment techniques – what is assessed? Assessment of Personality? Assessment techniques of Personality. Explanations of data – nature – nurture issues. Heredity – nature of – issues concerning.
• Interactions influencing Personality Discussion of Personality types involved in Criminal Activities.
• Personality Theories. Psychoanalytic Approach – Structure – dynamics – development shortcomings of.
• Phenomenological Approach – nature – processes – development – shortcomings. Cognitive – Behavioral Perspective in Personality – nature – processes – issues in measurements e.t.c.
• Nature & characteristics of Stressful Events Nature of Stress as a positive & Negative phenomenon. Psychological reactions to stress e.g. agoraphobic client – case study. Study of obsession – Compulsion Problems
• Stress on Health Personality as a Mediator of Stress. Coping skills. Managing Stress Discussion of a assessment treatment Plan of Stress Symptoms.
• Abnormal Psychology Defining abnormal behavior. Classifying abnormal behaviour Definition of Normality. Consideration of Anxiety disorders – types – processes e.t.c. treatment aims – methods.
• Discussion of Mood Disorders Schizophrenia. Personality disorders
• Nature of Mental Health. Enhancing Mental Health. Preventative Measures. Nature of diagnostic – short – term & long – term Services available in Greece. When to seek help.
• Introduction to Social Psychology. Theories of Social Behavior. Concept of Attitudes – Functions of Nature of Attraction – culture – bound. (Implications for bonding – marriage e.t.c.)
• Social interaction & Influence. Nature of deindividuation – Social facilitation. Conformity – authority – rebellion – internalization. Compliance Group decision Making – Processes dilemmas & Issues
• History of Psychology. Research Methods in Psychology

Resources and booklist suggestions:

1.        Atkinson, R. Introduction to Psychology 1996 (main text). Harcourt Brace Publishers.

2.        Gross, Richard Psychology. The Science of Mind and Behavior

3.        Meadows, Sara The child as a thinker; The Development and Acquisition of Cognition in Childhood.

4.        Sternberg, R. J. Intellectual Development

5.        Freud, S. The Interpretation of Dreams

6.        Papalia, D. E. Human development

7.        Wenar Developmental Psychology from Infancy through Adolescence

8.        Valle, Ronald Existential – phenomenological Perspectives in Psychology

9.        Bartol, Curt Criminal Behavior ; A Psychosocial Approach 4^th Ed. 1995

10.     Taylor, S.E. Health Psychology

11.     Sunberg, Norman Introduction to Clinical Psychology: Perspectives, Issues and Contributions to Human Service