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PSY105: General Psychology Lab — Fall 2009

This course examines and applies the methods and techniques of scientific inquiry used in psychology, including computer-simulated demonstrations, small group discussion, and written assignments. You will gain hands-on experience with a sample of the phenomena studied in PSY101 (General Psychology) and other psychology courses.

classroom: Beaumont Hall 105.
instructor: Dr. J. Stephen Mansfield
email: steve.mansfield@plattsburgh.edu
phone: 564-3384
office: 206a Beaumont Hall
office hours: Monday 12–1pm, Wednesday 1–2pm, Friday 12:30–1:30pm, and at other times by arrangement.
class time: Class meets once a week — the day and time depends on your section as follows:

Section	Class time	Teaching Assistant
A	Mon 12pm	Alyssa Slezak
B	Mon 12pm	Sherna Bannis
C	Mon 1pm	Keahi Eggers
D	Mon 1pm	Jason Herwick
E	Wed 12pm	Alyssa Slezak
F	Wed 12pm	Sherna Bannis
G	Wed 1pm	Keahi Eggers
H	Wed 1pm	Jason Herwick
I	Fri 12pm	Alyssa Slezak
J	Fri 12pmSherna Bannis
K	Fri 1pm	Keahi Eggers
L	Fri 1pm	Jason Herwick

Text

Mansfield, J. S. (Fall 2009). General Psychology Laboratory Manual
The manual is available from the course web page. You should download and print a copy of the manual (there are only 22 pages). Keep your manual in a 3-ring binder, and bring it with you to lab each week.

How this course works

After the introductory week, this course consists of 13 labs. The procedure for each lab is the same: Each class will start with a short quiz about the introductory material (in the lab manual) for that day's lab. You will then complete the lab activity, after which your TA will lead you in a group discussion. Each lab also has a homework assignment which is due by the start of your lab in the following week.

Your grade

Each lab activity is graded out of 10 points as described below.

At any time during the semester you can log in to the class web site to view your quiz, discussion, and homework grades, and to review my comments and feedback on your homework assignments.

Lab notes quiz (1pt)

Before each class, you are expected to read the introductory material in the Laboratory Manual and to review the instructions for that week's lab. There will be a short quiz on the introductory material at the start of each lab session.

Lab discussion (3pts)

After each lab activity is completed, there will be a group discussion based on the questions presented in the lab manual. It is important that you participate in this discussion. At the end of the discussion you will rate your own contribution to the discussion (on a 0–3pt scale). The TA will also grade your contribution.

Homework (6pts)

Assignments

A short homework assignment is due for each lab. The assignments can be accessed from your personal PSY105 web page. The assignments are also printed at the end of your lab manual so that you do not need to be at a computer to see the questions and to start working on your answers.

Submitting homework

Homework must be submitted via the link on your personal PSY105 web page. When you submit your homework, you will see a web page indicating the time and date you sent the assignment, along with a record of the work you sent. You must save this page (either save it on your computer or print it out) as proof that you completed the assignment, in case a discrepancy arises.

Spelling and grammar

Points will be deducted for poor spelling and grammar: ½ a point will be deducted for every 5 errors up to a maximum of 20 errors. Work with more than 20 errors will receive zero credit. You are advised to use a word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word) to type your answers, and then copy them into the web form. In this way you can use a spell checker before submitting your assignment. Most word processors also save your work as you go, so that you will not lose all your work should your computer crash.

Homework deadlines

Each homework assignment must be submitted by the beginning of class one week after the lab is completed. For example, if you conduct Lab 1 on Monday at 1:00pm, you must submit the homework for Lab 1 no later than the following Monday at 1:00pm.

Late work

Work submitted after the deadline will earn zero credit unless you have a valid and documented reason that prevented you from submitting your work for the entire week prior to the deadline.

Submission problems

If you have an internet problem which, despite your best efforts, prevents you from submitting your homework through the web page, you can print out a complete copy of your assignment and hand it to your TA at the beginning of your lab (this will be sufficient to document that you completed your work on time). However, in order to receive a grade, you will still be required to submit your homework via the online form once your internet problem is fixed.

Final exam (optional)

An optional final exam will be held during the final exam week. This exam will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions about the lab activities. It will focus on the key concepts, basic research methods, data interpretation and analysis, and the communication of research findings.

Each question is worth 0.25 points (i.e., the 40 questions total 10 points). Your grade on the final exam can be used to replace your lowest lab grade.

Overall grade computation

When I calculate your overall grade at the end of the semester I will drop your lowest scoring lab. I will then replace your next lowest scoring lab with your score from the final exam (if your final exam score is greater.) This will give you a score out of 120. This total will be converted in a percentage as follows: percent = 100 × score ÷ 120.

Extra credit

Extra credit can be earned in the following ways:

Personal Reactions (0.25% each. Maximum 6)

Write a 1-page report (approximately 300 words) that describes how the material presented in a specific class was personally relevant to you. For example: What did you learn from a class? Did the material conform to your understanding of the world, or did it challenge your beliefs or opinions ... etc.?

To submit a personal reaction for extra credit follow the 'personal reaction' link once you have logged into the course web site. Your reaction must be sent within one week of the day the class was given, and you must have been present in class on that day.

Error spotting (0.1% each.)

I hold you all to a high standard for accurate spelling and correct grammar. It is only fair that I should be held to the same standard. So, if you find a spelling error or a grammar error in any class materials that I distribute to you, or post on class web pages, or in a course textbook, and you are one of the first students to report it to me, I will reward you with extra credit.

To report an error for extra credit follow the 'error report' link once you have logged into the course web site. Your error report must be sent within one week of the day the material was distributed (or referred to) in class, and you must have been present in class on that day. Additionally, your error report must itself be free of errors in order to receive extra credit.

Note: I place a cap on the maximum extra credit you can earn. At most, extra credit can only raise your grade by one grade boundary (e.g., from a D to a D+, from a C+ to a B-, ..., etc.).

Grades

Your letter grade will be determined according to the following table.

Percentage	Grade
≥ 93.33	A
≥ 90.00 and < 93.33	A−
≥ 86.67 and < 90.00	B+
≥ 83.33 and < 86.67	B
≥ 80.00 and < 83.33	B−
≥ 76.67 and < 80.00	C+
≥ 73.33 and < 76.67	C
≥ 70.00 and < 73.33	C−
≥ 66.67 and < 70.00	D+
≥ 60.00 and < 66.67	D
< 60.00	E

The final application of these guidelines is subject to the discretion of the instructor.

Note that, except for the extra-credit opportunities stated in the syllabus, students will not be allowed to do any additional "extra work" to make up for poor performance in class.

Attendance

You are required to attend your lab section every week. You may not attend another lab section. Attendance will be taken at each lab.

Missing class results in you earning zero for that week's lab. Homework may only be submitted for labs you have attended.

You must arrive on time for each lab. If you arrive after the lab-notes quiz has started you will not be allowed to take the quiz. If you arrive after the lab activity has started you will not be permitted to do the lab, and you will score zero for that lab.

Note that class will be held whenever classes are in session, including days surrounding holiday breaks. Please plan your travels accordingly. Missing class or lab because your ride is leaving early or getting back late is not an acceptable excuse.

Make-ups for missing labs

Missed labs can be made up if you have a valid and documented excuse. You should submit a make-up request via the form on the course web site. Note that you are required to have documentation that supports your excuse. When I receive your make-up request I will reply (to your campus email address) with the arrangements for completing the lab.

Communication

• If you do not understand something, or you are unsure how to complete an assignment, the first thing you should do is contact me. I will help you if you ask me.
• The easiest way to contact me is via the 'send comment' link on the course web site (available once you have logged in).
• If you send me a message by email and you would like me to reply, please include your real name in your message. It is hard to identify students based on their email address alone (this is especially the case if you send your mail from a non-campus address).
• If you leave me a phone message and you would like me to call you back, please include your name, state your phone number clearly at the start and end of your message, and suggest an appropriate time (or range of times) when I will be able to reach you.
• You are responsible for all material presented and announcements made in class, whether you are in class or not.

Class web pages

I will create an individual web page for you on my course web site. Your web page will be protected by a password that you will give me at the start of the semester. Your page can be accessed from the login box on my home page: <http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/steve.mansfield>. Your page will show your grades in my class, give you access to extra credit opportunities, and allow you to retrieve the course materials that we use in class. Some class-related materials will only be made available to you via your page.

You must check your grade page at least once a week. If you are unable to access your web page for any reason you should contact me.

Academic honesty

It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.

Academic honesty is essential to the intellectual health of the university and the ideals of education. SUNY Plattsburgh expects students to be honest and to conduct themselves with integrity in all aspects of their relationship with the college (e.g., application, transfer evaluation, academic progress review, and credit and non-credit bearing experiences, including regular course work, independent studies, internships, practica, student teaching, and interactions with faculty, staff, and students). Academic dishonesty adversely affects the educational function of the college and undermines the integrity of its programs.

Dishonest conduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, forgery, and alteration of records, along with any lying, deceit, bribery, coercion, or intimidation for the purpose of influencing a grade or for any other academic gain. Action against a student determined to have violated the academic honesty policy can range from a reduction of the grade on an assignment, through failure of a course, to suspension or even dismissal from the academic program, the department, or the college.

All cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported to the college judicial board in accordance with the college's procedures for addressing suspected academic dishonesty.

Penalties for academic dishonesty

The college procedures require me to specify a sanction for the alleged violation. In my courses the sanctions will be as follows:

• Assignments that are not written in the student's own words (e.g., containing passages that match with another student's work, the class textbook, or other reference material) will score zero.
• Falsification of a student's signature on a sign-in sheet for attendance or class participation will result in the students receiving zero of the available credit for attendance or participation.
• Students who cheat on an exam will fail the course (i.e., their final grade will be an E.)
• Students who fabricate data (e.g., by 'making up' results, or reporting data that they did not collect) for a research study or lab class will fail the course (i.e., their final grade will be an E.)
• Penalties for other forms of dishonest conduct will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

© 2009 Steve Mansfield. This page is not necessarily representative of official University policy nor of the University in general. Likewise, the official policies of the University are not necessarily representative of my own beliefs or opinions.