Introduction to Comparative Psychology-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS04 20022 LE46 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ First semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Lecture | |
| Target Year | All students | Target Student | For all majors | |
| Language | English | Day/Period | Wed.4 | |
| Instructor name | Duncan Wilson (Graduate School of Letters Senior Lecturer) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course | Students will become acquainted with the principle reasons for psychologists' interest in the behavior of other species as well as humans, and they will gain knowledge about the major approaches used (observational studies, fieldwork, experimental manipulations) in this field. They will become familiar with the most important researchers in this branch of psychology, the historical contexts of their work, and how their studies have influenced contemporary research. There will be opportunities to ask questions in each class, and to compose short-answer questions. | |||
| Course Goals | Students will learn about major psychological approaches to understanding learning and behavior of humans and other species. Topics will include classical and operant conditioning, advanced cognition, and social and mating systems. | |||
| Schedule and Contents |
1. Background to classical and operant conditioning 2. Learning: sensitive periods, preparedness, and applications 3. The ethological approach to animal behavior. Tinbergen's 4 questions 4. Early development: nature and nurture 5. Early development: the formation and disruption of social attachments 6. The impact of early experience on behavioral adjustment 7. Living in groups: costs and benefits 1 8. Living in groups: costs and benefits 2 9. Mating systems: humans and other species 10. Social relationships: mechanisms and correlates of dominance 11. Social relationships: friendships, alliances, and kin. Aggression and reconciliation 12. Social cognition: from recognition to theory of mind 13. Physical cognition: dealing with objects and events 14. Recent highlights in comparative psychology 15. Feedback Note: The contents of specific classes may change. |
|||
| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Assessment will be by means of two components as follows: 1) There will be a mid-term test consisting of five short-answer questions (each worth 5%)and 25 multiple-choice questions (each worth 1%)(Total: 50%). 2) There will be an end-of-course exam consisting of five short-answer questions (each worth 5%)and 25 multiple-choice questions (each worth 1%)(Total: 50%). |
|||
| Course Requirements | None | |||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | No special preparations are required before or after classes, other than revising the material covered. | |||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | Lecture notes/slides will be distributed and posted on KULASIS. | ||
