Course Description
This course will focus on exploring historical, traditional, and contemporary literature on learning and memory, as well as the biological basis of learning and memory. Areas of theory covered will include: classical/respondent conditioning, instrumental/operant conditioning, and social learning theory, with attention to clinical, counseling, and educational applications. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Evaluate and discuss basic facts and research findings, historic influences, terminology, principles, and theories essential to understanding the psychology of learning and memory.
- Analyze and discuss a basic understanding of the processes involved in the neurobiology of learning, attention and working memory.
- Compare and contrast behaviorist theories of conditioning and learning, including classical conditioning, and operant conditioning, and an understanding of the social learning theory.
- Compare and contrast cultural and gender differences in human behavior.
- Analyze and discuss current issues and controversies in the psychology of learning and memory.
- Analyze and discuss ways to apply psychological findings to everyday life, including school, work, relationships, and clinical settings.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
| Discussions (100 pts, Weeks 1-15) | 30% |
| Quizzes (100 pts, Weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 & 14) [Note: lowest score is dropped, only the top 8/9 scores will be counted. Quizzes are on Chapters: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 & 12] | 20% |
Critical Reflection Essays (100 pts, Weeks 1, 3, 5, 9 & 13) | 20% |
Midterm Exam (100 pts, Week 7) | 10% |
Learning Philosophy Statement (100 pts, Week 13) | 10% |
Final Exam (100 pts, Week 15) | 10% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
Gluck, M.A. (2020). Learning and Memory: From Brain to Behavior. 4th ed. Worth Publishers. ISBN-13: 9781319207328 [Looseleaf version]
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,3 | Fundamental Themes in the Psychology of Learning and Memory
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2 | 1,2 | The Neuroscience of Learning and Memory
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3 | 1,2 | Habituation, Sensitization, and Familiarization: Learning about Repeated Events
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4 | 1,3 | Classical Conditioning: Learning to Predict Significant Events
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5 | 1,3 | Operant Conditioning: Learning the Outcome of Behaviors
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6 | 1,4,5 | Generalization, Discrimination Learning and Concept Formation
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7 | 1-6 | Midterm Exam
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8 | 5,6 | Episodic and Semantic Memory: Memory for Facts and Events
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9 | 5,6 | Skill Memory: Learning by Doing
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10 | 5,6 | Working Memory and Cognitive Control
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11 | 3,5,6 | Emotional Influences on Learning and Memory
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12 | 3,4,6 | Social Learning and Memory: Observing, Interacting, and Reenacting
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13 | 1,4,6 | Development and Aging: Learning and Memory across the Lifespan
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14 | 1-6 | Final Exam Review
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15 | 1-6 | Final Exam
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.