PSYC 100: Introduction to Psychology

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology is a 3-credit course at University of Maryland Global Campus. UMGC describes it as a survey of the basic principles, research concepts and problems in psychological science.

It is the gateway to the UMGC psychology courses in this series: PSYC 220, PSYC 251, PSYC 300 and PSYC 301 each list it as a prerequisite. Students may receive credit for only one of BEHS 101 or PSYC 100.

What PSYC 100 Covers

UMGC's description addresses biological, cognitive and social perspectives and aims to apply concepts and the scientific method to individual, community and organizational life. Named topics are below.

Key Ideas Explained

Learning and Conditioning

Classical conditioning pairs stimuli; operant conditioning links behavior to consequences. Know the vocabulary and give an example of each.

The Scientific Method

A claim is credible when it can be tested. Practice saying what was manipulated, what was measured, and what other explanations remain.

Perspectives

Biological, cognitive and social perspectives answer different questions about the same behavior. Name the perspective you are using.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Check your syllabus for assignments. Introductory courses typically include the following kinds of tasks.

Weekly Study Plan

Connecting Topics Across the Course

Topics in PSYC 100 are linked, and noticing links makes revision easier. Learning and memory both involve change in the nervous system. Motivation shapes what is learned and remembered.

Personality and social behavior show how individual and group influences meet. Psychopathology draws on every earlier topic, because disorders involve biology, thought, emotion and context together.

UMGC says applications of psychology are also presented, so keep a list of real-life uses next to each topic.

Preparing for Quizzes and Exams

Self-testing works better than rereading. After each topic, close the book and write what you remember, then check the gaps. Practice explaining concepts in plain language, since an exam question about learning or memory often asks you to apply a term to a short scenario.

• Make flash cards with a term on one side and an example on the other.
• Space reviews over several days.
• Practice telling similar terms apart, such as classical and operant conditioning.
• Check your syllabus for the format of any quiz or exam.

The Three Perspectives in Practice

UMGC names these three perspectives in the course description. For any new topic, ask which perspective the textbook uses and what the others might add. That habit prepares you for later courses such as PSYC 220, PSYC 251 and PSYC 301.

Where Students Get Stuck

• Too many terms. Group and self-test.
• Common-sense answers. Cite research instead.
• Confusing similar concepts. Make comparison tables.
• Late starts. Short sessions across the week work better than one long one.

Study Tips for PSYC 100

• Use the scientific method as a lens on every topic.
• Keep a glossary and add to it weekly.
• Practice applying concepts to examples you know.
• Learn APA basics early for later courses.

How We Help with PSYC 100

Send the assignment, rubric and readings. We can prepare a model, explain a concept, or edit your draft. See psychology assignment help.

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