PSYC 110 - Critical Thinking & Writing in Psychological Research

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-1B; Second Composition
An introduction to the role of critical thinking and composition in the scientific study of behavior. Emphasis will be on developing skills including scientific reasoning (deductive and inductive approaches), fallacies in interpreting psychological data, and evaluating arguments in research. Must earn C- (CR) or better for GE credit.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-1B - Lower Division Critical Thinking; Second Composition
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Area 1A with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Area A2 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments of contemporary psychological issues from a variety of sources from peer-reviewed psychological research to media representations of psychology.
Distinguish matters of fact from judgments, opinion, and/or fallacies in peer-reviewed psychological research and in media.
Scientifically reason using inductive and deductive approaches to formulating research questions and hypotheses related to the study of behavior.
Use appropriate language when stating a research question, hypothesis, and arguments.
Support a research question, hypothesis, and argument with appropriate evidence from psychological research.
Use library resources to find appropriate evidence to support a research question, hypothesis and argument.

GE-1B. Critical Thinking Learning Outcomes

Identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments.
Logically construct arguments to support and refute claims using evidence.
Reason inductively and deductively.
Distinguish matters of fact from judgments, opinions, and/or fallacies.

Second English Composition Learning Outcomes

Write for at least two different audiences (e.g. academic, general, and/or professional).
Engage in writing for specific purposes (e.g. critical thinking, analytical writing, informal writing, and/or research).
Apply critical thinking and logical reasoning in the development and organization of ideas in written texts.
Consider multiple perspectives using primary and/or secondary sources, and when appropriate, incorporate key disciplinary concepts when presenting ideas in writing.
Revise writing with critical feedback provided by the instructor at important junctures throughout the semester in order to improve development, clarity, coherence, and correctness.