-
PSYC3450 Problem Solving 2013-14, 1st Term
Department of Psychology The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1. Course Description: What is the course about?
This course introduces basic concepts, theories, methods, and
findings in the psychology of thinking and problem solving. In
particular, the course will cover research findings related to
problem solving, reasoning, judgment, decision-making, social
problem solving, and problem solving in groups. We will also
discuss the role of unconsciousness in thinking and whether human
are rational/irrational thinkers.
2. Learning Approach: How does the course help you learn about
psychology?
An interactive learning approach will be implemented in this
course. You will be engaged in a wide range of interactive in-class
demonstrations, laboratory activities, and group discussions to
facilitate your learning.
3. Prerequisites: What knowledge do you need before taking this
course?
General Psychology (PSYC1000) or equivalence.
4. Contact Information of Teaching Members
Lecturer Teaching Assistant Name: Dr. Deborah KO Qiming HAN
Office: Room 332, Sino Building Room 339, Sino Building Telephone:
3943 1060 (office) 3943 6489 (office) Email: [email protected]
[email protected] Lecture: Tuesday 14:30 16:15 (YIA_LT9) Tue
16:30 18:15 (YIA_LT9) Office Hours: By appointment Friday 14:00
16:00pm
Readers Name: Karim BETTACHE Lanny MO Office: Room 332, Sino
Building Room 326A, Sino Building Email: [email protected]
[email protected] Office Hours: Monday 13:00-15:00 Friday
14:30-16:30
-
5. Course Content
Topics Contents/fundamental concepts
Intro: History and Methodology
What is the history behind problem solving within cognitive
psychology and philosophy? How have we been able to study the black
box?
Problem Solving How do we approach problems and begin
formulating strategies to solve them? What are different strategies
that we use and how are they effective or ineffective?
Reasoning Are we always rational? How do we take information and
draw conclusions? How do we take what we know to solve
problems?
Inductive vs. Deductive and Heuristics
What are the top-down and bottom-up processes we use to arrive
at solutions? What kind of short cuts do we use to arrive at the
answers?
Decision Making/Choice
How do we arrive at making decisions? When is it difficult to
make decisions and how can we be better at making them?
Unconscious Thought, Emotion, Motivation
Are we always in control of how we solve problems? What are
other factors that seem less rational that affect how we problem
solve?
Intelligences and Creativity
What are different types of intelligence and how do they help us
in solving problems? How does this translate into how creative we
are in problem solving
Group Problem Solving How do groups solve problems together?
What are some of the problems that groups have in solving
problems
Social Problem Solving How do we solve problems between other
people? How do we avoid or resolve conflict with others?
6. Expected Learning Goals Learning Goals:
1. Understand the knowledge base of problem solving.
2. Be equipped with the research methods in problem solving.
3. Develop critical thinking skills in problem solving.
4. Apply and relate theories of problem solving to daily
issues.
-
7. Expected Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Matching of learning goals: Upon completion
of this course, students will be expected to:
Each learning outcome matches with the following learning
goals:
Learning Outcome 1
Understand, relate and apply the key concepts of problem solving
to daily life
Learning Goal 1
Learning Goal 4
Learning Outcome 2
Familiarize with the key classical and contemporary experimental
studies and findings in problem solving
Learning Goal 1
Learning Goal 2
Learning Outcome 3
Conceptualize, structure, articulate and present original ideas,
both in written assignments and during tutorial discussions,
related to problem solving
Learning Goal 3
Learning Goal 4
Learning Outcome 4
Design, direct and regulate own study plan for problem-based
learning, from identifying the problem, setting learning
objectives, researching on relevant information, reflecting on what
has been learnt, to applying the knowledge to future problems
Learning Goal 2
Learning Goal 3
Learning Goal 4
8. Learning Activities
Lecture Tutorial Self-Directed Study Time per week 2 hrs
in-class 1 hr in-class 3 hrs out of class
No. sessions total 12 lectures 12 tutorials -- Attendance
Optional Mandatory --
Teaching Member(s) Lecturer Teaching Assistants Self-initiated
by students
Matching with learning goals (LG)
LG1 LG3
LG1 LG2 LG3 LG4
LG2 LG3 LG4
Matching with learning outcomes (LO)
LO1 LO2
LO1 LO2 LO3
LO4
Three different types of learning activities will be adopted in
this course: I. Interactive Lectures
-
Present an overview of psychology-related concepts,
terminologies, theories and experimental findings, both classical
and contemporary
Discuss in the class controversial topics in psychology Engage
the class in interactive activities to consolidate the
understanding on psychological
concepts, terminologies, and theories. II. Tutorials
Demonstrate classical studies in cognitive psychology. Acquire
key experimental techniques in cognitive psychology. Acquire skills
in presenting experimental results.
III. Self-directed Studies
Let students take responsibility for design, direct and regulate
their own learning about psychology, to consolidate knowledge,
critical thinking skills, and personal reflection on
psychology-related topics to pursue further learning.
9. Assessment Scheme Assessment Mode: Matching of learning
goals: Students will be assessed in the form of: Each assessment
mode matches with
the following learning goals: 1. Formative assessment (measures
what you have learnt at different stages during the course)
Learning Goal 1 Learning Goal 2 2. Summative assessment
(examination to test understanding of the subject knowledge)
Learning Goal 1 Learning Goal 2 3. Authentic assessment (measures
various abilities that you can apply to address real-life problems
or fictional scenarios).
Learning Goal 3 Learning Goal 4
Assessment Scheme Description Weight
Matching with assessment mode (AS)
Quizzes Multiple-choice questions covering the entire course.
(15% 2 quizzes) 30% AM1
AM2
Paper This assignment provides a chance for students to reflect
on the scientific and/or daily-life implications of theories or
findings (10% paper 1, 30% paper 2).
40% AM1
AM3
-
Group Project This assignment provides a chance for students to
apply psychology knowledge to real world problems. 20%
AM2 AM3
Tutorial Participation
Students are expected to attend all tutorials, participate
actively in discussion, and finish assigned work 10 %
AM1
AM3
Note:
Students are expected to attend all tutorials. Absentees from a
quiz for unjustified reasons will not be granted a make-up quiz and
will be
given a 0 for that quiz. Students with justified reasons will be
given a make-up quiz with essay questions.
Each paper and group project report should be submitted to
VERIGUIDE (see p.8). Otherwise, it will not be graded.
Quizzes (30%)
(15%) Midterm Exam. This exam covers week 1 6. It will be
roughly 50 multiple choice questions, held during tutorial.
(15%) Final Exam. This exam covers week 7 11. It will be roughly
50 multiple choice questions, held during tutorial.
Extra Credit Opportunity
Before each exam (before lecture, 14:30 Oct 8 for the midterm,
before lecture, 14:30 Nov 19 for the final exam), students have the
opportunity to gain extra credit towards their exam grade. Students
should submit no less than 5 multiple choice questions with correct
answers marked. Students whose question(s) are accepted into the
exam will receive 1 point extra credit for each question.
Paper (40%)
(10%) Identifying the Problem. Describe a problem you had in the
past and detail all the constraints and parameters. Describe how
you came about your solution and if your solution adequately solved
the problem. Do not describe possible better solutions. Due Sept
24, 2013 at the beginning of class, by 14:30. A hard copy should be
brought to tutorial. Late submission will be penalized 10% of the
grade for each day. Hardcopies should be turned into your TA at the
beginning of class.
(30%) Finding Solutions. Analyze the solution from the 1st paper
of your classmate. What kind of problem was this and what type of
solution and solution process is this indicative of? Identify two
other possible ways of solving this problem and identify how you
came to these conclusions and incorporate as many concepts from
class to explain the solutions and your process. Due Nov 5, 2013 at
the beginning of class, by 14:30. Late submission will be penalized
10% of the grade for each day. Hardcopies should be turned into
your TA at the beginning of class.
Tutorial Participation (30%)
(10%) Attendance and participation. Attendance is mandatory for
tutorials. Active participation in discussion and group work will
receive higher marks.
-
(20%) Group presentation. Group presentations will be based on
consolidating analysis of group members problem analysis, including
an analysis of similarities and differences in problems and
solution processes. Slide material must be turned in digitally to
TAs before lecture Nov 19, 2013. Failure to do so at the designated
time will result in a 10% penalty.
10. Grade descriptors Grade Overall course
A Outstanding performance on all learning outcomes.
A- Generally outstanding performance on all (or almost all)
learning outcomes.
B Substantial performance on all learning outcomes, OR high
performance on some learning outcomes which compensates for less
satisfactory performance on others, resulting in overall
substantial performance.
C Satisfactory performance on the majority of learning outcomes,
possibly with a few weaknesses.
D Barely satisfactory performance on a number of learning
outcomes.
11. Learning resources
Readings:
Readings will mostly be articles and they will be posted online
for you to download. 12. Course updates
Course updates such as revised materials, lectures, and
additional readings will be provided on the course website:
https://sites.google.com/site/psych3450/ 13. Feedback for
evaluation
Students are welcome to give comments and feedback at any time
during the class. Stop by to talk to the instructor or teaching
assistants or send us an email.
-
14. Course schedule
Date Lecture Tutorial Assignments 1 9/3/2013 Intro: History and
Methodology Introduction 2 9/10/2013 Problem Solving Part 1 Paper
expectations 3 9/17/2013 Problem Solving Part 2 Problem Solving 4
9/24/2013 Reasoning Reasoning Paper 1 due 5 10/1/2013 Holiday
N/A
6 10/8/2013 Induction vs. Deduction and Heuristics Midterm
Review and Paper 2 workshop
Extra Credit Qs
7 10/15/2013 Decision Making/Choice Midterm
8 10/22/2013 Unconscious Thought, Emotion, Motivation Midterm
Recap/ Motivation
9 10/29/2013 Intelligences/Creativity Intelligences/Creativity
10 11/5/2013 Group Problem Solving Presentation prep Paper 2 due 11
11/12/2013 Social Problem Solving Presentation prep
12 11/19/2013 Presentations Presentations Extra Credit Qs
/Presentation due
13 11/26/2013 Applying problem solving/ Final exam review Final
Exam
-
15. Academic honesty and plagiarism
Information regarding the academic honesty and plagiarism policy
in the University is located at
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/. Some further advice
is given below.
PSYC3450
Problem Solving 2013-14, Term 1
Guideline about plagiarism
Any assignment (i.e., project, essay, or paper) that shows
evidence of plagiarism will be marked down severely. In simple
terms, plagiarism is copying passages and/or ideas from other
sources without referencing those sources. Moreover, when you
report someone elses ideas/findings you must put it in your own
words and not merely copy full sentences or parts of sentences from
the source article. It is your responsibility as a
scholar-in-training to cite the ideas and work of others correctly.
Please visit the following websites for discussions of how to
recognize and avoid plagiarism.
http://ec.hku.hk/plagiarism/introduction.htm
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
http://www.hamilton.edu/writing/style/plagiarism/plagiarism.html
If you commit plagiarism in an assignment, and it is your first
offence in the course, the penalty will range from a minimum of a
single letter grade reduction in score on the assignment to a
maximum of failure on the assignment. A second offence within the
same course will result in a minimum penalty of a single letter
grade reduction in the course grade to a maximum penalty of course
failure. The specific penalty applied is up to the discretion of
the professor. In all cases of plagiarism, the student's name will
be recorded in a central database maintained by the general office.
If a student is referred for plagiarism in more than one course, or
more than one instance in the same course, the student's case will
be forwarded to the university administration for follow-up
action.
Detecting plagiarismThe Senate Committee on Teaching and
Learning requires that all student assignments in undergraduate
programmes should be submitted via VeriGuide. This policy will only
apply to assignments in the form of a computer-generated document
that is principally text-based (i.e., excluding calculations in
science, brief laboratory reports, drawings in fine arts and
architecture, etc.).
Each student must upload a soft copy of the completed assignment
to the plagiarism detection engine VeriGuide, at
https://veriguide1.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/cuhk/
The system will issue a receipt which also contains a
declaration of honesty, which is the same as that in
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/p09.htm
The declaration should be signed, and the receipt stapled to a
hard copy of the assignment upon submission.
Assignments without the receipt will not be graded by
teachers.
-
PSYC3450
Problem Solving 2013-14, Term 1
Academic Honesty Statement
I promise that all assignments submitted to this course across
the entire semester will be original except for source material
explicitly acknowledged. I also acknowledge that I am aware of
University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and
of the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to
breaches of such policy and regulations as contained in the website
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/.
______________________________ Signature
______________________________ Date
______________________________ Name
______________________________ Student ID
PSYC 3450 Course code
PROBLEM SOLVING Course Title
