UNIT 1. The Science of Psychology 1.Why Study Psychology?, Linda M. Bartoshuk et al., APS Observer , May 2004 Four well-known psychologists describe why they studied psychology and how they are currently using their training. Each psychologist works in a different but important subfield of psychology . 2.Does Psychology Make a Significant Difference in Our Lives?, Philip G. Zimbardo, American Psychologist , July/August 2004 Noted psychologist Philip Zimbardo argues that psychology indeed does make a difference in our lives. Psychologists, however, need to continue to “give psychology away” to the public. Zimbardo highlights psychology’s achievements in the fields of testing, behavior… change, therapy, life-span development, parenting, stress, the unconscious, work, and prejudice . He also highlights areas where psychology can make notable differences in the future, for example preventing the spread of AIDS . 3.Causes and Correlations, Massimo Pigliucci, Skeptical Inquirer , January/February 2003 This article reminds the reader to think critically about science . Too many phenomena, such as ESP (extra-sensory perception), are explained post hoc. Few lay people understand the difference between correlation and causation . The author reviews these two concepts and also explains control, experimentation, and statistical inference . UNIT 2. Biological Bases of Behavior 4.What Makes You Who You Are, Matt Ridley, Time , June 2, 2003 For decades, psychologists and biologists have tried to determine what plays a greater role in human behavior— genes or the environment . This controversy is known as the nature-nurture controversy . The newest theory suggests that both factors shape us and surprisingly, that each affects the other. 5.Genetic Influence on Human Psychological Traits, Thomas J. Bouchard, Current Directions in Psychological Science , August 2004 A large body of evidence supports the conclusion that individual differences in many psychological characteristics, normal or not, are influenced by genetic factors . Bouchard reviews why the study of genetics is important to psychology and then proved estimates of the magnitude of genetic influence on various traits such as intelligence, interests, mental health, personality, and social attitudes . 6.The Amazing Brain: Is Neuroscience the Key to What Makes Us Human?, Richard Restak, The Washington Times , September 5, 2004 Neuroscience is helping psychologists and other scientists understand the brain and its functions. Important discoveries are helping researchers and practitioners make sense out of seemingly incomprehensible neurological syndromes now that we know more about neural pathways in the brain. UNIT 3. Perceptual Processes 7.Eye Wise: Seeing Into the Future, Bonnie Liebman, Nutrition Action HealthLetter , November 2004 Vision loss is not inevitable, although some loss occurs with age. Mounting evidence indicates that proper care and nutrition can help to maintain healthy vision. This article covers eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration . First, the article explains what these maladies are, then covers the causes for them, and finally reviews how such problems might be prevented. 8.A Matter of Taste, Mary Beckman, Smithsonian , August 2004 The