PSYC101: Introduction to Psychology

This course is an introduction to the study of human behavior and surveys major topics within the diverse discipline of psychology. Topics covered will come from each of four core areas offered by the psychology department: Social/Applied (e.g., Social, Industrial-Organizational, Health), Biological Basis of Behavior (e.g., Physiology, Perception, Motivation/Emotion, Comparative Animal Behavior), Cognition (e.g., Learning and Memory, Conditioning and Learning, Cognition, Language) and Personality (e.g., Personality, Abnormal, Development). Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science for non-psychology majors only. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

PSYC200: Educational Psychology

Required for teaching. Covers child and adolescent development; fundamentals of learning theory as applied to classroom situations, learning inhibition and academic non-achievement, personal-social adjustment, measuring and evaluating teaching-learning, creativity. Course may not be taken by Psychology majors for major credit effective Fall 1995. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

PSYC201: Child Psychology

Covers growth, development and behavior of children. Physical, intellectual, social and emotional development and their interaction. Scientific method exemplified through the literature and intensive study of individual children. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC202: Adolescent Psychology

Covers biological, psychological and social factors that shape the transition from childhood to adulthood: Normal and deviant patterns of development in morals, intellect, emotions and judgment; problems of adolescents with practical application to oneself and others. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC203: Introduction to Psychological Research

The course will introduce students to different methods of psychological research including survey, correlational and experimental methods. Introductory descriptive statistics and correlational analysis will be covered. Basic aspects of sound scientific writing, including conducting a literature search and writing a scientific manuscript following American Psychological Association guidelines, will be emphasized. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC220: Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology

An introduction to basic statistical methods in the behavioral sciences. The course begins with a review of descriptive statistics. The main course emphasis will be on probability theory and inferential statistics and their application to psychological research. This includes such methods as z-tests, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation and nonparametric statistics. Laboratory sessions provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts from class using computers, particularly statistical software packages. (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 288; and PSYC 203.

PSYC224: Children's Rights and Child Advocacy

Explores the review and evaluation of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of young citizens (preschool through adolescence); the process and goals of advocacy; the community services available to and lacking for the optimum development to maturity of young citizens. Psychology, education, sociology, mental health, law enforcement, medicine are domains of study and investigation. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

PSYC225: Psychology of Adjustment

Discusses individual and social adjustment; typical varieties of adjustive behavior illustrated by practical examples; factors which facilitate or impede people's adaptation to life situations such as work, marriage, disability, etc. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC227: Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality

Topics include: Behavior and attitudes influenced by basic sexuality; widening perspectives to aid in decision-making; developmental periods and sexual relationships; connections between psychological theory and sexual mores; genetic understandings. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC230: Environmental Psychology

Covers the influence of the physical environment on the behavior of organisms: population growth and regulation; crowding; sensory experience, enrichment and deprivation; motivational force of environmental stimulation; adaptation to environment as a function of prolonged exposure; salutary effects of aesthetically pleasing stimulation. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC231: Psychology of Aggression

The root causes of violence in America will be examined through case studies, (the protest-movement of the 1960's, sexual and physical abuse, violent-criminal activity, etc.) and familiarization with biochemical, psychological and socio-cultural research into causes and effects of aggression and violence. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC233: Psychology of the Gifted

Survey of the recent literature on gifted children along with the special problems they face in their adjustment. Special attention on the discovery and cultivation of creativity. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC235: Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth

Surveys, current practices and problems of exceptional children and youth. Explores the unique needs of individuals with handicaps that involve intellectual, sensory, motor, neurological, social and emotional origins. Utilizes analysis of case materials for theoretical and practical applications to the psychology of exceptionality. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC245: Hispanic/Latino Psychology

Focuses on the personal, social, institutional and cultural forces that affect the psychology of Hispanic/Latino Americans. The course will cover issues such as the measurement of psychological functions, bilingualism, personal values and belief systems, the dynamics of the family and acculturation. A midterm and a final exam as well as a research paper will be required from students. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC246: Psychology of the Black Experience

Covers the historical impact of scientific and institutional racism on the psychological study of blacks. Survey and critical analysis of traditional European approaches with non-traditional methods for comparison. Future development and advancement of a black psychology considered. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirements (HIRR). Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC248: Psychology and Law

Law and psychology share a common focus: the understanding, prediction and regulation of human behavior. Despite this commonality of interest, different emphasis on these elements and a different mandate have frequently hindered active communication and collaboration between the disciplines. The purpose of this course is to present the common ground of law and psychology, and show how they contribute to each other. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC255: Problems of Performance

Development of techniques needed for success in public appearances involving music, theatre, speech, etc. Resolving such problems as stage fright, memory loss, pre-performance anxiety. Attaining self-understanding and confidence using techniques of Havas, Berne, Horrigol, Weekes, Alexander, others. Guest performers. Open to all majors. Cross listed with Music, MUPR 255. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

PSYC265: Psychology of Women

The course will investigate contemporary issues in the psychology of women (an opportunity for original research will be provided). Theoretical positions and recent research in the area will be examined. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC268: Psychological Aspects of Aging

Overview of later maturity and aging. Emphasis on psychological, physiological and sociological aspects. Aging and the cognitive process. Mental health, death, adjustment problems, needs, issues. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

PSYC288: Introduction to Cognitive Science

An introduction to the multidisciplinary field of cognitive science. Topics include: the mind-body problem, thought as computation and the computer model of the mind, the role of representation in mental activity. Emphasis will be upon the methodological approaches found in artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, cognitive anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, linguistics, and philosophy. Cross listed with Computer Science CMPT 288, Linguistics LNGN 288 and Philosophy and Religion PHIL 288. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ANTH 100 or CMPT 183 or LNGN 210 or PHIL 100 or PSYC 101.

PSYC294: Psychology of Leadership: Theory and Application

This is a service learning course that allows students to develop a sophisticated understanding of leadership from both a theoretical and practical point of view. Students receive in depth information on historical and contemporary psychological theories of leadership. They participate in assessments of their own leadership competencies and capabilities based on theory and research. They then learn to apply, assess, compare, and critically evaluate theory, research, and assessment tools through a multi-week project with a community partner in which they have a chance to observe and practice leadership. Students combine theory and practice through a series of critical reflections that result in students articulating their learnings about leadership, the practice of leadership in the civic environment, and themselves as leaders. This course is not recommended for students who successfully completed PSYC 120. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science for non-psychology majors only. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or ENWR 105 or SPCM 101.

PSYC300: The Teaching of Psychology

Students in this course will simultaneously learn concepts in teaching psychology, and work with a Psychology professor who will mentor them as the student acts as a teacher's assistant. Students will engage in a critical examination of the teaching of psychology. The course will run as a seminar where issues of curriculum development, teaching techniques, and ethical aspects will be discussed based on journal articles. The work as an assistant includes anonymous record keeping, leading study groups and providing a brief lecture. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301; Psychology majors only; departmental permission.

PSYC301: Experimental Psychology

Introduction to laboratory methods of research in areas such as motivation, perception and learning. Emphasis is on design and execution of exploratory investigations. Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Psychology. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and PSYC 220;or PSYC 220 and PSYC 288 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288.

PSYC302: Health Psychology

The theoretical, empirical and clinical aspects of health psychology will be presented. The relation of health psychology with other areas of psychology and other scientific disciplines will be discussed. The historical developments of the field, its research methodologies, theoretical models and exemplary interventions will be described. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC303: Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Application of psychological principles and practices in business and industry. Problems of communication, group dynamics, man-machine relations, employee attitudes, accident prevention, industrial job selection techniques, motivation, executive leadership. Commonly used selection tests will be evaluated. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC304: Social Psychology

Focuses on social behavior of the individual and the group, social perception, motivation, and learning; attitudes and values; development and dynamics of social groups; inter-group tension and prejudice; mass phenomena; psychological approaches to social issues. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC305: Physiological Psychology

Anatomical, neural and biochemical bases of behavior are studied. Topics include localization of function, neuro-hormonal interaction, sensory and motor functioning, emotions, the relationship of neurophysiological processes and personality. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC306: Psychology Of Work: Personnel Psychology

This course will address psychological issues involved in personnel decision making (e.g., job interviewing decisions, hiring decisions). Students will learn about aligning organizational and human resource strategy, and learn about tools and techniques in personnel psychology including job analysis, equal employment opportunity law, performance management, employee selection, and organizational training and development. This course is designed to be an active learning course where students learn about important personnel fuctions and then apply the knowledge in activities and assessments. Students will learn about measurement and assessment of job applicant and how this assessment must be conducted to be fair and successful. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC307: Psychology 0f Work: Organizational Psychology

This course will address individual, social and group interactions in work organizations. Students will learn about how social factors such as roles, norms, groups, stereotypes, and culture, influence individual and organizational behavior. Students will study theories and practices in organizations to assess and improve job attitudes, work stress, work motivation, leadership, and organizational functioning. This course is designed to be an active learning course where students learn about the different social factors that influence organizational function, and then apply this knowledge in activities and assessments. Students will gain a better understanding of their own work experiences as a result of this course. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC308: Perception

Discusses the theory and procedure of perceptual research. Theoretical approaches; modern psychophysical and perceptual research; traditional problems of perception, constancies of size and color brightness. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC310: Introduction to Psychological Testing

Tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement and personality; principles of psychological testing; approaches to test construction. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC313: Cognition

The study of the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of knowledge, utilizing behavioral, observational, and computer modeling methods. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC314: Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making

This course examines how human beings make decisions and judgments. It reviews how personal values, uncertainty and cognitive, social, and neurological processes affect decision making. This course draws upon a wide range of examples from many fields including psychology, economics, criminology, and medicine. Students will also learn strategies and techniques to enhance judgment. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC320: Developmental Psychology I

This course surveys human psychological development from the prenatal period to adolescence. The interacting forces of heredity, environment and physical, cognitive, emotional and socio-cultural factors are reviewed in the light of current research and theory in these areas. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC330: Forensic Psychology

An examination of the interaction between psychology and the legal system. Emphasis placed on the assessment and diagnosis of psychopathic behavior, court-mandated evaluations and the role of the psychologist as expert witness. The application of psychological knowledge within the criminal justice context. Ethical guidelines in forensic psychology. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior Psychology or Justice Studies majors only.

PSYC332: Psychological Foundations of Personality

Explores current approaches and theories of personality development and organization. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC340: Human Learning and Memory

Covers research, language and methods of learning theory. Classical and operant conditioning, complex habits, remembering and forgetting, transfer of training, cognition and behavior modification. Review of animal research but primary emphasis is on people. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC341: Psychological Aspects of Consumer Behavior

Applications of the science of psychology to consumerism, consumer protection, questionnaire construction and opinion surveys, marketing and advertising. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC348: Psycholinguistics

Explores the study of language through linguistic, behavioral, and cognitive methods. Basic linguistic ideas are used for the explication of problems in grammar, cognitive structure, meaning, and speech production and comprehension. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC353: Comparative Animal Behavior

The student will explore experimental and field studies of behavior in a few selected animal species with particular reference to the behavior of vertebrates. The course will involve detailed study of instinctive behavior and imprinting, respondent and operant behavior with emphasis upon the procedures and variables concerned with the acquisition of new forms of behavior. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC355: Motivation

The concepts of instincts, homeostasis, drive, reinforcement, arousal and inception are analyzed with reference to data drawn from many areas of experimentation. The primary emphasis is on the experimental, rather than the theoretical literature: motivational concepts relevant to human and animal research. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC358: Fundamentals of Conditioning and Learning

Major theoretical problems and theories of learning are considered. Includes experimental analysis of basic phenomena of conditioning and learning, studied primarily through experimental studies of infra-human organisms. Students may study selected topics more extensively. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC360: History and Systems of Psychology

Discusses the historical development of psychology, comparative analysis of the major schools of contemporary psychology, and new trends and movements in psychological theory. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC365: Abnormal Psychology

Topics include an overview of psychopathological processes: neuroses, psychoses, and characterological disorders; feeling, thinking and behavioral aspects during the life span; diagnostic and treatment procedures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC366: Health Psychology: Applications to the Community

The course will present psychological contributions to interventions designed to promote health, prevent illness and avert further disability. Appropriate techniques to assess, plan, and implement programs at the community level will be discussed. The multidisciplinary, multilevel nature of community programs will be emphasized. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 302.

PSYC373: Psychology and Literature

Terminology and techniques of modern depth psychologies - Freudian, Jungian, Adlerian - to illuminate the literary portrayal of human character in masterpieces of world literature. Study is organized into themes such as the quest for selfhood, the alienated individual, love and marriage, parents and children. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC375: Evolutionary Psychology

This course examines behavior from a Darwinian perspective attempting to understand how our behaviors have evolved throughout time. By examining behavior in terms of natural selection, this course provides a new and insightful perspective to all areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental, and neuropsychology. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 220, PSYC 301.

PSYC402: Systems of Psychotherapy

An overview of classical and contemporary systems of psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on understanding each system in terms of its underlying theory of personality, psychopathology and therapeutic impact. Studies of therapeutic efficacy are also covered. Other issues include such topics as the training of psychotherapists and the ethical issues involved in psychotherapy. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 365.

PSYC405: Psychological Anthropology

Transcultural focus on the inter-related nature of culture and human behavior. Team taught interdisciplinary course with emphasis on mutual dependencies of psychological and anthropological theory and method. Students work with bicultural informants. Cross listed with Anthropology, ANTH 405. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or ANTH 100; PSYC 301 must be taken by Psychology majors.

PSYC420: Packaged Computer Programs for Psychology

A detailed review on the use of a computer package for the purpose of doing statistical analyses of psychological data. The instructor will select one such package for presentation and choose among SSPS, EcStatic, BMD, SAS, and others. Instruction will be provided on coding, data entry, menu selection, score transformation, and exporting. (1 hour lecture.) 1 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

PSYC430: Contemporary Issues in Child Advocacy

An in-depth study of current topics in the field of child advocacy. The impact of Megan's Law, advocacy for adopted children, child right-to-life movement, and repressed memory syndrome are among the possible issues to be explored. A multi-disciplinary focus will be used to enhance student understanding and learning. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior Psychology or Justice Studies majors only.

PSYC459: Special Topics in Psychology

An in-depth view of important theoretical and methodological issues in a specific area of psychology. The area to be covered is chosen by the instructor. The course permits the instructor and students to examine psychological issues which are either not covered in the curriculum or which deserve more in-depth treatment than is possible in a regular course. The course may be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits as part of major degree requirements in psychology. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301.

PSYC488: Seminar in Cognitive Science

Seminar discussion of foundation works and contemporary research articles in Cognitive Science. With the instructor's guidance and supervision, each student will define an area of Cognitive Science for comprehensive in-depth review of research and write a literature review. Professional issues in Cognitive Science are discussed. Cross listed with Linguistics LNGN 488. (3 hours seminar.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: LNGN 300 or CMPT 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288 or PSYC 288.

PSYC491: Independent Study I: Research

Individual research project under supervision of a professor in the department. () 1 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

PSYC492: Independent Study II: Research

Individual research project under supervision of a professor in the department. () 1 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

PSYC495: Psychology Honors I

With the instructor's guidance and supervision, each student will define an area of psychology for a comprehensive, in-depth review of research; generate research questions and hypotheses; delineate appropriate design, methodology and statistical analyses to answer these questions and test these hypotheses; collect and analyze preliminary data; and write an Honors Thesis Proposal. (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 301; departmental approval; overall GPA of 3.5.

PSYC496: Psychology Honors II

This course constitutes the second semester of Psychology Honors. Students are expected to gather, analyze and interpret the data for their honors project, write the analysis and discussion chapters, and submit their completed honors thesis. Students who successfully complete this course will graduate with honors in psychology. (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Completion of PSYC 495 with a grade of A or A-.