1106 Introduction to Psychology
An introductory course designed to develop an understanding of the basic principles governing behavior, with emphasis on the scientific method of studying behavior.
Intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, learning, personality, workplace issues, and social factors that influence the individual will be considered.
Social Science.

 

2201 Psychology of Learning and Animal Laboratory
This course provides an overview of the fundamental processes of learning based on the principles of operant and Pavlovian conditioning. Topics discussed include research methodology, stimulus control, schedules of reinforcement, and contemporary models of choice behavior. Students participate in three additional hours of laboratory work per week during which they collect and interpret animal
subject data. Prerequisites: Psychology 1106 and Psychology major, or permission of instructor.

2204 Social Psychology
This course will introduce students to research and theory in social psychology.
Social psychology involves the study of how other people (real, imagined, or implied)
influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This course will include discussion of
research in the areas of the self, social cognition, conformity, persuasion, group behavior, stereotyping and prejudice, attraction, aggression, prosocial behavior, and gender and culture. Prerequisite: Psychology 1106.

2209 Child and Adolescent Development
The study of developmental changes from the prenatal period through adolescence, with particular emphasis on how physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development interact in forming the whole person. Special attention will be given to theoretical perspectives, the contexts within which development operates (home/school), and the application of research to current topics. Prerequisite: Psychology 1106.

2210 Music, Mind, and Brain
An exploration of how the brain processes musical experience. After a review of the elements of music and the structure/function of the nervous system, students will examine how concepts such as musical training and style correlate with brain function, how the brain responds to emotional content in music, and how music impacts hemispheric laterality. Special topics, such as creativity, the Mozart effect and the relationship between musical genius and creativity will be examined. The course includes a laboratory, using tools such as EEG, EMG, GSR, EKG, skin temperature readings and pulse rate. Prerequisite: Psychology 1106 and Music 1134 or permission of instructor.

2211 Psychology of Abnormality
The incidence, causes, treatment, and prevention of abnormal behavior of persons; major focus on adult populations. Prerequisite: Psychology 1106.

2212 Psychology of Gender
This course offers an examination of the psychological and behavioral differences between men and women. The origin of gender differences will be addressed from biological, developmental, and social psychological perspectives. This class will use psychological research and theory to examine how gender differences affect the functioning of men and women in work, relationships, health, etc. Emphasis will be placed on understanding gender as a social psychological construct.

2215 Cognitive Psychology
This course will introduce students to current theory and research in cognitive psychology: how the human brain and mind give rise to our perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Topics discussed will include perception, attention, memory, language, emotion, mental models, reasoning and judgment, conscious and unconscious mental processing, Buddhist and western collaborative study of cognitive techniques such as meditation and mindfulness, and the relationship of cognitive theories to therapeutic modalities such as psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

2220 Psychology in the Workplace
An exploration of the principles of psychology as they are relevant to the work environment. Included will be a discussion of how  psychologists can help improve the workplace and address organizational concerns. Topics include selection, raining, personnel evaluation, and the characteristics of a variety of work environments. Discussions will consider also how these practices may affect organizational or individual effectiveness and attitudes.

PSY 2223 Psychological Methods and Statistics I
This course offers an introduction to research methods in psychology and statistical analysis.  Non-experimental research methods and descriptive statistics are emphasized.  Students will learn how to translate psychological constructs into measurable variables and describe patterns of data including measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, and regression.  This course is the first part of a two-part series required for Psychology Majors (PSY 2223 – PSY 2224).

PSY 2224 Psychological Methods and Statistics II
This course focuses on experimental research design and inferential statistics.  Statistical tests include t-tests; analysis of variance for between-groups factors, within-groups factors, and combinations of such factors; and non-parametric tests.  The weekly laboratory session is intended to give students hands-on experience designing experiments and analyzing data.  This course is the second part of a two-part series required for psychology majors (PSY 2223 – PSY 2224).  Completion of this two-part series satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.

3202 Behavior Modification
An introduction to the discipline of Applied Behavior Analysis, which uses operant and Pavlovian conditioning to change human behavior. Topics discussed will include reinforcement, punishment, extinction, stimulus control, discrimination, and generalization. Students will design and implement a behavior-change project in which they will use the concepts of behavior analysis to improve the behavior of a person or animal.

3201 Inside the Criminal’s Mind
This course will cover various topics, including stalking, child molestation, cult involvement, etc., with a focus on the criminal mind and the criminal justice system. In addition, some attention will be given to traditional issues of competency, criminal responsibility, and the insanity defense.

3303 Psychology of Personality
An overview of the major theories of personality and assessment strategies.  Emphasis will be on the normal personality in a diverse world with some attention to disordered personalities.

3305 Health Psychology
An introduction to the foundations and practice of health psychology. A bio-psycho-social perspective is applied to the promotion and maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of illness. Behavioral components of health risk factors and improvement of the health care system are addressed.

3306 Adolescence
An in-depth study of development during adolescence, including biological, cognitive, and social transitions. Students will examine how changes in the adolescent’s environment (e.g., school, family, peer groups, and culture) intersect with individual advances (e.g., identity, autonomy, intimacy, and moral development). Special attention will be given to current research on adolescence and application of research to promote adolescents’ psychological well being.

3307 Psychology of the Exceptional Child
An overview of the psychological effects of major exceptionalities including giftedness, deafness, blindness, mental retardation, brain injury, speech defectiveness, mental illness, and orthopedic problems, with the emphasis upon children and on the treatment, rehabilitation, and educational techniques available to serve persons with these exceptionalities.

3308 Adulthood and Aging
Psychological and personality changes from young adulthood through old age; adult socialization and the age status system; changing concomitants of family relationships, employment, leisure, and retirement; health issues, psychopathology, and death.

3325 Cognitive Neuroscience
This course examines current ideas of how brain activity generates behavior in humans. The course will begin with a study of the basic principles of the structure of the brain and the function of nerve cells. Emphasis will be placed on how the brain’s processing of information underlies cognitive aspects of human behavior, including sensory perception, attention, memory, action, planning, emotion, language, and consciousness.

3330 Psychology of Perception
An in-depth analysis of contemporary issues in perception. Topics include signal detectability, selective attention, taste perception, figure formation, illusions, visual stability, memory, and space, time, and motion perception.

3337 Helping Relationships/Counseling
An overview of psychological counseling with emphasis on a flexible, broadly based approach to the development of helping skills with a diversity of clients.

3338 Practicum in Helping Relationships/Counseling
Supervised internship experience in a human service agency designed to facilitate the use of skills unique to the helping professions (counseling/behavioral intervention). Course includes on-campus seminar sessions on special populations and off-campus supervised practice with clients served by the agency. Placement may include youth service programs, group homes, mental health organizations, geriatric centers, programs for the developmentally disabled, etc.

3340 Mind/Brain: Clinical Neuropsychology
A study of the behavioral correlates of brain dysfunction in adults with focus on neuropsychological assessment.

3392 Internship in Gerontology
Supervised field experiences in appropriate settings designed to assist students in acquiring and using skills and knowledge of the field of study unique to gerontology. Possible settings for internships include long-term care facilities, voluntary health organizations, professional associations, senior centers, churches, pastoral counseling centers, social service agencies for the aged, and research centers.

4492 Capstone in Psychology
An advanced study of a specific topic or overarching theme in psychology. Emphasis will be on discussion and analysis of original literature, psychological theory, and research. One capstone course will be offered each semester with rotating topics and instructors.

2265; 3365; 4465 Special Topics in Psychology
The study of a selected topic in the discipline. Different topics are chosen for each offering, based on students’ interest and needs.

2295; 3395; 4495 Internships in Psychology
Supervised field experiences in appropriate settings, usually off-campus, designed to assist students in acquiring and using skills and knowledge of the discipline unique to the selected topic.

2298; 3398; 4498 Independent Studies in Psychology
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors.  Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.

4499 Independent Capstone Study in Psychology