Psychology Course Offerings

PSY 100 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
A broad introduction to the methodology, concepts, and major content areas of psychology designed to provide the student with a scientific basis for understanding human behavior. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall and Spring.

PSY 120 CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (See Child Study 101).

PSY 130 LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT
A comprehensive review of human growth and development from the prenatal period through infancy, childhood, adolescence and the various stages of adulthood up to and including old age, death and bereavement. Each developmental era will be examined in terms of its physiological, emotional, cognitive, interpersonal/social and relevant existential/spiritual aspects. Not open to Child Study majors. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 150 GROUP DYNAMICS AND COMMUNICATION
A theoretical introduction to small group processes, with an emphasis on the relationship between groups and the individual, and the communication process. Students participate in small group exercises as part of the course requirements. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 170 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY. (See Education 115).

PSY 180 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN
Examination of the biological, social and cultural influences on the psychological development of women. Focus on the vital issues which modern women face daily in a rapidly changing world. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 200 PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING
An examination of the major theories of learning, and the study of human and animal research in classical and operant conditioning, observational learning, and verbal learning. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 210 COGNITIVE PROCESSES
An examination of models of human cognition focusing on perceptual processes, mental representation, thinking and problem solving, reasoning, language, intelligence and creativity. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 220 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
A comprehensive survey of adolescent behavior in its intellectual, emotional, and social aspects. Techniques for enhancing the adolescent’s potential for growth and productivity are given special consideration. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or PSY 170 (EDU 115). 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 230 ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING
Focus on human development from early adulthood through middle age, aging, and death. Emphasis is on the growth of the individual in relation to contemporary society, with theoretical viewpoints and empirical results from individual, social, and developmental psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 251 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
An analysis of the processes of social interaction and their effects upon the behavior and attitudes of individuals and groups. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall and Spring.

PSY 261 PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY
A survey of the major contemporary theories of personality and the important applications associated with each theoretical approach. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 271 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
An examination of the diagnostic classifications of abnormalcy with an emphasis on causation and treatment. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 280 INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Application of psychology to business and industry in the area of personnel selection, training and evaluation, job satisfaction, motivation, communication, and man-machine interface. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 290 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
An examination of the application of psychology to the legal system including mental health law, the rights of special groups, domestic violence and child abuse, child custody, sexual harassment and abuse, assessing competency and insanity, psychological damage, psychological autopsy, jury selection and behavior, eyewitness testimony, polygraphs and mental health professionals as expert witnesses. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Offered at department’s discretion.

PSY 300 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
An introduction to psychological measurement including the history of mental testing; the statistical concepts of test construction; and a survey of tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, personality, and tests for special populations. Students will administer practice tests and participate in demonstrations of the major types of assessment techniques. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 315 STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
An examination of the various inferential statistics for hypothesis testing in psychological research, including bivariate analyses; analyses of variance; linear, curvilinear, and multiple regressions; and non-parametric approaches. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and MAT 107. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 325 INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
Introduction to the methods and theory of behavior modification and its application to specific behavior problems. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 330 SELECTED TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Focus on areas of psychological inquiry not covered in depth in the regular course offerings of the department. The selected topic can change each time the course is offered. It will enable students to take advantage of faculty expertise in areas of interest to both faculty and students. Prerequisite: At least 12 credits in Psychology or permission of the department. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Offered at department’s discretion.

PSY 340 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Traces the development of psychology from its roots in philosophy to the evolution of psychology as a science over the last one hundred years. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Fall.

PSY 360 COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
An examination of the origins and characteristics of the counseling relationship, including an analysis of the major contemporary theories and techniques of counseling. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 370 INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
An introduction to the principles and techniques of clinical interviewing, evaluation, referral, and the planning of treatment. Field placements will provide students with an opportunity to observe the various institutional settings in which clinical psychologists work and the variety of psychological services offered there. Prerequisite: PSY 271 and permission of the instructor. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours placement a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Additional conferences will be scheduled on a regular basis for supervision of the placement experience. Spring. Insurance fee $35.

PSY 380 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
A survey of the physiological bases of behavior including an overview of the nervous system and the structure of the brain; a discussion of the influence of hormones and chemical transmitters within the brain on psychological functions; and an examination of the influence of physiological processes on such activities as sleep, emotional states, eating behavior, and learning and memory. Prerequisite: PSY 100. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring.

PSY 391 INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
Theory and technique in the experimental study of behavior, including research projects and formal written reports. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and PSY 315. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits. Spring Lab fee-$30.

PSY 400 INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY
Designed to provide educational experience in a variety of applied professional settings. A representative from the cooperating local agency and a member of the Psychology faculty will jointly supervise the student who must work a minimum of 100 hours without remuneration during the internship. The student must meet regularly with the faculty supervisor, maintain a log of his or her activities, and submit a paper analyzing the application of psychological principles in the internship setting. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Psychology Major with at least 15 credits in Psychology and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Permission of the department is required. 1 semester, 3 credits. Offered at department’s discretion. Insurance fee $35.

PSY 460 SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR
The senior psychology major will select a specific topic of interest in the field of psychology for critical and intensive investigation. The student will be required to review the psychological literature on the chosen topic, generate an original research question, and plan a method of research and an appropriate statistical analysis to further investigate the problem Prerequisite: A substantial background in psychology, including PSY 100, PSY 315, and PSY 391. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits, Fall.

PSY 465 ADVANCED RESEARCH SEMINAR
Execution of the research proposal designed in Psychology 460. This will include a collection of data, in-depth statistical analysis of results utilizing the computer, interpretation of the results and the completed research report. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B+ in PSY 460 and permission of the department. 3 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits, Spring.