Introduction to psychological research methods, biological foundations, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, human development, personality, social behavior, psychological disorders and treatment, and applied psychology.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. An examination of various topics including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, memory, language, thinking, creativity and problem-solving.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100; WRT 107, WRT 108, or WRT, 109. Writing Intensive. An introduction to the study of human development, across the lifespan. The course focuses on research methodology and current literature in the areas of physical, cognitive, social, and personality changes from conception to death. Stress is placed on evaluating the relative contributions of nature and nurture to these changes.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100; and WRT 107, WRT 108, or WRT 109. Writing Intensive. An introduction to the study of human development across the lifespan. The course focuses on research methodology and current literature in the areas of physical, cognitive, social, and personality changes from conception to death. Stress is placed on evaluating the relative contributions of nature and nurture to these changes.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. An examination of the specialization in psychology that focuses on physical health. In particular, health psychology describes the interrelationships between behavior, psychological states, and physical health.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. (Also EDC 210) The role of psychological concepts in educational practices, focusing on the nature and sources of intellectual development and readiness according to Piagetian, psychometric, and information process perspectives. Beyond these approaches to cognitive development, learning theory, motivation, and the role of emotion in learning will be discussed. This course will also include a section on individual differences in learning; exceptional students and social, ethnic, cultural, and gender differences. The related topics of measurement and evaluation of learning will round out the course.
Prerequisite(s): GIS 100, or PSY 100, or SOC 100. An introduction to theory, research, and practice in the field of career development. Career development is a major aspect of human development. Students will use the theories and research discussed in class to craft their own career development plans. Formerly PSY 314.
Prerequisite(s): BUS 200 or PSY 100. The application of the methods, facts, and principles of the science of psychology to people at work. Topics include: employee selection, training, performance appraisal, leadership, motivation, job satisfaction, working conditions, workplace safety, violence in the workplace, health issues at work, stress, engineering psychology and consumer psychology. Formerly PSY 324.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100 or SOC 100. (Also SOC 230) Human behavior as the interaction of individual and social processes. Recent research on topics such as interpersonal attraction, perception, and small group behavior; analysis of events and environments of current interest.
Prerequisite(s): MTH 130. Introduction to statistical methods as applied to the behavioral sciences. Emphasis on the basic assumptions underlying statistical concepts, selection of appropriate analyses, and the role of statistics in the analysis and interpretation of quantitative data. Topics include frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and variability, probability and sampling, correlation and regression, and hypothesis testing.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. An introduction to psychological issues in mental health including understanding of the DSM-IV. Issues of diversity in diagnosis, treatment, and research will be addressed.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. An in depth analysis of that transitional period known as adolescence. The course will focus on research methodology and current literature in areas such as pubertal changes, cognitive development, academic achievement, identity achievement, sexuality and intimacy. Issues will be viewed through the contexts of development-peers, families, employment, school and culture.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. Approaches to the study of personality including psychoanalytic, developmental, behavioristic and other theories. Emphasis on research design and assessment techniques in the field.
Restriction(s): Junior status. (Also PSC/SOC 308) This course considers several different cross-disciplinary theoretical frameworks that are relevant to understanding social problems (e.g., HIV/AIDS, poverty and homelessness, teenage motherhood, hunger, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, aging, child welfare issues, etc.). The course investigates the ways in which these social problems and people's needs are addressed by our social welfare and human service institutions, both public and private. Ethical issues surrounding the provision of care and services in the human services are emphasized. Principles of group dynamics, needs assessment, participant observation and evaluative research methods are also studied.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100 and PSY 245; and WRT 108 or WRT 109. Writing Intensive. The combined lecture and laboratory course includes research projects based on traditional research designs as well as archival, observational, correctional, and quasi-experimental methods. A lab component is included in the course.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 310 or SOC 325. Writing Intensive. This combined lecture and laboratory course primarily focuses on qualitative and applied research methods used in educational, social services and corporate settings. Methods covered will include focus groups, structured interviews, archival research and program evaluation.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. Analysis of the development of motivation from simple drives to complex social needs, including the nature of emotion, attitudes and motives. Emphasis on current research in motivation and its theoretical implications. Formerly PSY 215.
In this course we will examine how humans (and other animals) sense and perceive the world around them. We will focus on the major, senses - vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and spatial orientation. Particular emphasis will be given to the sensory-perceptual process in each of these systems: sensory receptors and pathways, perceptual processing, and the construction of, meaning. We will examine the senses from multiple vantages including physiology, behavior, psychophysics, and ecology.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. The study of the biological bases of behavior. The focus is on the role of genetics, neurophysiology, hormones and drugs on sensation, perception, learning, consciousness, emotion, motivation, sexual behavior and psychopathology.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. This course provides an overview of the ways that we are touched by death and dying. Topics include the death system, hospice, suicide, violent death, death in childhood, bereavement, grief, mourning, and the funeral process. We will discuss ways of handling the psychological, sociological, cultural, and religious implications of death.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100 and an additional prerequisite to be announced when course is offered. Topics may include relationships and divorce, history and systems, self in contemporary psychology among others. Course may be repeated for credit as topics change.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100. Widespread use of psychoactive substances was a component of human behavior before the advent of civilization. In this course, we will examine the how and why of human drug use. We will focus on the biological mechanisms of drug action and how this in turn affects human behavior. We will also explore drug use/abuse from a societal perspective across different times and cultures. Taking a social justice perspective, we will examine how current drug laws affect society at-large, how the enforcement of certain drug laws affects under-represented groups, and whether/how anti-drug laws are effective at curbing drug abuse and its associated criminal behaviors.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 100 and PSY 310. This course will examine the psychological concepts that are relevant to sport. Students will learn about the science of sport psychology, examining various topics such as arousal, motivation, competition, group and team cohesion, communication, self-confidence, and concentration.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 307 or PSY 305, and PSY 310. Restriction(s): Junior or Senior standing. An upper level integrating course that focuses on theoretical and practical models of psychotherapy and counseling in applied settings. The focus is on current research and practices in the field of clinical psychology. A background in personality theory and abnormal psychology is highly recommended.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 310. Restriction(s): Psychology major with Junior or Senior standing. The study of the theory and research of group behavior. Students will examine group dynamics through readings in industrial/organizational and social psychology. In addition, students will participate in experiential group exercises.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 230, PSY 235, PSY 310, PSY, 305, or PSY 307. Restriction(s): Junior or Senior standing. (Also WMS 425) A study of cultural differences in psychological functioning. In a world of increasing cultural contact, globalization, immigration, and ethnic tensions, it is increasingly important to learn about cultural differences and intercultural communication. Are there any psychological universals? How can intercultural relations be improved? These are some of the questions cross-cultural psychology seeks to address.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 310. Students will participate in the entire research process including hypotheses development, literature review, data collection and analysis, and communicating the results to others. The class will also discuss several contemporary and classic articles in psychology to further their knowledge of the field and their ability to critique research.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 310. Restriction(s): Psychology Major with Junior or Senior standing. This course requires a weekly seminar, as well as placement in an approved clinical, developmental, industrial/organizational, or educational setting for a total of 96 hours over the course of the semester. The course will permit students to apply what they have learned to new situations. Acceptance into the internship program requires an application procedure, interview with the instructor and two letters of recommendation.