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| PSYCHOLOGY (PSY) | |
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Professor: Ryan (Chairperson) The major provides training in both
theoretical and applied psychology. It is designed to meet the needs
of students seeking careers in psychology or other natural or social
sciences. It also meets the needs of students seeking a better
understanding of human behavior as a means of furthering individual
and career goals in other areas. Psychology majors and others are
urged to discuss course selections in psychology with members of the
department to help insure appropriate course selection. A major consists of 32 semester hours
in psychology, including PSY 110, 431, 432, and 436. Statistics also
is required. Students interested in teacher
certification should refer to the Department of Education on page
96. The following course has been
approved to be offered as a cultural diversity course: PSY 341.
Students must check semester class schedules to determine which
courses are offered as "D" courses for that semester. The following courses have been
approved to be offered as writing intensive courses and may be
offered as such: PSY 225, 324, 333, 431, 432, and 436. Students must
check semester class schedules to determine which courses are
offered as "W" courses for that semester. Minor A minor in psychology consists of 20
semester hours in psychology including PSY 110 and four other
psychology courses (three of which must be numbered 200 or above)
which must be approved by the department. 101 TOPICS Exploration of a specific basic or
applied topic in psychology. Different topics will be explored
different semesters. Potential topicsinclude the psychology of disasters, applied
behavioral psychology, and organizational psychology. The course is
open to elementary and advanced undergraduates. No
Prerequisites. One-half unit of credit. May be repeated once for
credit with departmental permission. May not be used to satisfy
distribution or major requirements. 110 INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY An introduction to the empirical
study of human and other animal behavior. Areas considered may
include: learning, personality, social, physiological, sensory,
cognition, and developmental. 112 GROUP PROCESSES AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION An introduction to research and theories on small group formation, structure, and performance. Topics include group communication, conformity, leadership, conflict, and decision-making. Emphasis will be placed upon applying principles of group dynamics to different types of groups. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or consent of instructor. May term only. 116 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY An introduction to the patterns of deviant behavior with emphasis on cause, function, and treatment. The various models for the conceptualization of abnormal behavior are critically examined. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 117 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY A study of the basic principles of human growth and development throughout the life span. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 118 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY The study areas will include theories of adolescence; current issues raised by as well as about the "generation of youth"; research findings bearing on theories and issues of growth beyond childhood, and self-exploration. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 138 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY An introduction to the empirical study of the teaching-learning process. Areas considered may include educational objectives, pupil and teacher characteristics, concept learning, problem-solving and creativity, attitudes and values, motivation, retention and transfer, evaluation and measurement. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or consent of instructor. 220 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS This course will review current theory and research on love. The progress of close, interpersonal relationships from initiation to termination will be discussed. In addition, the relation between love and sex will be explored, and current research on sexuality reviewed. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 225 INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY The application of the principles and methods of psychology to selected industrial and organizational situations. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or consent of instructor. 237 COGNITION An in-depth examination of the field of human cognition. Topics include perception, attention, short and long term memory, reading comprehension, problem solving and decision making. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the scientific nature of the discipline. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 239 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION A detailed examination of the applied analysis of behavior. Focus will be on the application of experimental method to the individual clinical case. The course will cover targeting behavior, base-rating, intervention strategies, and outcome evaluation. Learning-based modification techniques such as contingency management, counter-conditioning, extinction, discrimination training, aversive conditioning, and negative practice will be examined. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or consent of instructor. 240 PSYCHOLOGY OF ADULT PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT A study of psychological theories and research on coping with normal developmental changes and common problems of adulthood. Focus will be upon adult transitions, stress management, intimate relationships, sexuality, parenting skills, and work adjustment. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 310 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY An examination of psychological theories and research on topics related to psychology and law. Areas covered include forensic pathology, psychological theories of criminal behavior, eyewitness testimony, jury decision making, expert witnesses, the insanity defense, and criminal profiling analysis. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and 116. 324 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY The scientific exploration of interpersonal communication and behavior. Topics include attitudes and attitude change, attraction and communication, social perception and social influence, prosocial and antisocial behavior and group processes. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 333 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY An introduction to the physiological psychologist’s method of approach to the understanding of behavior as well as the set of principles that relate the function and organization of the nervous system to the phenomena of behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or consent of instructor. 334 PRINCIPLES OF MEASUREMENT Psychometric methods and theory, including scale transformation, norms, standardization, validation procedures, and estimation of reliability. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and statistics. 341 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN A review of contemporary theory and research on the psychology of gender differences. Special topics include sex differences in achievement, power, and communication; sex-role stereotypes; beliefs about masculinity and femininity; and gender influences on mental health. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 410 DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT This course will explore the relations between a variety of types of family dysfunctions and child development and psychopathology. Specifically, topics in child abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and children from violent homes, alcoholic homes, and homes with mentally ill parents will be studied. The course will focus on empirical literature about dysfunctional families and child development, biographical and political perspectives. Prerequisite: PSY 116 and 117, or consent of instructor. 431 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY A study of the scientific method, experimental design and the application of statistics to psychology. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the place of research in the field of psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 110, 431 and statistics. 432 SENSATION AND PERCEPTION The examination of psychophysical methodology and basic neurophysiological methods as they are applied to the understanding of sensor processes. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and statistics. 436 PERSONALITY THEORY A review of the major theories of personality development and personality functioning. In addition to covering the details of each theory, the implications and applications of each theory are considered. This course is best taken by Psychology majors in the senior year, because it integrates material from diverse areas of psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 110. 448-449 PRACTICUM IN PSYCHOLOGY An off-campus experience in a community setting offering psychological services, supplemented with classroom instruction and discussion. PSY 448 covers the basic counseling skills, while PSY 449 covers the major theoretical approaches to counseling. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. 470-479 INTERNSHIP (See index) Internships give students an opportunity to relate on-campus academic experiences to society in general and to their post-baccalaureate objectives in particular. Students have, for example, worked in prisons, public and private schools, county government, and for the American Red Cross. N80-N89 INDEPENDENT STUDY (See index) Independent study is an opportunity for students to pursue special interests in areas for which courses are not offered. In addition, students have an opportunity to study a topic in more depth than is possible in the regular classroom situation. Studies in the past have included child abuse, counseling of hospital patients, and research in the psychology of natural disasters. 490-491 INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (See index)Honors in psychology requires original contributions to the literature of psychology through independent study. The most recent honors project was a study of the effect of self-esteem on attitude-behavior consistency. |
