Professors: Berthold, Ryan

Assistant Professors: Beery, Hill, Kelley, Olsen (Chairperson)

Special Instructor: Williams

Part-time Instructors: Cimini, Mitchell

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.

The B. A. degree

To earn the B.A. degree, students must complete 32 semester hours in psychology including PSY 110, 431, 432, and 436. Statistics is also required.

The B.S. degree

To complete the B.S. degree, students must complete 32 semester hours in psychology and statistics as described for the B.A. and take the following additional courses:

· One additional lab course in Psychology from PSY 324 or 333;

· Three of the following Natural Science courses from at least two departments: BIO 110, 111, 323, 338; CHEM 110, 111; PHYS 225, 226;

· One of the following computation courses: CPTR 125; MATH 128, 214; ECON 230, 441;

· An Individual Studies or Honors Project in Psychology or, with department permission, an Internship or the Practicum in Psychology.

Students are also recommended to take one of the following: PHIL 223, 225, or 333.

Students interested in teacher certification should refer to the Department of Education on page 103.

The following course satisfies the cultural diversity requirement: PSY 341. The following courses, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the writing intensive requirement: PSY 225, 324, 431, 432, and 436.

Minor

A minor in psychology consists of 20 semester hours in psychology including PSY 110, two courses numbered 200 or higher, and one course from PSY 324, 431, 432, or 433.

101

TOPICS

Exploration of a specific basic or applied topic in psychology. Different topics will be explored different semesters. Potential topics include the psychology of disasters, applied behavioral psychology, and organizational psychology. The course is open to elementary and advanced undergraduates. 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.

116

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

An introduction to the patterns of deviant behavior with emphasis on cause, function, and treatment. The various models for the concept-ualization 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.

211

LEARNING DISABILITIES

An examination of learning disabilities, emotional problems, and social problems of children. Topics will include the legal and educational rights of children with disabilities, the various categories of disability qualifying for Special Education services, assessment of children with learning disabilities, characteristics of and interventions to help children with learning disabilities and attention difficulties, the educational placements and support services available, and Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs). Prerequisite: PSY 110.

216

ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

This course examines in detail the symptoms, assessment, causes, and treatments for psychological disorders primarily experienced by children and adolescents, including in the school setting. These include separation anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, learning disabilities, autism, Asperger’s disorder, and mental retardation. This course also explores the application of specific treatment approaches to children/adolescents for disorders that can be experienced by both children and adults (e.g., phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder). Interventions for difficulties such as peer/social problems, physical conditions/illness, traumatic brain injury, and the effects of poverty, divorce, and abuse are also discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 110.

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.

223

FOUNDATIONS OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

An introduction to sport and exercise psychology, from the history and development of the field to the theories and principles that are central to the study of sport and exercise psychology. Topics include the evolution of the field of sport psychology, theories surrounding sport participants and sport environments, the group processes that are an essential part of sport, the basic principles of performance enhancement within the field, issues related to enhancing health and well-being in sport and exercise, and issues related to the facilitation of psychological growth and development in sport and exercise. 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.

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.

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.

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. Prerequisites: 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 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, 431 and statistics.

433

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. Prerequisites: PSY110 and BIO 106, 107, 110, or 111; or consent of instructor.

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.