PSY Courses
PSY-B 190 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS (3 cr.)
Develops insights into human nature, the nature of social institutions,
the social processes that have shaped the world of the twenty-first
century. In an interdisciplinary way, introduces the distinctive perspectives
of the social sciences, emphasizing frameworks and techniques used in
explaining causes and patterns of individual and institutional behavior.
(Note: It is important to note that PSY-B 190 does NOT count toward
the psychology major, minor, or associate degree requirements, nor does
it substitute for PSY-P 103 as a prerequisite for any other psychology
courses.) I, II, S
PSY-B 399 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS (3 cr.)
Develops insights into human nature, the nature of social institutions,
the social processes that have shaped the world of the twenty-first
century. In an interdisciplinary way, introduces the distinctive perspectives
of the social sciences, emphasizing frameworks and techniques used in
explaining causes and patterns of individual and institutional behavior.
I, II
PSY-P 103 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) Introduction to
psychology: its methods, data, and theoretical interpretations in areas
of learning, sensory psychology, psychophysiology, individual differences,
personality, development, abnormal, and social psychology. May not be
taken by students who have previously taken PSY-P 101/PSY-P 102. I,
II, S
PSY-P 106 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY-HONORS (4 cr.) P: Consent
of instructor. Intensive introduction to psychology, combining lectures,
discussions, and laboratory demonstrations. May not be taken by students
who have had PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 101/PSY-P 102. I
PSY-P 190 APPLYING PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) Current theory
and applications of psychology covering personality, social, learning,
cognition, and clinical topics. Applications of psychology to real-world
problems and issues. Specific topics vary across semesters.
PSY-P 205 UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106. A combination of experimental research methods
and statistics for minors, and other non-majors. This course offers
instruction in critical thinking, different research designs, execution
of simple experiments, interpretation of statistical outcomes, and understanding
research reports. I, II
PSY-P 211 METHODS OF EXPERIMENTALPSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106; P: ENG-W 131, COAS-Q 110. Design and execution of simple experiments,
treatment of results, search of the literature, and preparation of experimental
reports. I, II, S
PSY-P 216 LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106. A survey course which integrates the basic
concepts of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development from the
prenatal period to death. Throughout the life span, theories, research,
and critical issues in developmental psychology are explored with consideration
of practical implications. Credit not given for both PSY-P 216 and PSY-P
316. I, II
PSY-P 220 DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or
PSY-P 106. An introduction to drug use and misuse. The use of psychoactive
drugs is considered from a biopsychosocial perspective. The effects
of drugs on the nervous system and the behavioral adaptations that support
drug use are reviewed. The therapeutic uses of drugs to treat mental
illness and programs of drug education/prevention are considered. I,
II
PSY-P 233 INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103,
PSY-P 106, or consent of instructor. Application of psychological principles
and research techniques to industrial and personnel problems, including
selection, training, organizational processes, equipment design, and
consumer behavior. I
PSY-P 241 FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR I (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106. Basic concepts and procedures in the experimental
analysis and control of behavior. II
PSY-P 303 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106.
Focuses on the role of psychological factors in health and illness.
Modes of intervention covered include health education/promotion, risk
factor reduction, and behavioral medicine. Topics include stages of
change theory, medical decision making, pain management, stress management,
addiction, smoking cessation, weight control, physician- patient interaction.
II
PSY-P 316 PSYCHOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE (3 cr.) P:
PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106. Development of behavior in infancy, childhood,
and youth; factors which influence behavior. Credit not given for both
PSY-P 216 and PSY-P 316. I, II
PSY-P 319 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103
or PSY-P 106. Theories of personality: methods and results of scientific
study of personality. Basic concepts of personality traits and their
measurements, developmental influences, and problems of integration.
I, II
PSY-P 320 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106.
The study of psychological theories and research dealing with social
influence and social behavior, including topics such as conformity,
person perception, aggression, attitudes, and group dynamics. I, Ii
PSY-P 321 GROUP DYNAMICS (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106.
R: PSY-P 320. Study of group process, group decision, group relations,
group development, and interrelations with individuals, other groups,
and larger institutions.
PSY-P 324 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P
106. A first course in abnormal psychology, with emphasis on forms of
abnormal behavior, etiology, development, interpretation, prevention,
and therapy. I, II, S
PSY-P 325 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or
PSY-P 106. Principles of human and animal learning and memory, especially
as treated in theories attempting to provide a framework for understanding
what learning is and how it occurs. Focus is on variables that affect
human learning and memory. I
PSY-P 326 BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P
106. The biological bases of behavior is examined. The role of genetic,
neural, and hormonal factors in a wide range of behaviors is considered.
Brain processes underlying sensation, perception, learning, motivation,
and other basic behaviors are discussed. Ii
PSY-P 327 PSYCHOLOGY OF MOTIVATION (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or
PSY-P 106. How needs, desires, and incentives influence behavior; research
on motivational processes in human and animal behavior, including ways
in which motives change and develop.
PSY-P 329 SENSATION AND PERCEPTION (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or
PSY-P 106. Basic data, theories, psychophysics, illusions, and other
topics fundamental to understanding sensory and perceptual processes.
PSY-P 331 PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P
106. This course focuses on the psychological aspects of aging, including
psychological theories of development, learning, memory, cognition,
personality, sensation and perception, intelligence, psychopathology
and its treatment. I
PSY-P 333 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC (3 cr.) P: Twelve credit
hours of psychology and music; with at least one course in each area,
or permission of instructor. Introduction to evaluation of musical events
from the perspective of social psychology, including aspects of perception,
cognition, development, emotions, preferences, and culture. Credit not
given for PSY-P 333 and MUS-L 418 or MUS-E 490.
PSY-P 335 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P
106. Introduction to human cognitive processes including attention and
perception, memory, psycholinguistics, problem solving, and thinking.
II
PSY-P 336 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106. R: PSY-P 354. Principles of psychological
testing. Representative tests and their uses for evaluation and prediction.
Emphasis on concepts of reliability, validity, standardization, norms,
and item analysis. I
PSY-P 354 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P
103 or PSY-P 106; MATH-M 110 or equivalent. R: MATH-M 118, PSY-P 211.
Introduction to statistics, including measures of central tendency and
dispersion, elementary probability, and concepts of statistical inference,
decision making, and hypothesis testing. Other topics covered include
regression and correlation, analysis of variance and nonparametric methods.
I, II, S
PSY-P 365 PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION (3 cr.) P: Six credit hours
in either psychology or religious studies, or consent of instructor.
Provides exposure to theoretical bases (e.g., behavioral, humanistic,
phenomenological) and empirical research programs (e.g., biology, conversion,
coping, health, human development, mental disorder, mysticism) developed
by psychologists in an attempt to elucidate the role of religion in
the human psychological experience.
PSY-P 390 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY (1-3 cr.) P: PSY-P 103
or PSY-P 106, consent of instructor. Studies in special topics not ordinarily
covered in other departmental courses. Topics and credit vary with instructor
and semester. May be repeated for credit if topic differs.
PSY-P 391 PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER, RACE, AND ETHNICITY (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 103 or PSY-P 106. Explores the impact of social and political
forces on psychological development and adjustment. Focus is on black
women, but includes both genders and all races. Contemporary theory
on race, gender, and class is examined. I
PSY-P 403 NONEXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3
cr.) P: PSY-P 211. Provides an overview of the various nonexperimental
methods used in psychology. Topics include (1) basic survey methodology
including survey construction and sampling issues; (2) interviewing
techniques; (3) basic correlational research including the basics of
structural equation modeling; (4) secondary/ archival data analysis;
(5) observational data and sociometric techniques; (6) applied research
techniques such as needs and program assessment; (7) participant observations;
case studies. I, II
PSY-P 420 LABORATORY IN COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 211, PSY-P 354, PSY-P 403, PSY-P 434. An advanced laboratory
in community psychology that focuses on students engaging in systems
analysis, program development and evaluation, utilization review, service
delivery, and similar projects while working at a community agency.
A series of tasks designed as capstone experiences for each training
module in the course is required and evaluated by the instructor; additional
evaluation is provided by the on-site supervisor and students perform
a self-evaluation. The course is restricted to psychology majors. Meets
liberal arts and sciences junior/senior-level writing requirement.
PSY-P 421 LABORATORY IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P:
PSY-P 211, PSY-P 320, PSY-P 354, PSY-P 403. Research methodology in
the study of social behavior. Meets liberal arts and sciences junior/seniorlevel
writing requirement. I
PSY-P 423 HUMAN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 326 or equivalent.
A critical examination of neurological functioning with respect to human
and other animal behavior. The behavioral functions or neural structures
and systems are assessed through understanding the behavioral consequences
of brain damage and through basic experimental study.
PSY-P 425 BEHAVIOR DISORDERS OF CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 324 . A survey of major behavior disorders, with emphasis on
empirical research and clinical description relative to etiology, assessment,
prognosis, and treatment.
PSY-P 429 LABORATORY IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 211; PSY-P 216 or PSY-P 316, or PSY-P 331, PSY-P 354, PSY-P
403. Principal research methods in developmental psychology and their
application to selected problems in the development of humans. Meets
liberal arts and sciences junior/senior-level writing requirement. II
PSY-P 430 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION (3 cr.) P: Junior standing
and 9 credit hours of psychology, including PSY-P 324 and PSY-P 325.
Principles, techniques, and applications of behavior modification, including
reinforcement, aversive conditioning, observational learning, desensitization,
self-control, and modification of cognition. II
PSY-P 434 COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.) P: Five credit
hours of psychology. A social orientation to problems of mental health,
social adaptation, delivery systems, and community change.
PSY-P 435 LABORATORY IN HUMAN LEARNING AND COGNITION (3 cr.)
P: PSY-P 211, PSY-P 325 or PSY-P 335 or PSY-P 438, PSY-P 354, and PSY-P
403. Experimental studies of human learning and cognitive processes.
Meets liberal arts and sciences junior/senior-level writing requirement.
PSY-P 438 LANGUAGE AND COGNITION (3 cr.) P: Five credit
hours of psychology. Methods, research, and theory in psycholinguistics.
Examination of speech perception, speech production, psychological studies
of syntax and semantics, language development, cognitive basis of linguistic
theory, neurology of language, and language comprehension and thought.
PSY-P 443 COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (3 cr.) P: PSY-P 216
or PSY-P 316. Human cognitive development. Topics may include language,
problem solving, conceptual growth, perception, and cultural influences.
PSY-P 445 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PREVENTION (3 cr.) P: Six
credit hours of psychology or consent of instructor. Survey of literature
on the prevention of human psychopathology; including consideration
of existing preventive methods; goals of prevention; and social, psychological,
and political issues in the development of preventive psychology.
PSY-P 459 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY (3 cr.)
P: Twelve credit hours of psychology. Historical background and critical
evaluation of major theoretical systems of modern psychology: structuralism,
functionalism, associationism, behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, and
psychoanalysis. Methodological problems of theory construction and system
making. Emphasizes integration of recent trends. I, II
PSY-P 460 WOMEN: A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE (3 cr.)
P: Twelve credit hours psychology, or 3 credit hours psychology, and
3 in women’s studies. Basic data and theories about the development
and maintenance of gender differences in behavior and personality. II
PSY-P 495 READINGS AND RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY (1-3 cr.)
P: Consent of instructor. Without special consent of the departmental
chairperson, a student may enroll in only one PSY-P 495 independent
study section during a given semester.
PSY-P 495 READINGS AND RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY (PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE PROGRAM INTERNSHIP) (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor.
Participation in a practicum in an applied area. The applied areas focus
on problems in the community, such as problems of the mentally retarded,
children, aged, family relations, industrial relations, and mental health.
Students must register through the professional practice program as
well as have approval of the psychology instructor. S/F grading. Community Experience Guidelines
PSY-P 495 READINGS AND RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY (SUPERVISED RESEARCH)
(1-3 cr.) Active participation in research. An independent
experiment of modest size; participation in ongoing research in a single
laboratory.
PSY-P 499 HONORS THESIS RESEARCH (12 cr. max.) P: Approval
of departmental Honors Committee. May be substituted for advanced laboratory
requirement in the program for major (with approval of departmental
chairperson).
A maximum of 15 credit hours in independent study courses
(PSY-P 495 and PSY-P 499) may be counted toward graduation except as
authorized by the student’s advisor, the instructor concerned,
and the departmental chairperson.
P = Prerequisite, R = Recommended, C = Concomitant
I = fall semester, II = spring semester, S = summer session(s)
