PSY - Psychology

An introduction to the basic principles of psychology.

A study of psychometric theory with emphasis on techniques and topics in reliability and validity of psychological tests.

Studies the application of psychological principles to business and industry. Includes topics such as personnel selection, training, job satisfaction and work motivation.

Studies the psychological processes (i.e., values, attitudes, communication and social adjustment) arising from the interaction of human beings.

Survey of the history of psychology by examining the ideas of leading thinkers in the 19th and 20th centuries. Detailed attention is given to original writings of psychologists such as Wilhelm Wundt, William James, John Watson, Sigmund Freud and Abraham Maslow.

Studies the psychological literature, both empirical and theoretical, regarding religious belief and behavior. It is a survey of the psychological research on the origins and consequences of religion, especially for the individual. The course examines, among several topics, the psychological development of religious experience, psychological variables related to mystical experience and conversion, and the interface of religion and mental health.

Focuses on psychological development in infants, children and adolescents. Emphases are on applied, practical applications of research findings and consideration of the "how-to" as well as the "how" of growth and development. (Service learning required)

An introduction to statistical techniques and experimental methods. Statistical coverage includes frequency distributions, graphic representations, central tendency measures, variability measures, probability and the t-tests. Methodological coverage includes the nature of science, ethics, research approaches, the experimental approach, hypothesis testing, two-group designs and control for two-group designs. Students must complete PSY 211 with a grade of "C" or better to register for PSY 312.

Introduces the student to fundamental concepts and examples in biological psychology and the study of learning and memory. The first part of the course focuses on topics essential to understanding the biological bases of behavior, including how the brain is organized, the units of brain function, and how neurons communicate sensory information, process perceptions and control behavior. Part two covers unconditioned behaviors (reflexes, fixed-action patterns), simple learning (habituation and sensitization), conditioned behaviors (classical/Pavlovian and instrumental/operant), theories of reinforcement and memory mechanisms.

Examines how the findings of cognitive psychology can be applied to educational and everyday settings. The core of cognitive psychology is the science of how people acquire, process, store, and use information. As such, it can assist in the design and creation of educational curriculum, software (educational and otherwise), and other human inventions.

Examines theoretical approaches to the study of human personality, including psychoanalytic, behavioral and phenomenological conceptions.

Explores the area of psychology that examines psychological aspects of how individuals maintain health, become ill and respond to illness.

Special courses are offered occasionally during the summer sessions.

A systematic presentation of concepts related to the etiology, symptoms and treatment of behavior disorders.

Focuses on the application of the principles of psychology to consumer behavior.

Examines theory and research in evolutionary psychology. The course is structured around ultimate explanations, descriptions that focus on the survival and reproductive consequences of (sometimes difficult to explain) human behaviors, and how they could have been shaped by natural selection. Comparative examples from pertinent animal literature are provided where appropriate.

Extension of elementary statistical and experimental methodological topics begun in PSY 211. Statistical coverage includes correlation, regression, and one-way and two-way analyses of variance. Methodological coverage includes a review of ethics, hypothesis testing, various experimental designs and control in experimentation.

Examines current and possible future drug treatments for psychopathological symptoms. Addictive drugs of abuse and their biological mechanisms are covered, as are controversies involving the possible overdiagnosis and overmedication of disorders that also respond well to behavioral and other therapeutic interventions. Critical interactions between "talk therapy" and the client's medicated or unmedicated state are addressed.

The course focuses on the growth, decline, and stability of psychological functioning in adulthood and aging. Some topics to be covered include physical and cognitive development, perception, memory, language, intelligence, thinking, knowledge, and moral reasoning. (Service learning required)

Explores the sensory and physiological bases of perception and how people process relevant information in their environments. All five senses are covered, with primary emphasis on vision. Focal topics include the perceptual process, neural processing, perceiving objects, color, depth, size, movement, sound, speech, touch, flavor and odor.

Examines current theory and research in the field of interpersonal interaction. Primary approach is social psychological, but other major theories of relationships are examined.

A course involving special topics in psychology. Provides students with the opportunity to explore subject matter in psychology more thoroughly than is possible in a formal class.

Issues explored include factors that influence the judgments of police officers, attorneys, judges and jurors. A special emphasis is placed upon basic social psychological processes as they relate to legal processes and issues. Additional topics will include defendant characteristics, jury selection, eyewitness testimony and jury decision-making.

A survey of the physiological, sociological and psychological aspects of human sexuality. Requires independent study project and seminar presentation.

For psychology majors. A supervised internship in community agencies. Admission by application to the clinical internship coordinator. May not be used to satisfy the general distribution requirements.

Open only to psychology majors. A supervised internship in local organizations. Admission by application to the industrial/organizational internship coordinator. Graded on a pass/fail basis May not be used to satisfy the general distribution requirements.

Open only to psychology majors. A supervised internship with local or collaborative research-suitable institutions. Admission by application to the experimental psychology internship coordinator. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. May not be used to satisfy the general distribution requirements.

Examines the topic of sexual harassment as an organizational problem. Students will explore the topic from a psychological, historical, and legal perspective. Specific topics will include: definitions and theories of sexual harassment; perceptions of harassment; legal definitions of harassment; harassment of men; effects of harassment, and cross-cultural perspectives on harassment.

Students will take an in-depth look into childhood disorders in order to gain an accurate understanding of what qualifies as abnormal development in childhood. The information in this course will familiarize the student with how childhood disorders are diagnosed, assessed, and treated. Students will also learn about the etiology and characteristics of behavioral, emotional and developmental disorders.

Surveys current knowledge of the biological bases of behavior and psychological abilities (learning and memory), diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's) and disorders (anxiety, depression, PTSD). Incorporates research findings from both animal models and human neuropsychiatric cases.

The various roles of the mind are examined in this course. Central topics investigated may include neurocognition, pattern recognition, selective and divided attention, sensory memory, working memory, long-term memory, acquisition and retrieval processes, memory errors, models of long-term memory, language, visual knowledge, and conscious versus unconscious thinking.

Examines the emerging field of cognitive science, a discipline encompassing cognitive psychology, computer science, philosophy, and linguistics, among others. Topics include problem solving, reasoning, expertise, categorization, and analogies. Upon completing this course students will have an appreciation of the current major research findings in the area.

Involves independent study and Honors research on individual problems in psychology. May be repeated for credit if subject matter varies.

A substantial research and writing project expected to yield a journal-ready manuscript.

For psychology majors only. The course is taken in the student's senior year. This course is required and is offered on a pass/fail basis. Themes of personal reflection and integration of the educational experience are the course goals. Informal and guided discussions are designed to allow the exiting psychology majors a chance to synthesize and organize their four-year experience, and to prepare them for postgraduate success.

A seminar course involving special topics in psychology. Provides students with the opportunity to explore subject matter in psychology more thoroughly than is possible in a formal class. Requires an independent study project and a seminar presentation.