Psychology
Professors
A. Celeste Gaia, Chair
Kimberly Baranowsky
R. Christopher Qualls
Degrees and Certificates
-
Psychology, B.A. -
Psychology, B.S. -
Psychology, Minor
Courses
PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science
Basic processes of human behavior, sensation and perception, motivation, conditioning and learning. Laboratory introduction to experimental design and statistics. (This course will not fulfill teacher certification requirements for lab science.)
PSYC 102: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science
Complex processes of human behavior. Child and adult development, personality, abnormal psychology, social psychology, and issues of gender, sexuality, and culture.
PSYC 163X: Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
See STAT 163
PSYC 205: Psychology of Sex and Gender
A critical and multi-disciplinary inquiry into various theories, methods, and research concerning the issue of psychological differences between females and males. Historical, biological, sociological and anthropological perspectives.
Prerequisites
Sophomore status or instructor permission.
PSYC 210: Personality Theories
Selected influential theories of personality that address aspects of human behavior and psychological functioning.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102.
PSYC 211: Research Design in Psychology
Introduction to behavioral research, emphasizing experimental method. Critical examination of factors determining validity and limiting inferences. Applications of statistics and scientific writing.
Prerequisites
STAT 163.
PSYC 220: Child Development
Survey of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur in infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102.
PSYC 231: Lifespan Development
This course follows the developing person from conception until the end of life using theory, research, and practical applications to understand genetic influences; prenatal and birth factors; and physical, cognitive, social personality, and cultural variables that influence development throughout lifespan (infancy, childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood).
Prerequisites
PSYC 102 or instructor permission.
PSYC 285: Research Experience in Psychology
Hands-on research experience, assisting in faculty research projects.
Prerequisites
PSYC 211 and departmental permission.
PSYC 286: Research Experience in Psychology II
Hands-on research experience, assisting in faculty research projects.
Prerequisites
PSYC 211 and departmental permission.
PSYC 287: Research Experience in Psychology III
Hands-on research experience, assisting in faculty research projects.
Prerequisites
PSYC 211 and departmental permission.
PSYC 288: Research Experience in Psychology IV
Hands-on research experience, assisting in faculty research projects.
Prerequisites
PSYC 211 and departmental permission.
PSYC 315: Testing and Measurement
Issues relevant to psychological testing including intellectual, traditional personality, and behavioral assessment. Psychometric construction and evaluation of standardized tests. Service learning component in this course.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102 and STAT 163.
PSYC 316: Physiology Psychology
Biological basis of behavior with attention to structure and function of nervous system, endocrine glands, and sensory processes as determinants of behavior.
Prerequisites
PSYC 101 or BIOL 117.
PSYC 318: Health Psychology
Applications of psychology to the encouragement of health and wellness, to the prevention of disease, and to the healing process.
PSYC 320: Learning and Cognition
Experimental investigation of learning and cognitive processes, including classical and operant conditioning, attention, perception, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Prerequisites
PSYC 101.
PSYC 321: Abnormal Psychology
Description and classification of patterns of deviant behavior, identification of their determinants, survey of procedures for modifying disorders.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102 and junior status or instructor permission.
PSYC 340: Cross-Cultural Psychology
Theory and research of cultural influences on human behavior and psychological processes. Combination of a classroom instructional component with a study abroad experience to identify and compare psychological aspects of different cultures. Students will be responsible for travel expenses to locations abroad.
Prerequisites
Instructor permission.
PSYC 345X: Psychological Development and Religious Faith
Relationship of cognitive, moral, and emotional developmental processes to the formation of religious faith from childhood through older adulthood. Special emphasis on James Fowler's faith development theory, including psychological and theological sources, critiques, and alternative approaches.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102 and junior status or instructor permission.
PSYC 350: Special Topics
Selected topics in psychology chosen by the instructor in response to student needs and interests. May be retaken for credit for different topics.
PSYC 411: Research in Social Psychology
Behavior of the individual in social settings. Social and cultural influences on behavior, language and communication, attitudes and opinions, interpersonal relations, and group processes.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102, junior status, and PSYC 211 or SOCI 330.
PSYC 422: Application of Psychotherapeutic Technique
Overview of ethics related to psychotherapy, instruction in diagnostic interviewing, and application of general psychotherapeutic techniques shown to produce effective psychological intervention. Development of skills through the administration of the selected techniques in simulated therapeutic settings.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102 and PSYC 321.
PSYC 430: History of Psychology
Historical introduction to psychology. Selected theories of mind, brain, and behavior in western thought from ancient Greeks to contemporary "schools" of psychology.
Prerequisites
PSYC 101 and PSYC 102, junior status or instructor permission.
PSYC 450: Seminar
Topics selected on basis of current research, and interest and needs of the students.
Prerequisites
Junior status or instructor permission.
PSYC 460: Independent Study
Individual research to be designed, carried out, and reported, in the style of report writing approved for psychological journals, under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prerequisites
Psychology major and senior status.
PSYC 470: Internship I
Work experience related to the student's major, jointly supervised by the department and a professional in the field. Although the usual internship will carry either three or six hours credit, a student may elect to arrange an internship carrying between two and six hours credit with the permission of the department. Each hour of credit will require forty hours at the internship site.
Prerequisites
Senior status and departmental permission.
PSYC 471: Internship II
Work experience related to the student's major, jointly supervised by the department and a professional in the field. Although the usual internship will carry either three or six hours credit, a student may elect to arrange an internship carrying between two and six hours credit with the permission of the department. Each hour of credit will require forty hours at the internship site.
Prerequisites
Senior status and departmental permission.
PSYC 480: Senior Project I
Basic or applied research undertaken in close consultation with the department. Design, conducting, and documentation of an independent research project.
Prerequisites
PSYC 102, senior status, and departmental permission.
PSYC 481: Senior Project II
Basic or applied research undertaken in close consultation with the department. Design, conducting, and documentation of an independent research project.
Prerequisites
PSYC 211, senior status, and departmental permission.
PSYC 490: Honors Project I
Independent research in a special topic for honors.
Prerequisites
Senior status and GPA of 3.0 or higher.
PSYC 491: Honors Project II
Independent research in a special topic for honors.
Prerequisites
Senior status and GPA of 3.0 or higher.