Department of Psychology
Chair and Professor: Turley-Ames
Professors: Cellucci, Hatzenbuehler, Roberts, Vik
Associate Professors: Lynch, Rasmussen,
Wong
Assistant Professors: Brumley, Lawyer, Letzring, Prause, Soldat
Adjunct Faculty: Atkins, Dickey, Heyneman, Jarchau, Larsen, Simonson, Stephens, Tran, Welsh
Emeriti: Enloe, Joe, Matthews, McGee
Overview
Psychology is defined as the science of behavior and conscious
experience. Its domain ranges from the natural to the social sciences
and includes
such diverse topics as brain function, sensation and perception,
learning
and cognition, development, personality, and social behavior. At the
undergraduate level, the major emphasizes the role of the liberal arts
in higher education and personal development.
Beyond the general education goals, psychology students learn
critical thinking and problem-solving skills by developing competence
in the methods of scientific research, psychometric principles, and
data analysis. They integrate and apply the theories and knowledge base
from the various domains of psychology and develop a well-rounded view
of psychology and its importance in understanding behavior. Psychology
promotes an appreciation for individual and cultural differences, as
well as ethical principles in decision-making. The study of psychology
increases understanding of self and others and enables individuals to
make informed judgments that strengthen community and public policy.
Goals for majors in the undergraduate program in psychology are
listed below; each goal has associated objectives and competencies.
1. Be informed of the departmental goals and degree
requirements for psychology majors,
2. Know about possible careers in and/or related to psychology,
3. Integrate knowledge and theories across, and think critically
about, topics within the domains of psychology,
4. Be competent in library information technology and computer
applications related to the study of psychology,
5. be competent in scientific methodology and analysis as they apply to
the study of psychology,
6. Communicate effectively, in both oral and written form, about issues
within the field of psychology,
7. Have an understanding of the breadth of the field of psychology and
its applications,
8. Have knowledge pertaining to individual and cultural differences and
their importance in community and public policy decisions,
9. Perceive their undergraduate education and the skills they developed
as beneficial in their chosen fields, and
10. Be prepared for post-graduate study.
The major assists students in developing their skills in library
research, scientific writing, public presentations, and computer
applications. Psychology students are encouraged to participate in
research projects and community practicums. They also become aware of
the various career options related to the major. By providing a
broad-based education and the aforementioned skills, the major prepares
students for entry-level positions in business, government, and a wide
range of human service positions. The major also prepares students for
graduate education and careers in psychology as well as areas such as
law and public service, medicine and health-related professions,
business
programs emphasizing organizational development and human resources,
and
seminary.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Majors in the psychology program have as their core the following
courses:
PSYC 101 Introduction to General Psychology 3 cr
PSYC 201 Careers in Psychology 1 cr
PSYC 227 Basic Statistics 3 cr
PSYC 228 Introduction to the Theory of
Measurements and
Test Construction 3 cr
PSYC 303 Experimental Psychology 4 cr
PSYC g431 Physiological Psychology I 3 cr
PSYC 472 History of Psychology 3 cr
PSYC 491 Senior Seminar 3 cr
One of the following courses:
PSYC g435 Animal Behavior 3 cr
OR
PSYC g445 Psychology of Learning 3 cr
One of the following courses:
PSYC 341 Social Psychology 3 cr
OR
PSYC g401 Theories of Personality 3 cr
One of the following courses:
PSYC g404 Sensation and Perception 4 cr
OR
PSYC 446 Cognitive Processes 3 cr
TOTAL: 32 cr
Elective Courses
In addition, the student must take 12 additional credits in
psychology; 9 of these must be at the upper-division level. Students
who are preparing for graduate study are strongly encouraged to take
two of the following
as part of their required electives:
PSYC g404 Sensation and Perception 4 cr
PSYC g432 Physiological Psychology II 3 cr
PSYC 446 Cognitive Processes 3 cr
Minor in Psychology
PSYC 101 Introduction to General Psychology 3 cr
PSYC 227 Basic Statistics 3 cr
PSYC 228 Introduction to the Theory of
Measurements and Test Construction 3 cr
PSYC 303 Experimental Psychology 4 cr
OR
PSYC 310 Applied Techniques 4 cr
TOTAL: 13 cr
In addition, the student must take 9 additional elective credits in
psychology.
Psychology Courses
PSYC 101 satisfies Goal 12 of the General Education Requirements. PSYC
101 OR PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR is a prerequisite of all
upper-division courses in psychology.
PSYC 101 Introduction to General
Psychology 3 credits. Brief history of the science of psychology
and study of
human behavior and mental processes. Discusses biological, cognitive,
and
social bases of behavior. Satisfies Goal 12 of the General Education
Requirements. F, S
PSYC 200 Child Abuse 3 credits. Investigation
into the psychological and social factors which contribute to child
abuse and neglect, and to their identification, treatment, and
prevention.D
PSYC 201 Careers in Psychology 1 credit.
Provides psychology majors with the information and skills necessary to
be successful and to pursue a career in psychology or a related field.
F,
S
PSYC 205 Human Sexuality 3 credits. The
psychological, biological, and sociological aspects of human sexuality.
Emphasis on gender identity, the human reproductive system, human
sexual
expressions, and sexual problems in males and females. D
PSYC 211 Personality and Adjustment 3
credits. The lifelong development of personality and the search
for self-realization will be emphasized. Opportunities and crises
common at various periods
will be discussed. PREREQ: PSYC 101. D
PSYC 225 Child Development 3 credits. Study
of development from conception through adolescence. Considers typical
changes within the biological, cognitive, and socioemotional domains
and the influence of contexts (e.g., family, peers, school, culture)
within each area. F,
S
PSYC 227 Basic Statistics 3 credits. Consideration
of statistical techniques and methods used in psychological
investigations in terms of derivation, application, and limitation.
PREREQ: MATH 253 or permission of instructor.
F, S
PSYC 228 Introduction to the Theory of
Measurement and Test Construction 3 credits. Brief history and
survey of the development of psychological test instruments and an
introduction to the theory and
mechanisms of test construction. PREREQ: PSYC 227. F, S
PSYC 250 Female and Male Roles 3 credits.
Examines the biological and social factors involved in the
present-day conceptions of male and female and the relations between
the sexes.D
PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology I 3 credits.
The role of biological, psychological and sociological factors in
the development of abnormal behavior of a functional nature. Neuroses,
character disorders, functional psychosis, behavior disorders of
childhood, and maladaptive
groups. Explanatory and predictive value of several models of
psychopathology.
PREREQ: PSYC 101. F, S
PSYC 302 Abnormal Psychology II 3
credits. Alcoholism and drug dependence, psychosomatic disorders,
organic brain syndromes, and mental retardation. Contemporary
approaches to assessment
and treatment of abnormal behavior, including a survey of
psychotherapeutic
methods. PREREQ: PSYC 301. D
PSYC 303 Experimental Psychology 4
credits. Introduction to the methods of psychological research.
Students will be required to perform experiments. PREREQ: PSYC 227 and
PSYC 228. F, S
PSYC 305 Psychology of Consciousness 3 credits.
This course presents the principle concepts, theories, and research
regarding the nature of consciousness and its various states. Topics
may include the human sleep-wake cycle, dreaming, time phenomenology,
psychotropic drug effects, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback, and
intuition. D
PSYC 310 Applied Techniques 2 credits.
Acquaints students with techniques in selected areas of applied
psychology,
such as stress management, animal training, human factors, behavior
modification, etc. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: PSYC
101. S
PSYC 332 Psychology of Adolescence 3
credits. Critical review of work related to the physiological,
cognitive,
and emotional development of the adolescent personality. General
concepts
relating to specific characteristics of adolescent behavior will be
developed.
PREREQ: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor. D
PSYC 341 Social Psychology 3 credits. Study
of the impact of social and cultural forces upon the individual and of
the interaction between individuals producing social phenomena. PREREQ:
PSYC 101. F
PSYC 344 Adult Development and Aging 3
credits. Study of development across adulthood, emphasizing late
adulthood to death. Considers biological, social, and cognitive domains
of development and
contexts of change. PREREQ: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor. AF
PSYC 369 AIDS 1 credit.
This survey course provides an overview of AIDS from biomedical,
psychological, and sociological perspectives. The intrusive nature of
this epidemic into all aspects of our lives is emphasized. No science
background is required. Graded S/U. D
PSYC g401 Theories of Personality 3
credits. Detailed study of the leading theories of personality
with emphasis on the Freudian, Neo-Freudian, humanistic and existential
theories. PREREQ: PSYC 225 or PSYC 301. S
PSYC g404 Sensation and Perception 4
credits. The anatomical and physiological bases of sensation will
be reviewed. Moreover, traditional and contemporary theories of
perception will be critically considered. Students will be expected to
do laboratory work illustrating basic concepts of sensory and
perceptual functions. PREREQ: PSYC 303 and
PSYC g431. AF
PSYC g412 Ethical and Professional Issues
in Psychology 2 credits. Topics include informed consent,
confidentiality, deception, duty to protect, competency, malpractice,
dual and collegial
relationships, and impaired professionals in research and practice.
PREREQ:
24 credits in psychology or permission of instructor. F
PSYC g417 Interdisciplinary Evaluation
Team 1 credit. Introduction to principles, techniques of
interdisciplinary evaluation. Disciplines emphasized: Audiology,
Nursing, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education,
Speech-Language Pathology.
Cross-listed: NURS g417, SOWK g417, CSED g417. PREREQ: Permission of
instructor.
S
PSYC 423 Community Practicum 1-2 credits.
Students work regional agencies by observing or participating in
professional activities under appropriate supervision. Four hours per
week per credit. May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission
of instructor. F, S, Su
PSYC 425 Psychology Clinic Practicum 1-2
credits. Undergraduates observe and assist graduate students and
faculty in the
delivery of psychological services. Four hours per week per credit. May
be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. F, S,
Su
PSYC g431 Physiological Psychology I 3
credits. Introduction to neuropsychology with an emphasis on
methods, basic neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology. PREREQ: PSYC 303. F
PSYC g432 Physiological Psychology II 3
credits. Survey of the physiological bases of psychological
processes, including learning, emotion, motivation, sensation, and
perception. Emphasizes current research and theory concerning brain
mechanisms and behavior. PREREQ: PSYC 431 or permission of instructor.
AS
PSYC g435 Animal Behavior 3 credits. Study
of experiments in animal learning which relate to our understanding of
human learning. Course is concerned with both observation and
experimental
studies of habit formation, conditioning, related endocrinology, and
nerve
structure as they are associated with behavior capabilities. PREREQ:
Six
hours in psychology beyond PSYC 101 or permission of instructor. AS
PSYC 443 Advanced Social Psychology 3
credits. In-depth study of current theory, issues and research in
the field of social psychology. Emphasis is on newly emerging research
areas such as nonverbal communication; human uses of space; development
of moral and ethical values; helping behavior, and compliance obedience
research. PREREQ: PSYC 303 and PSYC 341 or permission of instructor. F
PSYC g445 Psychology of Learning 3
credits. Survey of the major principles of learning. Including the
processes underlying classical and instrumental conditioning and motor
behavior. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. F
PSYC 446 Cognitive Processes 3 credits. A
survey of the major and current concepts, theories, and research in
cognitive psychology. Areas of emphasis include attention, memory,
information processing, mental imagery, decision-making, and problem
solving. PREREQ: PSYC 303.
S
PSYC 451 Clinical Psychology 3 credits. Surveys
the field of clinical psychology; with emphasis on past and present
status, diagnosis, assessment, critical topics related to intervention,
the clinical psychologist's professional role, and student training.
PREREQ: PSYC 301. D
PSYC 453 Theory and Method of
Psychosocial Child Therapy 3 credits. Review of the
psychopathology, diagnosis,
and treatment of the major psychosocial disorders of childhood. PREREQ:
PSYC 225 OR CFS 302 or permission of instructor. S
PSYC g463 Clinical Psychology and the Law
3 credits. An introduction to the field of forensic psychology by
exposing students to the primary areas in which clinical psychology
relates to the legal system. Emphasis will be on expert testimony by
clinicians in matters of criminal responsibility, mental competency,
civil commitment, and child custody. D
PSYC g464 Dilemmas of Youth 3 credits. This
course surveys theory and research concerned with dilemmas of identity
formation. Personal accounts, literature—classical and
psychological—will
serve to illustrate dilemmas and explain their resolutions. D
PSYC g465 Behavioral Medicine 3 credits. Psychological
issues of health, disease states, and prevention. Critical evaluation
of clinical research and practice, including nontraditional healing
techniques and current models used to understand health and disease.
PREREQ: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor. D
PSYC g467 Topics in
Psychology 1-3 credits. Selected topics in psychology. Contents vary. May be repeated
with different content and departmental approval. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D
PSYC 472 History of Psychology 3 credits.
Modern psychology in historical perspective. Genesis and
development of fundamental problems and methods, with emphasis on
specific fields of research. PREREQ: Fifteen hours in Psychology beyond
PSYC 101 or permission of instructor. F, S
PSYC g483 Special Problems 1-3 credits.
Research or readings in a special area of interest to be arranged on an
individual basis with individual faculty. May be repeated to a maximum
of
6 credits. PREREQ: 24 hours in Psychology. D
PSYC 491 Senior Seminar 3 credits. Library,
field, or experimental research in an area selected by the instructor,
including oral and written presentation of results. PREREQ: 90 credits
and
PSYC 303. Graded S/U. F, S
PSYC g497 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops
aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy
requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. D
