2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog Logo  

Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

Department of Psychology

Chair and Professor: Turley-Ames
Professors: Cellucci, Hatzenbuehler, Roberts, Vik
Associate Professors: Lawyer, Lynch, Rasmussen, Wong
Assistant Professors: Brumley, Letzring, McCulloch, Prause
Adjunct Faculty: Atkins, Landers, Larsen, Heyneman, Pongratz, Simonson, Sommer, Stephens, Traughber, Welsh
Emeriti: Enloe, Joe, Matthews, McGee
See Faculty Information   
Departmental Overview   
Degree Information   
 Minor in Psychology   
Courses   

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.

Requirements for admittance to the Psychology major are:
  1. successful completion of goals 1, 2, and 3 (C- or better for goal 1 and D- or better for goals 2 and 3;
  2. successful completion of Psyc 101 and Psyc 201 (D- or better);
  3. GPA of 2.0 or better

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. PREREQ OR COREQ: 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 225. 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 225. AF

PSYC 368 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 101. 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 g431 or PSYC 446. 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. 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: Six hours of Psychology beyond PSYC 101 or permission of instructor. 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 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: PSYC 101 and 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. COREQ: 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 101. 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. 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 up to 3 times for a total of 9 credits. 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
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Revised: August 2009