Psychology (PSYC)

A basic introduction to psychology as a scientific discipline. History, theory and research across a variety of areas within psychology, including biological bases of behavior and cognition, sensation and perception, learning, memory, and psychological disorders.

This introductory statistics course teaches students to organize, visualize, and summarize data, then apply probability concepts to address the enduring question: How can we use probability and statistics to tell if something is just random or actually meaningful? Students will learn to conduct hypothesis tests, interpret data visualizations, and evaluate statistical claims with appropriate skepticism, using technology tools to draw evidence-based conclusions for real-world decision-making. This course requires students to have basic proficiency through high school algebra.

It is human nature to say, "Why is that person acting that way?" Sometimes, we can't even explain our own behavior! This course will allow students to answer the question of Why is it important to understand what people do and why they do it? Students will explore how complicated human behavior can be by building an understanding of the different perspectives that work together to explain behavior. Students will use collaboration to analyze situations in ways that influence our thinking about and empathy toward others in our complex social world.

In this course, we explore the forces that shape human lives from conception through death. Students will develop an understanding of how humans change physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally at various points in the lifespan, and how individual differences can modify their developmental trajectories and outcomes. The role of research and theory in guiding our understanding of development across the lifespan will be highlighted throughout the course.

An introduction to research methods used in studying human and animal behavior and cognitive processes. Provides skills for critical evaluation of research literature. Topics include the science of psychology, experimental and non-experimental methods of investigation, ethics in psychological research, internal and external validity and discussion of basic and multiple independent variables designs.

This class will introduce students to professional writing in psychology-specific language. Using the current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, students will develop skills for writing to a range of audiences for different purposes, including resumes, professional communication, formal proposals and reports, and research summaries and recommendations for practical application. C grade or higher required for psychology majors.

Analysis of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system of animals and humans, with a focus on biological mechanisms most relevant to key issues in psychology. Topics include the mind-body problem, development of language and learning, sexual behavior, alcoholism, psychosomatic illness, anxiety, aggressive behavior, recovery from brain damage, depression and schizophrenia. Recommended: Introductory biology or chemistry course.

Emphasizes the psychological aspects of human sexuality, especially in relation to emotions, attitude, and values. Stresses the psychological importance of responsibility for self and the importance of self-awareness and communication in sexuality. Considers the psychological aspects of human sexual development, adjustment, and function as well as dysfunction, and treatment. Designed to increase the students' understanding and acceptance of their own sexuality and that of others.

Social psychology is the scientific study of how the social environment influences individuals' behaviors and cognitive processes. This course will provide an overview of the perspectives and major content areas studied by social psychologists; discuss leading research and theories in these areas, and explore practical implications of this information. Topics include social cognition, person perception, attitudes and attitude change, social influence, & prejudice.

Biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development of women from age 20 through death. Includes a survey of the research that is focused on women's development, an exploration of the changing roles and expectations for women today, and of how women can maximize their adult experiences.

Study a variety of contemporary theories of human motivation from biological, cognitive, and behavioral perspectives. Emphasizes the application of ways to improve human motivation.

This course is an overview of the interface between psychology and the law. It examines the use of psychology and psychological experts in the legal system. Topics include evaluation of mental competency of defendants, assessment of potential dangerousness, and expert testimony about the legal definition of insanity. Other areas covered: jury selection, witness preparation, children/adolescents in the judicial system, training and selection of police officers, polygraphs, profiling, and obtaining confessions legally and illegally.

This course examines the major theories of personality from multiple perspectives including psychoanalytic, trait, biological, and cognitive approaches. Relevant research and applications are discussed.

This is an introductory course to acquaint students with the hypothesized biological, psychological, and sociocultural causes of various mental disorders. An overview of the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM-5) and of different treatment modalities used to treat psychological disorders is also included.

This course examines theories about why people engage in criminal behavior and explores the most common psychological disorders and treatments in the offender population. Treatment options in various settings (i.e. jail, prison, forensic hospital, outpatient centers) will be described and the legal implications discussed.

This course is designed to provide you with an introduction to the field of abnormal child and adolescent psychology. In this course, we will study the causes, maintenance, and treatment of children's behavioral, social-emotional, and cognitive disorders from a developmental perspective. This developmental perspective examines the course of child and adolescent disorders over time and examines child psychopathology in the context of normal child development.

Psychology and Treatment of the Juvenile Offender will cover a variety of theories that address why criminal behavior develops in children and adolescents and will include a strong focus on the psyche and personality types of juvenile offenders. Best empirically supported treatments to reduce criminal behavior in youth will also be a main focus of the course. Trends in juvenile criminal behavior will be considered in the context of applying theory to understand some criminal behaviors including homicide, other forms of violent interpersonal crime, substance abuse, gang activity, and sexual offenses. Multicultural and special needs factors will also be considered in understanding the psychology of juvenile offenders.

Examine the psychological and behavioral consequences of crime on individuals, families, groups, and communities. Various theories about risk of victimization will be covered, as well as the psychology and treatment of specific victimization types. An examination of various victim response or treatment models will occur, including victim rights and services. Throughout the course, there will be an exploration of how various multicultural factors between the victim and offender interact to impact decisions about the best responses and treatment to offer victims.

This course will cover the principles, theories, and applications of conditioning and learning. Topics will include Habituation, Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Biological Influences on Learning, Stimulus Control of Behavior, Cognitive Control of Behavior, and Social Learning.

The course provides preparation for students entering psychology or health science careers to develop competencies in understanding how to interpret, select, and use various cognitive, emotional, psychological, and health-related tests and assessments. Focus is also on understanding ethical concerns in assessment.

An exploration of human cognitive processes, including topics such as memory, attention, perception, problem solving, judgment, decision-making, expertise, and language. This course will cover the principles, theories, and neurological underpinnings of various cognitive processes, as well as the methods that researchers use to study human cognition.

Serves as an introduction to different psychological theories and the different counseling strategies used in these approaches. Provides information to individuals in the helping professions and direct references to the lives and social environment of students. This course is a requirement for many graduate programs in Psychology. Junior Status.

This course covers the structure and process of family counseling, its historical and theoretical foundations, the practice of family counseling, and training for and evaluation of family therapy. Research findings will be discussed, and multicultural issues considered.

Examines psychological influences on the promotion and maintenance of physical health, prevention and treatment of illness, and the causes and correlates of health and illness. This course will provide an overview of the foundation areas pertaining to health psychology, discussion of leading research and theory in these areas, and exploration of personal and practical implications of this information.

This course is developed to go beyond a general survey of information and instead cover topics that are more in-depth with regard to child and adolescent development. Journal articles and other advanced readings from the discipline of psychology that are related to cognitive, emotional, and social development in children and adolescents will be covered. Students will have opportunities to apply research skills used in the field of developmental psychology to deepen their understanding of different populations studied in this course. The course goes beyond basic identification of different developmental theories for child and adolescent development and focuses on application of theory to understanding the best way to work with groups of children and teens across American cultures from a psychological perspective.

Examination of theoretical knowledge and experimental study of how information is gathered from the environment. Topics include psychophysics, vision, audition, touch and pain, smell and taste. Offered alternate years.

In-depth examination of research and methodology with hands-on research experience during all phases of the course. Students will design a research project working together with a research team. Students will develop a research topic, conduct a formal APA-style literature review, develop a research design, and apply for IRB approval. This course is part one of a two-semester course. Part two is PSYC-405 and will be offered in the Spring semester.

In-depth examination of research and methodology with hands-on research experience during all phases of the course. Students will design a research project working together with a research team. Students will collect, analyze and interpret data in accordance with their research proposal. In addition, students will submit a formal APA-style research report, and present their research findings in a poster presentation. This course is part two of a two-semester course.

Provides students with an application of psychology-specific content and skills through practical experience and class supervision. Students will have an opportunity to work collaboratively in a community of peers, learn how research informs practice, and conduct activities within their range of competence. Students are required to write an APA-style research paper and present their experience in an APA-style poster as a culminating experience.

Designed to be a culminating, capstone course by applying prior coursework, exploring career options and gaining interpersonal awareness, sensitivity and self-knowledge through forensic psychology-related work experiences which are supervised on campus by one of the forensic psychology faculty members. Course may be repeated for a maximum of eight credits.

This course is designed to be a culminating, capstone experience for juniors or seniors who are majoring in one of the majors offered by the Psychology Department. This course focuses on helping the student intentionally integrate and apply knowledge, awareness, and skills from different psychology courses as they seek to develop a professional identity and discern or solidify career options.

In this class, students work on developing a research project related to the topic of interest. Weekly classes will function as research meetings in which students' research ideas will be developed, carried out, and presented.