Psychology (PSYC

Psychology is defined as the science of behavior and mental processes. This course is designed to introduce students to the types of behavior and mental processes that psychologists deal with. Students will be introduced to both clinical and nonclinical topics. Credit: 3 hours

Introduction to the scientific method as it applies to psychology and sociology. Techniques of reading, writing, and thinking like a social scientist. Introduction to experimental and correlational design; reading peer-reviewed journal articles in the social sciences; development of an APA- or ASA-style research proposal. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Sociology 101 & Math 209 Credit: 3 hours

Provides an overview of the major theories and concepts of child development and psychology. Developmental models and contemporary research are presented addressing the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur from prenatal development to late childhood. Emphasis is placed on issues influencing children such as culture, gender, parents, peers, and education. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Education 303 Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Involves the theoretical and empirical study of adolescence. The development of youth from pre-adolescence to late adolescence and emerging adulthood is examined. Attention is given to the developmental tasks of adolescence including puberty, cognitive maturity, identity formation, and relationships with parents, peers, and teachers. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Education 303 Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

Introduction to basic descriptive and inferential statistical procedures and concepts, tailored specifically to the needs of students majoring in psychology. Specific topics include measures of central tendency and variability, probability, null hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, chi square, z scores, t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Prerequisite: Math 209 Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

Principles of growth and development, prenatal development, birth process, infancy through aging process. Emphasis on intellectual, physical, social and religious dimensions; transitional life tasks and faulty biologic, psychologic and sociologic development. This course is for pre-nursing majors only and does not count toward the psychology major or minor. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 & major in pre-nursing Credit: 3 hours

Our ability to adapt to people and conditions in the surrounding world depend critically on learning through experience and observation and remembering. In this course, students will be exposed to the scientific study of these interrelated and fundamental psychological processes. Students will learn about early and contemporary research in the field of human memory, as well as some of the tools and methods that psychological scientists employ to try to understand these very important aspects of human behavior. Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Perception is a fundamental psychological process. We rely on our sensory and perceptual process every moment of every day in order to interact with other people and objects in the world. In this course, students will be exposed to the scientific study of the major sensory and perceptual systems - vision, hearing, olfaction, taste, and touch. Students will learn about the distinction between basic sensory stimulation and higher-level perception. Students will also learn about the various tools, theories and techniques that psychological scientists use to study perceptual phenomena. Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Provides an overview of the major theories and concepts of child development and psychology. Developmental models and contemporary research are presented addressing the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur from prenatal development to late childhood. Emphasis is placed on issues influencing children such as culture, gender, parents, peers, and education. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Education 303 Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Involves the theoretical and empirical study of adolescence. The development of youth from pre-adolescence to late adolescence and emerging adulthood is examined. Attention is given to the developmental tasks of adolescence including puberty, cognitive maturity, identity formation, and relationships with parents, peers, and teachers. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Education 303 Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

Explores theory and research on physical, cognitive, social, and personal development from early through late adulthood. Topics addressed include issues related to work, family, friendships, grief, and death. Models of successful aging will be highlighted. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Junior standing Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Dynamics of abnormal behavior with an emphasis on the social/environmental etiology. Issues involved in the definition, classification, treatment and prevention of disturbed patterns of behavior. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 & Junior standing Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Scientific study of the power of the situation in understanding and predicting human behavior. Many times, we fail to realize how strongly the social setting, including the established societal norms and the behavior of others, affects our own individual thoughts and behaviors. In this course the student will be introduced to the psychological theory and research informing the scientific community of this ubiquitous effect. Emphasis on critical thinking, reading original journal articles, and understanding the scientific research in the context of one’s own, personal interactions. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

Examination of principles and techniques of counseling emphasizing the development of skills in verbal and nonverbal communication. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 & Junior standing Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

This course is designed to provide students with comprehensive exposure to the nervous system and how it governs sensory experiences, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. This course will cover relevant anatomical, behavioral, psychological, cellular, imaging, and neurophysiological approaches used to study human and non-human behavior. Upon completion of this course, students will have a solid foundation regarding the biological basis of behavior upon which to build in more advanced courses of study. Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

Examines individual differences in thought, emotion and behavior. Topics covered include basic theoretical perspectives, assessment techniques, research methodologies, and current topics in personality research. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 & Junior standing Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

A biopsychosocial approach to understanding human health and well-being. The student will gain a scientific understanding of psychological theory and research regarding promotion and maintenance of health as well as prevention and treatment of illness. Emphasis on critical thinking, reading original journal articles, and understanding the scientific research in the context of one’s own, personal lifestyle and choices. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 Credit: 3 hours (Spring, odd years)

Explores the experience of being a woman from the psychological perspective. Effects of physical and mental health, family and work, religion and spirituality, rape and domestic violence, sexuality, culture, and media depictions of the lives of women will be examined as will the historical and theoretical perspectives in psychology of women. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 Credit: 3 hours

Students learn how the principles of sport psychology can be applied by both athletes and non-athletes to improve performance. This will be accomplished by describing the principles of sport psychology and identifying how they may be applied to various domains including sport, exercise, business, academics, the medical field, tactical professions, and the performing arts among others. Emphasis will be placed on the application of sport psychology to increase performance via enhancement of one’s psychological skills (goalsetting, arousal regulation, self-talk, imagery, concentration/attentional focus, etc.) The distinction between a growth and fixed mindset will also be introduced and discussed in regards to one’s perception of behavior change, and how one’s mindset may impact performance accomplishments. Credit: 3 hours (Spring)

Direct instruction on how to use the set of tools most coveted by psychological scientists. Advanced topics in research design and methodology will be covered. Students will learn when and how to use the proper statistical analyses to approach data collected in psychological inquiry. Students will learn to use the computer data analysis package SPSS. Emphasis on completing an independent research project and writing the results in a full, APA-style term paper. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 & 206 Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Introduction to selected therapies widely used in the treatment of individuals and the enhancement of personal well-being. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 Credit: 3 hours (Fall)

Theories and principles of measurement and psychological testing. Assessment of intelligence, personality, abilities, and attitudes. Prerequisite: Psychology 101, 206, Math209 Credit: 3 hours

This course explores psychological research and theory related to gender identity development, with particular focus on the ways in which gender impacts men’s and women’s daily lives. Attention is given to the biological, environmental, cognitive, and psychosocial changes in sex and gender across the life-span. Topics include the effects of parents, peers, school, work, and the media as they shape gender identity. Throughout the course, we will examine how gender can be studied using empirical research methods and emphasize the importance of race, culture, and social class in understanding gender. Prerequisite: Psychology 101 Credits: 3 hours (Fall semester of even years)

Includes an in-depth theoretical and emprirical analysis of social development from infancy through adolescence. In a seminar style course, students will learn how to read and evaluate original source materials, lead discussions, and engage in critical analysis of social development research. Topics covered will include the development of termperament, stereotyping and prejudice, social skills, moral reasoning, trust, and emotion. Prerequisite: Psychology 206 Credits: 3 hours