Plan of Study – Psychology

Describes the major systems, central issues and historical development of modern psychology. Introduces basic principles in sensation, perception, cognition, learning, memory, language, emotion, motivation, personality organization, and social process.

For psychology majors and individuals considering a psychology major. Introduction to the American Psychological Association writing style, library research skills, portfolio requirements in the psychology major, career options in the field of psychology, and ethical principles in psychology. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSY 1010 or PSY 1020.

Study of the maturational and experiential influences on physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and personality development of the individual, from the prenatal period through late adulthood. Developmental tasks and theories of developmental change related to life stages. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Focus on the key concepts of psychological testing and measurement, including standardization, normative samples, types of reliability and validity, and item analysis. Coverage of psychometric considerations in test construction, different types of tests and their applications, the meaning and limitations of test scores, historical background for the uses and misuses of testing. Ethical, professional, and social considerations in testing are also considered. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

All aspects of human thinking, including attention, perception, memory, knowledge, language, problem solving, creativity, decision making, and intelligence. Attention given to current research in areas such as mood-dependent memory, the power of suggestion in creating false memories, speed reading, and learning vocabulary, as well as the application of cognitive principles in everyday life. Course includes an on-line laboratory component in which students participate in a variety of experimental studies in various areas of cognitive psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Scientific explanations of the neurobiological basis of behavior and evolution of the brain. Examination of nervous system structure and function; neuron biochemistry and neurotransmission; psychopharmacology; sensory and motor systems, physiological mechanisms influencing circadian rhythms, emotion, learning and memory, neurological disorders, psychological disorders, stress, and drug abuse. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

What does it really mean to be a grown up? Examine adult psychological development from midlife to later years, including behavior and coping strategies as well as the cognitive, personality, and intellectual changes that occur with aging. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Focus on the complex ways in which human beings comprehend themselves and their social environment from the psychological and sociological perspectives. Emphasis on social cognition, personality behavior, interpersonal attraction, aggression, attitude formation; the influence of culture and society on prosocial behavior, prejudice, conformity, power, and dynamics of the group. Examines the various research methodologies used in both disciplines. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Principles of growth, maturation, and learning relating to child development. Interaction of hereditary and environmental factors influencing the social, cognitive, and personality development of the child. Theories and research relative to the psychology of the child from the prenatal period through late childhood. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Study of the theory and research on the intersection between mind and body: stress, depression, and physical illness; the psychological impact of illness; empirically supported ways to change habits, such as smoking, overeating, or reluctance to exercise; effective coping mechanisms; placebo effects; mindfulness and relaxation techniques; the impact of class and culture on health, and psychological interventions for pain. Useful for students in health care disciplines and in psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Nature of pre-adolescent and adolescent behavior and its underlying dynamics; systematic study of modern concepts for understanding and dealing with the adolescent and pre-adolescent in our society. Emphasis on normal behavior development as it relates to the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth of adolescents. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Nature of abnormal and deviant behavior and its underlying dynamics; systematic study of modern concepts of diagnosis, understanding, treatment and prevention of abnormal behavior patterns. Emphasis on normal behavior development as delineated by psychopathology. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

Application of concepts, theories, and methods from psychology to issues in the workplace. Topics include research methods, employee selection and assessment, performance appraisal, training and development, leadership, motivation, job satisfaction, job involvement, organizational structure, and organizational change and development. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

How the science of psychology is used by our legal system to better understand situations where an individual's state of mind or psychological functioning may have an impact on the legal process, the distinction between forensic and clinical work, conceptual underpinnings of forensic psychology, and the role of psychology in the legal system and controversies surrounding its use. Career paths and training issues also discussed. Prerequisite: PSY 1010.

An overview of the major theories of personality, the role of personality theories in development, how various personality theories can be distinguished from one another, and an evaluation of these theories. Prerequisites: PSY 1010, junior or senior standing.