Psychology

An introduction and overview of the major principles in the field of Psychology including: mental disorders, personality, social understanding, stress and coping, learning, memory, neuroscience, and consciousness. Students will also gain a broad understanding of how these areas are interconnected from a theoretical and practical worldview in addition to scientific modes of thought about behavior. This course contains a component of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) initiative, "Keeping it Real: Classroom to Career," whose overarching goals are student success and early career engagement.

An investigation of the methodological principles regarding behavioral science research, descriptive and inferential techniques, and the process of using these techniques for psychological experimentation and data analysis.

An understanding of the statistical principles associated with the study of behavioral science research through application and computerized data analysis (i.e., Minitab).

A survey of psychological disorders, contrasting theoretical views and representative research investigating these disorders. A concentration on classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.

In Human Growth and Development, students will learn the normal developmental stages of the human life cycle. The stages of human development will be examined within the context of the biological, psychological, sociological, intellectual and emotional processes. Relevant cross-cultural comparisons are used to illustrate the unity and diversity of human life.

A survey of the major and modern theories in psychology through an examination of historical controversies. An understanding of the roots of psychology in natural and social sciences. A consideration of the diversity of psychological study and the future of psychology.

Research design and methodology. An analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting psychological phenomena. Topics include experimental vs. non-experimental research such as survey, observation, case study, and archival data. An understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with behavioral science research through an application of the theoretical, conceptual, and practical principles.

Historical and current perspectives regarding the examination of human attention, language, vision, memory, and other forms of information processing (e.g., decision-making).

The design, operation, analysis, and write-up of experiments which focus on human cognition (e.g., attention, memory and information processing).

The study of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes such as conformity, social perception, attribution theory, altruism, aggression, prejudice, persuasion, group dynamics, self-concept and self-esteem.

An understanding of the methodological principles associated with research in social psychology. The application of psychosocial processes such as learning, attitudes, and social behaviors.

A study of the biological mechanisms of behavior in psychology. Topics include the development of the brain, brain-behavior relationships, hormones and sexual behavior, the biology of learning, memory, and mental disorders. Emphasis will be placed on human findings and applications

The major theoretical perspectives of personality development, structure, dynamics, assessment, and psychological adjustment. Additional topics include consideration of biological and environmental indices of personality.

An understanding of the manner in which humans perceive and respond to internal and external stimuli. Areas of study include vision, audition, chemical, tactile, and proprioceptive senses, receptor mechanisms, psychophysical methods and perceptual phenomena.

The examination of human motives and the impact of emotion on the decision-making process. Consideration of primary and secondary motivators regarding theoretical and practical application for reward, punishment, and avoidance scenarios.

An understanding of the major developmental theories associated with childhood (age 3) through adolescence (age 21). The primary areas of exploration include cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, and emotional systems in addition to contextual approaches involved in understanding these systems.

An understanding of the major developmental theories associated with adulthood (ages 18 through 65). The primary areas of exploration include cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, and emotional systems in addition to the contextual approaches (i.e., typical life tasks) involved in understanding these systems

An understanding of the major developmental theories associated with late adulthood (age 65 and older). The primary areas of exploration include death and dying, cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, emotional systems in addition to the contextual approaches (e.g., family dynamics, leisure, retirement, bereavement) involved in understanding these systems.

A survey and understanding of the application of psychological testing and measurement techniques, including self-report, interview, observation, and collateral information. The importance of test construction, utilization, and the psychometric background of tests will be considered for intellectual, emotional, behavioral, and personality applications. The course also will involve the ethical and pragmatic considerations involved with testing and measurement according to developmental level.

A theoretical, conceptual, and practical overview of internal and external determinants of addictive behaviors across the lifespan. Assessment and treatment approaches will be discussed along with issues influencing recidivism.

The examination of psychological conditions according to varied populations including gender, ethnicity, religion, geography, culture, age, sexual orientation, physical disability, education, and social class. This course is meant to expose students to the impact of these contexts on the intra- and interpersonal psychosocial framework for individuals across development.

A biopsychosocial understanding of the determinants of human sexual behavior. Developmental views of normal and abnormal sexual behavior, treatment, and cultural influences will also be highlighted.

A historical and contemporary examination of the psychological influences of the media. Consideration of the local, regional, national, and international influences of varied information sources including television, the Internet, print media, electronic communication devices, and radio within a developmental context.

A historical and contemporary examination of the psychological issues of gender from a social, emotional, personality, physiologic, geographic, and cultural perspective. Specific topics will include career development, marriage, family, sex role development and expectations, role conflict, achievement, and sexuality.

An introduction to the field of abnormal child psychology and the associated major theories. Students will be exposed to the pathogenic process (i.e., developmental sequence) of psychological disorders from early childhood to late adolescence. A major goal of the course it to promote critical thinking on major issues such as the genetic, biological, and environmental influences on behavior, emotions, and personality in conjunction with associated assessment, diagnostic, and treatment procedures.

An investigation of the major theories, strategies, and methods of understanding the psychological contributions to human health and disease. The psychological approaches to treating and preventing disease and unintentional injuries with a focus on health and safety promotion.

This course introduces students to forensic psychology, which lies at the intersection between psychology and the justice system, and the fundamental legal principles and jurisdictional considerations involved therein. Topics will focus on the various responsibilities afforded to forensic psychologists, including competency evaluations for criminal defendants, child custody evaluations, threat assessments for schools, competency evaluations for the elderly, screening and selection of law enforcement applicants, assessment of post-traumatic disorder, and the delivery and assessment of intervention and treatment programs for juvenile and adult offenders. Lastly, as forensic psychologists must possess the ability to testify in court as an expert witness, the course will address how to reformulate psychological findings into the legal language of the courtroom.

An examination of the contemporary issues in psychology regarding religious beliefs, values, experience, and practice. Additional topics include psychosocial comparisons of major religions, religious development, and the connection between religion and health-promotion.

A survey and focus on the theoretical, conceptual, and practical application of counseling regarding assessment, treatment, diagnostic, and ethical issues in Professional Counseling. Students will gain an understanding of contemporary assessment and interview techniques for mental health disorders and the array of specialties in the counseling profession.

This course will examine the theoretical, conceptual, and practical applications of psychology regarding assessment, treatment, diagnostics, and ethical issues in the field of clinical psychology. Students will gain an understanding of the contemporary assessment and interview techniques for mental health disorders and the subspecialties within clinical psychology.

Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is an applied discipline of psychology that specializes in the theory and application of psychological principles to understanding behavior in the workplace and within organizations. This course examines the main aspects of I/O psychology including job analysis, training, performance, organizational culture and dynamics, leadership, worker satisfaction, improving the workplace environment, group behavior and conflict in the work place.

This course will examine the topic of psychometrics in reference to testing and assessment via paper and electronic surveys. Students will be exposed to the essential factors involved with survey design and research according to the current and future demands of social and occupational settings.

This course examines the major, minor, and associated categories of anxiety and mood disorders and the dynamic interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in the development, course, and outcome of each of these disorders. Of specific focus are the etiology, prevalence rates, course, duration, assessment, diagnosis, and treatments related to each of the anxiety and mood disorders. Attention also will be drawn to the observed developmental differences and the relative contributions of research within these fields of study. Lastly, students will learn about ongoing changes in categorization, including emerging ideas about the "spectrum" disorders.

This course will address multivariate research design and methodology. Students will be exposed to an analysis of the approaches to developing, understanding, and interpreting multivariate psychological phenomena. The primary topics will include MANOVA, MANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression. Additional areas will include a concentration on an understanding of reliability, validity, and experimental control issues.

To provide a comprehensive introduction to the theories and basic processes relevant to learning and behavior, with an emphasis on associative learning (classical and instrumental conditioning). We will discuss how these theories contain applicability to real world phenomena, such as training our pets, raising our children, treating mental illness, and treating drug addiction. In addition, you will gain exposure to the scientific method as well as improve your critical thinking skills through reading and critiquing scholarly work.

This course will emphasize familiarity with the basic anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system and its control of physical functions as well as cognitive and motor behaviors. By the very nature of the subject matter, the course requires learning the terminology that is typically used to describe components of the nervous system. In addition, students will learn to identify the components of the nervous system and their function. Much of this information is provided in the textbook, but lectures will provide important supplemental information. The course will also review the effects of pathology and injury to the nervous system on motor function, sensation, cognition and emotion.

An exploration of the evolution and function of cognition across species. Topics include perception, attention, learning, tool use, categorization, decision making, memory, and language. By studying animal behavior, students will appreciate what makes humans unique. Material will be drawn from the fields of zoology, evolutionary biology, psychology, and neuroscience

The nervous system uses a very precise system of neurochemical messengers to produce all aspects of sensation, perception, feelings, emotions, motivation, movement, and conscious experience. This course will address the role of neurochemicals in normal brain functioning and also describe how drugs are used to treat neurological and psychological disorders. Drug abuse and toxicology will also be discussed.

The intensive examination of current and/or historical issues in the field of psychology in seminar format.

This course is designed to guide students toward the completion of a research proposal in the behavioral sciences. Historical and current theories will be investigated and applied to specific research hypotheses. Students will conduct literary research, identify a relevant and specific research topic, design strategies for assessment, and develop specific research hypotheses through the production of an undergraduate thesis proposal.

This course constitutes the completion of the senior thesis initially proposed in PSY4851. Students will complete the research project proposed in Senior Thesis I by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Posters appropriate for presentation at a professional conference will be developed.

This field placement is designed to provide psychology majors with a shadowing experience that exposes them to the practice of psychology and other human services professions. Students are required to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week at the field placement site, a site that the student will secure and the field practicum instructor must approve. In addition, students are required to participate in one and a half hours of weekly group supervision with the field practicum instructor and other students who are engaged in the field placement experience. Finally, students are required to participate fully in the didactic component of the course. The global aims of the field placement experience are for students to see the work of professionals first hand, integrate prior coursework with their field placement observations, and to gain insight into whether they are interested in pursuing a career in one of these areas.