Psychology Courses

NOTE: Complete undergraduate and graduate catalogs can be found here.

PSYC 101 (3)
Introductory Psychology
An introduction to the principles and methods of psychology. This course provides a general background and is a prerequisite to all other psychology courses. V8a

PSYC 201 (3)
Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood
The study of human cognitive, psychosocial and physical development from conception through childhood.

PSYC 203 (0)
Field Experience in Child Development I
Students will undertake supervised field experience through a partnership with the area Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program that will take place on site at Amherst County Elementary Schools. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which child developmentalists and other human service professionals are engaged. It is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. This course is graded on a P/CR/NC grading option only.

PSYC 204 (.5)
Field Exper in Child Dev II
Students will undertake supervised field expereince through a partnership with the area Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program that will take place on site at Amherst County Elementary Schools. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which child developmentalists and other human service professionals are engaged. It is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. This course is graded on a P/CR/NC grading option only.

PSYC 219 (4)
Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
An introduction to those descriptive and inferential statistics most often used in psychological research. Topics include probability, standard normal distribution, measures of central tendency and variability, sampling, correlation and both parametric and non-parametric tests of significance. This course includes a weekly three-hour laboratory session. IIIQ

PSYC 222 (3)
Social Psychology
A study of the individual in a social context. Topics will include conformity, persuasion, altruism, prejudice and social cognition. This course may be counted as an adjunct course for the minor in Women and Gender Studies. IIIW

PSYC 231 (4)
Animal Learning
Exposition and analysis of the current theories of learning with particular emphasis given to respondent, operant, and verbal learning. Three hours lecture or discussion and three hours laboratory. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 237 (3)
Organizational Psychology
Organizational psychology uses scientifically-based principles and research methods to study topics important to understanding human behavior in industry, business and organizations. In this course students will become familiar with the interface between psychology and business; have practice at creating solutions for problems found in organizations; and be able to identify and interpret resources related to this subdiscipline. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 238 (3)
Evolutionary Psychology
Principles from evolutionary biology are applied to the study of human behavior and the structure of the human mind. The survival, social, and reproductive challenges our ancestors faced are reviewed, as are the psychological adaptations that evolved as a consequence. Topics include sex differences in mating strategies, parenting and kinship, and the adaptive value and/or consequences of selfishness and altruism. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 243 (3)
Behavioral Approaches to Human Problems
Use of principles and procedures derived from psychological research to change behavior in a variety of settings. This course will focus on "normal" human behavior rather than "abnormal" behavior, with a practical emphasis - on socially important rather than theoretically significant behavioral analysis. concepts and principles derived from psychological research especially operant learning.

PSYC 246 (3)
Drugs, the Brain and Behavior
This course will survey the mechanisms of action, behavioral effects, and side effects of psychoactive drugs. As various types of drugs are discussed (e.g. stimulants, depressants, hallucinogenics, anti-depressants, anti-schizophrenics, anti-Parkinson drugs), relevant details of synaptic function and transmitter pathways will be highlighted to provide an integrated view of drug mechanisms and the neurochemical basis of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 251 (3)
Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
A study of the physiological mechanisms underlying behavior, including neural and chemical substrates of behavior and the organization of the nervous system.

PSYC 261 (1)
Directed Study
Selected topics pursued by individual students or small groups of students under supervision of a member of the department.

PSYC 302 (3)
Developmental Psychology II: Adolescence
Survey of contemporary theories and research in psychology of adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Topics will include physical, social, and personality development as well as concepts of identity formation, deviant behavior, and the adjustments to major life transitions and changing social roles. IIIO, V

PSYC 304 (1)
Field Experience in Adolescent Psychology
Supervised field experience in a public or private agency setting that provides psychological or educational services to adolescents. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which psychologists and other human service professionals are engaged; it is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. This course is graded as P/CR/NC only.

PSYC 306 (1)
Field Exp in Gerontology
Supervised field experience in a public or private agency setting that provides psychological or educational services to a gerontological population. The experience is designed to provide a sample of the type of activities in which psychologists and other human service professional are engaged; it is not intended to develop competence to the level of a beginning practitioner. This course is graded on a P/CR/NC grading option only.

PSYC 309 (3)
Counseling Skills
Survey of clinical/counseling psychology as a science and profession. Current psychological treatment approaches, assessment techniques, research strategies and their empirical/theoretical foundations. In addition to classroom discussions and workshops, students will volunteer 3-5 hours per week at local mental health organizations. Experiences will be integrated into the course and provide unique practical experiences working in the discipline.

PSYC 310 (4)
Experimental Psychology
A study of experimental methodology, design and data analysis in selected areas. Three hours lecture and discussion and three hourse laboratory. IIIW

PSYC 315 (3)
Research in Psychology
An overview of statistics and psychological research methods, focused literature review, with emphasis on the design and execution of an independent research project. Students will disseminate their work through a research paper conforming to APA standards and through a public presentation of their research. This course is a prerequisite to PSYC 461. Two hours class meeting plus weekly individual tutorials.

PSYC 317 (3)
Personality
A survey and comparative analysis of theories and contemporary research on personality.

PSYC 321 (2)
Research Practicum
Directed experience in empirical psychological research. Laboratory and field work on different research projects conducted by faculty members. Graded P/CR/NC.

PSYC 324 (3)
Behavioral Medicine Seminar
An exploration of how behavior - thoughts, feelings and actions - affect physical health and illness. In this seminar we will read and discuss research and clinical applications. For example, we will look beyond the arguably trite admonition "think positive" to the neuropsychological mechanism whereby positive affect influences cognition and health. Offered alternate years. IIIO

PSYC 328 (3)
Human Neuropsychology
Selected topics in neuropsychology and treatment. Using a case study approach we will examine general principles of brain organization; neuropsychological assessment; sensory, perceptual, and motor disorders; and the effects of brain abnormalities on the higher cortical processes of memory, language, emotion, and problem solving. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 334 (3)
Animal Minds
Seminar exploring current research in the field of cognitive ethology, looking at perceptual memory, thought, and emotional processes of animals in their ecological context and entertaining questinos about animal consciousness and intentionality. Selected readings from animal cognition, behavioral ecology, and cognitive neuroscience will be discussed. Offered alternate years. IIIO

PSYC 341 (3)
Special Topics in Psychology
Current issues in experimental and applied psychology. Emphasis is placed on reading and evaluation of psychological research. May be repeated once for credit toward the major. Topic for Spring 2010: "Forensic Psychology." This course will examine the intersection of psychology and law including the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by mental health professions working in the legal system. Topics will include eyewitness testimony, the evaluation of criminal suspects, jury selection/nullification strategies, and the role that psychological evaluations play in the criminal and family courtroom.

PSYC 355 (3)
Neuroscience of Lrng & Memory
This course covers the psychological and biological bases of learning and memory. Topics range from the cellular changes that underlie species-general learning to the brain areas and systems relevant to conscious recollection. Memory processes in humans, rats, sea slugs, and computers are examined in order to better understand the structure of an adaptive mind. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 361 (1)
Special Study
Selected topics pursued by individual students or small groups of students under supervision of a member of the department.

PSYC 377 (1)
Internship

PSYC 403 (3)
Abnormal Psychology
An experimental-clinical approach to behavior disorders, including an overview and critical appraisal of current theories regarding the etiology and treatment of behavior disorders.

PSYC 408 (3)
Sensation and Perception
The study of sensory processes, the function and role of the senses, particularly vision and audition, and the organization of sensory data into meaningful perception.

PSYC 411 (3)
Intro to Family Syst Theory
An overview of the fundamental assumptions of General Systems Theory and the basic theoretical orientations within family therapy. The influence of gender, culture, developmental status, divorce, and abuse on the working dynamics of the family will be examined. Various structural and analytical systems such as Bowenian Systems techniques will be explored using a case-study approach. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 425 (3)
Cognition
An examination of theory and research concerning thinking. Topics will include reasoning, problem solving, imagery and language. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 432 (4)
Psychological Test and Measurements
A survey of the current and historical psychometric principles and strategies used to assess individual and group differences. The application and administration of widely-used tests are examined, and general problems of measurement are discussed. Laboratory work will focus on the administration, scoring and interpretation of tests that are typically used in a standard assessment battery. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 452 (2)
Senior Seminar
A review and synthesis of major questions, issues and methods of psychology. IIIO

PSYC 461 (1)
Independent Study
Special empirical problems undertaken by individual students under supervision.

PSYC 472 (3)
Senior Honors Thesis