Course Descriptions

PSYC 101 - (4) (S)
General Psychology
An overview of psychology from both the natural science and social science perspectives. Topics include biological bases of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, learning, motivation, thought, maturational and developmental changes, individual differences, personality, social behavior, and abnormal psychology. Three lecture hours plus discussion section.

PSYC 210 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Learning
Analysis of the concepts, problems, and research methodology in the study of processes basic to learning and motivation.

PSYC 215 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Cognition
Cognition is the activity of knowing: the acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge. Emphasizing fundamental issues, this course introduces such basic content areas in cognitive psychology as perception, memory, language, cognitive development, and philosophy of science.

PSYC 220 - (3) (S)
Introduction to Psychobiology
Consideration of the evolution of behavior, including ethological and psychological aspects and an analysis of brain structure and mechanisms related to brain behavioral processes such as perception, learning, memory, motivation, consciousness and sleep. (In some terms, there will be an optional 1-credit discussion section.) Credit is not given for both PSYC 220 and PSYC 222.

PSYC 221 - (3) (IR)
Animal Behavior
Study of animal behavior considered from an evolutionary and ecological perspective. Topics include the basic mechanisms of evolution of social behavior in animals with particular emphasis upon mating systems; ecological constraints on modes of animal communication; and quantitative analysis of social communication.

PSYC 222 - (4) (IR)
Principles of Psychobiology
An enriched section of PSYC 220 that includes laboratory demonstrations, group discussions and individual projects. Enrollment is limited to 20 first- and second-year students who demonstrate outstanding aptitude and interest in this area. When offered, applications are available from the instructor at times publicized in the list of course offerings distributed by the psychology department. Three lecture hours plus discussion section. Credit is not given for both PSYC 220 and PSYC 222.

PSYC 230 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Perception
Study of selected topics in perception, particularly visual perception; the role of stimulus variables, learning and motivation of perception. (In some terms an optional one-credit discussion section is offered.)

PSYC 240 - (3) (S)
Introduction to Personality Psychology
Introduction to the major approaches, methods, and findings in the field of personality psychology. Topics include sex-typing, identification and observational learning, frustration and aggression, stress, anxiety, defense, self-control, altruism, self-concepts, authoritarianism, achievement motivation, and sensation-seeking. (In some terms, an optional 1-credit discussion section is available.)

PSYC 250 - (4) (S)
Introduction to Child Psychology
Introduction to the biological, cognitive and social development of the child. Topics include the child's emotional, perceptual, and intellectual development; and the development of personality and socialization. (In some terms, there is an optional 1-credit discussion section.)

PSYC 260 - (4) (S)
Introduction to Social Psychology
A selective survey of major topics in social psychology, including personal perception and social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, interpersonal influence, interpersonal attraction, and helping relationships. Research theory and applications of social psychology are considered. Three lecture hours plus discussion section.

PSYC 305, 306 - (4) (S)
Research Methods and Data Analysis
Introduction to research methods in psychology, including computer-controlled experimentation, integrated with computer-based exploratory data analysis, and elementary statistical analysis. Three lecture hours, two laboratory hours.

PSYC 307 - (3) (IR)
History of Psychology
Study of the philosophical background of contemporary psychology, with emphasis upon the 20th-century "schools" of psychology.

PSYC 311 - (3) (IR)
Psychology of Language
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 215 or permission of instructor
An introduction to the cognitive psychology of language focusing on language as a cognitive process.

PSYC 321 - (3) (S)
Psychobiology Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 220, PSYC 222, or PSYC 420
Development of skills necessary for the study of neural bases of behavior, such as brain dissection, implanting electrodes into brain tissues, lesions, behavioral procedures and histology. Four laboratory hours.

PSYC 341 - (3) (Y)
Abnormal Psychology
Prerequisite: Six credits of psychology or permission of instructor
Introductory course in psychopathology with a focus on specific forms of abnormal behavior: depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. (In some terms, an optional 1-credit discussion section is available.)

PSYC 344 - (3) (O) Child Psychopathology
Prerequisite: Six credits of psychology or permission of instructor
Overview of the description, cause and treatment of various psychological disorders of childhood.

PSYC 346 - (4) (Y)
Psychological Study of Children, Families, and the Law
Prerequisites: Nine credits in psychology (including either PSYC 250 or PSYC 352 and PSYC 305) or permission of instructor
Can psychology research and theory inform the law as it relates to children and families? This course provides an overview of the issues emphasizing psychological knowledge and its present and possible future contributions. Three lecture hours, two laboratory hours.

PSYC 352 - (3) (Y)
Adolescence: Theory and Development
An overview of theories of development, research areas related to and problems most frequently observed in children beginning in elementary school and extending to adulthood.

PSYC 353 - (3) (IR)
Development in Infancy
Prerequisite: PSYC 250 or permission of instructor
After consideration of the sensory, motor, and homeostatic equipment of the newborn, the following lines of development during the first two years of life will be traced in some detail: locomotor, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The effects on development of environmental influences, including parental behavior will be considered, as well as the effect the infant has on his caregivers.

PSYC 363 - (3) (IR)
Health Psychology
An introduction to theories and research dominant in medical psychology. Topics include emotion, personality, and perceptual processes influencing stress, physiological change, and symptom awareness; specific issues to be covered include aging, heart disease, obesity, and depression.

PSYC 364 - (3) (Y)
Nonverbal Communication
Overview of theory, research, and application in nonverbal communication. Topics include the role of nonverbal communication in deception, persuasion, impression-management, intimacy, and power. Discussion of the importance of nonverbal communication in psychopathology and psychotherapy, in doctor-patient relationships, in job interviews, in advertising, and in the courtroom.

PSYC 385, 386, 485, 486 - (2) (S)
Directed Readings in Psychology
Prerequisites: 14 credits in psychology and permission of instructor
Critical examination of an important current problem area in psychology. (May be repeated.)

PSYC 387 - (1) (S)
Seminar for Distinguished Majors
Prerequisite: Open only to students in the Distinguished Majors Program for Psychology. S/U grading
Topics covered include the design of independent research projects, ethical considerations in research, computer applications, and preparation for a career in psychology.

PSYC 395, 396, 495, 496 - (3) (S)
Research in Psychology
Prerequisites: 14 credits of psychology and permission of instructor. S/U grading
An original experimental project is undertaken in which each student is responsible for the design and operation of the experiment. (This course may be repeated.)

PSYC 401-409 - (3) (S)
Topical Seminars
Prerequisite: Third- or fourth-year major or permission of instructor
Seminars on special and current topics in psychology. May be repeated for credit.

PSYC 411 - (3) (IR)
Psycholinguistics
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Topics include psychological and linguistic theory; experimental and empirical studies of linguistic usage; development of language in infants and children; cross-cultural studies of linguistic usage; and the biology of language.

PSYC 412 - (3) (IR)
Psychology of Reading
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 215 or permission of instructor
Analysis of the critical psychological experiments which have influenced the way that psychologists consider topics in reading, such as text comprehension, parsing, and sentence processing.

PSYC 414 - (3) (IR)
Imagery
Study of the nature of mental images and their role in memory, thought, and creativity.

PSYC 415 - (3) (IR)
Cognitive Processes
Prerequisites: Twelve credits of psychology or permission of instructor
An exploration, in depth, of the life of the mind. Topics may include pattern recognition; observational skills; remembering; language and thought; categorization; the nature of similarity; discovery and invention; problem and puzzle solution; animal cognition; and views of intelligence in man and machine.

PSYC 417 - (3) (IR)
The Mind of the Puzzler
An exploration of what is involved in the making and solving of sophisticated word puzzles, with the aim of coming to understand the nature of expertise and the processes of discovery.

PSYC 418 - (3) (Y)
Invention and Design
Prerequisite: ENWR 101 or TCC 101 or permission of instructor
A collaborative learning environment which enables students to understand the way in which technology is created and improved, and also makes them into better designers. The multidisciplinary approach includes readings from psychology, history, computing, ethics, and engineering. Cross-listed as TCC 315.

PSYC 419 - (3) (IR)
Scientific and Technological Thinking
Prerequisite: Nine credits of psychology including PSYC 305, 306
An exploration of the ways scientists and inventors think, using concepts, theories, and methods borrowed from several disciplines, but focusing especially on psychology. Topics include experimental simulations of scientific reasoning, a cognitive framework for understanding creativity, and modeling discovery on a computer. Cross-listed as TCC 313.

PSYC 420 - (3) (Y)
Neural Mechanisms of Behavior
Prerequisites: PSYC 220, PSYC 222, BIOL 101, 102 or BIOL 201
An introduction to basic concepts in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurochemistry needed for an understanding of brain and behavior.

PSYC 429 - (3) (IR)
Psychology of Aging
Prerequisites: 9 credit hours of psychology or permission of instructor; recommended courses include PSYC 220, PSYC 305 and PSYC 321 or PSYC 420
A seminar on current topics in gerontology, using multiple levels of analysis to understand developmental changes across late adulthood. Issues regarding biological, psychological and sociological aspects of the aging process are covered, with an emphasis on cognitive changes and their underlying neurobiology.

PSYC 430 - (3) (IR)
Theories of Perception
Prerequisites: PSYC 230 or permission of instructor
Perception is the means by which we become aware of the world and of ourselves. This seminar presents an overview of theories about perception including the following perspectives: philosophy, physiology, Gestalt psychology, cognitive psychology, ecology, and artificial intelligence.

PSYC 441 - (3) (IR)
Prevention Science
Prerequisites: Nine credits in psychology or permission of instructor
Includes both prevention of disorder and promotion of positive well-being. The conceptualizations, perspectives, research findings, values, and goals of this field are explored.

PSYC 443 - (3) (IR)
Community Psychology
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and one other introductory course in social science (e.g., anthropology, sociology, political science) or permission of instructor
Introduction to the major issues, methods and findings in the field of community psychology. Topics include the creation of settings, history and action, ecological approaches, institutional change, problems of innovation and implementation, community mental health, and evaluation research.

PSYC 444 - (3) (Y)
Schizophrenia
Prerequisites: PSYC 306 and either PSYC 341 or PSYC 344 or permission of instructor
Provides an understanding and appreciation of the contributions of possible genetic and psychosocial factors to individual differences with respect to developing schizophrenia.

PSYC 445 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Prerequisites: PSYC 341 and PSYC 305
An overview of issues in clinical psychology including the scientific-practitioner model of training, reliability and validity of assessment techniques, validity of clinical judgment, and the effectiveness of psychological treatments.

PSYC 446 - (3) (Y)
Women's Issues in Clinical Psychology
Prerequisites: PSYC 341 and PSYC 306 or permission of instructor
Study of current research and historical perspectives on clinical psychology issues as they pertain uniquely to women. Topics vary and may include eating disorders, battered women, pregnancy, and aging.

PSYC 449 - (3) (IR)
Sexual Orientation and Human Development
An overview of research and theory related to sexual orientation across the lifespan from the standpoint of the social sciences. Topics include conceptualization of sexual identities, origins and development of sexual orientation, sexual identity formation and disclosure. Selected issues such as couple relationships, employment and careers, parenthood, and aging are also explored, since they may be effected by sexual orientation.

PSYC 450 - (3) (IR)
Children at Risk
Prerequisite: PSYC 250 or PSYC 344, or permission of instructor
Exploration of a developmental approach to behavior disorders that is oriented to early identification. Precursor characteristics are studied that make possible the detection of risk groups for several disorders.

PSYC 451 - (4) (IR)
The Psychological Study of the Child
Prerequisites: PSYC 250 and PSYC 305 or permission of instructor
Introduction to the methodological issues and problems involved in studying children is complemented by first-hand experience in both naturalistic and laboratory settings. Emphasizes current issues in developmental psychology. Two class hours, four laboratory hours.

PSYC 452 - (3) (IR)
Parent-Child Interaction
Prerequisites: PSYC 250 or PSYC 344 and PSYC 305, 306, or permission of instructor
Examination of theory and research on parent-child relationships across the life-span. Topics vary, but include the transition to parenthood, parent-child relations in infancy through adolescence, and intervention approaches for high-risk families.

PSYC 454 - (3) (IR)
Family Relations
Prerequisites: Upper level major or permission of instructor
Furthers an understanding of family functioning and its impact on human development and on the adjustment of family members. Emphasizes understanding family theories, research findings, and learning to apply frequently used strategies and methods in the study of family relations.

PSYC 456 - (3) (IR)
Friendship Development
Prerequisite: Twelve credits of psychology or permission of instructor
An examination of the development of interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. Discusses the importance of friends, acquaintances, and the sorts of friends found in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

PSYC 457 - (3) (IR)
Cognitive and Developmental Processes in Reading Acquisition
Prerequisite: Upper-level major or permission of instructor
Introduction to the cognitive and developmental processes involved in learning to read and write. Application of the theoretical understandings to tutoring an elementary school child who is having difficulty learning to read.

PSYC 460 - (3) (IR)
Research Methods in Social Psychology
Prerequisites: PSYC 305, 306, or permission of instructor
An introduction to social research and laboratory and field techniques. Includes participation in laboratory demonstrations and a group collaboration in the design and execution of an original piece of social psychological research.

PSYC 461 - (3) (IR)
Intimate Relationships
Prerequisites: PSYC 260 and PSYC 305, 306, or permission of instructor
Social psychological study of the formation, maintenance, and breakdown of intimate relationships. Emphasizes the theoretical understanding of relationships in the context of scientific research findings.

PSYC 462 - (3) (IR)
Group Dynamics: Theory and Research
Prerequisite: PSYC 260 or permission of instructor
An analysis of factors influencing group problem solving, group decision-making, and group performance.

PSYC 463 - (3) (IR)
Social and Interpersonal Perception: Theory and Research
Prerequisite: PSYC 260 or permission of instructor
An analysis of cultural and group influences on perception, the perception of interpersonal intentions, impression formation, and the contributions of social psychological theory to these and other problems

PSYC 465 - (4) (Y)
Psychology of Oppression and Social Change
Prerequisites: Open to psychology majors who have taken at least one course from each of the following groups: PSYC 210, PSYC 215 or PSYC 230, and PSYC 240, PSYC 250 or PSYC 260. Also open to students in the Afro-American and African studies or women's studies programs
An analysis of oppression and its amelioration in modern American society. Three lecture hours, two laboratory hours.

PSYC 466 - (3) (IR)
Stress and Coping
Prerequisites: PSYC 305, 306 or permission of instructor
Overview of research paradigms and theories in the field of stress and coping, emphasizing a phenomenological, cognitive approach. Not designed to provide stress management skills.

PSYC 467 - (3) (IR)
Psychology of the African-American Athlete
Prerequisites: PSYC 305, 306 or permission of instructor
A multidisciplinary approach to analyzing the psycho-social factors that influence the life experiences of African-American athletes. Examines antecedents and psychological consequences of the African-American communities' participation in athletics.

PSYC 469 - (3) (IR)
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYC 305, 306
Study of theories and processes in industrial and organizational psychology through a scientist-practitioner approach. Topics include employee selection and training, performance appraisal, motivation, job satisfaction, leadership, human factors, and organizational development and change.

PSYC 481 - (3) (IR)
How to Do Things With Numbers
Prerequisite: One 300-level course in statistics
A hands-on introduction to the handling and presentation of data in the social sciences. Uses data collected by the students to teach how to explore data in the hopes of revealing unsuspected patterns, and how to summarize data for public presentation and publication.

PSYC 487 - (3) (IR)
The Minority Family: A Psychological Inquiry
Prerequisites: Open to psychology majors who have taken at least one course from each of the following groups: PSYC 210, PSYC 215 or PSYC 230, and PSYC 240, PSYC 250 or PSYC 260. Also open to students in the Afro-American and African studies or women's studies programs
A critical examination of the current state of research on minority families, with an emphasis on the black family. Emphasizes comparing "deficit" and "strength" research paradigms throughout the course.

PSYC 491, 492 - (4) (Y)
Undergraduate Internship
Prerequisites: Must be a fourth-year psychology major with at least 14 credits in psychology, and permission of instructor. S/U grading
An internship placement to be arranged by the supervising faculty. Students work 10 to 20 hours per week in various community agencies such as health care delivery, social services, juvenile justice, etc. Written reports are required as well as regular class meetings with supervising faculty to analyze the internship experience, to engage in specific skill training and to discuss assigned readings. Apply in February of third year.

PSYC 493, 494 - (2) (Y)
Undergraduate Internship Program Supplement
Corequisite: PSYC 491, 492; and permission of instructor. S/U grading
Provides students in certain placements with the opportunity for a more in-depth and extensive internship program year. Background: some placements, e.g., with courts, demand 20 hours/week of field experience rather than the 10 in PSYC 491, 492. Simultaneous enrollment in this course provides appropriate credits for the additional 10 hours of field work.

PSYC 497-498 - (3) (Y)
Distinguished Major Thesis
Prerequisite: Participants in the Distinguished Majors Program in Psychology
A two-semester course in which the student prepares a thesis under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or consist of a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings.

PSYC 520 - (3) (Y)
Seminar in Psychobiology
Prerequisite: PSYC 220, PSYC 222, or PSYC 420
A critical examination of a major subject area in psychobiology.

PSYC 521 - (3) (IR)
Developmental Psychobiology
Prerequisite: PSYC 220, PSYC 222 or PSYC 420 or permission of instructor
Examinations of behavior and neural development with an emphasis on animal models. Topics include the role of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in directing maturation, attachment and early learning, theoretical conceptions of development, and regulatory mechanisms.

PSYC 522 - (3) (IR)
Fundamentals of Motivation
A survey of the major theories and findings dealing with the immediate causes of action. Both human and animal literature will be considered with emphasis on the relations between them.

PSYC 523 - (2) (IR)
Advanced Psychobiology Research Seminar
Prerequisites: PSYC 321 and permission of instructor
Study of selected current neuropsychology research problems, focusing on issues related to content areas of student research projects in PSYC 529.

PSYC 524 - (3) (IR)
Primate Behavior
Prerequisite: Twelve credits in psychology or permission of instructor
Examination of the variety of nonhuman primates in natural, zoo and laboratory settings. Emphasizes a comparison of nonhuman primates to humans in the areas of sensory-motor, socialization, cognitive, intellectual, language, and social organization development; and in the problem areas of abnormal development (e.g., social isolation, neurosis, incest, drug problems).

PSYC 525 - (3) (IR)
Hormones and Behavior
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
An examination of the role of hormones in mediating and modulating many complex behaviors such as memory, aggression, sexual behavior, and regulatory actions between hormones and the brain.

PSYC 526 - (3) (IR)
Psychobiology and Memory
Prerequisites: PSYC 220, PSYC 222 or PSYC 420
Study of the major theories, findings, and conceptual issues important to an analysis of the neuronal mechanisms that underlie memory storage.

PSYC 527 - (3) (IR)
Chemistry of Synaptic Transmission
Prerequisite: PSYC 420
Study of neurochemistry, physiology and anatomy of neurotransmitter systems. Cross-listed as NESC 727.

PSYC 529 - (3) (S)
Advanced Psychobiology Laboratory
Prerequisite: PSYC 321 and permission of instructor
Each student will help design and carry out an original research project related to neural bases of behavior. Six laboratory hours.

PSYC 531 - (3) (IR)
Functional Neuroanatomy
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PSYC 420
An overview of the structure of the mammalian central nervous system, organized around the various functional subunits of the brain.

PSYC 532 - (3) (IR)
Chemical Senses: Taste and Smell
Prerequisites: PSYC 220, PSYC 222, or PSYC 420 or permission of instructor
The neurobiology of the chemical senses are explored by examining the biophysical basis of sensory transduction, the anatomical organization of two systems, and the physiological properties of peripheral and central structures along the gustatory and olfactory pathways. Emphasizes new, important findings in taste and smell.

PSYC 533 - (3) (IR)
Neural Network Models of Cognition and Brain Computation
Prerequisites: Must be PC-literate and willing to program
An introduction, from an elementary but somewhat mathematical viewpoint, to the newly developing field of neural networks. Examines the basic principles and the philosophy of neural network theory as it is relevant to biological neural networks.

PSYC 535 - (3) (IR)
Neurochemical Systems in Learning and Memory
Prerequisites: PSYC 220 or PSYC 222, or permission of instructor
Examination of historical and current theories implicating the involvement of specific neurotransmitter, amino-acid, and peptide systems in regulating learning and the encoding of memory. Provides an extensive review of the literature in order to understand mechanisms by which chemical compounds modify learning and the brain sites where neurochemicals exert their effects.

PSYC 540 - (3) (IR)
Personality Theory in Psychotherapy
Prerequisite: Twelve credits of psychology or permission of instructor
An overview of personality theories in psychology, especially those found useful in psychotherapy; includes experimental and theoretical problems in the study of personality.

PSYC 541 - (3) (IR)
Special Issues in the Psychological Study of Children, Families, and the Law
Prerequisites: PSYC 346 or permission of instructor
An intensive examination of two topics that relate to children, families and the law, such as adolescent decision-making in the legal system, domestic violence, and child custody.

PSYC 554 - (3) (IR)
Theories of Cognitive Development
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Study of current theories of cognitive development from birth through adolescence. Includes the views of Piaget, Werner, Bruner, G. H. Mead, and others; cybernetic approaches covered briefly; with some discussion of the measurement and assessment of cognitive processes.

PSYC 555 - (3) (Y)
Developmental Psycholinguistics
Prerequisites: PSYC 250 or PSYC 411 or permission of instructor
Examination of current research and theoretical models of children's language acquisition. In addition to studying normal children's acquisition of spoken language skills, special attention is given to the development of communication skills in deaf, autistic, and other groups of language-handicapped children.

PSYC 560 - (3) (IR)
Dynamical Systems in Social Behavior
Prerequisites: PSYC 260 and PSYC 230. Completion of PSYC 305, 306 is strongly recommended.
Applications of dynamical systems theory to the analysis of action, interaction, and interpersonal relationships. Includes a review of research employing dynamical systems models and analytic techniques, and close consideration of the application of these ideas to psychological contexts.

PSYC 581, 582, 583, 584 - (3) (S)
Current Topics in Psychology
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Seminars on special and current topics in psychology. May be repeated for credit.

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