Psychology (PSYC)

Head of Department: Professor Charles Lowe
Department Office: Room 100, Bousfield Psychology Building

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

1100. General Psychology I

(132) Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 1-hour demonstration discussion. Ordinarily this course should be taken in the fall semester. 

Basic principles that underlie mental processes and behavior; research methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, memory and language. CA 3.

1101. General Psychology II

(133) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100. Not open for credit to students who have passed PSYC 1103.  May not be taken concurrently with PSYC 1103. 

Psychology as a social science. Research methodology, developmental, personality, clinical, abnormal and social psychology. CA 2.

1103. General Psychology II (Enhanced)

(135) Either semester. Four credits. Three lecture periods and one 1-hour discussion section. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100. Not open for credit to students who have passed PSYC 1101. May not be taken concurrently with PSYC 1101. 

Psychology as a social science. Research methodology, developmental, personality, clinical, abnormal and social psychology. Applications of theory, writing, and demonstrations during discussion periods. CA 2.

2100Q. Principles of Research in Psychology

(202Q) Either semester. Four credits. Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory/discussion. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and 1101 or 1103 and STAT 1000 or 1100 (or Statistics Q 1000-level).  

Design,analysis, and reporting of psychological research. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs, laboratory and correlational techniques, research ethics.

2100WQ. Principles of Research in Psychology

(202WQ) Either semester. Four credits. Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory/discussion. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and 1101 or 1103 and STAT 1000 or 1100 (or Statistics Q 1000-level). ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Design,analysis, and reporting of psychological research. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs, laboratory and correlational techniques, research ethics.

2101. Introduction to Multicultural Psychology

(275) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and 1101 or 1103.

General introduction to cross-cultural and multicultural issues and the role psychology has played in understanding the experiences of diverse groups. CA 4.

2200. Physiological Psychology

(257) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 1102 or 1107 or PNB 2264-2265, and PSYC 1100.

Physiological processes related to motivation, emotion, sensory processes, motor skills, learning, and psychiatric conditions.

2201. Drugs and Behavior

(259) Second semester.  Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 or BIOL 1107.

An overview of drug effects on chemical transmission in the nervous system, with an emphasis on the behavioral/psychological effects of drugs.

2300. Abnormal Psychology

(245) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103.

Nature of abnormal behavior, theories and data regarding symptoms, etiology, treatment and prevention of mental disorders.

2300W. Abnormal Psychology

(245W) Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

2301. The Study of Personality

(243) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1103 or 1101.

Theories, methods, and research in both clinical and experimental approaches to personality.

2400. Developmental Psychology

(236) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103.

Social behavior, personality, perception, cognition, language, intelligence, learning, biobehavioral processes, and research methodology in developmental perspective.

2500. Learning

(220) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103.

Learning and memory principles found in animal research and their relationship to human behavior. Human and other species' specific types of unique learning abilities.

2501. Cognitive Psychology

(256) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103.

Different views of mental representation and processes involved in memory, language comprehension, perception, attention, and problem solving. Historical development of models in cognitive psychology.

2600. Industrial/Organizational Psychology

(268) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103.

Applications of psychology in the workplace: Measurement, personnel decisions, performance appraisal, training, motivation, worker attitudes, leadership, ergonomics and job design, workplace health and safety.

2700. Social Psychology

(240) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and 1101 or 1103.

Attitudes, social cognition, social influence, interpersonal relations, group dynamics.

2701. Social Psychology of Multiculturalism 

(276) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and 1101 or 1103. Recommended preparation: PSYC 2700.

Introduction to theoretical perspectives and behavioral research that seek to explain the nature and mechanisms of intergroup relations and the psychology of culture, prejudice, and biased behavior. CA 4. 

3100. The History and Systems of Psychology

(291) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103. 

Philosophical and scientific origins and major schools, including structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, gestalt, and psychoanalysis.

3100W. The History and Systems of Psychology

(291W) Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3101. Psychological Testing

(281) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite:  PSYC 2100Q  or 2100WQ.

Practical and theoretical interpretation of common personality, industrial, educational, cognitive, and attitude tests. Evaluating utility, test bias, and error. Using tests in clinical, educational, and workplace settings.

3102. Psychology of Women

(246) (Also offered as WS 3102). Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Three credits of 2000 to 3000-level psychology. 

Gender roles, socialization, women and work, women's relationships, violence against women, and other topics. Theory and research. CA 4.

3102W. Psychology of Women

(246W) (Also offered as WS 3102W.) Prerequisite: Three credits of 2000 to 3000-level psychology; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. CA 4.

3103. Motivation and Emotion

(255) (Also offered as COMM 3103.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100, and PSYC 1101 or 1103; open to juniors or higher. 

Cognition, brain mechanisms, biofeedback, aggression, sex, competence, social influence, and conformity

3104. Environmental Psychology

(248) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2700. 

Reciprocal relationships between built and natural environments and human behavior.

3105. Health Psychology

(251) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103

 The interface between psychology and health is examined using a biopsychosocial model. Topics include stress and coping, health promotion, adjustment to chronic illness, and the psychology of health behaviors.

3106. Black Psychology

(270) (Also offered as AFAM 3106.) First semester.  Three credits.  Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103.

Empirical and theoretical literature on psychological experiences of African Americans.  Impact of race, culture, and ethnicity on psychological development. CA 4.

3106W. Black Psychology

(270W) (Also offered as AFAM 3106W.) Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. CA 4.

3200. Introduction to Behavioral Genetics

(205) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and BIOL 1102, or 1107and 1108; open to juniors or higher.

Methods, concepts and findings of behavioral genetics in animals and humans.

3200W. Introduction to Behavioral Genetics

(205W) Prerequisite: PSYC 1100, and BIOL 1102, or 1107and 1108; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

3201. Animal Behavior

(253) (Also offered as EEB 3201.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 1102 or 1107, and PSYC 1100.

Principles of animal behavior derived from a review of descriptive and analytic studies in laboratory and field. Sometimes offered in multimedia format.

3250. Laboratory in Animal Behavior and Learning

(263) First semester. Three credits. One 3-hour lecture and additional laboratory hours.  Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or PSYC 2100WQ and PSYC 2200 or 2500 or 3201, and consent of instructor. 

A laboratory course to supplement PSYC 3201.

3250W. Laboratory in Animal Behavior and Learning

(263W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ and PSYC 2200 or 2500 or 3201, and consent of instructor; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

3251. Laboratory in Physiological Psychology

(267) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. One 3-hour laboratory period and additional hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ and PSYC 2200, which may be taken concurrently. 

Techniques employed in experimental investigation of the anatomical and physiological bases of behavior.

3251W. Laboratory in Physiological Psychology

(267W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ and PSYC 2200, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3252.   Drugs and Behavior Laboratory

(252) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ and PSYC 2201.

Techniques employed in the experimental investigation of drug action. Laboratory exercises illustrate behavioral and neural effects of various psychoactive pharmacological agents such as stimulants, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiparkinsonian drugs, anxiolytics, sedative/hypnotics.

3300. Emotional/Behavioral Disorders of Childhood

(249) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2400. 

Theory, research, treatment, and prevention in developmental psychopathology from infancy through adolescence.

3300W. Emotional/Behavioral Disorders of Childhood

(249W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2400; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3301. Introduction to Clinical Psychology

(269) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2300 or 2300W. 

History of clinical psychology as a profession; graduate training and ethical responsibilities; assessment and treatment of psychological disorders; and clinical sub-specialities.

3350. Laboratory in Personality

(244) First semester. Three credits. One 2-hour laboratory period. Class experimentation and some practice in research writing. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ or  STAT 1100, PSYC 2301, and consent of instructor. 

Experimental design and methodology in personality research, followed by a class project written individually by each student

3350W. Laboratory in Personality

(244W) Prerequisite:PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ or  STAT 1100, PSYC 2301, and consent of instructor; ENGL 1010 or 1011or 3800. 

3370. Current Topics in Clinical Psychology

(250) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2300/W or 3750 or instructor consent. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.

3370W. Current Topics in Clinical Psychology

(250W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2300/W or 3750 or instructor consent; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

3400. Theories in Developmental Psychology

(238) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2400. 

Historical and contemporary theories of development. Includes Piaget, Vygotsky, Freud, Erikson, social-learning theory, ethological theory, and information-processing theory.

3401. Psychology of Aging

(272) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103. 

Psychological theories and research on adult development and aging. Focus on self development from adolescence through young adulthood, midlife and later life.

3402W.       Child Development in Sociopolitical Context

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100; PSYC 1101 or 1103; and PSYC 2400 or instructor consent; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Social, political, economic, and geographic influences on child development. Topics include children orphaned by AIDS or affected by war, child labor, and child trafficking. CA 4-INT.

3450W. Laboratory in Developmental Psychology

(232W) Second semester. Four credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2400 and PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

The techniques necessary for performing psychological research on young children; advanced topics.

3470. Current Topics in Developmental Psychology

(239) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2400 or instructor consent. With change of topic, may be repeated for credit. 

Selected topics (e.g., infant development, peer relations, cognitive development, and developmental psychobiology) that may vary with each offering.

3470W. Current Topics in Developmental Psychology

(239W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2400 or instructor consent; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3500. The Psychology of Language

(221) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103. 

Those aspects of language that make it a uniquely efficient vehicle for communication and thought.

3501. Sensation and Perception

(254) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103. 

Sensory and perceptual processes in vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

3502. Psychology of Consciousness

(206) First semester.  Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100.

The role of consciousness in human cognition is examined by comparing the conscious and unconscious operation of mental faculties including perception, memory, learning, and thought. 

3503. Computer Modelling of Cognitive Processes

(260) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2501 or 3501. 

Symbolic and connectionist approaches to modelling vision, problem solving, planning, deduction, language understanding, learning, and memory.

3550W. Laboratory in Cognition

(210W) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. One 3-hour laboratory period and additional hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ, and PSYC 2500 or 2501, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

Selected experiments from the following topics: memory processes, categorization, language comprehension and problem solving.

3551W. Psycholinguistics Laboratory

(211W) Either semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. Recommended preparation: PSYC 2501 or 3500. May be taken concurrently. 

Introduction to the experimental study of language understanding and use. Topics selected from among speech perception, word recognition, sentence processing, language production, and corpus phenomena.

3552. Laboratory in Sensation and Perception

(215) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ, and PSYC 3501, which may be taken concurrently.

Techniques for the study of sensory capacities and perceptual processes.

3600. Social-Organizational Psychology

(282) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2600 or PSYC 2700.

Social psychological phenomena in the workplace.  Social perceptions, personality, stress, work-related attitudes, motivation, team decision-making and effectiveness, leadership and influence, organizational culture.

3600W. Social-Organizational Psychology

(282W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2600 or 2700; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

3601. Human Factors Design

(278) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100.

Application of information about human abilities and limitations to the design of systems, products, tools, computer interfaces, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe, comfortable and effective human use.

3601W. Human Factors Design
(278W) Prerequisite: PSYC 1100; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

3670. Current Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

(280) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2600 or 3601 or instructor consent. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.

3670W. Current Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

(280W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2600 or 3601 or instructor consent; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3750. Laboratory in Social Psychology

(242) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour research/laboratory period. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ or STAT 1100; PSYC 2700, and consent of instructor. 

Methods and techniques of research in social psychology. Supervised research investigations.

3750W. Laboratory in Social Psychology

(242W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ or STAT 1100; PSYC 2700; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; and consent of instructor.

3770. Current Topics in Social Psychology

(241) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 2700 and consent of instructor. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit. 

Selected topics (e.g., social influence, person perception, pro-social behavior) vary with each offering.

3770W. Current Topics in Social Psychology

(241W) Prerequisite: PSYC 2700 and consent of instructor; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3880. Field Experience

(294) Either semester. Credits, not to exceed six per semester, and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

Supervised field work in clinical, community, or organizational settings.

3883. Foreign Study

(290) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head or advisor may be required prior to the student's departure. 

Special topics taken in a foreign study program.

3884. Seminar in Psychology

(295) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1101 or 1103 and consent of instructor. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. 

Recent developments in psychology. Topics vary with each offering.

3885. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

3889. Undergraduate Research

(297) Either semester. Credits, not to exceed six per semester, and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit. 

Participant activities related to research.

3899. Independent Study

(299) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 2100Q or 2100WQ. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change in content this course may be repeated for credit. 

Students are expected to develop their own plan for a research project, conduct the research, and write-up this research, consulting periodically with a faculty member.

4197W. Senior Thesis in Psychology

(296W) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Three credits of PSYC 3889 or PSYC 3899; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. Open only to Honors students with consent of instructor and Department Head.