Psychology

Professor Lori Schmied, Chair, Division of Behavioral Sciences

Psychology is concerned with the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The Major in Psychology provides the student a broad curricular experience in psychology as preparation for graduate school. For students who do not plan to go beyond the B.A. degree, the psychology curriculum is useful preparation for any career in which the understanding of individual and group behavior would be beneficial.

The Major in Psychology requires 46 credit hours with 36 hours in major courses and 10 hours in related areas. Required are 101, 299, 312, 344, 351-352, and 18 additional hours in psychology electives, at least 6 hours of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. Psychology electives must include 3 hours from each of four domains: Cognitive (314, 315, 327), Developmental (211, 218, 222, 306, 334), Social (221, 224, 301), and Clinical (301, 331, 333). Note that some courses fall into multiple domains but may be counted toward fulfilling the requirement for only one domain. The 10 hours in related courses include Biology 113, Mathematics 221, and either Sociology 101 or 211. A double major in Psychology and Child Development and Learning is not permitted.

The Major in Child Development and Learning is designed for students who plan to work with children in a variety of settings or enter a graduate program in Child Development and consists of 44 credit hours, 32 credit hours in psychology and 12 hours in related fields. Required are Psychology 101, 211, 218, 299, 306, 315, 331 or 333, 334, and 351-352, and 3 additional hours in psychology. Related courses are PHR 236 and 331, Sociology 215, and Business 201. The Standard First Aid and Community CPR certifications as offered by the American Red Cross are required for graduation in this major.

The Major in Child Development and Learning for Teacher Licensure is designed for students who plan to teach in the elementary grades and consists of 42 credit hours, 29 credit hours in psychology and 13 credit hours in related fields. Required are Psychology 101, 211, 218, 299, 306, 315, 334, 351-352, and 3 additional credit hours in psychology. Related courses are PHR 236 and 331, Sociology 215, and Mathematics 307 and 308. Additional liberal studies are English 212; History 111, 112, or 203; Sociology 271, and Biology 311. Students pursuing this major must complete 26 hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed under Education in this catalog. Fine Arts 340 must be taken for the Fine Arts general education requirement. Standard First Aid and Community CPR certifications as offered by the American Red Cross are required for graduation in this major.

The Minor in Psychology consists of 15 hours in psychology with no fewer than two 300-level courses. The Minor in Psychology is not open to students majoring in Child Development and Learning.

CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION

The Major in Child Development and Learning or the Major in Psychology provides preparation for certification as a Child Life Specialist. Certification through the national Child Life Council is obtained by completing a major in Child Development and Learning or Psychology that includes a relevant practicum, an internship under the supervision of certified Child Life Specialists and passing the Child Life Professional Certification Examination. Careful planning of one’s degree program is necessary and internship placements are competitive.

Course Descriptions

101. Introductory Psychology
3 credit hours
Fundamental principles of human behavior. Attention to the aims, methods, and ethics of psychology and other topics including motivation, emotion, learning and cognition, perception, personality, and behavior disorders. Relating psychological principles to individual and social experience as well as other disciplines is a basic objective of this course.
211. Child Development
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
Growth and development of the child from birth to adolescence. Physical, cognitive, moral, social, and emotional aspects of growth are considered as they relate to various stages of development. Field observation study of children is required.
218. Psychology of Adolescence
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and sophomore standing
Growth and development of the adolescent from puberty to 21. Physical, cognitive, social, moral, and emotional development are examined. The organization of appropriate educational environments, including educational tests and measurement, both formal and informal, and their interpretation are considered. Field observation study of middle school age children is required.
221. Social Psychology
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
Examination of ways in which human affect, cognition, and behavior are influenced by other individuals or groups. Impression management, self concept, attitudes, persuasion, attraction, helping behavior, aggression, stereotyping and prejudice, and conformity are among the topics studied.
222. Adult Development and Aging
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
Development of adults from young adulthood through the rest of the lifespan. Psychological, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical aspects of aging are considered as they relate to adult development. Field observation of older adults is required.
224. Cross-Cultural Psychology
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
A selection of the theoretical, empirical, and applied issues in cross-cultural study of human behavior that examines how and why behavior differs across cultures. Understanding of culture, cultural differences, and the ways that sociocultural context influences the thinking and social behavior of individuals. Emphasis is placed on empirical methods in cross-cultural psychology to achieve an appreciation of cultural groups both within and outside the United States.
299. Contemporary and Professional Issues in Psychology
2 credit hours
Prerequisites: Major in Psychology or Child Development and Learning, Psychology 101
This is a course for new majors to examine contemporary and professional issues in Psychology and Child Development. Students will explore their vocational goals through a variety of methods, including an exploration of the senior study experience and a variety of guest speakers from different disciplines within psychology and child development. There is also a focus on providing a foundation of basic APA and research skills, including an introduction to research methods and design, which are important in both majors.
301. Theories of Personality
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and junior standing
An examination of the major theoretical approaches to personality and their application in the field of psychology. Personality tests and their interpretation and connection to theory are also examined.
306. Language Development
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and junior standing
Principles of receptive and expressive language development related to basic components of phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Current language models along with psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic studies which relate to language development are explored. Emphasis is given to the importance of language development in the acquisition of reading and writing skills. Field experience is included.
312. Experimental Psychology
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and Mathematics 221
Methodological approach to psychological investigation. Although the course concentrates on methodology and the writing of research reports, attention is directed to such content areas as the history of experimental psychology, ethics in research, and application of psychological principles. Laboratory practice.
314. Cognitive Psychology
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and 312
Examination of theories and research in cognition. Explores nature of human thought processes including topics on perception, attention, memory, language, problem-solving, and reasoning. Laboratory practice.
315. Human Thought and Learning
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and 218
Examinations of human learning from behavioral, cognitive, and neuropsychological perspectives, with attention to the practical applications of learning theory in educational settings.
327. Sensation and Perception
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
An examination of the physiological and psychological bases of sensation and perception. Topics include color vision, perception of movement, size and distance, pitch perception, taste, and touch. Includes lectures, discussion, in-class demonstration, and laboratory practice.
331. Abnormal Psychology
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
A psychological approach to the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of abnormal behavior. Attention to the various perspectives of abnormal behavior, assessment and classification.
333. Counseling
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Psychology 101
Examination of the major theories and techniques of counseling. Research concerning common factors, counseling effectiveness, and other current issues will be explored. Ethics, various models of professional training, and the variety of work environments will also be covered.
334. Culturally Diverse and Exceptional Children
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 211 or 218, and junior standing
An introduction to the study of exceptional and culturally diverse children, emphasizing the role of families, teachers, schools, and society. The scope of educational programs for exceptional children including identification, assessment, individualized programs, and intervention are reviewed. Field observation study is required.
337. Internship in Psychology
9 to 15 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and two Psychology courses at the 300-level or permission of the instructor
Supervised field experiences that provide practical applications in appropriate work settings. Internships require a time commitment equivalent to full-time employment, with credit allotted on the basis of one credit hour for each week of full-time involvement. Not to be counted toward a major in psychology.
343. Practicum in Psychology
2 to 6 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of the Division of Behavioral Sciences Chair
Supervised practical experience during the junior or senior year that enables students to apply classroom knowledge in a community and/or research setting. Only three credit hours may be applied toward a major in psychology or child development.
344. Biopsychology
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and Biology 113
Study of the nervous system and biological bases of behaviors. Topics include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, emotions, sleep, stress, motivation, and drugs.
349. Seminar
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and junior standing
Selected topics in psychology course content varies from year to year. Previous topics include emotion, drugs and behavior, and positive psychology.
351-352. Senior Study
6 credit hours
Prerequisites: FRS 140, English Proficiency Exam, and junior standing
The Senior Study requirement is fulfilled with this two-course sequence. Independent study with the guidance of a faculty supervisor involving laboratory, field, or archival research and an APA-style scientific paper reporting the results.
401. History and Systems of Psychology
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and 12 credit hours in Psychology
History of psychological thought from ancient Greek philosophers to twenty-first century psychologists is explored. The emergence of the various systems and their comparison on classical problems are also examined. Analysis of primary source material is a key feature of the course.