An introduction to psychology including research methodology, biological bases ofbehavior, human development, sensation, perception, intelligence, cognition, language, states of consciousness, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, personality, abnormal behavior and stress and health. GT-SS3
The purpose of this course is to improve students’ academic writing skills with emphasis on development of scientific writing, and to introduce students to the process of reading and synthesizing peer reviewed psychological research. To that end, students will work on an empirical literature review throughout the semester, following the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA). Prerequisite - Psychology Major or Minor; or instructor permission.
An introduction to statistical procedures often encountered in the analysis of data from behavioral science research. Statistical methods covered include measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, regression, t-tests and analysis of variance. Prerequisites: PSY 100; MATH 113 or MATH 140 with a minimum grade of C-, or instructor permission.
Introduces psychology majors to the philosophical underpinnings and historical context underlying the development of the discipline. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or instructor permission.
This Psychology Seminar course is designed to give Psychology majors the knowledge and tools they need to get the most out of the major and assist them in making informed decisions about career choices in Psychology. It is also designed to assist potential Psychology majors in determining whether the Psychology major is the most viable option to assist them in achieving their career goals. Prerequisite – Psychology Major or Minor; or instructor permission.
An examination of the fundamental theories of personality including the psychoanalytic, trait, behavioral, social-learning, humanist and existential perspectives.
This human sexuality course surveys the physiological, psychological and psychosocial aspects of human sexuality. Physiological bases of sexuality, research methods, historical and cross-cultural comparisons, and the development of our sexual identity will be included in the topics covered in the course. Many aspects of human sexual relationships, including communication, sexual expression, power and coercion, sexual preference, sexual expectations and difficulties, as well as sexually transmitted infections and diseases, will also be discussed.
A critical look at the change and continuity that occurs throughout the life span, emphasizing the interrelationships among physical, cognitive and psychosocial realms of human development. Current research findings are emphasized.
This course explores the experience of death, including the dying process, funeral rites and rituals, grief, and bereavement in Western and other cultures, through a psychological lens. Topics include loss experiences, fear of death, reactions to death, euthanasia, suicide, and the care and treatment of the terminally ill. Prerequisite: PSY 100; or instructor permission.
An examination of experimental and non-experimental research methods, the design of research studies, measurement issues, research ethics, research reporting and advanced topics in data analysis using computer statistical software. Students design and conduct their own study and present the results following APA approved format. Prerequisite: PSY 200 or instructor permission.
Research in the field of environmental psychology is intended to answer questions about the influence of environment on the human experience, what personal factors affect an individual’s unique experience of a certain setting, how human behaviors affect the environment, and how to increase pro-environmental behaviors. Students read current scientific literature in the field and engage in problem solving for current issues that can be informed by the study of the human-environment psychological interaction. Prerequisites: PSY 100 or ENVS 100 or instructor permission.
Educational Psychology is an intensive introduction to the field of Educational Psychology, which, at its core, focuses on understanding how individuals learn. This course is designed to familiarize participants with the fundamental psychological theories of learning and development. Emphasis is placed on classical perspectives of learning, views of intelligence, motivation in education, social learning theories, and current trends in the field. Prerequisite: PSY 100; or instructor permission.
An overview of the different tasks performed by forensic psychologists, includingassessment, civil commitment, jury selection, eyewitness testimony, behavioral profiling, provision of clinical services to incarcerated individuals, and custody evaluations. Prerequisites: PSY 100 or instructor permission.
A theoretical and empirical investigation into the processes and outcomes of thinking. Topics such as memory and forgetting, problem solving and creativity, cognitive dissonance and consistency, defensive repression, language, optimism, and attribution are studied in relation to current scientific research findings. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and minimum sophomore standing or instructor permission.
An investigation of the physiological basis of human behavior. Topics include functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and the activity of the nervous system in relation to behaviors such as sexual behavior, drug effects, emotion, and memory. Additional course fee applies. Prerequisite: PSY 200 or instructor permission.
A course designed to show how psychology is directly related to the student¿s career and the student¿s life as a job applicant, employee, manager, and consumer. Topics covered include worker morale, leadership, work climate, communication networks, and productivity.
An overview of the emerging, multidisciplinary field of health psychology, which synthesizes research from clinical psychology, behavioral medicine and alternative therapies. Psychological aspects of prevention, health promotion and wellness are addressed. Content is both theory and application-based.
Evolutionary psychology examines mental and psychological traits such as memory, perception, attraction, or aggression, as adaptations or functions of the natural selection process. Topics addressed include the nature and nurture conflict, relationships between the two sexes, group cooperation, crime, and racism. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or instructor permission.
An opportunity for psychology majors to obtain field experience through direct, supervised contact with professionals in psychology and related areas. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Prerequisite: completion of a minimum of 18 credits in psychology, including six credits at Western; or instructor permission.
An exploration of current issues in diversity and cultural psychology including the translation of psychological science across different cultures, and how people with identities along many dimensions of human diversity experience the world uniquely. Intersectionality is a major theme. The content of the course will focus on current events and scientific literature. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or instructor permission.
A discussion of theories and research findings concerning the individual in social situations with an emphasis on their applications to current social issues. Included are such topics as interpersonal attraction, persuasion, altruism, morality, aggression, and intra-group relations.
An introduction to the theory, methods, and content of designing and evaluating psychological measurement, including concepts of the purpose of testing, standardization, reliability and validity, and test administration and scoring. This course also offers a survey of the major tests used in educational and psychological testing. Prerequisite: PSY 200; or instructor permission.
An introduction to the profession of clinical/counseling psychology through the presentation and analysis of different theoretical orientations and their respective techniques. Students have in-class opportunities to practice basic skills. Professional ethics in the delivery of mental health services are addressed. Prerequisites: PSY 100, PSY 258, or PSY 270; or instructor permission.
A seminar involving advanced reading, discussion, and research. Different areas of study are selected as student and faculty interests dictate. A goal of this course is to stimulate critical thinking and analysis.
An opportunity for detailed study and research for advanced students. Topics and course requirements are determined in consultation with the sponsoring faculty member.
This capstone course is required for all psychology majors, except those who opt tocomplete the capstone internship. It is intended to provide the opportunity for the synthesis of the ideas and concepts acquired during undergraduate education in psychology. The seminar includes a discussion of controversial issues and ethical considerations in both experimental and applied areas, the completion of a comprehensive literature review and a consideration of the future of the field. Prerequisites: completion of a minimum of 18 credits in psychology including PSY 210. Or instructor permission.
An opportunity for psychology majors to gain field experience through direct, supervised contact with professionals in psychology and related fields. In addition to on-site responsibilities, students write a comprehensive paper integrating the field experience and psychological theory and later formally present the paper in an open forum. Prerequisites: completion of a minimum of 18 credits in psychology, including six credits at Western. Or instructor permission.