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.

132. General Psychology I

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.

133. General Psychology II

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132. Not open for credit to students who have passed PSYC 135.  May not be taken concurrently with PSYC 135. 

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

135. General Psychology II (Enhanced)

Either semester. Four credits. Three lecture periods and one 1-hour discussion section. Prerequisite: PSYC 132. Not open for credit to students who have passed PSYC 133. May not be taken concurrently with PSYC 133. 

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.

202Q. Principles of Research in Psychology

Either semester. Four credits. Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory/discussion. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133 and STAT 100 or 110 (or Statistics Q 100 level). Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

202WQ. Principles of Research in Psychology

Either semester. Four credits. Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory/discussion. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and 135 or 133 and STAT 100 or 110 (or Statistics Q 100 level). ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

205. Introduction to Behavioral Genetics

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 or BIOL 102, 103, 107, or 108. 

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

205W. Introduction to Behavioral Genetics

Prerequisite: PSYC 132 or BIOL 102, 103, 107, or 108; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

206. Psychology of Consciousness

First semester.  Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132

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. 

210W. Laboratory in Cognition

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. One 3-hour laboratory period and additional hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ, and PSYC 220 or 256, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

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

211W. Psycholinguistics Laboratory

Either semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: PSYC 221 or PSYC 256 or LING 202. 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.

215. Laboratory in Sensation and Perception

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ, and PSYC 254, which may be taken concurrently. Techniques for the study of sensory capacities and perceptual processes.

220. Learning

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

221. The Psychology of Language

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. 

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

232W. Laboratory in Developmental Psychology

Second semester. Four credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 236 and PSYC 202Q or 202WQ; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

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

236. Developmental Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

238. Theories in Developmental Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 236. 

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

239. Current Topics in Developmental Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 236 or consent of instructor. 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.

239W. Current Topics in Developmental Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 236 or consent of instructor; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

240. Social Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

241. Current Topics in Social Psychology

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 240 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.

241W. Current Topics in Social Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 240 and consent of instructor; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

242. Laboratory in Social Psychology

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour research/laboratory period. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ or STAT 110; PSYC 240, and consent of instructor. 

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

242W. Laboratory in Social Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ or STAT 110; PSYC 240; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250; and consent of instructor.

243. The Study of Personality

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher.

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

244. Laboratory in Personality

First semester. Three credits. One 2-hour laboratory period. Class experimentation and some practice in research writing. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ or  STAT 110, PSYC 243, and consent of instructor. 

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

244W. Laboratory in Personality

Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or  202WQ or STAT 110, PSYC 243, and consent of instructor; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

245. Abnormal Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

245W. Abnormal Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

246. Psychology of Women

(Also offered as WS 246). Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Three credits of 200-level psychology. 

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

246W. Psychology of Women

(Also offered as WS 246W.) Prerequisite: Three credits of 200-level psychology; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. CA 4.

248. Environmental Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 240. 

Reciprocal relationships between built and natural environments and human behavior.

249. Emotional/Behavioral Disorders of Childhood

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 236. 

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

249W. Emotional/Behavioral Disorders of Childhood

Prerequisite: PSYC 236; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

250. Current Topics in Clinical Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 242 or 245/245W or instructor consent. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.

251. Health Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133

 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.

253. Animal Behavior

(Also offered as EEB 253.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or 107, and PSYC 132.

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

254. Sensation and Perception

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. 

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

255. Motivation and Emotion

(Also offered as COMM 255.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. 

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

256. Cognitive Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

257. Physiological Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or 107 or PNB 264-265, and PSYC 132. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

259. Drugs and Behavior

Second semester.  Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 or BIOL 107. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

260. Computer Modelling of Cognitive Processes

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 254 or 256. 

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

263. Laboratory in Animal Behavior and Learning

First semester . Three credits. One 3-hour lecture and additional laboratory period  hours.  Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or PSYC 202WQ and PSYC 220 or PSYC 257 or 253, and consent of instructor. 

A laboratory course to supplement PSYC 253.

263W. Laboratory in Animal Behavior and Learning

 Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ and PSYC 220 or 257 or 253, and consent of instructor; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

267. Laboratory in Physiological Psychology

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. One 3-hour laboratory period and additional hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ and PSYC 257, which may be taken concurrently. 

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

267W. Laboratory in Physiological Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ and PSYC 257, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

268. Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

269. Introduction to Clinical Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 245 or 245W. 

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

270. Black Psychology

(Also offered as AFAM 270.) First semester.  Three credits.  Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133.

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

270W. Black Psychology

Also offered as AFAM 270W.) Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. CA 4.

272. Psychology of Aging

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. 

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

275. Introduction to Multicultural Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and 133 or 135. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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

276. Social Psychology of Multiculturalism 

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite:PSYC 132 and 133 or 135. Recommended preparation: PSYC 240. Open to sophomores or higher. 

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. 

278. Human Factors Design

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Recommended preparation: PSYC 268. 

Human factors/ergonomics design applied to human-machine and sociotechnical systems. Independent work in conjunction with class project.

280. Current Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 268 or 278 or instructor consent. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.

280W. Current Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 268 or 278 or instructor consent; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

281. Psychological Tests and Measurements

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite:  PSYC 202Q  or 202WQ or STAT 110.

Individual differences, measurement theory, issues of validity, reliability, and sampling. Intelligence, achievement, personnel, vocational, and personality testing.

282. Social-Organizational Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 268 or PSYC 240 

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

282W. Social-Organizational Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 268 or PSYC 240;  ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

290. Foreign Study

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.

291. The History and Systems of Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. 

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

291W. The History and Systems of Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

294. Field Experience

Either semester. Credits, not to exceed six per semester, and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. 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.

295. Seminar in Psychology

Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133 and consent of instructor. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. 

Recent developments in psychology. Topics vary with each offering.

296W. Senior Thesis in Psychology

Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Three credits of PSYC 297 or PSYC 299; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open only to Honors students with consent of instructor and Department Head.

297. Undergraduate Research

Either semester. Credits, not to exceed six per semester, and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit. 

Participant activities related to research.

298. Special Topics

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

299. Independent Study

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: PSYC 202Q or 202WQ. 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.