COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Chair and Coordinator: Dr. John R. Hester
Faculty: Bridger, Broughton, Hester, Herzog, Hill-Chapman, Hernandez, F. Hughes, Jordan, Murphy, Wages, Wattles

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate psychology major along with a minor and collateral. The purpose of the undergraduate major is to provide students with an understanding of psychology as the science of behavior and experience including the major theories and issues within psychology; to emphasize the role of the liberal arts in higher education and personal development; to promote an appreciation for individual and cultural diversity; to develop critical thinking skills; to develop competence with methods of scientific research and data analysis; to assure that students have the necessary research experiences and coursework to undertake graduate education; and to assist students in developing their skills in library research, scientific writing, public presentations, and computer applications. Psychology majors will become aware of the various career options related to the major. The program also provides opportunities for internships in applied settings. A major in psychology will provide students with a broad-based education that will equip them for entry-level positions in business, government, and a wide variety of human service organizations. The major also prepares students who wish to pursue further education in areas such as law, medicine, business, or seminary, as well as psychology. The department also offers a graduate program.

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PSYCHOLOGY

MAJOR

A major in psychology requires 39 semester hours to include the following:

1. Psychology 206, 216, 220, 302, 303, 304, 319, and 499
2. At least one course from each of the following required core areas:
    a) Experimental Core - Psychology 321, 322, 323
    b) Developmental Core - Psychology 315, 334 (Only one may be counted toward the major in psychology)
    c) Individual Differences Core - Psychology 325, 326
3. One course from among the Integrative Experiences courses of Psychology 470, 496, 498
4. Neither of the following Psychology courses may be counted toward the Psychology major: 230, 316
5. Six hours of psychology electives
6. Mathematics 134 or equivalent
7. CS 150 or equivalent
8. Biology 105
    A psychology major may only count Psychology 206 and 216 towards the General Education Requirements (Sciences). Psychology majors should attempt to gain a strong background in the science areas as this will help in their chosen field.
9. Minor/collateral requirements (two options)
    a) two 12-hour collaterals approved by the faculty adviser
    b) an 18-hour minor approved by the faculty adviser

The minimum number of semester hours required in major courses for a major in psychology is 39 (plus 10 hours outside the department). The minimum number of semester hours in all courses (major and non-major) required for the major in psychology is 120.

MINOR

A minor in psychology requires 18 semester hours, including Psychology 206. Psychology 216 is highly recommended. Only one course among Psychology 315, 316, and 334 may be counted toward the minor in psychology.

COLLATERAL

A collateral in psychology requires 12 semester hours, including Psychology 206. Psychology 216 is highly recommended. Only one course among Psychology 315, 316, and 334 may be counted toward the collateral in psychology.

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FOUR YEAR PLAN FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS

*You choose one course from each set: (334 or 315) – (325 or 326)

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PSYCHOLOGY COURSES (PSY)

206 Introductory Psychology (3) F, S, SU. Survey of the biological, experimental (including sensory processes, learning, memory, and motivation), social, personality, and developmental processes. In addition to these content areas, an understanding of scientific methodology will be studied.

216 Introductory Psychology Laboratory (1:3) (Prerequisite/Corequisite: 206) F, S. The main focus will include hands-on experiences with scientific methodology used in psychology including observation of phenomenon, data collection, data analysis, critical analysis of findings, and report writing.

220 Careers in Psychology (1:1) F, S. Provides general knowledge concerning careers that may be pursued in Psychology. Topics include strategies in making career decisions, how to apply to graduate schools and how to seek bachelor's level jobs. Entry-level evaluation of the major will occur.

230 Psychology of Family Life (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or permission of department) F, SU. Application of principles and concepts from clinical, developmental, educational, social, health, learning, motivational, and cognitive psychology to the biopsychosocial challenges of marriage and family life. May not be applied toward the Psychology major.

270 Beginning Supervised Student Research (1:3) (Prerequisite: permission of department) F, S, or SU. This introduction to the laboratory practice of research methods in psychology provides students with familiarity in the basic techniques of data entry and conducting research protocols in the context of ongoing department research. Regular weekly lab meetings will include discussions of special topics. Students may earn a maximum of three-credit hours in 270/370 combined.

300 Leadership and Group Dynamics (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or SOCI 201) F, S, SU. Designed to provide the student with the main theoretical constructs concerning leadership and to introduce him/her to the leadership process. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of the interaction of the group.

302 Quantitative and Psychometric Methods (3) (Prerequisite: 206, 216, MATH 134, CS 150, Prerequisite/Corequisite PSY 220 or permission of department) F, S, SU. Survey of psychometric theory of correlational analysis, norms, reliability, validity and item analysis. Topics also discussed will include fundamental descriptive statistics and an introduction to inferential statistical analysis.

303 Research Methodology (3:2-2) (Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in PSY 302) F, S, SU. Introduction to the experimental method in the study of behavior, with laboratory exercises to provide practical knowledge and skill in experimental design and technical writing. Advanced inferential statistics.

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304 Brain and Behavior (3) (Prerequisite: 206, BIOL 105) F. Study of the role of the nervous system in the generation of behavior, feelings, and thoughts. Attention will be given to methodologies used by neuroscientists-particularly physiological psychologists-to study the nervous system and behavior. Primary emphasis will be on the role of neuronal activity in “normal” behavior; however, problems (e.g. addiction, amnesia, mental illness) will be studied as examples of some products of a malfunctioning nervous system.

305 Introduction to Behavioral Genetics (3) (Prerequisites: 206 and Biology 105 or permission of department) SU. This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field combining behavioral sciences and genetics to study roles of the genes and other factors involved in a variety of complex behaviors of humans. Emphasis is placed on the use of genetic designs and methods to address psychologically relevant questions concerning the nature and etiology of individual differences in behavior. Methods to be covered include traditional methodologies like twin and adoption studies as well as linkage and association studies. In addition, special emphasis on the interaction between genotype and environment during development is discussed. Other current issues in behavioral genetics will be discussed including Mendelian Genetics, Intelligence, Personality Disorders, Psychopathology, Antisocial Behavior, and Substance Abuse. Students successfully completing the course should be able to evaluate critically the primary behavioral genetic research.

306 Pediatric Psychology (3) (Prerequisites: 206 and Biology 105 or permission of department) SU. This course is a general introduction to pediatric psychology. Information about etiology and developmental course of a variety of medical conditions will be reviewed with focus on the impact of medical conditions will be reviewed with focus on the impact of medical conditions on children's school, family, and social-emotional functioning. Students successfully completing the course should be able to evaluate critically pediatric research.

310 The Psychological Focus (3) (Prerequisite: 206) F, S, or SU. In-depth study of an area of interest within psychology, including literature review and consideration of the relevant applications to contemporary society. May be taken twice with departmental approval.

311 Sport Psychology (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or permission of department) S. Introduction to the field of sport psychology emphasizing the application of basic principles of psychology to the understanding of and competitive effectiveness in various sports. Topics addressed may include the warm-up phase of sport, relaxation and concentration, confidence building, visualization, analytical thinking, stress management, motivation and pressure, effective practice techniques, and the interaction of personality with sport. Teaching methods may include lecture and discussion, as well as student research and experiential exercises in sport psychology.

312 Human Sexuality (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or permission of department) S. Survey of important issues in sexuality including sexual development, reproductive sexuality, social issues in sexuality, and dimensions of sexual expression.

314 Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine (3) (Prerequisite: 206) F. Introduction to the affective, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of health and illness. Topics include such issues as lifestyle change, stress management, and chronic pain, as well as a survey of specific physical diseases which are known to involve a dominant psychological component.

315 Child Behavior: Growth and Development (3) F, S, SU. Study of heredity and environment; maturation, intelligence, achievement; classical conditioning; operant conditioning and language acquisition; anxiety; and methodological advances in child psychology.

316 Adolescent Behavior: Growth and Development (3) F, S, SU. Study of the adolescent today; his/her intellectual behavior; attitudes, and values toward sex, the family, school, peers, delinquency, drugs, activism, work, and his/her personality. May not be applied toward the psychology major.

317 Applied Behavior Analysis (3) (Prerequisite: 206) F. Overview of current research in experimental and applied behavior analysis directed toward the understanding of simple and complex animal and human behavior. Review of applications of behavior analysis in such applied areas as parenting, education, and psychological treatment of disabilities and disorders.

318 Educational Psychology (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or permission of department) F,S or SU. Theory and research in cognition, learning, motivation, personality, developmental and social psychology applied to the instructional setting.

319 Social Psychology (3) (Prerequisite: 206) F, S. An overview of classic and contemporary research in social psychology. A wide range of topics will be covered that relate to everyday social life drawn from the areas of attitudes and persuasion, social cognition and self-processes and interpersonal relationships.

321 Learning and Cognition (4:3-3) (Prerequisite: 303) F, S, or SU. Provides students with hands-on laboratory experience in the area of learning and cognition. Topics include data design, data collection, data interpretation, and APA-style reports on instrumental and classical conditioning, perception, attention, memory, thinking, and language.

322 Sensation and Perception (4:3-3) (Prerequisite: 303) F, S, or SU. Study of sensory and perceptual processes in humans. Coincident with the presentation of the topics will be a discussion and evaluation of classical (psychophysics) and contemporary (decision analysis) methodological strategies used in research.

323 Motivation and Emotion (4:3-3) (Prerequisite: 303) F, S, or SU. Survey of current perspectives of emotion and motivation theory and research. Basic nature of emotion and its functions will be covered. Both primary and secondary motivational systems are covered. The laboratory provides students with hands-on laboratory experience in the area of motivation and emotion. Topics include research design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, and APA-style reports on motivation and emotion research.

325 Abnormal Psychology (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or permission of department) F, S, or SU. Historical survey of various forms of mental illness and maladjustment, including mental deficiency and anti-social behavior. Specialized methods of therapy, research, and theoretical concerns are emphasized.

326 Theories of Personality (3) (Prerequisite: 206) F, S, or SU. Survey of biological, intrapersonal, and social theories of personality. Research methodology and assessment techniques as they relate to theories is reviewed.

334 Life Span Development (3) (Prerequisite: 206 or permission of department) F, S, or SU. Survey of major theories of development across the life span. Includes physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral aspects of development and issues presented in a developmental context. Research methods and empirical results of significant studies are covered.

370 Intermediate Supervised Student Research (2:6) or (1:3) (Prerequisite: 302 and permission of department) F, S, or SU. Directed research in psychology guides students in detailed laboratory work such as behavioral coding of  department research projects. Regular weekly lab meetings will include discussions of special topics and allow students to develop their own research questions. Students may earn a maximum of three-credit hours in 270/370 combined.

390 Psychological Testing (3) (Prerequisite: 206) F. A review of psychometric principles and a survey of tests dealing with intelligence, special aptitudes, personality, and attitudes.

470 Senior Research (3) (Prerequisite: Senior standing and one Experimental Core course) F, S, or SU. Directed psychological research under the supervision of faculty member. Research content will vary depending upon faculty and student's research interests. All individual research is reviewed by a faculty committee.

496 Senior Project (3) (Prerequisite: Senior standing and one Experimental Core course) F or S. Students with faculty supervision will develop a project that will require integrative use of psychological concepts. The project will result in a written summary documenting the student's understanding of the psychological concepts employed.

497 Special Studies (3), (2), or (1) (Prerequisite: permission of department) F or S. Open only to juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their major courses. A maximum of 3 semester hours may be earned. All individual research projects are reviewed by three faculty members from two different disciplines. May be taken for credit (3 hours) towards the Honors degree by special arrangement.

498 Academic Internship in Psychology (3) (Prerequisite: Senior standing and one Individual Differences Core course) F, S. Directed psychology internship in various settings. Course content will depend on internship site. Students will be expected to relate internship experiences to the psychological literature.

499 Senior Seminar (3) (Prerequisite: Semester of graduation or permission of department) F, S, or SU. Course integrates various content areas around major psychological themes. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, writing and oral expression. Evaluation of core knowledge and skills of the major will occur.

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