DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Professors Emeriti: Roland C. Lowe, Marvin L. Schroth
Professors: Jerry M. Burger, Lucia Albino Gilbert, Robert Numan, Thomas G. Plante, Timothy C. Urdan (Department Chair), Eleanor W. Willemsen
Associate Professors: Matthew C. Bell, Tracey L. Kahan, Gerdenio M. Manuel, S.J., Patricia M. Simone, Kieran T. Sullivan
Assistant Professors: Katerina Bezrukova, Amara T. Brook, Brett Johnson Solomon
The Department of Psychology offers a degree program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Psychology is the study of behavior, emotion, and thought using techniques modeled on the scientific method. At the undergraduate level, the study of psychology is part of a liberal education. A major in psychology lays the groundwork for various advanced studies, including the pursuit of graduate degrees needed for the professional practice of psychology.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR
In addition to fulfilling University Core Curriculum and College of Arts and Sciences requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, students majoring in psychology must complete the following departmental requirements:
- PSYC 1, 2, 40, 43
- MATH 6 and 7 or MATH 11 and 12
- One course from PSYC 165, 166, 167
- One course from PSYC 172, 185, 196
- One course from PSYC 115, 117, 157
- One course from PSYC 150, 160
- One course from PSYC 120, 130, 131
- One course from PSYC 118, 144, 168, 170, 195
- Two additional approved upper-division psychology courses
Emphasis in Psychobiology
In addition to the Bachelor of Science and departmental requirements, students who wish to study neuroscience may elect the psychobiology concentration, which requires completing the following courses in addition to requirements for the major:
- MATH 11, 12
- CHEM 11, 12, 13, 31, 32
- BIOL 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Emphasis in Gerontology
In addition to the Bachelor of Science and departmental requirements, students who wish to study the process of aging should inquire about the gerontology certificate program.
LOWER-DIVISION COURSES
1. General Psychology I
The scientific study of behavior. Topics include the physiological basis of behavior, sensation and perception, conditioning and learning, memory, motivation, and emotion. Other topics may include language, problem solving, sleep and dreaming, and consciousness. (4 units)
2. General Psychology II
The scientific study of behavior. Topics include human development, personality, abnormal psychology, clinical intervention, and social psychology. Other topics may include psychological assessment, cross-cultural psychology, and psychological adjustment. (4 units)
1H. Honors Colloquium
Restricted to students in the University Honors Program. The honors version of PSYC 1. (4 units)
2H. Honors Colloquium
Restricted to students in the University Honors Program. The honors version of PSYC 2. (4 units)
40. Statistical Data Analysis
An introduction to statistical methods used in psychological research. Prerequisites: Declared psychology major and MATH 6 or 11. (4 units)
43. Research Methods in Psychology
Investigation of methods of psychological research and issues involved in the collection of data. Exercises require designing research projects, collecting data, and writing professional reports. Prerequisites: PSYC 1 or 2 and 40. (4 units)
65. Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience
A basic introduction to brain structure and function. The course has standard lecture hours, but integrates hands-on laboratory experiential exercises during the class sessions. (4 units)
UPPER-DIVISION COURSES
Note: Prerequisites for all upper-division courses, in addition to those listed for specific courses, are 1, 2, 40, and 43, or permission of instructor. Nonmajors are encouraged to seek permission of instructor.
102. Writing in Psychology
Development of writing, reading, critical thinking, and literature search skills within traditional formats for communicating scholarship in psychology. Covers the use of APA style for experimental reports and literature reviews. In addition to developing communication skills, assignments emphasize how to interpret experimental findings and evaluate support for hypotheses. Other assignments will require students to synthesize findings from several published studies and draw conclusions about a body of research. Prerequisites: ENGL 1 and ENGL 2, PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
105. Statistics and Experimental Design II
Advanced topics in theory and methods of statistical analysis and experimental design. Complex analysis of variance and multiple correlation and regression are typically covered. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor is mandatory. (5 units)
112. Motivation and Emotion
Scientific study of the various motivational emotional processes of people and higher animals. Biological drives, psychological survival needs, altered states of consciousness, social motives, and theories of emotion. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
114. Ethics in Psychology
The role of ethical behavior and decision making in the field of psychology and
related behavioral, medical, and social sciences. Topics include approaches to moral issues and related to competence; integrity; professional, scientific, and social responsibility; respect for others’ rights and dignity; and concern for others’ welfare. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
115. Abnormal Psychology
The study of psychology and human behavior in understanding the etiology, nature, development, and treatment of mental disorders. Topics include models of abnormal behavior, research, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders, such as affective disorders, personality disorders, sexual disorders, substance abuse disorders, and childhood disorders. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
116. Psychosomatic Medicine
Psychosomatic medicine involves the role of psychological functioning and human behavior in the development and maintenance of illnesses and medical problems. Topics include the history and perspectives of psychosomatic medicine, as well as a wide variety of psychosomatic disorders, such as eating, panic, irritable bowel, ulcer, conversion, trichotillomania, somatoform, Munchausen’s syndrome, and others. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
117. Health Psychology
Health psychology involves the discipline and principles of psychology and human behavior in understanding how the mind and body interact in health and disease. Topics include health promotion and primary prevention of illness, health enhancing and health damaging behaviors, psychosomatic illness, stress and coping, pain management, and a variety of specific behavior-related medical illnesses (e.g., heart disease, eating disorders, cancer, and AIDS). Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
118. Advanced Topics in Clinical/Abnormal Psychology
The discipline and principles of clinical psychology in understanding the etiology, nature, development, and treatment of behavioral, emotional, and relational problems. Topics include the history of clinical psychology, theoretical models, assessment and intervention approaches, specialization, ethics, and current trends. Meets Capstone requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 115. Restricted to senior psychology majors only. (5 units)
119. Psychology of Death, Dying, and Loss
An introduction to theory, research, and practice on the psychology of death and dying. Students explore the implications of death, dying, and loss in their lives. Topics include death in today’s health care system, the psychology of grieving and coping with loss, life-threatening illness, caregiving, as well as social, cultural, and ethical issues related to death in contemporary society. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, 43 or permission from instructor. (5 units)
120. Perception
A theoretical and empirical investigation of human perceptual processes, with an emphasis on visual perception. Topics include psychophysiology of vision; perceiving visual space (shape, contrast, orientation, distance, depth, motion); color perception; perceptual illusions; imagining vs. perceiving; effects of knowledge on perception; perception in “novel” environments. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
130. Psychology of Learning
The scientific investigation of learning and behavior. Both experimental and theoretical developments are considered, as well as the application of the principles of learning. Topics include Pavlovian and operant conditioning, stimulus control, schedules of reinforcement, choice, and punishment. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
131. Cognitive Psychology
A theoretical, empirical, and experiential investigation of human information processing. Topics include the history of the discipline and the following research areas: pattern perception, attention, working memory, long-term memory, memory distortions, imagery, language processes, and problem solving. Emphasis on contemporary theory and research, including recent developments in neurocognition. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
134. Psychology of Education
Also listed as LBST 134. For course description, see LBST 134. (5 units)
135. Psychology of Sleep and Dreaming
A theoretical, empirical, and experiential exploration of sleep, sleep disorders, and dreaming. Emphasis on physiological, cognitive, neurocognitive, and functional approaches. Topics include: psychophysiology of sleep and dreaming; the purported functions of sleep and dreaming; personal and public health consequences of sleep disorders, sleep deprivation, and sleep debt; continuity in mental processes across the sleep/wake cycle; memory for dreams; approaches to working with dreams; consciousness and dreaming, including lucid dreaming. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
144. Psychological Assessment
Principles and issues related to testing and measurement in psychology. Topics include test construction, reliability, validity, and the professional and ethical use of psychological tests and test scores. Meets Capstone requirement. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. Restricted to senior psychology majors only. (5 units)
150. Social Psychology
The scientific investigation of how people influence each other. Students will learn social psychological theories about the causes of human behavior, as well as how these theories can be scientifically tested and applied to solve real world problems. Topics include social cognition, the self, attitude change, conformity, compliance, group processes, helping, stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, intergroup relations, aggression, and attraction. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
153. Psychology of Close Relationships
The scientific investigation of close relationships, drawing from clinical psychology and social psychology. Topics include research methodologies for studying close relationships; theories of attraction, love and marriage; the developmental process of relationships; and interventions for distressed relationships. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
154. Psychology of Women
An introduction to psychological concepts and theories as they apply to women. Discussion of thinking and behavior as they apply to women. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
155. Psychology and Law
Explores relevance for law of psychological principles and findings, as well as laws pertaining to practice. Topics include eyewitness testimony, legal insanity, jury dynamics, expert testimony, and family law issues. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
157. Industrial/Organizational Psychology
An introduction to the broad field of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology, which includes science and practice related to personnel selection and placement, training and development; organizational development; occupational health and safety; work motivation; and various other areas concerned with human behavior in organizational contexts. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
158. Conservation Psychology
Many environmental problems (e.g., global warming, pollution, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion), are caused by human behavior, and changing this behavior is necessary in order to solve them. Topics include psychological reasons (emotions, thoughts, values, motivations, social context) why people behave in environmentally sustainable or unsustainable ways, and how psychology can be used to develop policies and other interventions to help promote sustainable behavior. Also listed as ENVS 158. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, 43. (5 units)
159. Religion in the Theories of Freud and Jung
Also listed as RSOC 180. For course description see RSOC 180. (5 units)
160. Personality
The study of individual differences and personality processes. Discussion of major theories of personality. Presentation of current research topics in personality and methods for assessing individual differences and other personality constructs. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
162. Cross-Cultural Psychology
Study of psychology from various cultural perspectives with a view to identifying patterns of behavior that are universal and those that are culturally specific. The course looks at the extent to which American research findings apply to other societies. Also examines issues that arise in cross-cultural encounters. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
165. Physiological Psychology
Emphasis on the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological correlates of motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Neural regulation of sleep and arousal, mechanisms of drug action, and neuropathology are also reviewed. (5 units)
166. Human Neuropsychology
Study of human brain function from an experimental perspective. Addresses questions such as: What are the brain mechanisms that lie at the basis of perception and memory, of speech and thought, of movement and action? What happens to these processes when individual parts of the brain are destroyed by disease? Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
167. Psychopharmacology
Examination of the effects of various drugs, such as nicotine and alcohol, and abnormal neurochemical states, such as schizophrenia and depression, on mental functioning and behavior. Topics include the effects of various drugs on the brain and the biochemical basis of human neurosis and psychosis. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
168. Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
An integration from various subdisciplines in psychology with an emphasis on the brain and behavior. Topics include neural development from fetus to early childhood, neural basis of psychopathologies (e.g., schizophrenia and depression), cognitive functions (memory, attention, and learning), and personality and related disorders. Meets Capstone requirement. Prerequisites: Two upper-division psychology courses and is restricted to senior psychology majors only. (5 units)
170. History and Systems of Psychology
Origin and development of modern psychological approaches. Psychoanalysis, behaviorism, Gestalt, humanism, and existentialism. Emphasis on conceptual issues. Focuses on selected topics viewed from the multiple conceptual frameworks and sub-disciplinary perspectives that characterize psychology’s history. Meets Capstone requirement. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43; restricted to senior psychology majors only. (5 units)
172. Adolescent Development
A focus on development during the second decade of life, from puberty through early adulthood. Topics include physical, intellectual, and social development; identity; sexuality; changing social contexts; and life transitions. Prerequisite: PSYC 1 or 2. (5 units)
175. Humanistic Psychology
Historical and conceptual roots of humanism. Implication of the “third force” for therapy, community living, education, and research. Special attention to humanistic psychotherapies and the application of humanistic principles to education. Three hours per week of community volunteer work required. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
185. Developmental Psychology I
First course in a sequence of courses that explores the development of individuals during the life cycle. Topics for the sequence include: (1) principles and theories of development; (2) perceptual, cognitive, social, and personality development; (3) family, school, and other societal influences on development; and (4) applied issues in child rearing, education, and other socialization practices. Students have an opportunity to clarify their own values about having and raising children and about the responsibilities of society in general to children. Prerequisites: PSYC 1 or 2. (5 units)
186. Developmental Psychology II
Building on concepts from PSYC 185, a more in-depth examination of topics in child development. Special emphasis on relation between theory and practice. Prerequisite: PSYC 185. (5 units)
188. Adult Development
Young adulthood through middle age. Stages and transitions in adult life, the concept of life crisis, and the interplay of situations and personality. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
189. African American Psychology and Identity Development
This course provides an overview of African American psychology. It does so by examining the multi-dimensional nature of identity development of African Americans and the ways in which racism and class impact identity formation. This course approaches psychological development from an African American perspective and reviews current issues in contemporary African American psychology. The course also examines research methodologies and historical trends that have impacted the way we understand the world in general and African Americans specifically. Prerequisites: PSYC 1 or 2. (5 units)
195. Research Practicum
Advanced methodological issues taught primarily through direct involvement in an experimental research project. Activities include reviewing the literature, formulating a research question, developing a design and procedure, collecting and analyzing data, and writing a professional research report. Meets Capstone requirement. Prerequisites: Two upper-division psychology courses; restricted to senior psychology majors only. (5 units)
196. Psychology of Aging
Development in later life. Topics include: (1) theories of aging and development; (2) cognition, perceptual, and social changes in aging; (3) mental health issues in the elderly; and (4) abnormal aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Prerequisites: PSYC 1, 2, 40, and 43. (5 units)
198. Internship/Practicum
Clinical experience in community agencies. Selected readings. Open to upper-division students with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher who have received permission of a faculty sponsor. (2–5 units)
199. Directed Reading/ Directed Research
Independent projects undertaken by upper-division students with a faculty sponsor. To receive course credit, the student must submit a formal written proposal and have it approved by the sponsoring faculty member and the department chair. The proposal must be submitted before the end of the previous quarter and must meet University requirements for independent study credit. (1–5 units)
199C. Directed Reading/ Directed Research
Capstone independent projects undertaken by upper-division students with a faculty sponsor. To receive course credit, the student must submit a formal written proposal and have it approved by the sponsoring faculty member and the department chair. The proposal must be submitted before the end of the previous quarter and must meet University requirements for independent study credit and requirements for a psychology capstone course. (5 units)
