Courses 300 Level
PSYCH 311–321 Series. Advanced Experimental and Research Psychology. 2 rec., 4 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: C or better grade in PSYCH 213W. Any one of these courses fulfills the requirement for an advanced research course in psychology.
PSYCH 311. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Learning. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W. A laboratory course emphasizing application of experimental techniques to the study of learning in animal and human subjects. Topics covered include classical conditioning, instrumental (operant) learning, verbal learning, and a critical analysis of current controversial issues in learning.†
PSYCH 312. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Sensation/Perception. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W. A laboratory course emphasizing application of experimental techniques to the study of perceptual processes. Included are an examination of the sensory basis of perception, psychophysics, scaling methods, and discussion of current theoretical issues in perception.†
PSYCH 313. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Cognition. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W. A laboratory course emphasizing the application of experimental techniques to the study of cognition in human subjects. Among the topics covered are attention, recognition of patterns (such as speech and visual forms), imagery, storage and retrieval of information from short-term and long-term memory, and the organization of thought and language. A central theme of the course is a focus on structure and organization in these various cognitive processes.†
PSYCH 314. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Social Personality. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W, and either PSYCH 232 or 238. This course helps students learn to evaluate research critically and how to develop methodologically sound research projects in the areas of personality and social psychology. Students analyze research articles, design studies to test hypotheses, and carry out a class project.
PSYCH 316. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Experimental Neurobiology. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W, and either PSYCH 243 or BIOL 373, or permission of the instructor. The structural and physiological basis of neuronal functioning. Lectures will provide the necessary conceptual background as well as the empirical and practical information necessary for the experimental exercise for the week. The main concept the course will focus on is the relationship between neuronal structure and its role in neuronal functioning. The course will be organized around three lecture/laboratory modules where the students will gain an understanding of neuronal anatomy, physiology, and their interrelationships. Students will be expected to write up and submit each laboratory exercise.
PSYCH 317. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 251 and grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W Consideration of principles of learning as they apply to the acquisition, maintenance, and modification of human behavior. An application of applied behavior analytic principles to behavior in educational, therapeutic, and cultural environments is included.†
PSYCH 319. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Human Memory. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W. This course will introduce the topics and methods treated in current research on human memory. The course will begin with a sampling of traditional experiments, with emphasis on the theoretical and methodological problems raised, followed by more up-todate cognitively oriented experiments.
PSYCH 320. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Special Topics. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 213W. Advanced study on topics to be announced, which are not covered by the regular course offerings. May be taken more than once provided there is no duplication of topics.†
PSYCH 321. Advanced Experimental Psychology: Clinical. 6 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W, and 221. A review of the research principles used to conduct experiments in clinical psychology, including group designs, ABA single-subject designs for self or other modification
projects, and the recording and evaluation of tapes of clinical interviews and treatment. Students will be trained in hypothesis-testing, experimental procedures, data analysis, and the writing of laboratory reports.
PSYCH 323. Psychometrics. (Formerly PSYCH 223.) 2 lec., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 101 and 107 (or 107.3 and 107.1). Application and evaluation of psychometric methods for estimating the validity and reliability of psychological measures and for establishing norms. Areas sampled include creativity and special abilities, attitudes and values, intelligence and achievement, vocational interests, and personality traits.†
PSYCH 325. Fieldwork in Personnel Psychology. PSYCH 325.1, 45 hr.; 1 cr., PSYCH 325.2, 90 hr.; 2 cr., PSYCH 325.3, 135 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 226 and permission of the instructor. Students are assigned for 45 or 90 or 135 hours a semester to a business or organization applying some aspects of personnel psychology. Included are personnel departments, psychological consultants, and governmental agencies. Activities such as personnel testing, employment interviewing, personnel research, and employee relations functions are observed and, when feasible, participated in by the student.†
PSYCH 326. Fieldwork in Consumer Psychology. PSYCH 326.1, 45 hr.; 1 cr., PSYCH 326.2, 90 hr.; 2 cr., PSYCH 326.3, 135 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 226, and permission of the instructor. Students are assigned for 45 or 90 or 135 hours a semester to a business or organization applying some aspects of consumer psychology. Included are market research consultants, advertising agency research departments, manufacturers’ marketing departments, and communications media research sections. Activities such as questionnaire coding and development, statistical analysis of consumer data, advertising effectiveness research, and consumer sampling and interviewing problems are observed and, when feasible, participated in by the student. May be repeated once for additional credit.†
PSYCH 327. Undergraduate Internship. PSYCH 327.1, 45 hr.; 1 cr., 327.2, 90 hr.; 2 cr., 327.3, 135 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 101, and permission of the instructor. Students serve as volunteers in a psychology-related setting for 45 or 90 or 135 hours a semester. Such settings include mental health facilities, community service agencies, and human resources departments. Activities such as interacting with patients, observing ward meetings, reading case records, interacting with professional mental health workers, attending case conferences, and working to improve employee productivity are possible, depending upon the aims and policies of the particular setting in which the student is volunteering. A term paper is required which involves library research and which demonstrates an understanding of how the student’s fieldwork directly relates to specific areas of psychology.
PSYCH 334. The Development of Perception and Cognition. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 214. A critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature on the development of cognitive-intellective functions and abilities in humans and animals. Topics include associative learning, problem solving, reasoning,concept formation, abstract thinking, symbolization, and language acquisition.†
PSYCH 337. Evolutionary Psychology. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: One of the following courses: PSYCH 221, 243, 214, or 232. Examination of the mechanisms of the human mind through the lens of evolutionary psychology beginning with a brief historical review of key theories in psychology and evolutionary biology. Topics include problems of survival, long-term and short-term mating, sexuality, parenting, kinship, cooperation, aggression and warfare, conflict between the sexes, status, prestige, and dominance hierarchies. The course concludes by proposing a unified field that integrates the different branches of psychology.
PSYCH 341. Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 221 and 232. A survey of the development of classical (Freudian) psychoanalytic theory and technique. Also considered are the cultural and scientific influences on Freud’s thinking, how current research findings support (and fail to support) classical theory, and Freud’s influence on contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice.†
PSYCH 345. Cognitive Neuroscience. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 243 or BIO 373. A survey of the behavioral models of human cognitive processes combined with recent neuropsychological and brainimaging data on the neural mechanisms that underlie these cognitive processes. Topics include an introduction to brain-imaging methods, object and face recognition, visual imagery, attention, speech and language, spatial behavior, calculation and planning/problem solving.
PSYCH 346. Neuroscience of Memory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 243 or BIO 373. A survey of the behavioral models of memory, as well as recent neuropsychological and brain-imaging data on the neural mechanisms underlying memory processes. The course covers all aspects of short- and long-term memory including working memory, unconscious (implicit) memory, episodic and autobiographical memory, memory for source, false memories, and the organization and representation of knowledge in the brain.
PSYCH 347. Introduction to Clinical Psychology. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 221. A general introduction to the field of clinical psychology. The etiology, differential diagnosis, and methods of psychological treatment of various kinds of personality and conduct problems, emotional and social maladjustments, and problems of exceptional mentalities are considered. This course is especially recommended to students planning to do graduate work in clinical psychology.†
PSYCH 349. Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 221 and 214, 215, or 217. A survey of the major psychopathological disorders in childhood and adolescence; particular emphasis on etiological, biological, and social factors. These disorders include mental retardation, learning disabilities, conduct disorders, and neuroses and psychoses.†
PSYCH 352. Psychopharmacology. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 243 or BIO 373. Relevant for psychology and biology students. Considers mechanisms of drug action and applications of biologically active agents as a basis for conceptual evaluation of behavioral functions.†
PSYCH 353. Psychology of Sex and Gender. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: One course from the developmental sequence (PSYCH 214, 215, 216, or 217) and either PSYCH 221 or 232. A survey and critical analysis of research and theory regarding similarities and differences in behavior between males and females, both human and animal. Included are considerations of biological, social, psychological, and cultural determinants of gender role development.†
PSYCH 354. Sexual Behavior. Prereq.: One course from the developmental sequence (PSYCH 214, 215, 216, or 217) and either PSYCH 221 or 232. A survey of research and theory about sexual behavior in humans and animals. Among the topics covered are neural and hormonal correlates of sexual behavior, the role of early experience and learning, survey and laboratory studies of human sexuality, cross-cultural studies of sexual practices, and sexual dysfunctions and their treatment.†
PSYCH 355. Practicum in Academic Advisement of the Psychology Major. 1 hr.; 1 cr. Prereq.: A minimum of four courses in psychology at Queens College, junior standing, and STPER 200 (Introduction to Counseling and Advisement). This course, which is open to psychology majors only, may be taken concurrently with STPER 300 (Practicum in Counseling and Advisement) or as a third-semester peer advisor. For the first half of the semester students are required to meet with the faculty advisor one hour weekly to discuss issues such as the department’s requirements and facilities, careers in psychology, and graduate training. In the second half of the semester students spend two hours per week interviewing psychology student clients.†
PSYCH 356. Advanced Practicum in Academic Advisement of the Psychology Major. 1 hr.; 1 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 355. During the second semester students continue interviewing clients two hours per week and participate in various projects related to advising psychology students, such as polling faculty about research opportunities, collecting information about volunteer opportunities, and contacting graduate programs for information.†
PSYCH 357. Intellectual Disabilities. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 101, and 214 or 217, and either 221 or 251. Intellectual disabilities are described in relation to their etiology. Emphasis is placed on environmental procedures designed to help integrate the person with intellectual disabilities into the mainstream of society. The impact of the person with intellectual disabilities on the family, as well as the roles that family members can play in helping a family member with intellectual disabilities achieve his or her potential, are discussed.
PSYCH 358. Autism. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 101, and either 214 or 217, and either 221 or 251. This is an advanced course discussing autism and related disorders. The course is in three parts: (1) nature, (2) educational programming, and (3) present and future contexts. In the first part, we will discuss the characteristics of autism and related disorders, a history of the concept, medical aspects and etiology, and theories. In the second part, we will discuss promoting behavioral competence, communication, social skills, and education for teaching children with autism. In the last part, we will discuss the role of parents, a continuum of services, and putting it all together.
PSYCH 359. Developmental Disabilities. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 214 or 217. Developmental disabilities, such as autism, mental retardation, deafness, and blindness, are described in relation to the etiology of these conditions. Emphasis is placed on environmental procedures designed to help integrate the person with developmental disabilities into the mainstream of society. The impact of the person with developmental disabilities on the family, as well as the roles family members can play in helping that family member achieve his or her potential are discussed.†
PSYCH 360. Contemporary Psychotherapies. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 221 and any of the following: PSYCH 232, 317, 341, or 347. A review of the current status of psychotherapy by a comparison of the views of personality and psychopathology implied by the psychoanalytic and behavioral models. Diverse samples of current psychotherapies are studied and compared. These may include rational-emotive therapy, Japanese therapies, and meditative therapies; Milton Erickson’s approach to short-term treatment (including use of hypnotherapy); several forms of family therapy, behavioral medicine, and biofeedback; and some novel approaches such as ethnotherapy.†
PSYCH 362. Organizational Performance Management. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 226. In this course, students develop solutions to organizational problems from a behavioral perspective. Some of the topics covered include organizational diagnosis, identification of antecedents and consequences, development of a measurement and feedback system, goals, and performance evaluation. This course serves those students who have completed PSYCH 226 and have a further interest in industrial/organizational psychology as a profession or who may hope to enter the field of organizational management, human resources, or business relations.
PSYCH 371. Practicum in Psychopathology. 2 hr. plus 5 hr. fieldwork to be arranged; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 221, 232, senior standing, and permission of the instructor. Provides for supervised clinical observation of patients at selected psychiatric hospitals and clinics. Students observe patients, audit staff conferences, and may assist in research conducted by hospital staff or college faculty. The academic component of this course includes an in-depth study by each student of one of the major approaches to psychopathology (such as psychoanalysis or behavior therapy) and the application of that approach to a set of case protocols.†
PSYCH 372. Practicum: Intervention for Children with Autism and Their Families. 3 hr; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 213W and permission of instructor. Introduction to applied behavior analysis techniques for children with developmental disabilities such as autism or Down syndrome. One portion of the class is devoted to classroom instruction regarding technical language of applied behavior analysis; basic principles; strategies to increase appropriate behavior; strategies to decrease challenging behavior; operational definition; direct observation of behavior; graphing and evaluation of data; and family needs. The second portion of the class involves students directly working with a child diagnosed with a developmental disability and providing behavior analytic interventions in social, communication, play, and leisure skills.
PSYCH 373. Advanced Practicum: Intervention for Children with Autism and Their Families. 3 hr; 3 cr. Prereq.: PSYCH 372 and permission of instructor. Advanced application of applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques and research for children with developmental disabilities such as autism or Down syndrome. Students will continue to learn about ABA, including specific strategies to increase skills and decrease challenging behavior, as well as behavioral skills training. Students will participate in ongoing research activities through implementation of supervised interventions, data collection, and graphing of performance. Students will provide intervention to children with developmental disabilities, their siblings, and/or parents helping the child to develop skills and enhance
their social relationships.
PSYCH 3811, 3812 and 3813 Advanced Special Topics. 1, 2, or 3 hrs.; 1,2, or 3 cr. Prereq: PSYCH 101 and others determined by the instructor. The course will focus on contemporary issues in psychology, to be announced, that are not covered by regular course offerings. The specific topic of the seminar will be determined by the faculty instructor. Course objectives include the development of critical thinking skills and application of previously learned material to advanced topics. Additional goals will be set by the instructor and differ by course topic. The course may be taken more than once provided there is no duplication of topics.
PSYCH 391. Special Problems–Research. Students are limited to a maximum of nine credits for any combination of the following courses: PSYCH 391.1, 3 hr. per week; 1 cr. PSYCH 391.2, 6 hr. per week; 2 cr. PSYCH 391.3, 9 hr. per week; 3 cr. Prereq.: A GPA of a 3.0 or higher. Written permission of the faculty mentor and a description of the proposed research project submitted to and by the Psychology department. Open only to Psychology and Neuroscience majors. Open only to specially qualified upper juniors and seniors of exceptional promise and ability who are majoring in psychology.