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Psychology Courses

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Psychology Courses 311-391

PSYCH 311/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Learning/6 hr./4 cr./Prereq: see below

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.†

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W

PSYCH 312/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Sensation, Perception/6 hr./4 cr./Prereq: see below

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.†

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213

PSYCH 313/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Cognition/6 hr./4 cr./Prereq: see below

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.†

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W

PSYCH 314/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Social Personality/6 hr./4 cr./Prereq: see below

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.

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W, and either PSYCH 232 or 238.

PSYCH 316/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Experimental Neurobiology/6 hr./4 cr./Prereq.: see below

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.

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W, and either PSYCH 243 or BIOL 373, or permission of the instructor.

PSYCH 317/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis.6 hr./4 cr./Prereq: see below

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.†

Prereq: PSYCH 251 and grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W

PSYCH 319/Adv. Experimental Psychology: Human Memory/6 hr./4 cr/Prereq.: see below

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.

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W.

PSYCH 320/Adv. 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: see below

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.

Prereq: Grade of C or better in PSYCH 213W, and 221.

PSYCH 323/Psychometrics (Formerly 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/see below for hr. /cr./prereq
  • 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 232/The Psychology of Personality/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101
An introduction to the contemporary study of personality processes and individual differences. The course examines research growing out of various perspectives on personality, including psychoanalytic, trait, biological, humanistic, learning, and cognitive approaches.†
PSYCH 238/Social Behavior (Formerly 338)/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101
A critical analysis of basic psychological principles involved in the behavior of individuals in social situations, with emphasis on social perception and interaction and the psychology of attitudes and of communication. Designed for students concentrating in psychology.†
PSYCH 242/Comparative Psychology/3 hr./3 cr. /Prereq: PSYCH 101 or 102
Recommended for juniors and seniors only. Comparison of behavior across phyla and species with a view toward understanding the underlying mechanisms and adaptive features of behavior. Lecture topics will include feeding, reproductive behavior, parental behavior, orientation, communication, social behavior, learning, phylogeny of the nervous system, behavior genetics, and a critical evaluation of the concept of instinct.††
PSYCH 243/Intro. to Behavioral Neuroscience/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101 or BIOL 105 or equivalent
A survey of the physiological basis of behavior with special emphasis on the underlying anatomy, physiology, and chemistry of the central nervous system, sensory, perceptual, and motor systems, physiological development, and circadian rhythms and sleep. Topics relating to learning, memory, motivation, and emotion are also introduced.
PSYCH 248/History and Systems of Psychology/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101
A historical introduction to modern psychology and a critical survey of its chief systems—structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, Gestalt, and others.†
PSYCH 251/Intro. to Learning and Behavioral Analysis/3 hr./3 cr/Prereq: PSYCH 101
Introduction to principles of behavioral analysis, classical and operant conditioning.
PSYCH 257/The Psychology of Sport and Exercise/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101
The science and professional practice of sport and exercise psychology.
PSYCH 259/LGBTIQ Psychology/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101
Introduction to some of the major issues surrounding sexuality and gender diversity, and how these issues shape the experiences and well-being of individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer.
PSYCH 260/Sensation and Perception/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: PSYCH 101
How the sensory systems code and perceive environmental stimuli. Topics include the visual system, the auditory/vestibular systems, speech perception, the cutaneous senses, and the chemical senses. Similarities and differences across the systems are highlighted and discussed, especially in terms of how stimuli for each sense are transduced into neuronal signals and how areas in the brain are specifically organized to receive and process these signals. Discussion of this conversion of sensory information to sensory perception is complemented throughout the course by examination of research using multiple techniques such as psychophysics, physiological recording, and brain imaging.
PSYCH 281/VT: Problems in Psychology/3 hr./3 cr./Prereq: see below

An exploration of topics, to be announced, that are not covered by the regular course offerings. May be taken more than once provided there is no duplication of topics

Prereq: PSYCH 101. PSYCH 281.1, 3 hr. per week, 1 cr.; PSYCH 281.2, 6 hr. per week, 2 cr.; PSYCH 281.3, 9 hr. per week, 3 cr.

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