Psychology Course Descriptions
Psychology 121
- Introduction to Psychology I
Full course for one semester, taught by several faculty members.
Topics such as visual perception, memory, thinking, and language
will be considered from different perspectives within psychology.
Illumination from neighboring disciplines such as biology,
philosophy, artificial intelligence, and linguistics will be
provided when appropriate. Conferences and laboratories supplement
the lectures and readings. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Psychology 122
- Introduction to Psychology II
Full course for one semester, taught by several faculty members.
The course provides an overview of selected topics in experimental,
clinical, and applied psychology. Topics include learning,
motivation, human development, social behavior, personality, and
psychopathology. Conferences and laboratories supplement the
lectures and readings. Lecture-laboratory-conference.
Psychology 232
- Socialization of the Child
Full course for one semester. This course will focus on the
socialization process--the ways in which children’s personalities
are shaped by their relationships to parents, peers, and the larger
cultural context. Specific topics will include theory and research
on emotional attachment to parents; the origins of friendship and
pro-social behavior; aggression and bullying; the development of
morality; the socialization of self-control; and the role of
teachers and schools. Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 252
- Problems in Psychology: Emotions
Full course for one semester. An exploration of our affective lives
from biological, cognitive, social, cultural, and clinical
perspectives. Do we have discrete emotional states? To what extent
do emotions engage reflexive biological responses, conscious
appraisal processes, or learned social expectations? Most
importantly, how can these questions be addressed empirically?
Prerequisite: Psychology 121 or sophomore standing.
Lecture-conference.
Psychology 296
- Psychology of Language Acquisition
Full course for one semester. This course focuses on the processes
by which children acquire language (such as word meanings,
morphology, and syntactic structure). We will try to explain the
"language paradox" of how all normal children acquire this vast and
complex knowledge from a limited input and in spite of linguistic
variation. We will study the specific issues of bilingualism, the
relation between language and thought, and language in special
populations. Theories of learning and mental representation will be
discussed in this context. Lecture-conference. Cross-listed as
Linguistics 296.
Psychology 305
- Gender and Sexuality
Full course for one semester. This course will provide a critical
examination of theories of both gender and sexuality. We will
attempt to integrate knowledge from biological, psychological,
social, and cultural spheres to arrive at a greater understanding
of maleness, femaleness, and sexual behavior. Throughout the
course, we will examine a number of topics, which may include:
gender and sexual socialization; gender stereotypes and gender
differences; gender roles and sexual behavior; gender and mental
health (e.g., depression, substance use, body image); work and
achievement; emotion and language; and aggression and violence. Our
analysis of these topics will include explicit attention to the
influence of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual
orientation. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122.
Conference.
Psychology 312
- Children and the Media
Full course for one semester. This course examines a variety
of questions related to children’s and adolescents’ use and
understanding of the media, and to the role of the media in their
social and personality development. How do media shape and
socialize us? How does exposure to TV programs, movies, magazines,
and the internet shape children’s understanding of gender roles,
ethnic groups, and societal norms (e.g., dating and sexuality)?
Does watching violence on television or enacting violent behavior
in video games contribute to aggressiveness in children? Do the
portrayals of males and females in music videos and magazine
advertising adversely affect adolescents’ self-concept, body image,
and self-esteem? In this course we will discuss these and other
questions, will critically examine experimental methodology used to
test these issues, and will review several theoretical perspectives
describing links between children and the media. Prerequisites:
Psychology 121 and 122. Psychology 361 recommended. Conference.
Psychology 322
- Social Psychology
Full course for one semester. An examination of psychological
theory and research concerning the ways in which people think,
feel, and act in social situations. Conferences will focus on areas
of basic social psychological research and theory, including social
cognition, attribution, impression formation, social interaction,
intergroup and interpersonal relationships, and social influence.
Special issues addressed in the course are stereotyping and
prejudice, the self within the social context, and applications of
social psychology to social problems. Opportunities for students to
plan and conduct empirical research are available. Prerequisites:
Psychology 121 and 122, or consent of the instructor. Conference.
Psychology 323
- Motivation in Educational Contexts
Full course for one semester. An overview of theory and research on
motivation as it applies to educational contexts, focusing
primarily on school-aged children. Topics will include attribution
theory, rewards and praise, classroom goals, intrinsic motivation,
teacher expectations, and perceptions of ability. We will consider
both classic and contemporary empirical approaches. Prerequisites:
Psychology 121 and 122. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 325
- Stereotyping and Prejudice
Full course for one semester. An analysis of psychological theory
and empirical research on stereotyping and prejudice. The course
will explore a number of themes: the development and causes of
intergroup perceptions and antagonism, reasons for the persistence
and prevalence of stereotypes and prejudice, ways in which feelings
and beliefs about groups influence social perception and
interaction, and possible ways to change group stereotypes or
reduce prejudice. In examining these issues, conferences will
consider both the ways in which individuals perceive themselves as
members of groups and the ways that they perceive other groups.
Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or consent of the
instructor. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 329
- Social Psychology of Disability
Full course for one semester. This course provides a critical
examination of the social construction of disability, comparing
alternative models and definitions of disablement (medical,
cultural minority, human variation) to examine how each accounts
for the dynamics of contemporary life for people who differ from
the norm. Traditional psychological research and new empirical
developments will be explored on the topics of stigma,
self-perception, identity, and intergroup relations, as well as
stereotypes, discrimination, and collective action; and gender,
relationships, and current controversies, including genetic testing
and assisted suicide. Instead of focusing on issues of
rehabilitation, this seminar addresses the social and cultural
influences on what it means to be human, healthy, and valued.
Conferences will stimulate critical thinking about ourselves and
our values, judgments, and interaction patterns by disentangling
the complexities involved with impairment and the social
determinants of disability. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122,
or consent of the instructor. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 331
- Stress and Coping
Full course for one semester. We consider various
conceptualizations of stress and coping responses, as well as
theoretical and methodological issues related to conducting
research on stress, coping, and outcomes. Topics include recent
research on personality, physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and
developmental components of stress and coping, as well as evidence
for the efficacy of stress management interventions. We discuss
ways to apply ideas to ourselves as individuals. Prerequisites:
Psychology 121 and 122, or consent of the instructor. Conference.
Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 333
- Psychobiology
Full course for one semester. An examination of the basic concepts
and methods of neuroanatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and neural
modeling as they relate to the study of behavior, perception, and
cognition. The physiological bases of such phenomena as sensory
perception, motor function, attention, motivation, emotion,
learning, memory, and mental disorders are topics to be considered
in detail. The laboratory-conference meetings include dissection of
a sheep brain and discussion of research methods and of primary
research articles. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or
Biology 101 and 102. Lecture-laboratory-conference.
Psychology 335
- Neural Plasticity
This course will focus on the epigenetic development of the nervous
system: how genes and environment interact to determine the anatomy
and physiology of the brain as a precursor to exploring how the
brain’s structure may change in adulthood following injury or
learning. Prerequisite: Psychology 333. Lecture-conference.
Psychology 336
- Neuropsychology
Full course for one semester. We will explore models of normal
higher cognitive functions based on evidence obtained from
brain-damaged people. We will review functional neuroanatomy as it
relates to these functions, as well as methods and techniques used
in the field. Whenever possible, one or more visits to clinical
settings will be arranged. Prerequisite: Psychology 121 and 122 or
consent of instructor. Lecture-conference.
Psychology 344
- Thinking
Full course for one semester. We will survey classic and current
research on thinking. How (and how well) do we think and reason?
How do we solve problems or make decisions? Can the productivity or
creativity of our thinking be improved? This course will examine
cognitive psychology’s answers to these questions. We will also
consider the relation between decision-making and rationality, and
the prospects for rational thinking (or thinking of any sort) in
computers. Prerequisite: Psychology 366 or consent of the
instructor. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 348
- Research Design and Data Analysis
Full course for one semester. This course is designed to introduce
the basic concepts, logic, and methods of research design and data
analysis used in psychological research. Central questions include
how to select, perform, and interpret statistical techniques while
emphasizing the application of these techniques to students’ own
research projects. Topics include descriptive statistics,
hypothesis testing, t-tests, one-way and two-way analysis of
variance, and correlational techniques. Lecture-laboratory.
Psychology 350
- Psychology and the Courts
Full course for one semester. This course is an examination of how
psychological research can inform and be informed by many aspects
of the legal process. Topics covered include forensic profiling,
eyewitness testimony, identification procedures, lie detection,
jury bias, jury decision-making, and the insanity defense.
Prerequisite: Psychology 366. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 351
- Psychopathology
Full course for one semester. This course focuses on description,
conceptualization, etiology, development, and prognosis of abnormal
functioning. We examine theories and research about the origin and
development of specific mental health disorders, including
experimental, correlational, and cross-cultural research, and case
studies. Students participate in fieldwork in off-campus facilities
related to mental health. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or
consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference.
Psychology 353
- Personality Theories
Full course for one semester. This course is a survey of
perspectives on personality, including psychodynamic, trait, social
cognitive, genetic, temperamental, and cultural approaches. Are
there universal characteristics that describe all humans? When
should we expect consistency and predictability in ourselves and
others, and when should we expect variability? How do environmental
and genetic influences shape personality? Prerequisites: Psychology
121 and 122, or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference. Not
offered 2005-06.
Psychology 355
- Interpersonal Perception
Full course for one semester. This course offers an analysis of
interpersonal relations focusing on the dynamic relationship
between perception and social interaction. The course will examine
classic and current research on the complex interplay of
interpersonal perception, social cognition, and behavior as
everyday relations unfold. Conferences will focus on the ways in
which individuals attempt to make sense of themselves, other people
and groups, and their social environment. The course is a seminar
with readings in original source materials and an opportunity to
plan and conduct empirical research. Prerequisites: Psychology 121
and 122, or consent of the instructor. Psychology 322 recommended
but not required. Conference.
Psychology 361
- Developmental Psychology
Full course for one semester. This course is an examination of
theory and research on social and cognitive development from birth
to adolescence. Conferences will focus on areas of basic and
applied developmental research including physical growth, social
relationships, cognition, communication, and policy issues
affecting children and families. Students conduct original
observational research and participate in fieldwork in local
schools or other sites that serve children. Prerequisites:
Psychology 121 and 122. Conference.
Psychology 364
- Cognitive Development
Full course for one semester. This course is an examination of
cognitive development during infancy and childhood. Discussions
will center on three major theories of how mental abilities
develop: Piagetian, information-processing, and "theory-theory"
approaches. Topics to be covered include object permanence, memory,
categorization, conceptual development, social cognition, and
language development. We will consider both classic studies and
recent research, with a focus on the different theoretical accounts
motivating this research as well as the methodologies used in
specific studies. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122. Psychology
361 or 366 recommended. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 366
- Cognitive Processes
Full course for one semester. We will examine how humans acquire,
store, and use knowledge. The course will center on memory and
knowledge representation, but to understand these we will also need
to consider the processes of perceiving, categorizing, and
attending. Our emphasis will be on contemporary experimental
approaches, and we will discuss the methodological arguments
underlying these approaches. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122,
or consent of the instructor. Conference-lecture.
Psychology 373
- Learning
Full course for one semester. We will undertake a systematic
examination of the factors governing learned behavior, with
emphasis on the relationship of animal to human behavior. Topics
include learning through associations, selection by consequences,
and modeling; drug addiction; discrimination and concept formation;
choice and self-control; voluntary action and free will; and verbal
behavior. Experimental methods and analyses are emphasized.
Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or Biology 101 and 102, or
consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Psychology 383
- Music Perception
Full course for one semester. Much evidence indicates that, in
listening to music, one brings a wealth of knowledge to bear. How
is this musical knowledge represented in the mind? How is the
knowledge acquired? How is it used? The course will begin with the
acoustics of sound and the workings of the ear, then turn to
"higher-order" processes that govern the perception of (and memory
for) music. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or consent of
the instructor. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 385
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
Full course for one semester. This course will examine the
fundamentals of human behavior from a cross-cultural perspective.
The majority of existing research has assessed psychological
phenomena within a limited cultural framework, primarily that of
the United States. We will challenge the assumptions of commonly
accepted psychological theories by studying research from various
cultures. Further, the role of culture will be used to assess the
universality of basic psychological principles. The class will
provide a broader foundation for approaching the study of
psychology, as well as a better understanding of the society within
which we live. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or consent of
the instructor. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 391
- History of Psychological Issues
Full course for one semester. This course provides an overview of
the roots of contemporary psychology, including the origination of
psychological theories in early Greek philosophy; the beginnings of
scientific methods during the Renaissance; seventeenth- and
eighteenth-century empiricism, sensationalism, and positivism;
early physiological developments; nineteenth-century psychophysics
and the beginnings of experimental psychology; structuralism;
Darwin’s influence; functionalism; applied psychology; intelligence
testing; behaviorism; Gestalt psychology; treatments of mental
illness; psychoanalysis; humanistic psychology; and the cognitive
revolution. The course will review the historical roots of
contemporary fields--including physiological, cognitive, social,
developmental, and behavioral. Major contributors will be
highlighted and selected classic experiments will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, or junior or senior
standing. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Psychology 393
- Psycholinguistics
Full course for one semester. This course is an introduction to the
ways in which the human language processing system is organized to
produce and comprehend language. We will study speech perception,
lexical access, and sentence processing in the context of language
acquisition, bilingualism, sign language, brain damage, and
language in primates. Basic linguistic concepts will be covered.
Students are expected to design a research project. Prerequisite:
Psychology 121 or Linguistics 311, or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference. Cross-listed as Linguistics 393.
Psychology 401
- Junior Seminar
Full course for one semester. This course allows juniors and
seniors to consider relations among sub-fields of psychology by
studying a common topic from different perspectives. Conceptual and
methodological issues will be emphasized throughout the semester,
sometimes aided by other faculty members. The topical focus in 2006
will be face perception. Included will be readings on how we
perceive and recognize faces, on categorization (e.g., of gender
and race) by facial characteristics, and on the social cues
provided by facial expressions and gaze direction. Prerequisites:
Psychology 121 and 122, junior or senior standing, and two
300-level psychology courses, or consent of the instructor.
Conference-laboratory.
Psychology 426
- Functional Variability
Full course for one semester. Much of psychology involves a search
for predictable relationships--for deterministic laws. But variable
and unpredictable responding is often functional. Creativity,
problem solving, exploration, scientific discovery, learning,
voluntary or free-willed actions, and many other competencies
depend in part upon ability to vary thoughts and behaviors. This
course brings together research and discussions from different
perspectives--behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, biology,
physics, and philosophy--on the study of functional variability. We
will explore how behavioral variability arises: its elicitation,
motivation and reinforcement; how it is explained, including
chaotic and stochastic theories; and influences on it, including
neurological injury, psychopathologies, drug states, age, and
states of consciousness. Prerequisites: Psychology 121, 122, and at
least one 300-level psychology course, or junior or senior standing
in biology, chemistry, or physics. Conference-laboratory. Not
offered 2005-06.
Psychology 433
- Psychobiology Research
Full course for one semester. A systematic consideration of the
various research methods used by investigators working at the
brain/behavior, brain/cognition interface, with an emphasis on
evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each. These readings
will be supplemented by hands-on laboratory experience with animal
neurosurgery, history, and structured research projects.
Prerequisite: Psychology 333 or consent of the instructor.
Conference-laboratory.
Psychology 442
- Clinical Psychology
Full course for one semester. We will discuss design and
methodological issues related to studying the effectiveness and
efficacy of psychological interventions. We examine theory and
research for various schools of psychotherapy, including
psychodynamic, existential-humanistic, behavioral, and
cognitive–behavioral interventions, with brief coverage of
multicultural, family, child, and group approaches. Students
participate in fieldwork in off-campus facilities related to mental
health. Prerequisites: Psychology 121 and 122, and one of
Psychology 336, 351, 366, or 373. Conference.
Psychology 470
- Thesis
Full course for one year. Theses in psychology will include
empirical research--experimental, observational, or data
analytical. Under unusual circumstances the requirement for
empirical research may be waived by the department.
Psychology 481
- Individual Work in Special Fields
One-half or full course for one semester. Prerequisites: junior or
senior standing, and approval of instructor and division.
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