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Psychology Course Descriptions

PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology (3, F&S)
Scientific study of human behavior. Fundamental facts, theories, issues, concepts, and principles of psychology. Note: PSY 111 is prerequisite to all other psychology courses. May include research participation requirements. Liberal Arts Foundation or Liberal Arts Exploration—Social Science.

PSY 214 Child Psychology (3, F&S)
Concepts, principles, theories, and research concerning the biological and environmental influences on the behavioral and psychological development of the child from conception to puberty.

PSY 215 Adolescent Psychology (3, F04)
Examines physical, cognitive, social, moral, and religious development from pubescence to early adulthood with attention to various forms of disturbance and self-destructive behavior.

PSY 218 Social Psychology (3, F)
Introduction to social behavior from a psychological perspective. Individual behavior as it affects/is affected by the behavior of others. Topics: prejudice, group processes, leadership, conformity, attitudes, change.

PSY 230 Lifespan Development of the Family (3, S)
A consideration of developmental theory and research related to family composition throughout the lifespan. Attention will be given to nontraditional families as well as to events that affect family development including divorce, abuse, alcoholism, mobility, poverty, and death.

PSY 252 Exceptional Child (3, F&S)
Introduction to special education; special needs of gifted, learning and emotionally disabled, and culturally disadvantaged children.

PSY 301 Psychology of Personality (3, F&S)
Description, development, dynamics, and determinants of the normal personality. Emphasis on contemporary theories.
Prerequisite: six hours in psychology

PSY 302 Psychology and Christianity (3, S)
Evaluation of works attempting to integrate psychology and biblical/theological understanding. Discussion of integration models and a conceptual framework for integration.
Prerequisite: six hours in psychology

PSY 305 Abnormal Psychology (3, F&S)
Etiology, dynamics, and treatment of abnormal behavior. Prerequisites: six hours in psychology

PSY 306 Psychology of Religion (3, F)
Study of religious and spiritual experience and behavior from a psychological perspective. Covers such topics as conversion, faith, mysticism, spiritual development, etc. and examines the origin and nature of religion according to great psychological and theological thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Freud, Jung, Maslow, Tillich, and Frankl.

PSY 309 Statistics (3, F&S)
Study of descriptive and inferential statistics, including analysis of variance and measures of correlation. Focus on applications to social and psychological data. (Also listed in BADM, SOC, POLS)

PSY 310 Experimental Methods (3, F&S)
Experimental and other quantitative methods used in the study of behavior. Applied statistical analysis, laboratory experiences, and research writing.
Prerequisite: PSY 309

PSY 315 Psychological Assessment (3, S)
Principles of construction, validation, and use applied to a variety of ability and personality tests. Selected tests administered with guided interpretation.
Prerequisite: PSY 309

PSY 324 Life in the City (3, F)
(See Off-Campus Programs — Houghton in Australia for description.)

PSY 325 Human Sexuality (3,S)
Examines sexuality as a component of our personalities, an aspect of our behavior, and an element in our environment. Considers how elements of sexuality interact with other aspects of our thought and behavior, and the role of sexuality in normal and abnormal development across the lifespan.

PSY 326 Introduction to Family Systems (3, F)
An introduction to the family systems perspective through an overview of various schools of family systems theory. This course is intended to introduce students to the epistemological underpinnings of the family therapy field, but not to teach clinical skills.

PSY 330 Conflict Management (3, F)
An introduction to conflict management that balances coverage of major theories with practice in
communication skills and conflict intervention techniques (e.g. assertiveness training, mediation, negotiation). Focus on experiential learning, with heavy emphasis on written analysis that includes analytical journaling and analysis of scientific journal articles.

PSY 335 Drugs and Behavior (3, F)
Principles of action and categorical analysis of psychoactive drugs; their physiological, psychological, and societal effects; patterns and causes of their use and abuse in individuals and societies; and systems of drug education.

PSY 337 Social Cognition (3, OD)
Social cognition is a sub-discipline of social psychology that focuses on how people think about the world and make sense of complex social environments. Course covers social behavior from a cognitive perspective with stereotyping, social perception, affect, and the self.

PSY 401 History and Systems of Psychology (3, OD)
Antecedents and evolution of psychological systems and concepts, including the life and works of historically eminent psychologists.
Prerequisite: 15 hours in psychology

PSY 402 Counseling and Psychotherapy (3, S)
An introduction to major systems of psychological intervention and their rationale. Emphasis on theory rather than practice.
Prerequisite: PSY 305

PSY 403 Physiological Psychology (4, F05)
Physiology of nervous and glandular systems as they relate to behavior, including sensation, emotion, aggression, learning, and mental disorders.
Prerequisite: four hours of biology, WRIT 306

PSY 410 Practicum in Psychology (1, 2, 3, F&S)
Introduction to professional work in psychology through field experiences near the main campus in such settings as school psychology, personnel, continuing treatment programs, alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers, and developmental disability centers. Prerequisite: senior status and permission of the department. Contact: Dr. Stevenson

PSY 415 Internship in Psychology (West Seneca Campus only) (6, F)
An optional supervised experience in a psychological setting integrating theory with professional practice. By application only through the department. Contact: Dr. Stevenson

PSY 451 Learning and Memory (3, S)
Critical examination of the main psychological theories of learning, memory and information processing, with applications in teaching, research, and therapy.
Prerequisite: six hours in psychology.

PSY 480 Senior Capstone Seminar (3, F&S)
Informed discussion of significant and contemporary concepts and issues. Includes development of an individual research or group project on some aspect of the discipline. Required of all senior majors.
Prerequisites: PSY 309, PSY 310, and 21 hours of psychology.

PSY 211, 311, 411 Special Topics in Psychology (1, 2, 3, or 4, OD)
According to interest and demand, courses will be offered in Adult Development and Aging, Childhood Psychopathology, Cross-cultural Psychology, and other topics.
Prerequisites vary with the course.

PSY 191, -2; 291, -2; 391, -2; 491, -2 Independent Study (1, 2 or 3)

PSY 496 Honors in Psychology (3, S)