2006-07 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Psychology (PSYC)
Department of Psychology
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Credit designation below each title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (cr) credits per semester.
3c-0l-3cr
An introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
PSYC 280 Psychological Inquiry
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, Psychology minors
Introduces students minoring in Psychology to issues central to carrying out and interpreting empirical research in the field. Become more sophisticated consumers of empirical research findings. May not take this course for credit after successful completion of PSYC 290.
PSYC 290 Research Design and Analysis I
3c-2l-4cr
Prerequisites: MATH 217, PSYC 101
A laboratory course devoted to designing, conducting, and evaluating results of psychological experiments.
PSYC 291 Research Design and Analysis II
3c-2l-4cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, grade of C or better in PSYC 290
A continuation of Research Design and Analysis I.
PSYC 310 Developmental Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A comprehensive study of all factors that contribute to human development from conception to death, particularly as they relate to psychological development of individual. A survey course directed at students not planning to take PSYC 311 or 312. May receive credit towards the Psychology major or minor for only one of PSYC 310, 311, or 315.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
The study of factors that influence total development and behavior of child. Current theories and research are considered, with focus upon optimum development of individual. Students may receive credit towards the Psychology major or minor for only one of PSYC 310, 311, or 315.
PSYC 312 Adult Development and Aging
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A survey of physiological, cognitive, emotional, and social issues affecting the young adult, the middle-aged, and the elderly. Includes an examination of significant adult life crises.
PSYC 315 Experimental Development Psychology
3c-2l-4cr
Studies human development from conception to death with emphasis on the physical, cognitive, and emotional domains. Students are involved in observation and data collection. Students may receive credit towards the Psychology major or minor for only one of PSYC 310, 311, or 315.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
Provides comparative analysis of major representative traditional and contemporary theories of personality.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
The description, causes, and treatment of behaviors labeled abnormal in our society are studied from experimental and clinical points of view.
PSYC 325 Psychological Testing and Measurement
3c-2l-4cr
Prerequisites: MATH 217 and PSYC 101, sophomore standing
Presents a series of focused discussions on principles, methods, and issues of psychological measurement. Also describes the major psychological tests currently in use and illustrates the administration and scoring of these tests. The laboratory activities are intended to provide hands-on experiences in computerized analysis and evaluation of psychological tests, to demonstrate test administration and scoring in practical settings, and to enhance the understanding of psychological testing through class projects.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
The study of the effects of the social environment on human behavior. Topics include perception of person, attitude formation and change, and small-group interaction. Students may not receive credit toward psychology major or minor for both PSYC 330 and 335.
PSYC 331 Environmental Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
The study of the relationship between human behavior and its environmental context. Emphasizes the physical environment, both natural and built.
PSYC 335 Experimental Social Psychology
3c-2l-4cr
A laboratory course in the effects of the social environment on human behavior. Topics include perception of persons, attitude formation and change, and small-group interaction. Includes experience with social psychological research methods. May not be taken for credit after successful completion of PSYC 330.
PSYC 341 Conditioning and Learning
3c-2l-4cr
An examination of the basic principles of learning and related phenomena; discussion of classical conditioning, discrimination learning, and aversive control of behavior.
PSYC 342 Human Cognition: Memory and Thinking
3c-2l-4cr
A study of methods and findings in areas of human memory and human information processing. Students may not receive credit towards the psychology major or minor for both PSYC 342 and 345.
PSYC 345 Introduction to Human Cognition
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
Provides an overview of cognitive psychology. The Information Processing Model is contrasted with its predecessor, Behaviorism, and its contemporary challenger, Connectionism. May not receive credit towards the psychology major or minor for both PSYC 342 and 345.
PSYC 350 Physiological Psychology
3c-2l-4cr
A study of the relationship between behavior and the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. May not receive credit towards the Psychology major or minor for both PSYC 350 and 356.
PSYC 355 Comparative Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A survey of animal behavior patterns and control mechanisms including learning, development, communication, and social behavior. Emphasizes the relationship of the animal to its environment and on the relationship of animal models to human behavior.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A study of the relationship between behavior and the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. May not receive credit towards the Psychology major or minor for both PSYC 350 and 356.
PSYC 359 Sensation and Perception
3c-2l-4cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 290
Introduces the biological and psychological processes that determine our perceptions and their relationships to physical properties of the environment. Laboratory work provides the opportunity to explore lecture and textbook topics firsthand and to collect and analyze psychophysical data.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
A systematic study of how behavior is initiated, sustained, directed, and terminated. Current theories in this area are critically reviewed.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and junior standing or permission
A survey of the current knowledge concerning the actions of drugs. Includes legal and social issues surrounding drug use, hazard potential of commonly used drugs, review of current theories and issues regarding the use of drugs in psychotherapy, and consideration of treatment approaches for addiction.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
Fundamental concepts and findings in stress and stress-related disorders. Relationships of stress to disease and methods for coping with stress are presented.
PSYC 375 Mass Media and Behavior
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and junior or senior status
Theory and research on the influence of the mass media on human behavior and attitudes. Topics include the effects of news and political advertising on public opinion; the effects of racist and sexist portrayals; and the effects of violence and pornography on aggressive behavior. (Also offered as COMM 375; may not be taken for duplicate credit)
PSYC 376 Psychology of Health Behavior
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
An examination of the role of behavior factors in health status with a strong focus on preventive health behaviors and the role of the psychologist in promotion of health-related behavioral changes.
PSYC 378 Psychology of Death and Dying
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
Theories and research which delineate the psychological factors affecting the dying person as well as those persons close to one who is dying are discussed.
PSYC 379 Psychology of Human Sexuality
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
Provides an overview of the psychological issues and research relevant to sexuality with an emphasis on gender roles. Social, psychological, and gender perspectives are used to examine a number of topics, including contemporary sexual attitudes, sexual response, sexual relationships, sexual dysfunction, sexual variations, sexual preference, and sexual violence. Research pertaining to each topic is presented. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate research and theory and to make connections between the material and their personal experience.
PSYC 388 Forensic Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: PSYC 101
An examination of current topics at the interface between psychology and the legal system.
PSYC 390 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: MATH 214 or 217, PSYC 101
The study of psychological principles in work organizations; application of psychological theory to the understanding and explanation of individual behavior and experience in work organizations. May not be taken for credit after successful completion of PSYC 425.
PSYC 410 Historical Trends in Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, junior or senior standing or permission
A comprehensive overview of historical antecedents of contemporary psychology with emphasis on their implications for future developments in the field.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, junior or senior standing or instructor permission
A critical examination of the assumptions about women which are held by the discipline of psychology, considering both current research and individual experience. The psychological effects of socialization on sex role identity, achievement, interpersonal power, mental health, and critical incidents in female development are discussed in the context of relevant concepts from developmental and social psychology.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, junior/senior standing
Introduces the human experience in work situations. Emphasizes the analysis, measurement, prediction, and development of human aptitude, ability, and performance in work and employment situations.
PSYC 425 Experimental Organizational Psychology
3c-2l-4cr
Prerequisite: 12cr of PSYC (including PSYC 290), beyond PSYC 101
Introduces theory, research, and methods in the investigation of human behavior and experience in organizations. Both classical and current literature in the field are discussed. In addition to lecture, students conduct empirical research projects.
PSYC 450 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, 320, 321, and instructor permission
An overview of clinical psychology, with emphasis on clinician’s use of methods of evaluation and on treatment and modification of behavior.
PSYC 480 Honors Seminar in Psychology
3c-0l-3cr
A seminar in the graduate tradition with a specialized topic. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6cr.
PSYC 481 Special Topics in Psychology
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 481 are offered primarily for upper-level undergraduate students. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6cr.
PSYC 482 Independent Study in Psychology
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
Individual students pursue their particular interests in psychology in consultation with a member of the staff. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6cr. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.
var-1-6cr
Prerequisites: Admission to departmental honors program; prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
An intensive, focused study involving independent research culminating in a written thesis approved by a thesis director and two faculty readers/committee members. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 6cr.
PSYC 493 Psychological Practicum
var-1-12cr
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and department consent
Under supervision of psychology department, selected students receive experience in application of psychological techniques. May be taken more than once to a maximum of 12cr.
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