Psychology 100
Introduction to Psychology (CAN PSY 2) - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: None
General introduction to the scientific approach to the understanding of behavior. Concentration upon principles of development, learning, motivation, emotion, adjustment, and abnormal behavior. Emphasis directed toward application of psychological principles to personal adjustment. This course is a prerequisite for most other psychology courses. Prerequisite for some psychology classes. Offered Fall, Spring and Summer.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Compare the major developmental theories and apply these perspectives to real world problems and issues across the lifespan
2. Apply the scientific process to psychological research, the APA standards for writing, the major ethical guidelines, and the impact of diversity on psychological research
3. Evaluate human behavior as a function of biological, cognitive, and socio-cultural factors
Psychology 100H
Honors Introduction to Psychology (CAN PSY 2) - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: A high school or college GPA of 3.0 or above
An enriched approach for honors students that addresses principles of research, perception, development, learning, motivation, emotion, and abnormal behavior. Emphasizes application of psychological principles to personal adjustment. Prerequisite for some psychology classes.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Compare the major developmental theories and apply these perspectives to real world problems and issues across the lifespan
2. Apply the scientific process to psychological research, the APA standards for writing, the major ethical guidelines, and the impact of diversity on psychological research
3. Evaluate human behavior as a function of biological, cognitive, and socio-cultural factors
Psychology 140
Introduction to Psychology of Adulthood and Aging - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: None
Examines psychological and related biological and social changes that occur in adulthood and old age and how these changes vary with ethnicity, gender and social class. Topics include longevity, health, successful aging, intimate and family relationships and mental disorders of adulthood. Designed to help students understand their own and others' aging and to familiarize them with the issues in the field of gerontology. Not offered every semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. To demonstrate familiarity with the changes that occur in adulthood in relation to ethnicity, gender, and social class
2. To demonstrate familiarity with the changes that occur in adulthood in relation to ethnicity, gender, and social class
3. To identify and apply this knowledge of successful aging, health, and social dynamics of aging to the students’ own life and those around them
Psychology 157
Introduction to Child Psychology - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: None
Survey of human development from conception through adolescence. Covers major theories of development (cognition, perception, language, personality, etc.) and their application to parenting, teaching and other interactions with children. (No credit if student has taken Human Development 107). Offered Fall and Spring.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate familiarity with major child developmental concepts, methods of study, and theories
2. Identify and understand each developmental stage in the context of the major developmental theories
3. Demonstrate familiarity with social and cultural differences in child development as it relates to major developmental themes and practices
Psychology 160
Introduction to Lifespan Psychology - 3 Units
Class Hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: None
Introduction to human development from a psychological perspective. Explores human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined from classical and contemporary perspectives. Attention will also be given to both normative and non-normative development. (previously named Psyc 180)
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze the major developmental theories and how these perspectives apply to real world problems and issues across the lifespan
2. Apply the scientific method in the context of developmental research in understanding human development
3. Evaluate the developmental sequence of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development across the lifespan
Psychology 170
Multicultural Psychology - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: None
Introduces students to important issues related to cultural diversity in the field of psychology. Major areas of psychology will be explored from a multicultural perspective, including research, mental health, social psychology, and identity development. Exploration of historically underrepresented populations in the U.S. will be emphasized.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Apply the concept of privilege and how it serves to define the worldviews of culturally diverse individuals
2. Evaluate the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism and how these relate to understanding and biases toward individuals who are culturally different from us
3. Apply a broad understanding of the concept of culture
Psychology 201
Introduction to Biological Psychology with Lab - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: Psychology 100
Explores relationships between the physiological structures of the body and human behavior. Focuses on the organization and function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, glands, sensory and perceptual systems. Relates physiological functioning to motivated behavior, addiction, and psychological disorders. Offered Fall and Spring.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate familiarity with the behavioral methods used to study brain-behavior relationships
2. Apply knowledge of mental processes using neurophysiological and neuroanatomical concepts, principles, and theories
3. Locate the fundamental structural components of the neuron and demonstrate knowledge of neural communication, emphasizing resting potential, action potential, depolarization, hyperpolarization, metabotropic receptors, ionotropic receptors, and synaptic transmission.
4. Distinguish the functions of the fundamental structures of the nervous system, emphasizing major division of the brain
Psychology 210
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences - 4 units
Class hours: 64 lecture
Prerequisite: Math 080 with a minimum grade of C or Math 081 with a minimum grade of C
Introduces psychology and behavioral science majors to descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Knowledge of these methods is essential to the understanding, interpretation, and performance of scientific research. Topics covered include probability theory, hypothesis testing, correlation, analysis of variance, the graphical representation of data, basic research design, and the use of computer software to perform statistical analyses.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Recognize the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics, sample statistics and population parameters, and use of probability in hypotheses testing
2. Apply knowledge of probability in hypothesis testing and identify appropriate statistical procedures to analyze and interpret different types of data, given the scales of measurement of the data and the type of research question
3. Distinguish use of basic statistical analyses (e.g. correlation, linear regression, chi-square tests, t-test, ANOVA), the central limit theorem, and the main statistical assumptions related to these tests
Psychology 219
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology (CAN PSY 8) - 3 units
Class hours: 36 lecture, 54 laboratory
Prerequisite: Psych 210 or Mathematics 219 which may be taken concurrently, and Psychology 100
Emphases methods of study in psychology, experimental designs, analysis of variables contributing to experimental results, and data treatment measurement.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate familiarity with major research method concepts, research designs, data analysis, and interpretation
2. Demonstrate familiarity with writing formal scientific reports in American Psychological Association (APA) format
3. Apply research method principles and APA writing style in completing an independent research project
Psychology 230
Psychology of Adjustment - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: None
Introduction to psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic and existential theories of personality as they relate to dealing effectively with the adjustment demands of everyday life. Includes coverage of the dynamics of stress and coping, interpersonal relationships, and approaches to personal growth.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Design, conduct, and analyze a self-study relating to their own behavior in regards to psychological effectiveness in the context of Humanistic theories of personal growth
2. Demonstrate the skills of active listening in communication and understand the benefits of this communication style to psychological well-being, personal growth and conflict resolution
3. Evaluate the major humanistic theories in psychology, including positive psychology, and how they can apply to personal growth
Note: This course was formerly named Psychology of Effective Behavior
Psychology 240
Introduction to Social Psychology - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: Psychology 100 or Sociology 100
An exploration of the interlocking dynamics of psychology and sociology focusing on the impact of social groups on individuals on groups. Content includes self-development, interaction, attitudes, conformity, friendship, love, aggression, group dynamics. Not offered every semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Evaluate the findings of, and possible ethical issues associated with, classic experiments conducted in the field of social psychology (i.e., Stanford prison experiment, Milgram’s obedience study, Asch’s conformity study, etc.)
2. Analyze cognitive biases and norm violations in everyday, social situations
3. Evaluate the ethical considerations of the research methodology used in the field (e.g., deception, psychological harm, etc.)
Psychology 250
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology - 3 units
Class hours: 54 lecture
Prerequisite: Psychology 100
Introduction to the commonly diagnosed behavior pathologies. Includes psychophysiological disorders, anxiety, depression, antisocial patterns, addictions and alcoholism, sexual dysfunctions, schizophrenia, developmental and organic disorders. Emphasis is on identification, symptomatology, etiology, and methods of therapeutic intervention.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Apply concepts of etiology, psychopathology, and the implications for treatment in the analysis of case studies
2. Examine how ethnicity, gender, and age influence the etiology and diagnosis of psychological disorders and access to treatment
3. Evaluate how changes in individual thoughts and behaviors and family systems may reduce the risk of mental disorders
