Applies psychological science to the assessment, intervention, and consultation needs of older adults and their families, addressing normative and pathological aging processes within a biopsychosocial framework. This course examines theoretical models of adult development and aging, DSM relevant disorders, and core competencies in assessment, evidence-based treatment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Topics include cognitive decline, mood and anxiety disorders, health-related stressors, decisional capacity, and health promotion. Prerequisite: 171.
In this course, students learn about causal claims and experimental methods in psychology. Emphasis will be placed on understanding simple experiments, factorial designs, ethics in experiments with human subjects, and replication and open science principles. The major assignment is a comprehensive research project that requires students to design and implement an experiment, analyze the data, and prepare a final presentation and paper in APA style. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in PSYC 223 and 230. Open to psychology majors only.
Students learn how contemporary psychologists use the scientific method to study mental processes (that is, the "mind"), with an emphasis on major constructs: perception, attention, memory, language, and reasoning. Regular activities include hands-on experiments to collect data, followed by basic data analysis, visualization, and interpretation. Students will also critically evaluate several cognitive psychology journal articles. Prerequisite: 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
This course introduces students to a range of behavior disorders including anxiety disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, substance-related disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and personality disorders.
Health psychology is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study that explores the complex bi-directional relationship between psychological and physical health. This course examines the interactions between chronic medical conditions and psychological factors, such as stress, psychological states, and personality. Students will also learn about strategies for coping with stress and improving health and well-being, as well as the benefits of stress. Prerequisite: 171.
Considering the increasing diversity of the United States and a more interconnected world, this course has two aims. First, this course provides students with an understanding of why fostering belonging is necessary to create healthy and thriving diverse communities. Second, this course provides students with an understanding of how to create communities of belonging. Through a multidisciplinary lens, we will explore and discuss when, why, and how race was invented.
Social psychology is a scientific area in the discipline of psychology that seeks an understanding of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. This course will focus on gaining an understanding of social psychological explanations for social influence and to improve understanding of common research methodologies utilized in social psychological research.
Psychological Testing explores the history, theory, and methods of measuring human behavior. Students will receive exposure to a variety of representative tests of intelligence, personality, neuropsychological functioning, and more. Strongly recommended for students interested in counseling, clinical, and industrial organization psychology. Prerequisite: 171. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
This course provides a comprehensive examination of psychological, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders with onset typically occurring in childhood and adolescence. Emphasis is placed on the diagnostic criteria, classification systems, and symptomatology as delineated in the DSM. The curriculum addresses potential causes and risk factors, evidence-based interventions, and preventive strategies, integrating multiple theoretical orientations and empirical findings. Special focus is given to the application of diagnostic and treatment principles within professional practice settings.
This course introduces students to the study of behavior and mental processes including cognition, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, interpersonal interactions, psychological disorders, and much more. Students receive exposure to the breadth of the scientific field of psychology with an emphasis on evaluating behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective. SS