Psychology
Faculty
T. Lee Bakner, Ph.D.
Ashlie N. Johnson, Ph.D.
Megan Kozak Williams, Ph.D. (Chair Spring 2025)
Jennifer R. Linder, Ph.D.
Kay Livesay, Ph.D. (on sabbatical 2024-2025)
Cara Ray, Ph.D. (Non-Tenure Track)
Tanya Tompkins, Ph.D.
Yanna Weisberg, Ph.D. (Chair Fall 2024, on sabbatical Spring 2025)
The science of psychology explores behavior, mental processes and experience. Psychologists apply research, knowledge and expertise to an array of human concerns. The psychology department’s goal is to provide a diversity of courses to meet the range of interests and professional aspirations of students majoring in psychology. The psychology faculty have backgrounds and interests in a variety of areas to assist students as they progress through the major.
Students are encouraged to participate in experiential learning opportunities offered by the department. For students interested in human-relations oriented areas of the discipline, experiences are available through community service and internship programs. For those interested in research, the department has well-equipped facilities where students may conduct independent and/or collaborative student-faculty research.
Organizations and Honors
Awards/Research Support
Ploog-Tieleman Endowment for Undergraduate Research
Adrian Tieleman and Marie Ploog-Tieleman, after having served in the Department of Psychology for many years, provided an endowment to support student research and an annual award for outstanding student research activity.
Butcher-Gehrke Psychology Undergraduate Research Grant
Paul Butcher and Brenda Gehrke, two alumni who greatly valued their research experience, have established gifts to support undergraduate research.
Psi Chi
The Department of Psychology maintains an active chapter of the international honor society, Psi Chi, and invites interested students to consider membership and participation.
Departmental Honors
Students who successfully complete an honors thesis will be awarded at graduation a degree with departmental honors. To do an honors thesis students must have at least a 3.500 GPA in Psychology.
Courses
Paracurricular Courses
PSYC 040 COMMUNITY SERVICE (1 credit)
Applied learning experience in psychology involving volunteer work in a variety of community social service agencies.
(EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING)
PSYC 050 GET PSYCHED (1 credit)
This course is for all freshman and transfer students who might be interested in pursuing psychology. This one credit course is designed to introduce students to the psychology major. In this course students will meet the faculty, learn about different opportunities within the major, as well as be connected to psychology students at different points in their psychology journey. This will help build community within the department and between our students and increase student success.
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Annually
PSYC 080 RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY (1 credit)
Applied learning experience in psychology involving an introduction to research through assisting with a psychology faculty member's ongoing research program. May be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
(EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING)
PSYC 090 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR (1 credit)
Paracurricular course designed to inform psychology majors and minors about post-undergraduate career options. Involves meetings with academic advisors and office of career development, crafting a career road map, attending career/research panels and doing an informational interview. Ideally taken sophomore year.
Prerequisites: Declared major or minor in psychology.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters
(EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING)
Psychology Courses
A list of the department’s infrequently taught courses can be found on the Registrar’s webpages.
PSYC 101 SURVEY OF PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
The study of human behavior. Neurological mechanisms, individual differences, learning, dysfunctional behavior, and social processes. Lecture and discussion.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES, NATURAL WORLD)
PSYC 150 CRAFTING A GOOD LIFE: EXPLORING THE SCIENCE OF WELL-BEING (4 credits)
Disciplinary insights into how to translate science into enhanced well-beging. Topics include (but are not limited to): scientifically-validated strategies for managing cognitive biases that cause miswanting, improving well-being/happiness, achieving behavior change, managing stress/anxiety. Students will learn, practice and teach strategies learned in the course to enhance their own positive behavior change and community well-being.
Typically offered: Fall Semester, As Needed
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 155 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Study of biosocial-developmental processes in the context of individual psychological development from conception to death. Emphasis on life transitions and their multi-determined influences in human development. Applied science orientation. Does not count towards the psychology major or minor. Students may not receive credit for both PSYC 155 and PSYC 286.
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 198 SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL (4 credits)
Topics vary according to faculty availability and interest. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Prerequisites: IDST 098 previous fall.
Typically offered: January Term
PSYC 203 AGGRESSION AND CHILDREN (4 credits)
Study of aggression and violence in the lives of children and adolescents. Exploration of the development of aggression, including relevant theories and research, and the effects of family and community violence on development. Lecture and discussion.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
PSYC 260 FUNDAMENTALS OF NEUROSICENCE (4 credits)
Introduction to cellular, organismal and behavioral neuroscience. Examining principles of neurons, synapses, and brain systems; including structural and functional mechanisms of neurons in sensory systems, perception, movement and neural development. (Listed as BIOL 260, HHPA 260 and PSYC 260)
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, BIOL 210, and BIOL 211.
Typically offered: Spring Semester
PSYC 281 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (4 credits)
Introduction to the classification, causes, and treatment of dysfunctional behavior, with emphasis on phenomenology, theoretical issues, and research.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101. This course must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 282 INTRODUCTION TO BIOPSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Introduction to the physiological, biochemical, and neuroanatomical foundations of behavior and mental processes. Attention to central nervous system function and psychoactive drug effects, sensory/perceptual processes, sleep and dreaming, learning phenomena, memory mechanisms, human communication disorders, and abnormal behavior.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
Typically offered: Spring Semester
(NATURAL WORLD)
PSYC 283 INTRODUCTION TO COGNITION (4 credits)
Exploration of theory and approaches to the study of thinking, memory, problem solving, concept formation, and related areas.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
Typically offered: Fall Semester
(NATURAL WORLD)
PSYC 284 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
The individual in social settings. Social cognition, attitudes, attributions, aggression, altruism, affiliation, conformity. Research, theory, and application.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
Typically offered: Spring Semester
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 285 INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Health Psychology is a rich subfield that seeks to understand human health experiences through a holistic lens. We examine the myriad biological, psychological, and social factors that influence physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. In this class, we will explore foundational and emerging findings in health psychology, build an understanding of health-promoting and compromising behaviors, and apply psychological research methods and theory to not only better our own health, but the health of those around us.
Prerequisites: C- or better in PSYC 101.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Annually
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 286 INTRO TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Study of the cognitive, physical, emotional, and interpersonal development of an individual from birth through adolescence. Issues posed by life stages and transitions, including infancy, childhood and adolescence. Students may not receive credit for both 155 and 286.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 287 INTRODUCTION TO PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Introduction to contemporary and historical perspectives in personality psychology. Topics include trait, social-cognitive, and motivational approaches to personality; personality consistency, stability, change, and development; origins and outcomes of personality.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101.
Typically offered: Fall Semester
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 288 PSYCHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (4 credits)
Introduction to the psychological study of language representation, development and processing. Examines issues involved in ordinary language use from a psycholinguistic point of view; including how individuals comprehend, produce and acquire language, social rules involved in language use, and the effects of second language learning on language representation.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Odd Years
PSYC 298 SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL (4 credits)
Topics vary according to faculty availability and interest. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Prerequisites: IDST 098 previous fall.
Typically offered: January Term
PSYC 325 DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR (4 credits)
General principles of drug effects with attention to neural mechanisms of drug action, addiction, tolerance, and drug classification. Drug use in the treatment of mental health, and drug effects on learning, cognitive, and social processes. Laboratory exposure to experimental research techniques in behavioral pharmacology and descriptive research techniques in psychopharmacology.
Total Course fees: $20.00
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and any one of the following: PSYC 101, PSYC 281, PSYC 282, PSYC 283, PSYC 284, PSYC 286, PSYC 287 or consent of instructor. PSYC 325L required as co-requisite.
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Odd Years
PSYC 340 TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Specialized focus on new developments, advanced topics, or subjects of current interest in psychology. Lecture/lab or seminar format. May be repeated once for credit with different content.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 or consent of instructor.
PSYC 341 MEDIA AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
The role of media in the lives of children and adolescents. Theories and current research on the effects of television, movies, magazines, music, the internet, and video games on cognitive, emotional, and social development. Topics include educational media, advertising, violent media, health behaviors, and policy issues.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 or consent of instructor.
PSYC 347 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN AND GENDER (4 credits)
Current theory and research regarding the psychology of gender. Exploring psychological implications of gender in relation to biology, sexuality, and culture. Topics include (but are not limited to) research methods, achievement, the workplace, parenting, relationships, happiness, and health.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and one area course (PSYC 281, PSYC 282, PSYC 283, PSYC 284, PSYC 286, PSYC 287), or consent of instructor.
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 351 QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Study of data as used in quantitative social science research, including interpretation, analysis, and communication of findings. Techniques will cover quantitative methodology for categorical and continuous variables as found in survey and experimental designs, including correlation, regression, mean differences, and tests of fit and independence. Practical application via laboratory exercises, both by hand and using computer software.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, and at least one of PSYC 281, PSYC 282, PSYC 283, PSYC 284, PSYC 285, PSYC 286 or PSYC 287 or instructor approval. These courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually
(QUANTITATIVE REASONING)
PSYC 352 RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Research methods in the discipline: reading/critiquing psychological studies, reviewing a range of research designs including: correlation and descriptive, basic experimental, factorial, and quasi-experimental. Conduct a collaborative empirical study: review the related literature, formulate a hypothesis, evaluate a range of possible designs, collect data in accord with professional ethics, analyze data, interpret and present results in a manner consistent with professional standards.
Prerequisites: PSYC 351. This course must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually
PSYC 355 LEARNING, MEMORY, AND BEHAVIOR (3 credits)
Human adaption to environmental and social situations. Principles and theories of learning and memory. Does not count toward the psychology major or minor. OFFERED THROUGH ONLINE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION (OCE) ONLY.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or consent of instructor.
PSYC 362 THEORIES OF COUNSELING & PSYCHOTHERAPY (4 credits)
Comparisons of major contemporary theories including: psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and family system theories. Emphasis on components of each theory, similarities and differences among theories, and application of theories described in current professional psychology literature.
Prerequisites: PSYC 281 or PSYC 287. This course must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Typically offered: Every Third Year Or Less Often
(INDIVID/SYSTEMS/SOCIETIES)
PSYC 381 SEMINAR IN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (4 credits)
Advanced topics in the phenomenology, classification, and integration of theory and research in the study of dysfunctional behavior, etiology, and treatment.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and PSYC 281, or consent of instructor.
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Annually
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 382 SEMINAR IN BIOPSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Physiological, biochemical, and neuroanatomical foundations of behavior and mental processes. Primary resources in basic and applied research. Laboratory experience with histological techniques for imaging the nervous system. Research into structure-function relationships in the CNS. Use of classical and operant conditioning techniques to study biological bases of learning.
Total Course fees: $20.00
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and PSYC 282, or consent of instructor. PSYC 382L required co-requisite.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Odd Years
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 383 SEMINAR IN COGNITION (4 credits)
Advanced study of major theories and findings of cognitive science. Topics include attention and visual search, memory, language, reasoning, expertise, problem solving, creativity, intelligence, problems in everyday living, contemporary issues in cognitive science.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and PSYC 283, or consent of instructor. These courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Even Years
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 384 SEMINAR IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Advanced study of topics in social psychology. Social cognition and attribution theory, attitudes and cognitive consistency theories, impact of the group on the individual, self-awareness.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and PSYC 284 or consent of instructor. These courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Annually
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 385 SEMINAR IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
In this course, students will explore both foundational and emerging research findings in the field of health psychology. They will draw connections between the psychological, biological, and social underpinnings of health behaviors and outcomes, granting a holistic view of the human health experience. Students will also learn to critically assess, synthesize, and apply research findings from peer-reviewed articles to form a rich understanding of how people of varying identities experience health. It is the hope that this class will teach students the tools and knowledge they need to improve not only their own lives, but the lives of the many individuals and groups they encounter.
Prerequisites: Must have C- or better in PSYC 285 (Intro Health) and PSYC 352
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Annually
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 386 SEMINAR IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Examination of biological processes, cognitive processes, psychosocial processes, and their functional vs. dysfunctional components across infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and PSYC 286, or consent of instructor. For majors, these courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Annually
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 387 SEMINAR IN PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Advanced study of research and theory in personality psychology. Focus on topics in current personality research from trait, social-cognitive, and motivational perspectives.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352 and PSYC 287, or consent of instructor.
Typically offered: Spring Semester
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 389 COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (4 credits)
Introduction to the neural bases of cognitive functioning. Examination of both lower-order functions such as perception and encoding, and higher-order functions such as memory and language, at both a cellular and systems level of analysis.
Prerequisites: Any one of the following: PSYC 101, 282, 283, or BIOL 212, 213.
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Even Years
(NATURAL WORLD)
PSYC 398 SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL (4 credits)
Topics vary according to faculty availability and interest. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Prerequisites: IDST 098 previous fall.
Typically offered: January Term
PSYC 439 PEER INSTRUCTION (2-5 credits)
Advanced study opportunity for outstanding students to assist faculty members in the classroom and laboratory. Focus on course content and pedagogy. (S/U)
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, application, and consent of instructor.
PSYC 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-5 credits)
For students wanting to investigate further topics of interest developed in regular courses or desiring to study material not specifically addressed in other courses.
Prerequisites: Consent of Psychology major instructor.
PSYC 485 SENIOR SEMINAR: ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
Topics vary with instructors. Psychology staff and other faculty as resource people.
Prerequisites: Senior psychology major or consent of instructor.
Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
PSYC 487 PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP (3-5 credits)
Individualized learning in applied psychology through work in a community service agency. Prequisite: consent of internship supervisor. May be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisites: Consent of internship supervisor.
(EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING)
PSYC 490 ADVANCED RESEARCH OR THESIS IN PSYCHOLOGY (1-5 credits)
Collaborative research experience in an area of psychology. Discussion of research literature, refinement and implementation of a specific research question or proposal, data collection, analysis and presentation of outcomes. Project developed in close consultation with psychology department faculty member providing students with hands-on experiential learning conducting research. Research projects may involve independent or team investigations. No more than 10 credits to be taken as 490.
Prerequisites: PSYC 352, at least one seminar in an area or approved upper-division course, and approval of the faculty member supervising the research.
PSYC 498 SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL (4 credits)
Topics vary according to faculty availability and interest. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Prerequisites: IDST 098 previous fall.
Typically offered: January Term