Undergraduate Courses

PSY 1013. General Psychology. Introduction to the science of behavior, examining overt actions and covert mental processes. Discusses social, developmental, and biological influences. Topics may include personality, motivation, emotions, learning, memory, sensation, perception, mental illness, therapy, and social behavior. Note: General Psychology is a prerequisite that must be taken before any other psychology course except for our diversity courses (Human Diversity, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Multicultural Mental Health) or other classes in special cases approved by the department chair.

PSY 1073. General Psychology - Honors. This course is an experimentally oriented and writing-intensive introduction to the science of behavior, examining overt actions and covert mental processes, addressing all aspects of life including biological, cognitive, developmental, ethical, social, and spiritual dimensions. Weekly seminar readings and discussions explore psychological scholars such as Freud, James, Köhler, Lewin, Münsterberg, Skinner, and Watson. Students may choose to lead seminar sessions of all stripes examining other historical figures and topics inherent to the discipline of psychology.

PSY 2023. Abnormal Psychology. The origin, identification, treatment, and social implications of abnormal behavior, emphasizing etiology (origin), symptoms, and diagnosis of specific mental illnesses according to DSM-IV criteria. Topics include obsessions, compulsions, addictions, stress, phobias, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, senility, amnesia, multiple personality, sexual difficulties, eating disorders, learning disabilities, childhood behavioral problems, and more.

PSY 2033. Applied Psychology. Application of research methods and psychological theories to modern day settings and everyday life, with particular emphasis on behavior modification, personal adjustment, and social relationships. Examines opportunities for occupations, internships, and practicum experiences in psychology and related areas.

PSY 2143. Experimental Statistics. Experimental design and analysis. An introduction to basic statistical principles and analyses including measures of central tendency, variability, the normal curve, hypothesis testing, bivariate regression, and an introduction to inferential statistics. Incorporates statistical and graphics computer software. 

PSY 2263. Developmental Psychology. This course concentrates on development from conception through death. Among the topics covered are prenatal environment, genetics, physical development, cognitive development, marriage, and aging. The approach is life-span. Issues include the nature versus nurture, continuity versus stages, and stability versus change debates.

PSY 2373. Human Diversity. The variety of human experience is examined, focusing on differences and similarities in individual human behavior as related to issues such as race, ethnicity, gender, gender roles, creed, religion, culture, age, body type, physical conditions, sexual orientation, learning differences, social skills differences, intelligence level, regional differences, language, dialect, socioeconomic status, cliques, and other areas of individual and group differences. We focus on individuals rather than the groups themselves. Not limited to cultural issues, diversity concerns both majorities and minorities, including many areas (such as body type, intellectual skills, etc.) which do not involve simple group membership. Prerequisites: None.

PSY 2533. Learning. A historical approach to traditional and contemporary theories of learning. Explores fundamental concepts and phenomena of classical & instrumental conditioning, Gestalt psychology, and cognitive problem solving. Discusses biochemical bases of learning and biological constraints on learning. Includes a computer laboratory that incorporates data collection and analyses of basic conditioning phenomena with a virtual rat. Co-requisite: PSY 2541 Principles of Learning Laboratory.

PSY 2541. Learning Laboratory. Students conduct basic conditioning exercises through computer simulations. Computer laboratory incorporates data collection and analyses of basic conditioning phenomena with a virtual rat. Co-requisite: PSY 2533 Principles of Learning.

PSY 3001, 3002, or 3003. Special Topics in Psychology. This elective is designed for faculty to teach special courses in their areas of expertise, to offer courses of particular interest to students, and to address contemporary issues in the study of psychology. The topics will vary each time the course is taught, and will be announced when the course is offered. Junior-level special topics covered have included Health Care Ethics and Applied Research Problems. Course may be repeated when a different topic is taught.

PSY 3043. Cross-Cultural Psychology. Emphasizing non-Western cultures, this course focuses on the influences of culture upon individual human behavior, examining factors leading to socio-cultural similarities and differences in action, thought, emotion, personality, and behavioral norms. Also examines how theorists from various cultures differ in their approach to the science of psychology. Meets the university requirement to take a Non-Western Cultures course. Prerequisites: None.

PSY 3053. Multicultural Mental Health. This course examines Non-Western perspectives on mental health, including issues of psychological science, diagnosis, and treatment. Culture-bound syndromes rarely found in Western society are explored. Coverage includes social and cultural determinants of psychopathology and the range of problems in individuals, families, and communities; mental health of indigenous peoples, ethnocultural minorities, immigrants, and refugees; cultural views on related issues such as suicide; mental health issues among native Americans and other citizens of non-Western/non-European descent; and the influence of Eastern philosophy on areas of contemporary psychology, views toward mental health, and how the mentally ill are treated.  Meets the university requirement to take a Non-Western Cultures course. Prerequisites: None.

PSY 3063. Social Psychology. Scientific study of human interaction. Topics of discussion include intimate relationships, aggression, prejudice, attitudes, propaganda, conformity, obedience, group dynamics, decision making, cognitive biases, how to see through deception, how individuals win friends and influence people, and various means of intentional and unintentional manipulation. Major theories include cognitive dissonance, social learning, and attribution theory, among others.

PSY 3113. Personality. The major theories of personality and their integration of biological, developmental, environmental, and learning determinants. Theoretical approaches discussed include psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, developmental, cognitive, social learning, and other perspectives. The course examines the theorists and their theories, looking at how their lives shaped their different theoretical perspectives as well as how they influenced their fellow theorists.

PSY 3153. Cognitive Psychology. Comprehensive overview of cognitive psychology. This course puts heavy emphasis on areas like perception, memory, knowledge, language, thinking, and reasoning, and includes examination of a number of experimental studies that served as crucial milestones in developing the area of cognitive psychology.

PSY 3213. Infancy & Childhood. Theories and empirical findings on social, perceptual, physical, cognitive, moral, personality, and emotional development in the period of child growth from conception to the beginning of adolescence, with discussion of issues including child-rearing, nature versus nurture, continuity versus stages, and stability versus change. Both normal and abnormal development are considered, including examination of learning differences and early psychopathology.

PSY 3233. Critical and Analytical Thinking. Examines specific techniques for solving problems through evaluative thinking. Students learn the steps in thinking critically and analytically, how to evaluate the accuracy and value of information in everyday life, and how to apply these skills to specific topics. Topics discussed include advertising, persuasion, doubletalk, debunking pseudoscience, and more. A section of the course focuses on preparation for portions of standardized tests such as the GRE or LSAT.

PSY 3273. History and Systems. Explores historical antecedents of the science of psychology as well as the evolvement of contemporary experimental, physiological, and clinical psychology. Pioneers in the history of psychology are discussed within the contexts of their personal lives, respective Zeitgeists, and areas of specialization. Methods of exploration and philosophical perspectives on recurring questions in the history of psychology are examined.

PSY 3303. Motivation. Analysis of the physiological, emotional, social, and psychological determinants of behavior. Examines the basic question of what motivates animal and human behavior as well as factors that can modify aspects of behavior.

PSY 3333. Forensic Psychology. The psychology of crime, crime solving, and court processes; examining the causes, classification, prevention, intervention, and treatment of criminal behavior from a social psychological perspective, as well as applications of psychology in criminal investigation and in the courtroom. Topics may include con artists, street crime, domestic violence, financial crimes, sex crimes, stalkers, serial killers, lie detection, eyewitness memory, insanity defense, and much more. Prerequisites: General Psychology (PSY 1013) or Introduction to Sociology (SOC 1013).

PSY 4001, 4002, or 4003. Special Topics in Psychology. This senior college course is an elective designed for faculty to teach special courses in their areas of expertise, to offer courses of particular interest to students, and to address contemporary issues in the study of psychology. The topics will vary each time the course is taught, and will be announced when the course is offered. Senior-level special topics covered have included Psychology of Women, Phenomenological Psychology, and Comics & Psychology. Course may be repeated when a different topic is taught.

  PSY 4283. Sensation & Perception. This course is designed to introduce important philosophical questions regarding perceptual phenomena. These questions turned topics will then be looked at from current perspectives with multi-level analysis encompassing physiology, psychophysics, and computational domains including both animal and human experiences. The objective of the course is not only to introduce sensation and perception but to lead students to critically appreciate an ever richer understanding of the subject from ancient historical beginnings to its modern understanding.

PSY 4293. Physiological Psychology. An intensive course exploring the inextricable link between physiology and behavior. Topics relating to the mammalian nervous system include anatomy & function, psychopharmacology, brain structure, thirst & hunger, cardiovascular function, and physiological & psychological perspectives on a variety of motor, memory, and affective disorders.

PSY 4323. Behavior Modification. Explores the application of classical and operant conditioning to problems of social importance. Topics likely to be covered include social skills and language training in individuals with developmental disabilities; the treatment of drug addictions, childhood behavior disorders, and phobias; and improvement of safety and productivity in the workplace. Prerequisite: Learning (PSY2533).

PSY 4343. Advanced Statistics. Advanced experimental design and analysis. Highlights the selection, computation, and interpretation of randomized, repeated measures, and multifactor analyses of variance. Explores other parametric analyses including post hoc tests, student t tests, and multiple regression. Non-parametric analyses include chi-square designs, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis analyses. Incorporates statistical and graphics computer software. Prerequisite: Experimental Statistics (PSY 2143).

PSY 4353. Psychology in Literature. Psychological study of literature, exploring its structure, function, and psychological value. Topics of discussion include symbolism, archetypes, genres, the purpose of storytelling, applications of psychological theories and concepts, accuracy in the depiction of psychological variables and mental health professionals, how writing and reading reflect cognitive processes, and the therapeutic value of literature. Character analyses involve examination of personality, mental illness, developmental issues, conflicts, and motivation.

PSY 4363.  Verbal Behavior. A functional approach to speech development and language analysis. Topics of discussion include speech disorders, functions of speech in the modern world, physiology of speech, forensic linguistics, rule-governed behavior, social interaction, and communication in cyberspace.

PSY 4433. Psychological Tests and Measurements. Fundamentals of psychological test construction, administration, and application to modern clinical and counseling practice. Includes a survey of the most widely used instruments in psychological testing. Prerequisite: Experimental Statistics (PSY 2143).

PSY 4693. Love & Sexual Behavior. Intimate relationships including friendship, romance, sex, and marriage. The material looks at relational behavior that is normal or abnormal, mature or immature, healthy or unhealthy. Discussions will examine factors that may play roles in determining whether relationships succeed or fail, such as communication, negotiation, gender differences, cultural differences, and predictors of divorce. Topics include attraction, courtship, dating, mating, marriage, parenting, divorce, jealousy, fidelity, sexual response cycle, dysfunctions, paraphilias, obsession, impulsivity, sex crimes, and Internet relationships.

PSY 4723. Psychology of Religion. This course examines the empirical data and psychological theories involving religious beliefs, practices, and experiences. At completion of this course, students should be knowledgeable of the psychological functions of religion for individuals.

PSY 4743. Counseling Theories and Techniques. Examines the therapeutic process and practical elements of counseling interactions. Discussions include consideration of ethical and professional issues. An experiential laboratory promotes essential listening and attending skills. The course promotes the development of self-evaluation, writing, and critical thinking skills; encourages integration of theoretical and experiential learning; facilitates the formation of a personal model of the counseling process; challenges self-reflection on personal qualities that support and hinder attempts at being therapeutic for others; and helps students understand ways to apply the major theories to specific cases.

Courses outside the classroom: Independent Study, Independent Research, and Practicum in Psychology are special courses for advanced students. No one is automatically permitted to take these. Interested students must submit a formal plan for the proposed project or volunteer work, which must be approved by the mentoring professor and the person who will supervise the work on-site. These conditions apply for PSY 4893 Advanced Independent Research as well.

PSY 4701, 4702, or 4703. Independent Study. Closely supervised study on a topic in the realm of psychology by an advanced student, in accordance with the student's interest and as contracted with the professor. The student will conduct advanced readings within a topic that meets the student's needs or interests, and will design, conduct, and report results of an advanced research project concerning this topic. May be repeated. Prerequisites: At least 9 hours of completed psychology coursework and consent of the professor.

PSY 4711, 4712, or 4713. Practicum in Psychology. Closely supervised field experience by an advanced student in an applied setting in which psychological services are provided. Responsibilities include but are not necessarily limited to the following: ten hours a week (depending on nature and difficulty of the work) of volunteer work, keeping a record of practicum activities, and obtaining a written statement from the on-site supervisor describing and evaluating the student's work. May be repeated. Prerequisites: At least 9 hours of completed psychology coursework, consent of the department chair, and contracting in advance with both the professor and the on-site supervisor.

PSY 4771, 4772, or 4773. Independent Research. Closely supervised research on a topic in the realm of psychology by an advanced student, in accordance with the student's interest and as contracted with the professor. The student will design, conduct, and report results of an advanced research project. May be repeated. Prerequisites: At least 9 hours of completed psychology coursework and consent of the professor.

Capstone Experience: One-year sequence in experimental psychology consisting of Experimental Methods (PSY 4733) followed by an advanced research course (PSY 4833, 4863, or 4893).

PSY 4733. Experimental Methods. Covers experimental research methods in psychology and is the first course of the Capstone Experience. Course content includes specifying research issues, designing valid research methodology, conducting the study, and analyzing the results. Prerequisite: Experimental Statistics (PSY 2143).

PSY 4833. Advanced Experimental Psychology. Each student designs and conducts an original experiment subject to approval of the instructor and our Internal Review Board for Research with Humans & Animals. Requisites include collection and analysis of data, preparation of a scientific paper replete with APA format, and presentation at an approved undergraduate conference. This experience provides a strong foundation for all students as they prepare for graduate study or Bachelor level career positions. Includes advanced discussion of research methodology and design in psychological research. Prerequisites: Experimental Statistics (PSY 2143) and Experimental Methods (PSY 4733).

PSY 4863. Advanced Social Psychology. This course is an option for completing the Capstone Experience sequence in psychology. Study of human interaction with advanced readings in the classic and current research in social psychology. In-depth, critical readings on classic and current research in social psychology, and experimental testing of hypotheses about the nature of social behavior. Students design, conduct, and present experimental studies of social behavior, subject to instructor approval and internal review of ethical and procedural issues and standards. Includes consideration of ethical issues concerning deception and other aspects of experimentation in social psychology. Prerequisites: Experimental Statistics (PSY 2143), Experimental Methods (PSY 4733), and either Social Psychology (PSY 3063) or Personality (PSY 3113).

PSY 4893. Advanced Independent Research in Psychology.  This course is an option for completing the Capstone Experience sequence in psychology through supervised independent study: Experimentation on a topic selected by the student, with in-depth, critical readings of classic and major current research within a relevant discipline in the field of psychology. Research plan and course of study must be approved in advance by department chair and faculty project mentor. This is a special course that may be taken only in rare instances when the independent plan of study might better fit the student's needs than would the department's regularly offered advanced research courses. Prerequisites: Instructor approval; Experimental Statistics (PSY 2143); Experimental Methods (PSY 4733); and either Practicum in Psychology (PSY 4713), Independent Study (PSY 4703), Independent Research (4773), or Advanced Statistics (PSY 4343).

Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students may not take graduate level courses until their final semester, when they will be graduating seniors. They may apply to the Graduate School for permission to take up to 6 hours for graduate credit while still undergraduate students.

PSY 5001, 5002, or 5003. Special Topics in Psychology. This graduate course is an elective designed for faculty to teach special courses in their areas of expertise, to offer courses of particular interest to students, and to address contemporary issues in the study of psychology. The topics will vary each time the course is taught, and will be announced when the course is offered. To meet specific needs, some upper-level undergraduate courses (e.g., Advanced Statistics, Cognitive Psychology, Physiological Psychology) can be offered for graduate course credit under this heading. Graduate-level special topics covered include Personality Theories and Problems in Adolescence. Course may be repeated when a different topic is taught.

PSY 5353. Psychology in Literature. Psychological study of literature, exploring its structure, function, and psychological value. Topics of discussion include symbolism, archetypes, genres, the purpose of storytelling, applications of psychological theories and concepts, accuracy in the depiction of psychological variables and mental health professionals, how writing and reading reflect cognitive processes, and the therapeutic value of literature. Character analyses involve examination of personality, mental illness, developmental issues, conflicts, and motivation. This course counts as an interdisciplinary elective for Henderson's Master of Liberal Arts program and has been accepted as an elective for the Master of Science in Community Counseling.

PSY 5723. Psychology of Religion. This course examines the empirical data and psychological theories involving religious beliefs, practices, and experiences. At completion of this course, students should be knowledgeable of the psychological functions of religion for individuals. This course counts as an interdisciplinary elective for Henderson's Master of Liberal Arts program.

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