The culmination of student academic experiences,the SCE in Psychology is intended to provide eachstudent with an opportunity to deeply explore aresearch topic in psychology. In consultation witha faculty mentor, a process of active inquiry isfacilitated that requires critical thinking,integration of acquired knowledge and skills, andmastery of intellectual accomplishment beyond theclassroom. A theoretical review of aproblem/question in the field or a data-drivenresearch project is completed by each student.

An introduction to the scientific study ofbehavior and mind, embracing all aspects of humanexperience. This course introduces the student tothe cognitive, neurological, and biologicalaspects of psychology in addition to basicresearch methodologies and major findings in theseareas. Topics include the anatomical andfunctional organization of the nervous system,consciousness, learning, and memory.

An introduction to the scientific study ofbehavior and mind, embracing all aspects of humanexperience. This course introduces the student tothe clinical/counseling, developmental,personality, and social aspects of psychology inaddition to basic research methodologies and majorfindings in these areas. Topics include socialinteractions, theories of personality,psychopathology, and development. PSY 111 is not aprerequisite for PSY 112.

View Available Sections for titles anddescriptions of Special Topics offered thissemester.

This course provides a broad overview of humangrowth and development from infancy to lateadulthood. Changes in biological, cognitive,emotional, and social domains are discussed ateach period of the lifespan. Topics includeheredity, learning, emotional development,temperament, attachment, gender development,developmental disorders, peer relationships,families, and aging. Recent research in thesedomains is also highlighted.

A survey of human physiological and behavioralresponses to commonly used drugs. Special emphasisis placed on nonprescription drugs (nicotine,alcohol, caffeine), psychotherapeutic agents(anti-anxiety drugs, anti-depressant medications,anti-psychotic drugs), and other psychoactivedrugs (opiates, hallucinogens, marijuana).Societal issues related to illicit and therapeuticdrug use, abuse, legislation and policies also aretopics of exploration and discussion.

Consideration of sampling theory, the design ofexperiments, and the analysis and presentation ofdata with emphasis on correlation, t-test, chisquare, and the analysis of variance. Attention isgiven to parametric and non-parametric procedures.Students learn both to hand calculate and to use asimple computer analysis package to analyze data.

The study of the biological bases of human andnon-human behavior. The emphasis is on theorganization of the nervous system as it relatesto behavior and conscious thought. Specific topicsmay include: structure and function of the nervousand endocrine systems; mechanisms ofneurotransmission; neurologic disorders; feeding;reproduction; aggression; sleep and dreaming;functional organization of sensory and motorsystems; lateralization of function and languagedisorders; learning and memory; and the biologicalbases of emotion and psychopathology.

A biological approach to the study of humansexuality. This course emphasizes topics such asthe anatomy and physiology of the humanreproductive system, conception and contraception,STDs and infertility and then continues on todiscuss the influences that shape sexual attitudesas well as the values and behavior systems thatinfluence human sexual behavior. An overview ofattitudes towards sexuality across cultures isincluded.

The course surveys the major topics and theoriesof social psychology, such as social perception,attitudes, altruistic behavior, aggression,attraction, social cognition, as well as appliedareas of social psychology and the legal systemand the social psychology of health behavior.Special emphasis is placed on original researchand recent developments in the field.

Discussion of the major approaches to personalityfrom the psychodynamic approach of Freud to thecontemporary cognitive approaches of Kelly,Bandura, and Mischel. Research regarding majorpersonality attributes (need for achievement,authoritarianism, intelligence) may also bediscussed.

Evaluation of the etiology of various forms ofbehavior disorders (anxiety, mood, substanceabuse, psychotic), their symptoms, and treatment.These disorders are considered in relation toclinical theories, research, and practice.

Evaluation of the etiology, symptoms, andtreatment of behavior disorders within the broadareas of childhood/developmental disorders andmedical/organically induced abnormal behavior.Specific topics include disorders of personality,impulse-control, eating, sleep, sex, andneurocognition. Disorders are considered inrelation to clinical theories, research, andpractice.

This course will provide students with anintroduction to mindfulness through a combinationof lecture, practice, and class discussion.Students will learn the core principles ofmindfulness and how to apply them to their dailylives. A key component of this experiential coursewill involve students developing their ownmindfulness practice, as they explore differentstrategies and develop skills to enhance theirawareness of the mind-body connection.

View Available Sections for titles anddescriptions of Special Topics offered thissemester.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and astudent letting the student study a topic ofinterest not offered at WC. 45 hours are requiredper credit.

This course explores the current theories andresearch of social and personality developmentfrom infancy to adolescence. Topics includeemotional development, temperament, attachment,aggression, moral development, self-concept, andgender-role development. We also discuss theeffects that parents, peers, and the media canhave on children's development. Students have theopportunity to conduct a developmental psychologyresearch project. PSY 209 is recommended.

This course examines the major theories ofcounseling, including humanistic,psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, action-oriented, andmulticultural theories, among others. This coursealso examines key common factors across theoriesand provides opportunities to acquire practicalcounseling process skills such as active listeningand problem-solving skills.

An in-depth study of the chemistry andpharmacology of the nervous system. Laboratoryexercises emphasize the use of laboratory animalmodels in pharmacological research. The actions ofpharmacological agents on both the central nervoussystem and the peripheral nervous system areexplored. Laboratory exercises emphasize the useof behavioral measures used by pharmaceuticalresearchers to assess dose effects, drugtolerance, withdrawal, and drug interactions.

A survey overview of appropriate research designsemployed in psychological research. Emphasis is onevaluation and application of scientific methodsand data analysis in inferential statistics.Specific topics include factorial designs andanalysis of variance, appropriate group comparisontests of significance, prediction and multipleregression, and an overview of other advancedresearch designs and analyses. Examples are drawnfrom a wide range of behavioral sciences.Principles relating to the planning,implementation, and ethics of psychologicalresearch are examined and emphasis is placed uponcritical evaluation of published research. Asignificant portion of the course is devoted toinstruction in SPSS, a computer-based statisticalpackage.

Human Neuropsychology examines brainstructure-function relationships. Students areexposed to mental status screening techniques andneuropsychological evaluation methods,incorporating these tools as part of theirsemester-long, lab research projects. Studentsbecome familiar with the major neurologicaldisorders, including the typical brain structuresinvolved, how the disorders are diagnosed, theirdifferential functional impact, and commonrehabilitative treatments.

Reviews of theoretical and empirical researchrelated to classical, operant and cognitiveaspects of learning. Emphasis in lectures and thelaboratory is on the use of these theoreticalcontributions within the discipline of AppliedBehavioral Analysis.

Cognitive neuroscience investigates the biologicalbasis of higher order cognition and complex humanbehavior. Topics include perception, attention,memory, language, and executive function. Thelaboratory portion provides opportunities todiscuss, demonstrate, and experience cognitive andneural phenomena.

A survey of the methods by which humans detect andprocess external stimuli and the brain pathwaysinvolved in creating meaningful perceptions out ofsensory information. Special attention is directedto sensory physiology, perceptual illusions anddeficits in each sensory modality, includingvision, audition, olfaction, taste, and touch.Laboratory demonstrations and simulations areintended to provide concrete examples and providea mechanism for exploring each sensory modality.

An examination of the psychological effects ofhealth behavior, physical effects of psychologicalexperiences, and theories of health behavior.Applies social psychological perspectives to suchtopics as stress-related diseases, placeboeffects, doctor-patient interactions, dying, andthe hospital environment. Additionally, the coursecovers theories and research on preventive healthbehavior; adherence to medical treatment; healthlifestyles; substance use and abuse; and anxietyand depression in medical illness. Laboratorycomponent is a qualitative study of individuals'health experiences.

Thorough and critical examination of currentsocial-psychological thought and theory throughdiscussion of primary experimental reports andreview articles. The issues addressed in thiscourse vary from year-to-year, but have includedsocial exclusion, self-regulation, lying anddetecting deceit, gossip, violent video games,sexism, racism, humor, terror management,happiness, awe and humility. The laboratorycomponent involves student-initiated research inlaboratory or natural settings.

Examines work and organizational behavior frompsychological, business science, and sociologicalviewpoints. Topics include personnel psychology,job motivation, and job satisfaction, and otherjob attitudes are examined along withorganizational culture, group process, leadership,and organizational development. Concepts areappropriate for application to corporations andsmall businesses as well as community groups andnonprofit organizations.

An analysis of the construction, interpretation,and application of various psychological tests andmeasurement tools. Personality, intelligence,vocational, achievement, and aptitude tests areevaluated.

This course offers students a broad understandingof contemporary social problems and the socialwelfare policies, programs and services designedto address them. The history, individual andsocial consequences, and programmatic approachesto the amelioration of each social problem area isexplored. A primary goal of this course is tointroduce students to the profession of socialwork: its fields of practice, values and ethics. This course integrates core social workcompetencies and has particular relevance tostudents considering practice, administrative orpolicy careers in the helping professions.

View Available Sections for titles anddescriptions of Special Topics offered thissemester.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty memberand a student researching a topic of interest thatis relevant to a student's major or minor.Research is conducted on campus. Students must beenrolled before the research can begin. 45 hoursare required per credit.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty memberand a student researching a topic of interest thatis relevant to a student's major or minor.Research is conducted off-campus. Students must beenrolled before the research can begin. 45 hoursare required per credit.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and astudent letting the student study a topic ofinterest not offered at WC. 45 hours are requiredper credit.

This required 2-credit course, normally takenduring the second semester of the junior year,teaches foundational skills essential topsychology as a professions, such as ethicscertification, writing in the discipline, andproposal development. By taking this seminar,students have the opportunity to clarifyachievement goals and develop academic and careerplans.

Multicultural Competence provides an introductionto multicultural and diversity issues inpsychology. This course examines topics such as:multicultural issues in counseling, power andprivilege, cultural humility, intersectionality,the link between oppression and mental health,advocacy, and social justice. This courseencourages personal reflection and the developmentof self-awareness in order to understand how ourown cultural identities and backgrounds -including experiences of privilege andmarginalization and the intersections of theseexperiences- shape our ways of being in the world.During lab, students have the opportunity toengage in interactive activities and projects toenhance understanding of course material.

This course is recommended for students who arepreparing for graduate study in neuroscience ormedicine and combines seminar and lab work. Thetopics discussed in the seminar vary from year toyear (e.g., psychopharmacology of mood disorders,animal models of mental illness, traumatic braininjury, cognitive & neurological assessment) andmay be repeated with permission of theconcentration advisor. During the final portion ofthe course, students design and conduct a pilotresearch project. The project should be a meansfor the student to hone skills (e.g., perfect aspecific surgical procedure) or apply specificresearch techniques (e.g., neural tract-tracing,histochemistry, clinical neurological assessment,animal behavioral assessments, or topographic EEGmapping) available to students in the departmentlaboratories for his or her senior thesis project.

This course provides the student with knowledgeand experience in the clinical assessment ofchildren. In addition to clinical report writing,students learn observational techniques,interviewing skills, behavioral/emotional scales,and measures of cognitive assessment that arespecific to children and adolescents.

Supervised experience in a community agency oron-campus providing some aspect of wellnessprevention or psychological intervention services.The class includes seminar sessions to helpstudents achieve a fuller understanding of theirplacement experiences. A large variety ofplacements are available. PSY 490 is used for 2and 4 credit experiences. A maximum of 12internship credits can be earned between on-campusand community/off-campus options, but no more thaneight community internship credits can be accrued.

View Available Sections for titles anddescriptions of Special Topics offered thissemester.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty memberand a student researching a topic of interest thatis relevant to a student's major or minor.Research is conducted on campus. Students must beenrolled before the research can begin. 45 hoursare required per credit.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty memberand a student researching a topic of interest thatis relevant to a student's major or minor.Research is conducted off-campus. Students must beenrolled before the research can begin. 45 hoursare required per credit.

An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and astudent letting the student study a topic ofinterest not offered at WC. 45 hours are requiredper credit.