Southwestern University
2000-2001 Catalog

Professor Jesse E. Purdy, PhD, Chair
Professor Douglas Hooker, PhD
Associate Professor Traci Giuliano, PhD
Associate Professor Jacqueline E. Muir-Broaddus, PhD
Associate Professor Steven Schapiro, PhD (part-time)
Assistant Professor Bryan Neighbors, PhD
Assistant Professor Sarah Henseler, PhD (part-time)
Instructor April L. Bleske, BA (part-time)
Instructor Brian M. Cusato, MA (part-time)
Instructor Matthew Newman, MA (part-time)

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and the mind. In this view behavior refers to the observable actions of an individual person and animal and mind refers to an individual’s sensations, perceptions, memories, thoughts, motivations, and emotions. The Psychology program emphasizes the view that psychology is first a science and then a profession and provides students with a broad background in Psychology. The Psychology program is designed to provide the experiences necessary to prepare the student for graduate school in animal learning and behavior, biopsychology, child psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, personality and social psychology, and social work. In addition, for those students who do not wish to go on to graduate school immediately after the bachelor’s degree, the student is prepared for careers in human services. The Psychology program is housed in the F.W. Olin Building. We have excellent facilities for conducting research with human and animals including a state-of-the-art aquatic animal research laboratory and an excellent classroom laboratory.

To major in Psychology, students must complete Principles of Psychology (33-103), Introduction to Statistics (52-213), and Research Methods (33-204). Students then select two courses from each of the following three areas. Area I: Developmental Psychology (33-623), Experimental Social Psychology (33-443), and Personality Theory and Research (33-263). Area II: Psychology of Learning (33-403), Physiological Psychology (33-463), and Cognitive Psychology (33-423). Area III: Humanistic Psychology (33-605), Psychological Testing (33-643), and Abnormal Psychology (33-683). Students take additional courses to obtain at least 30 semester hours in psychology. Psychology minors need to take 33-103 and additional hours to complete 18 semester hours in Psychology. At least 12 of these hours must be above the intro level. Students do not receive course credit toward graduation requirements for completing more than 42 semester hours in Psychology.

Students interested in attending graduate school in any area of Psychology are strongly encouraged to take at least one course from among the following: Research in Biopsychology (33-813), Research in Developmental/Cognitive Psychology (33-823), and Research in Social Psychology (33-863).

Students wanting to work after graduation in the area of human services or who desire to attend graduate school in clinical or counseling psychology or related fields are strongly encouraged to take Psychology Internship (33-943 or 33-946).

To complete the capstone requirement, students may take either six hours of a research course (33-813, 33-823, or 33-863) or six hours of internship (33-943 or 33-946). To successfully complete the capstone, the student must submit a manuscript based on the experiences obtained in either the research courses or the internships. The manuscript will be held on file with the department chair. With the consent of the department chair and the consent of the instructor, a student may elect to meet the capstone experience through independent study (33-953).

†33-103 PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY. An introduction to the many and diverse topics that fall within the broad domain of psychology. Students will be exposed to the methods and findings of both classic and current psychological research, as well as to the practical applications of this work. Emphasis is placed on acquiring a foundation of knowledge and critical skills that are necessary to evaluate psychological research. (POK-Social Analysis) (Each semester)

†33-123 PARENTING: THEORIES AND REALITIES. An analysis of issues, general trends, and individual variations in parenting skills and in the care and nurturing of children. (Fall) (POK-Values Analysis)

33-204 RESEARCH METHODS. Detailed study of the methods of science within psychology. Emphasis is placed on research designs and the parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses of those designs. In the laboratory students engage in actual experimentation and scientific report writing. Finally, students are introduced to the methods and content concerning psychophysics. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-103 and Mathematics 52-213. (Each semester)

33-224 ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. Study of the methods of science in animal behavior and selected areas in ethology including behavioral genetics, communication, foraging strategies, learning, navigation and migration, ontogeny of behavior, reproductive and mating strategies, physiological bases of behavior, and territoriality. Laboratory experiences provide hands-on experiences in field and laboratory research related to these content areas. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-103 or any introduction to biology course. Also Biology 50-374. (Fall)

33-263 PERSONALITY THEORY AND RESEARCH. A survey course that provides an overview of the major personality theories of the methods used in personality research. Included are type theories, trait theories, and dynamic theories. The emphasis is on examination and evaluation of the experimental evidence pertinent to each theory. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-103. (Spring)

33-403 PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING. Study of the traditional areas of learning psychology, including current theoretical and research considerations of classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, aversive control of behavior, and discrimination learning. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-204. (Fall)

33-423 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY. An examination of the major issues, theories, and research related to human cognition, including the Piagetian and information processing approaches. Students will then focus on specific content areas in cognition, such as language, memory, conceptualization, problem solving, and academic skills. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-204; Psychology 33-623 recommended. (Spring)

33-443 EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. A study of the methods of science within social psychology and its various content areas including attribution theory, aggressive behavior, conformity, cooperation, modeling, altruism, and attitudes. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-204. (Spring)

33-463 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY. A detailed study of neuro-anatomy and neurophysiology. Study of current research concerning pain and pain relief systems, motivation, emotion, learning and memory, and the physiological bases for certain mental disorders. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-204. (Spring)

33-603 HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY. The study of human behavior with emphasis on mental health and authentic personal relationships. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-103. (Each semester)

33-623 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. An overview of current issues, theories and research concerning human development. The major changes in prenatal, cognitive, intellectual, social, and personality development will be examined, focusing on the childhood and adolescent years. The ecology of development will also be considered. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-103. Also Education 40-623 or 44-623 for those seeking kindergarten endorsement. (Each semester)

33-643 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING. A study of the principles of test construction and evaluation and the most commonly utilized psychological assessment techniques. Each student has an opportunity to conduct independent library research regarding the efficacy of assessment techniques and to prepare and present reports. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-103 and Statistics 52-213. (Fall)

33-663 CLINICAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY. A study of psychotherapy and treatment programs for emotionally disturbed and physically abused children. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-603. (Fall)

33-683 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY. A survey of the institutions, theories, and practices involved in the mental health services delivery system. The emphasis is on the critical evaluation of the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental illness. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-204. (Fall)

33-703 INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING. An introduction to the process of counseling. Opportunities are provided for students to enrich their experiences in dealing with personal problems in the counseling setting. Must be taken Pass/D/F. Prerequisite: Psychology 33-603 and 33-123 or 33-663. (Each semester)

33-743 PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION. An examination of the relationship between psychology and religion. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-603. Also Religion 19-463 and University Studies 06-233. (Fall)

33-763 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY. An examination of the many areas in which psychology contributes to educational practice. Topics include theories of learning and cognitive development, the application of cognitive principles to instruction, intellectual and academic assessment principles and instruments, principles of problem formation and resolution, and the recognition and handling of student psychological difficulties. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-623 and admission to Teacher Certification Program or permission of instructor. Also Education 40-763. (Spring)

33-813 RESEARCH IN BIOPSYCHOLOGY. Laboratory or field based research course designed to provide hands-on research experience related to questions concerning animal learning and animal behavior. Students work directly with a given faculty member within the department. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-403 or 33-463, and consent of instructor. Must be taken Pass/D/F. May be repeated with different experience.

33-823 RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL/COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY. Laboratory or field based research course designed to provide hands-on research experience related to questions concerning developmental and cognitive psychology. Students work directly with a given faculty member within the department. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-204 and 33-423 or 33-623, and consent of instructor. May be repeated with different experience. Must be taken Pass/D/F. (Fall)

33-863 RESEARCH IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. Laboratory or field based research course designed to provide hands-on research experience related to questions concerning social psychology. Students work directly with a given faculty member within the department. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-204, 33-443, and consent of instructor. Must be taken Pass/D/F. May be repeated with different experience. (Spring)

33-943 or 33-946 PSYCHOLOGY INTERNSHIP. One hundred and twenty hours of supervised experience in a mental health hospital or human services agency. Prerequisites: Psychology 33-703, and consent of instructor. Depending upon experience, other prerequisites may be required. Must be taken Pass/D/F. May be repeated with different experience. (Spring)

33-301, 302, 303 SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.

33-953 INDEPENDENT STUDY. May be repeated with change in content. If capstone experience, must be taken Pass/D/F.

33-983 HONORS. By departmental invitation.