PSYX - Psychology

PSYX 100IS Introduction to Psychology: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

Introduction to methods and approaches to psychology including exploration of problems in physiological psychology, learning, memory and information processing, abnormal behavior, and social psychology, with selected individual study of other areas related to the student's interests.

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Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to: Define scientific psychology and what psychologists do;
Identify the major fields of study and theoretical perspectives within psychology and know their similarities and differences;
Define the scientific method and its application to psychology;
Differentiate between observational, correlational, and experimental research design and articulate the advantages and limitations of each;
Describe how psychology is applied in real world situations.
Describe how the brain and biological factors influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors;

PSYX 110IS Honors Intro to Psychology: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: Honors Standing. This course introduces students to the scientific method and its use to understand behavior, emotion, and cognition, and build theories and knowledge within key areas of psychological inquiry. A lab component offers hands-on experiences to demonstrate psychological ideas and principles

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Explain the goals of psychology and what the field of psychology entails.
Explain the scientific acquisition of psychological knowledge.
Discuss important theories, discoveries, and ideas within psychology, be conversant on those topics, and familiar enough with these topics to assess your interests in particular psychological sub-areas.
Explain how theoretical ideas relate to experimental methods and results.
Explain how to test correlation and experimental hypotheses
Develop critical thinking skills, allowing you to appreciate the merits of psychological ideas and experimental findings, notice and improve upon flawed or ambiguous experimental designs and findings, and develop alternative interpretations or syntheses of research findings.
Relate psychological theories and findings to every-day life, such as health, cognitive functioning, perception, social stereotypes and disparities, persuasion in business and politics, memory and justice, noticing adjustment and clinical problems in others (and understanding treatment for such problems), etc.

PSYX 194 Psychology Pathways: 1 Credits (1 Lec)

(F, Sp) An introduction for new students to the contemporary areas of Psychology, professional pathways, and applications of Psychology.

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identify some of the basic fields within psychology.\\n
explain the requirements for a Psychology Degree at MSU.\\n
link career options with a psychology degree to the relevant qualifications and experiences.\\n
identify useful sources of information and help in navigating through their Psychology degree and finding career opportunities.\\n
apply some aspects of psychology to both studies at MSU and other types of real-world situations.

PSYX 222 Psychological Statistics: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS; AND either M 105Q (formerly M 145Q), M 121Q, STAT 216Q, or Math Placement exam at level 4 or higher. For Psychology majors and minors only. Prerequisites are strictly enforced. Introduction to the design and analysis of psychological research. Topics include logic and philosophy of psychological research, conceptualizing research questions, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis strategies used by researchers in psychology, and introduction to using statistical software for data analysis

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Define descriptive and inferential statistics and the appropriate uses of both.
Organize and summarize raw data using both graphical and tabular methods.
Define and describe the differences between populations and samples.
Describe the basic process of hypothesis and significance testing.
Describe linear relationships using scatterplots and correlation coefficients.
Interpret, evaluate the appropriateness, and perform basic statistical procedures commonly used in psychological research.
Apply these principles appropriately in conducting and presenting individual and group projects.
Analyze behavioral science data in ways that relate to the above goals.

PSYX 225 Research Design and Analysis: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 222. For Psychology majors and minors only. Continuation of PSYX 222. Topics include experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs and methodological issues; assessing research questions; reliability and validity of psychological measures; ethics of psychological research; writing research reports; using statistical software for data analysis

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Evaluate psychology research methods and results in terms of validity, reliability, and ethics
Critically analyze scientific claims made in popular and academic media
Search the existing literature on a research question
Derive testable hypotheses about a research question
Choose and apply the appropriate research method and statistical analysis for a research question
Complete a manuscript in APA format
Analyze media reports regarding scientific issues; distinguish scientific from pseudoscientific explanations of human behavior

PSYX 230 Developmental Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS preferred but not required. Human development across the lifespan using major theories of development including psychoanalytic, psychosocial, learning, and cognitive. Physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and personality development are explored from conception to death

PSYX 235D Contemporary Issues in Human Sexuality: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS preferred but not required. Issues of diversity and difference in human sexuality will be examined. The development and expression of sexual behavior as a complex sociocultural, biological, psychological, and historic phenomenon will be discussed. Course will examine sexual behavior and identity in both the majority culture and other cultures in the U.S. and world

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Examine your own beliefs and assumptions about sexuality
Think critically about the social and cultural influences on your sexual knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors
Incorporate scientific knowledge about the range of human sexuality into your opinions about the political and ethical aspects of sexuality
Analyze the assumptions and evidence that others use when making claims about sexuality
Identify the biological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors that influence your sexual health
Talk comfortably and knowledgeably about sex and sexuality ; ;

PSYX 263CS The Psychology of Film: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: College Writing (W) and University Seminar (US) CORE. Uses psychological science to understand the persuasive power of media as portrayed in popular films. Evaluates the media's ability to both reflect and affect behavior. Focus is on contemporary themes such as aggression, drug use, sexuality, and prejudice

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Demonstrate knowledge of a general introduction to psychological theories and methods and a deeper understanding of how psychological principles and research findings are disseminated to the public through films (and other forms of media).
Synthesize, analyze, and apply the issues we learn and discuss to your everyday lives
Make critical and informed personal and scientific evaluations of psychology and film

PSYX 274 Psychological Testing and Assessment: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 225. Principles of psychological testing and assessment as related to intelligence, aptitudes, attitudes, occupations, and personality. Topics include nature and types of psychological tests, test construction, test administration, basic psychometric theory, methods for estimating the reliability and validity of psychological tests, and ethical issues regarding psychological testing and assessment

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Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the core issues in psychological testing and assessment
Describe the key techniques under-girding the analysis of tests and assessment
Interpret and report psychometric properties of tests, such as reliability and validity
Distinguish between tests that assess personality vs. ability vs. interests

PSYX 290R Undergraduate Research: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

Directed undergraduate research which may culminate in a written work or other creative project. Course will address responsible conduct of research. May be repeated.
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

PSYX 291 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: None required but some may be determined necessary by each offering department. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

PSYX 292 Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

PSYX 333 Psychology of Aging: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Surveys different domains in which human behavior is influenced by aging. Topics include the influence of age on cognitive processes (e.g., attention and memory), social processes (e.g., personality and wellbeing), and biological processes (e.g., brain-related changes). Aging interventions and optimal aging are also discussed

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Recognize and articulate the major ideas and concepts relevant to the psychology of aging.
Critically evaluate scientific research relevant to the psychology of aging.
Read and critique original journal articles relevant to the psychology of aging.

PSYX 335 Psychology of Gender: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Traditional and feminist perspectives on psychological needs and concerns specific to women, including gender stereotyping and beliefs, cognitive differences between the sexes, psychological disorders common to women, women's sexuality; and cultural and biological roles and norms

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The objectives of the course are such that by the end of the course, you should be able to: Examine your own beliefs and assumptions around gender
Think critically about the social and cultural influences on your gender knowledge, beliefs,\\nand behaviors
Incorporate scientific knowledge about the range of gender into your opinions about the\\npolitical and ethical aspects of sexuality
Analyze the assumptions and evidence that others use when making claims about gender\\nroles and gender identity
Identify the biological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors that influence your gender

PSYX 340 Psychological Disorders: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS recommended but not required. (F, Sp, Su) Historical and current perspectives on psychopathology, including neuroscience, behavioral cognitive, psychodynamic, and humanistic/existential approaches. Traditional approaches and recent innovations in therapy and diagnosis are considered along with current diagnostic categories, especially DSM

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Identify the major psychological disorders and define them in terms of the current DSM nomenclature.
Describe the current state of mental health diagnosis, identify ways in which this has changed over time, and critically think about ways this may continue to shift in the future.
Describe different perspectives on causes and treatments of mental health disorders.
Describe issues related to culture, ethnicity, and gender in psychopathology and diagnosis.
Explain how research in abnormal psychology is conducted and what current research suggests about our understanding of mental health.
Identify medications typically prescribed for major types of psychological disorders.
Develop the specific skills and perspectives of professionals in the field of psychology.

PSYX 350 Physiological Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Introduction to the biological bases of behavior; brief review of functional neuroanatomy and physiology in relation to such topics as sensation, movement, motivation, emotion, sleep, learning and memory, consciousness, and abnormal behavior

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Students will be able to:\\nDefine Biopsychology and what scientists in this area of psychology do.
Describe the historical context that influenced the development of Biopsychology.
Describe the relationship of Biopsychology to other branches of psychology.
Describe explain the major research methods and measures used in Biopsychology.
Define the major concepts and phenomena in Biopsychology.
Apply the major Biopsychology findings to practical problems.
Generate scientific hypotheses through synthesizing Biopsychology research/theories

PSYX 352 Comparative Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITES: PSYX 225 - Research Design & Analysis II. PSYX 350 - Physiological Psychology is preferred, but not required. This course focuses on the psychological study of animal behavior, including human behavior. Application of previously-learned statistical and methodological techniques to answer questions about animal behavior. Topics covered include communication, learning, aggression, play, and mating behavior

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Define comparative psychology and what comparative psychologists do;
Describe the historical context that influenced the development of Comparative Psychology;
Describe the relationship of Comparative Psychology to other branches of psychology and related disciplines;
Describe and explain the major research methods and measures used in Comparative Psychology;
Define the major concepts and phenomena in comparative psychology;
Apply the major comparative psychology findings to practical problems;
Critically evaluate published research in the area of comparative psychology;
Describe the major theoretical perspectives in Comparative Psychology;
Generate scientific hypotheses through synthesizing the research and theories of comparative psychology.

PSYX 354 Sensation & Perception: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. (F, Sp) Basic principles of sensory systems (with emphasis on the visual system), contemporary psychophysical procedures, and principles of perception

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Differentiate the processes of sensation and perception
Trace the functional and anatomical organization of the different sensory modalities, from\\nsensory transduction and signal transmission through stages of information processing to\\nperception
Explore the methods that are used to study sensation and perception
Investigate different theoretical traditions that have attempted to account for perceptual\\nphenomena
Apply knowledge of sensation and perception to real world examples.

PSYX 358 Drugs and Behavior: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. This course examines the biological mechanisms drugs have on the body, brain, and behavior at low and high doses with an introduction to theoretical models of abuse and research behind the treatment of addiction. Includes a brief overview of the history of drugs and biological mechanisms necessary in understanding the functions of neurons, synapses, and functional brain regions

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Examine the use of psychoactive drugs as a way of understanding human behavior in a biological context.
Comprehensively discuss the psychological and physiological effects of drugs and their impact on society from historical, legal and political viewpoints.
Explain the impact of drug use on human health in a broad context as well as with regard to many specific issues.
Explain the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms by which drugs affect human behavior.
Describe the major classes of drugs of abuse, their effects, mechanisms of action, and their consequences for addicted people.
Examine current conceptual models of addiction and evidence-based strategies for treating substance use disorders.

PSYX 360 Social Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Experimental research and theoretical viewpoints in social psychology, including such topics as: interpersonal attraction, perception, aggression, attitudes and attitude change, altruism, group behavior, social influence, stereotypes and prejudice, and the self

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Identify historically significant research (“classic studies”) in social psychology
Demonstrate an understanding of basic research methods in social psychology
Describe and apply psychological concepts in daily life situations
Utilize critical thinking skills to understand your own and others’ thoughts and actions

PSYX 370 Psychology of Learning: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Examines basic principles and theories of learning and motivation. Classical and operant conditioning, discrimination learning, incentive motivation, reward and punishment, and concept learning

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Analyze the scientific literature in the areas of learning and motivation
Demonstrate your understanding of the basic concepts, principles, and theories of learning and motivation both by answering questions on examinations and quizzes and by engaging in classroom discussions

PSYX 375 Behavior Modification: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS, PSYX 270 or 370 preferred but not required. Human behavior change with emphasis on practical techniques for changing individual and group behavior in real-life situations

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Demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts, principles, and theories of behavior modification both by answering questions on exams, and quizzes, and by engaging in classroom discussions
Analyze the scientific literature and application of the principles in the areas of behavior modification

PSYX 380 Memory & Cognition: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Theories and evidence concerning human information processing, focusing especially on attention and memory, problem solving, decision making, reasoning, and related topics

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Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to: Define the concept of memory and cognition and what memory and cognition psychologists do
Describe the relationship of memory and cognition to other branches of psychology and related disciplines
Describe and explain the major research methods and measures used in memory and cognition psychology
Define the major concepts and phenomena in memory and cognition psychology
Apply the major memory and cognition findings to practical problems
Critically evaluate published research in the area of memory and cognition;
Describe the major theoretical perspectives of memory and cognition psychology
Generate scientific hypotheses through synthesizing the research and theories of memory and cognition psychology

PSYX 382 Forensic Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. This course examines the many areas of forensic psychology, or the application of psychological concepts and theories to the legal system. This interface will be explored with an emphasis on empirical research findings from cognitive, social, experimental, and clinical psychology. Topics covered will include the variety of roles that psychologists play in the criminal justice system; the identification and evaluation of criminal suspects; the accuracy of eyewitness memory; the process of jury selection and decision-making; mental illness, competency to stand trial, and the insanity defense; criminal sentencing; and offender rehabilitation

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Describe diverse ways that psychologists can interact with the legal system, including conducting research that informs criminal justice practice and policy; providing clinical services to litigants, defendants and inmates; and assisting the courts in making decisions.
Explain how psychological science can be applied to legal issues and the criminal justice system.
Evaluate the assumptions of the legal system in light of findings from psychological research.
Apply psychological information to particular criminal and civil cases.

PSYX 383 Health Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Introduction to health psychology, the scientific study of biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors that impact the systems of the body and affect health. Helps prepare students for a variety of careers in helping professions, in addition to helping them to understand how the behaviors and psychological functioning of individuals are interlaced with physical health

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Describe the research methodologies and approaches used in Health Psychology
Explain how the body works and how systems of the body are affected by an interplay of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors
Explain how stress affects health both directly and indirectly
Distinguish between the biopsychosocial model of health and the biomedical model of health
Demonstrate an understanding of the how health psychology interventions can be used to prevent illness and treat/manage chronic health conditions

PSYX 384 Consciousness: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS, PSYX 350 recommended but not required. Theories and evidence concerning consciousness and altered states of consciousness, including dreaming, meditation, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, psychoactive drug effects, temporal experience, psychic phenomena, and related topics

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After taking\\nthis course, you should be able to:\\n Define Consciousness and what Consciousness psychologists do
Describe the historical context that influenced the development of the study of\\nConsciousness
Describe the relationship of Consciousness to other branches of psychology and related\\ndisciplines
Describe and explain the major research methods and measures used in Consciousness
Define the major concepts and phenomena in Consciousness
Apply the major Consciousness findings to practical problems
Critically evaluate published research in the area of Consciousness
Describe the major theoretical perspectives in Consciousness
Generate scientific hypotheses through synthesizing Consciousness research/theories

PSYX 385 Psychology of Personality: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Theories and evidence on processes that underlie consistent and enduring differences in behavior, cognition, and affect. Topics include emotion, motivation, temperament, inner experience, identity and the self, personality change, the influence of sociocultural context, and related topics

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Define personality and what personality psychologists do;
Describe the historical context that influenced the development of personality;
Describe the relationship of personality to other branches of psychology and related disciplines;
Describe and explain the major research methods and measures used in personality;
Define the major concepts and phenomena in personality;
Apply the major personality findings to practical problems;
Critically evaluate published research in the area of personality psychology;
Describe the major theoretical perspectives in personality;
Generate scientific hypotheses through synthesizing the research and theories of personality psychology.

PSYX 400 History & System in Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Examination of the historical development of major concepts, theoretical ideas, and approaches to psychology, with emphasis on perspectives of broad current interest such as behavioral science, cognitive science, and neuroscience

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Describe the history of human understanding of the relationship between the human body and mind.
Demonstrate comprehension of the relationship between A) the early events in the history of philosophy and medical science and B) the development of psychology.
Contrast physiological, behavioral and mental dependent measures.
Critique the various the methods of the major schools of psychological thought.
Evaluate the philosophical foundations of the major schools of psychological thought.
Evaluate the modern approaches to extended and embodied cognition
Synthesize their knowledge of psychological methods with ancient and modern philosophy of the mind

PSYX 401 Advanced Research Design & Analysis: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 225 and PSYX 402. (Sp) Co-convened with PSYX 501

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Utilize graphs and descriptive statistical methods to appropriately screen and clean data prior to analysis (e.g., identify and remove outliers as needed).
Identify the appropriate multivariate statistical method to use given a specific research design and hypothesis.
Interpret and describe theoretical and statistical assumptions (and violations of these assumptions) for each multivariate statistical approach
Conduct basic multivariate statistical techniques (e.g., regression, ANCOVA, MANOVA) using SPSS.
Evaluate, interpret, and write-up multivariate statistical findings using APA format.

PSYX 402 Advanced Design/Statistics I: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 222 and PSYX 225, both with a grade of C or higher. (F) This is the first course in a sequence on advanced research design and statistical analysis in psychological science. Topics include designs, methodological issues, hypothesis testing, basic (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA) and advanced statistical tests (e.g., factorial ANOVAs, ANCOVA, and Multiple Regression). This is the first course in Advanced Research Design and Analysis. The second is PSYX 501. Co-convened with PSYX 502

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identify basic features of experimental research designs
compute and interpret statistics used for experimental research designs
display data graphically
apply Excel and SPSS programs to analyze data
define and compute power estimates and effect sizes

PSYX 428 Integrated Mental Health Practices: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS and/or PSYX 340 recommended, but not required. This course offers an opportunity to take mental health assessments in crisis to help enhance changes for patients in an integrated setting. Providing a foundation of therapeutic rapport to help provide evidence based approaches for change

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Examine best practice for patient care in integrated settings.
Think critically around social and cultural influences on medical treatment and diagnosis
Incorporate scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice for interventions in a integrated behavioral health and medical setting with a focus in crisis
Identify sociocultural factors in interventions when it comes to end of life, substance abuse and other harm reduction approaches
Increase ability to have difficult conversations around medical options while offering compassionate care for patients
Gain a multicultural perspective of interventions and bedside manner

PSYX 429 Eating Disorders: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Eating Disorders provides an introduction to the characteristics and criteria associated with a variety of eating disorders It covers Pica, Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and compulsive overeating, and overviews of their causes, presentation, and treatment

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Discriminate among the range of recognized eating disorders, comparing and contrasting their characteristics and criteria.
Evaluate the contribution of biological, personal, and societal factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of disordered eating.
Discriminate among different populations in relation to the prevalence and cause of different eating disorders.
Formulate a multi-component treatment strategy for working with individuals struggling with an eating disorder.
Appraise the professional and scientific literatures related to disordered eating and identify current gaps in the existing literature.

PSYX 443 Collective Memory: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Collective Memory is the study of memory in social contexts. This class will focus on psychological processes of small group memory research and how those processes build up to larger scale collective memories. Specific topics include collaborative remembering and forgetting, autobiographical memory, flashbulb memory, national identity, and cultural differences in memory for historical events. Each class, we will a read and discuss research articles to understand and critique what past researchers have shown, what the current thinking is about each issue, and to suggest ideas for future research

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Explain collective memory and the psychological research methodology used to study collective memory\\n
Critically evaluate research on collective memory and develop their verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrate psychological research methods used to study collective memory by reading and critiquing original research articles published in academic journals
Demonstrate writing skills by writing short essays and a final paper that each synthesize and critique psychological literature on collective memory
Demonstrate oral communication skills by discussing and presenting material in class

PSYX 461 Indust & Organiz Psych: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Basic concepts and theoretical frameworks for the fundamental areas of industrial and organizational psychology. Topics include history of I/O psychology, personnel selection, psychological testing, personnel training, performance appraisal, managerial decision making, job satisfaction, work motivation, leadership, job stress, organizational conflict, job design, and organizational development

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Describe the history of Industrial/Organizational psychology and the requirements for graduate study in this field.
Describe labor laws in the US and the actions that organizations must take in order to adhere to those laws.
Evaluate organizational polices in order to determine if they comply with federal, state and local labor law.
Compare and contrast a wide variety of employee recruitment, selection, appraisal, promotion and training strategies.
Synthesize knowledge of cognitive processes at the individual and group levels.
Evaluate several theories of group decision making and information processing.

PSYX 462 Psychology of Prejudice: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or consent of instructor. Reviews theory and research on prejudice. Topics include stereotyping and discrimination, cognitive and affective dynamics of prejudice, causes of prejudice, eliminating prejudice, affirmative action and diversity programs, and psychological effects of prejudice

PSYX 463 Social Cognition: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. Addresses how fundamental cognitive processes (e.g., concept activation, attention, memory) influence social behavior and thought. Topics include impression formation, mental simulations of alternative realities, nonconscious mental processes, subliminal stimuli, mental representations, stereotypes, and heuristics and biases

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Describe the major experimental methodologies and techniques, theories, concepts, and\\nresearch findings within the domain of Social Cognition
Critique research and theory and determine how theories and\\nexperimental results relate to one another
Apply social cognitive ideas to phenomena you observe within your own life\\nand within the world.

PSYX 475 Advanced Behavior Analysis: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS; and PSYX 370 or 375. Advanced Behavior Analysis is designed to deepen students' understanding of antecedent stimuli, behaviors, and consequences. Functional behavioral assessments. systems for increasing appropriate behavior, and ways of promoting generalization will be described. Ethical considerations of Applied Behavioral Analysts will be discussed

View Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate your understanding of the advanced concepts, principles, and theories of applied behavioral analysis both by answering questions on examinations and by engaging in classroom discussions/activities
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the practices and principles related to the receiving certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analysis through the federally recognized BACB Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Analyze the scientific literature and application of the principles in the areas of applied behavior analysis.

PSYX 477 Science of Psych Well-Being: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS. The Science of Psychological Well-Being examines topics under the rubric of Positive Psychology. Positive psychology focuses upon identifying, researching, and promoting the development of human strengths, thereby shifting the focus in psychology from psychopathology to human growth and potential

View Course Outcomes:

Summarize the history and goals of positive psychology
Describe the major areas of positive psychology that have been most widely studied
Discuss the constructs and strategies that the field of positive psychology has identified as being important factors in promoting positive functioning
Apply scientifically based positive psychology techniques in your own life

PSYX 481 Judgment & Decision Making: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS; PSYX 380 recommended but not required. Theories and evidence on the psychology of judgment and decision making, including rationality, normative rules for choice, irrationality of some human judgments, and group decision making. Applications of decision theory at the personal, organizational, and societal levels are reviewed

View Course Outcomes:

Describe major theories and models in judgment and decision-making
Recognize and generate examples of heuristics, biases, and fallacies in everyday life
Develop an appreciation for the chasm between problems our brains did and did not evolve to solve effectively
Identify flawed arguments and thinking in popular media
Discuss the processes by which we encounter, seek, orient toward, and process information
Improve independent research skills
Improve collaboration skills
Identify, understand, and synthesize empirical research findings in a meaningful way
Propose evidence-based solutions to issues in human judgment and decision-making

PSYX 482 Psycholinguistics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS or PSYX 110IS; PSYX 380 preferred but not required. Examines the psychological processes that make it possible for humans to learn and acquire language. Emphases on how spoken and written language is understood, how speech is produced, and how language is acquired

View Course Outcomes:

Define psycholinguistics and what psychologists in this area do
Describe the historical context that influenced the development of psycholinguistics
Describe the relationship of psycholinguistics to other branches of psychology and related disciplines
Describe and explain the major research methods and measures used in psycholinguistics
Define the major concepts and phenomena in psycholinguistics
Apply the major psycholinguistics findings to practical problems
Critically evaluate published research in the area of psycholinguistics
Describe the major theoretical perspectives in psycholinguistics
Generate scientific hypotheses through synthesizing psycholinguistics research and theories

PSYX 490R Undergraduate Research: 1-6 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior or Senior standing, PSYX 225 and consent of instructor. Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis. Course will address responsible conduct of research. May be repeated
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

PSYX 491 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Course prerequisites as determined for each offering. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

PSYX 492 Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

PSYX 494 Seminar: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS. Topics in current Psychological Science offered at the upper division level that are not covered by cataloged courses. Topics vary each semester. Students participate in preparing and presenting discussion material based on primary journal articles
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

PSYX 495 Field Pract in Applied Psy: 3-12 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 225 or Consent of Instructor. Field Practicum gives psychology majors direct experience in applied settings relevant to psychology. Students arrange an internship and submit progress reports summarizing their field experience while relating it to psychological principles and readings. Graded A – F
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

PSYX 499R Senior Thesis/Capstone: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 225, and either PSYX 490R or PSYX 495 (minimum 3 cr). Senior capstone course. Written and oral presentation of senior thesis work

View Course Outcomes:

Communicate effectively about psychology and your thesis topic specifically using knowledge and skills gained in this and other psychology courses
Refine your research skills, including locating and critically evaluating the psychological literature and designing your own study
Demonstrate sensitivity to ethical standards of research
Improve your ability to communicate about psychological research in writing and orally
Examine your own and others’ scientific writing and to identify ways\\nthat writing can be improved
Demonstrate your ability to follow APA style guidelines

PSYX 501 Adv Rsch Design & Analysis: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or PSYX 502. (F, Sp) Advanced topics in the design and analysis of psychological research

View Course Outcomes:

Describe and apply the basic methods of preparing data for analysis.
Describe and test the statistical assumptions for each multivariate statistical approach.
Conduct a broad array of advanced multivariate statistical techniques (i.e., those delineated below and in the Tabachnick & Fidell text) and apply that knowledge to answering research questions and testing hypotheses in Psychology
Demonstrate competence in using SPSS or other software to conduct each multivariate statistical technique.
Evaluate, interpret, and write-up statistical findings in the context of psychological research.
Demonstrate verbal competence in presenting statistical findings.

PSYX 502 Advanced Design/Stat I: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing in psychological science or PSYX 222 and a 3.25 GPA and consent of instructor. (F) This is the first course in a sequence on advanced research design and statistical analysis in psychological science. Topics include designs, methodological issues, hypothesis testing, basic (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA), and advanced statistical tests (e.g., factorial ANOVAs, ANCOVA). This is the first course in Advanced Research Design and Analysis. The second is PSYX 501. Co-convened with PSYX 402

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calculate and interpret power estimates in your research area
draw conclusions based on effect size estimates
evaluate common research methodologies in psychology
design analytic approaches to address research questions in your own area of research
identify basic features of experimental research designs
compute and interpret statistics used for experimental research designs
display data graphically
navigate the basics of Excel and SPSS programs
define and compute power estimates and effect sizes

PSYX 503 Structural Equation Models: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, PSYX 501, PSYX 502, and consent of department. Introduces students to the theoretical perspectives and practical application of Structural Equation Modeling (e.g., latent variable analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and causal modeling) as applied in Psychological Science and builds upon student’s previous knowledge of multivariate statistical techniques

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Compare and contrast connections between SEM and previously learned statistical techniques (e.g., regression, correlation) used in psychological science
Use structural path notation and graphics to represent SEMs
Describe, conduct, and interpret path analyses
Describe, conduct, and interpret exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses
Describe, conduct, and interpret latent path models
Describe how study design limits or permits different SEM applications

PSYX 505 Teaching of Psychology: 1 Credits (1 Lec)

PREREQUISITES: Graduate standing in Psychology or consent of instructor. Theory and practice in selecting, organizing and presenting psychological science to undergraduates. Development of skills for lecture, discussion, student participation and laboratory teaching, including uses of current technologies. (May be repeated once)
Repeatable up to 2 credits.

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Recognize the responsibilities of teaching university ;students.
Understand evaluation in the teaching/learning ;process.
Create content and activities to help students learn.
Identify own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher.
Make effective decisions to enhance and improve ;teaching skills.
Integrate technology with teaching pedagogy

PSYX 510 Topics in Psychological Science: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor
Recent advances in topics in Psychological Science with emphasis in different years on either biological, social, or cognitive psychology. (Maximum 9 credits).
Repeatable up to 9 credits.

PSYX 539 Physiological Processes: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Overview of research methods and relevant aspects of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and neuropharmacology. Applications of prior work to the problem of discovery in biopsychology

PSYX 541 Cognitive Processes: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Theories, methods, findings, and applications concerning memory and cognitive processes

PSYX 542 Learning: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Principles and theories of learning and motivation. Topics include conditioning, learning, incentive motivation, reward and punishment. Application to organizational and human resource management problems

PSYX 543 Memory: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Theories and applications of human memory from cognitive psychological perspective. Topics include memory in social, legal, and educational contexts; memory conformity; memory across the lifespan, memory and expertise; autobiographical memory; metamemory; and forgetting

PSYX 544 Social Psychology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Advanced experimental and applied research and theoretical viewpoints in social psychology. Topics include social cognition, interpersonal attraction, aggression, attitudes and attitude change, the self, group dynamics, stereotypes and prejudice, and social influence

PSYX 546 Social Cognition: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. This course examines decision making, judgment, cognition, and affect from a social-cognitive perspective. Topics may include theory development, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination, group behavior, attitudes and attitude change, mood and affect, heuristics and biases, memory, the self, and decision making. The primary goal is to understand theory and research in social cognition

PSYX 562 Psychology of Prejudice, Stereotypes, Discrimination and Stigma: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, or approval from course instructor. Advanced theoretical, experimental and applied research emphasizes distinctions among stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and stigma. Theories, methods, and findings from classic and modern day scholars are used to understand the who, when, and why people are prejudice and the impacts on and experiences of the stigmatized

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Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Synthesize and critique historical psychology of prejudice research to form new research questions.

2. Articulate the classic theories and findings about when and why people are prejudice

3. Articulate the classic theories and findings about how the stigmatized are impacted by and cope with the experience of prejudice

4. Identify and evaluate classic theories of the gendered nature of prejudice and stigma

5. Demonstrate respectful communication skills in the form of peer-led discussions and peer-collaborations.

6. Synthesize original psychology of prejudice research verbally and in a written format to be accessible to scientific and lay audiences alike.

7. Demonstrate how classic psychology of prejudice research can be used to understand modern day phenomena.

PSYX 575 Professional Paper and Project: 1-6 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. A research or professional paper dealing with a topic in the field. The topic must have been mutually agreed upon by the student and his or her major advisor and graduate committee
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

PSYX 584 Stress and Health: 3 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Other)

PREREQUISITES: Graduate Standing or consent of Instructor required
An interdisciplinary course that will consider the impact of stress on physiology, behavior and health. The lectures and discussions will be focused on the multidirectional relationships between psychological stress, biological processes, behavior and the social environment.

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Identify specific cellular, molecular and neural changes relating to chronic stress and adversity
Describe the effects of stress on physiological systems and processes, including the immune system, developmental processes, and metabolism
Discuss the evolutionary context of the stress response
Cultivate the ability to communicate and discuss biological phenomena to non-scientific audiences

PSYX 589 Graduate Consultation: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing and approval of The Graduate School. This course may be used only by students who have completed all of their course work (and thesis, if on a thesis option) for a master's degree but who need additional faculty help or time

PSYX 590 Master's Thesis: 1-10 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing
Repeatable up to 15 credits.

PSYX 591 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

PSYX 592 Independent Study: 1-6 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

PSYX 594 Seminar: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Topics offered at the graduate level which are not covered in regular courses. Students participate in preparing and presenting discussion material
Repeatable up to 9 credits.

PSYX 689 Doctoral Reading & Research: 3-5 Credits (3-5 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Doctoral Standing. This course may be used by doctoral students who are reading research publications in the field in preparation for beginning doctoral thesis research
Repeatable up to 15 credits.

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Identify and understand key research findings in your field. ;
Evaluate the current methodological and conceptual limitations of your research field. ;
Develop a research question or idea based on knowledge related to the key research findings and ; ; ; ; current limitations in your field.

PSYX 690 Doctoral Thesis: 1-10 Credits (1-10 Other)

Conducting dissertation research. May be repeated.
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

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Doctoral thesis credits are used for the completion of both the comprehensive exam and the doctoral thesis. There are four options for the comprehensive exam described in detail in our Ph.D. handbook. The comprehensive exam, while certainly entailing a depth component, is also meant to assess a student’s breadth of knowledge. Thus, during the oral defense, committee members may ask questions about topics/issues that all students in the program are expected to be familiar with. The doctoral dissertation is a major project that demonstrates the student’s ability to carry out independent research and scholarship. The finished project should be commensurate with the expected quality of published works in one’s area of research.

PSYX 692 Independent Study: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

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Demonstrate the ability to participate in directed research and study on an individual basis. Independent study courses will have variable learning outcomes.