Psychology

PSYC 101. Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I. 5 Units.

This course is the first course in a two-course sequence required for the psychology major. This course will teach the student how to design, complete, analyze, interpret, and report empirical research used to test hypotheses derived from psychological theory or its application, and to be able to critically evaluate scientific research produced by others. Prerequisite: Fundamental Math Skills requirement.

PSYC 102. Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology II. 5 Units.

This course is the second course in a two-course sequence required for the psychology major. This course will teach you how to design, complete, analyze, interpret, and report empirical research used to test hypotheses derived from psychological theory or its application, and to be able to critically evaluate scientific research produced by others. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 with a “C-“ or higher.

PSYC 110. Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior. 4 Units.

This course is an intensive study of how drugs affect psychological processes and behavior. The course covers neuroanatomy, neuron physiology, basic psychopharmacological terminology, commonly used and recreational drugs, major psychotherapeutic drugs and the interaction between drug treatments and various psychotherapeutic and behavior change techniques. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above is required. (GE1A)

PSYC 111. Abnormal Psychology. 4 Units.

Students study of the causes, classification and treatment of abnormal behavior. The class is of interest to any student who is curious about people and what they do, especially the unusual things that people do. The class addresses the distinction between being different and having a mental disorder, what we can change and what we cannot change, psychological testing, the DSM classification system, the role of genetic factors in abnormal behavior as well as the current status of empirically validated psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for mental disorders .The class is highly recommended for any student who aspires to go into clinical psychology, marriage family counseling, child psychology, forensic psychology, social work, or pharmacy. (GE1A, PLAW)

PSYC 113. Psych. for Bus. & Engineering. 4 Units.

PSYC 115. Advanced Lab in Cognitive Psychology. 4 Units.

This advanced lab will focus on more in-depth exploration of a specific topic area within the field of Cognitive Psychology. The course will include strong research/applied component that will help students get more hands on feel for research and/or application of the concepts within the field. Possible topics include Memory, Thinking Fast and Slow, or other topics. Prerequisites: PSYC 015, PSYC 11102 with a C- or better.

PSYC 117. Advanced Lab in Clinical Psychology. 4 Units.

This advanced lab will focus on a more in-depth exploration of a specific topic area within the field of Clinical Psychology. The course will include a strong research/applied component that will help students get more hands on feel for research and/or application of the concepts Psychology, Testing and Assessment, or other topics. Prerequisites: PSYC 017, PSYC 053, PSYC 102 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 118. Advanced Lab in Child Clinical Psychology. 4 Units.

This lab is a more in depth look at topics within the field of clinical child psychology. Each time the course is taught, a specific topic of study such as parenting, child mental health, etc. will be the focus. The course relies heavily on becoming aware of the available research within the field of Clinical Child Psychology as well as more effectively accessing and understanding research in general. Experiential opportunities will be included. Prerequisites: PSYC 017, PSYC 102 with a “C-“ or better.

PSYC 125. History and Systems of Psychology. 4 Units.

This course traces the development of “modern psychology” from its birth in early philosophy to its founding as an independent discipline in the late 1800s to its current status with an emphasis on modern behaviorism and cognitive psychology as the two dominant theoretical systems in psychology. In addition, other modern developments such as evolutionary psychology and cognitive neuroscience are discussed. The course focuses on specific content areas and ideas in psychology and the individuals who are most credited with their development.

PSYC 129. Advanced Lab in Developmental Psychology. 4 Units.

This advanced lab will focus on a more in-depth exploration of a specific topic area within the field of Developmental Psychology. The course will include a strong research/ applied component that will help students get a more hands on fells for research and/ or application of the concepts within the field. Possible topics include The Study of Infants, Psychology of Aging, Cognitive Aging, or other topics. Prerequisites: PSYC 029, PSYC 102 with a C- or better. (DVSY, ETHC, GEDI)

PSYC 131. Adolescence and Young Adulthood. 4 Units.

This course is the psychosocial examination of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Topics include conceptual issues and moral development, sexual and personality changes, role conflicts and problems unique to adolescence. The material is selected to interest both majors who plan to work with adolescents and to students who want to better understand their own life cycle phase or their future role as parents of adolescents. Prerequisites: sophomore standing is required. (GE1A)

PSYC 132. Moral Development. 4 Units.

PSYC 150. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. 5 Units.

The purpose of this course is to teach students how understanding research methods can help them become better consumers of information and better professionals, no matter their career. This course includes a lab component to facilitate hands-on learning. The goals for this course align with the psychology department’s program learning outcome of scientific literacy and critical thinking. They also align with the university-wide core competencies of critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative reasoning, and written communication. Upon completion of this sequence, students will be able to: Discuss the role of research in advancing our knowledge of psychological phenomena, read and evaluate psychological research, identify the ethical issues surrounding the conduct of psychological research, distinguish scientific sources from pseudoscientific sources, state the basic research designs and the types of data analyses for conducting sound psychological research, write research reports using APA style. Prerequisites: Psychology major and a Grade of C- or higher in PSYC 050 and a Grade of C- or higher in one of the following: MATH 035, MATH 037, or PSYC 035.

PSYC 153. Advanced Lab in Behavioral Psychology. 4 Units.

This advanced lab will focus more in-depth exploration of a specific topic area within the field of Behavioral Psychology. The course will include a strong research/ applied component that will help students get a more hands on feel for research and/or application of the concepts within the field. Possible topics may include Behavioral Economics, Behavioral Approaches to Common Childhood Problems, the Power of Habit, or other topics. Prerequisites: PSYC 053 with a C- or better.

PSYC 156. Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology. 4 Units.

Students examine the overlapping fields of behavioral medicine and health psychology. The course focuses on a biopsychosocial model of illness, how this model compares to a more traditional biomedical model of illness, and the applications of a biopsychosocial model to the treatment and prevention of chronic illnesses. Topics include health promotion and medical compliance. This course may interest any student who aspires to become a health care professional in health psychology, clinical psychology, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, or nursing. Prerequisite: PSYC 053. Junior or Senior standing recommended.

PSYC 160. Behavior Analysis in Organiz.. 4 Units.

PSYC 162. Ethical Behavior. 4 Units.

This course will cover professional conduct and ethical behavior within the broad discipline of psychology, as well as the specific ethical and professional guidelines for the Behavior Anaysis Certification Board (BACB®). This course addresses ethical decision-making, regulatory standards, and professional behavior in assessment, treatment, and research, in a variety of settings. Although this course will encompass a variety of disciplines and settings within psychology, primary attention will be given to those disciplines intersecting with the practive of applied behavior analysis and on those settings in which behavior analysts in practice are most likely to operate. Topics include accountability, confidentiality and informed consent, quality of services, quality of life, emergency management, research and academic settings, professional collaborations, boundaries, cultural competence, and ethical safeguards. Prerequisites: Junior standing or higher and permission of the instructor.

PSYC 164. Freudian Psychology. 4 Units.

PSYC 165. Humanistic Psychology. 4 Units.

PSYC 166. Psychology of Personality. 4 Units.

This course is a survey of contemporary personality theories and research. The course focuses on the study of individual difference and how these differences are explained and measured using different personality assessment devices. This course is recommended for students who aspire to enroll in graduate study of clinical psychology, school psychology, marriage and family counseling, child development, or social work. It may interest those who want to learn more about themselves and the diversity of the species. Junior or Senior standing recommended.

PSYC 167. Psychology and the Law. 4 Units.

The course examines the contribution of psychology to the judicial system. Students explore both the role of forensic psychologists in criminal cases and applied psychological research designed to assist police and courts in their functions. Case studies illustrate forensic issues, such as examining serial killers and the uses and abuses of police interrogation in criminal cases. Topics include insanity and incompetency of defendants; psychopathy; problems with eyewitness testimony; issues involved with sentencing (including the death penalty); the mistreatment of children and adolescents by the justice system; and false confessions. Students visit actual course trials early in the semester. Not recommended for first-year students. (GE1A)

PSYC 169. Advanced Lab in Social Psychology. 4 Units.

This advanced lab will focus on a more in-depth exploration of a specific topic area within the field of Social Psychology. The course will include a strong research/applied component that will help students get a more hands on feel for research and/ or application of the concepts within the field. Possible topics may include Social Influence, Conformity, or other topics. Prerequisites: PSYCH 069, PSYCH 102 with a C- or better.

PSYC 173. Biofeedback in Behavioral Med.. 4 Units.

PSYC 177. Psychological Stress. 4 Units.

PSYC 183. Research Design. 4 Units.

This course is the design and analysis of research using single subject and group designs. Prerequisite: PSYC 105 and permission of instructor.

PSYC 187. Internship. 1-4 Units.

This internship course gives experiences in a work setting and is contracted on an individual basis. PSYC 187 represents advanced internship work that involves increased independence and responsibility. Students may register for only one course listed below in any semester and may receive no more than four units of credit for any of these courses. Pass/no credit is the only grading.

PSYC 189. Practicum. 4 Units.

The practicum offers non-classroom experiences in activities related to the curriculum under conditions that is determined by the appropriate faculty member. PSYC 189 represents advanced practicum work which involves increased independence and responsibility. Students may register for only one course listed below in any semester and may receive no more than four units of credit for any of these courses. Pass/no credit is the only grading.

PSYC 189A. Applied Psychology Practicum. 4 Units.

Students will acquire skills necessary to the application of principles of general psychology to solve personal, organizational and social problems while serving as assistants to faculty and professional psychologists.

PSYC 191. Independent Study. 1-4 Units.

PSYC 195. Seminar. 4 Units.

PSYC 197. Independent Research. 1-4 Units.

PSYC 207. Psychology of Learning. 4 Units.

This course focuses on the scientific investigation of learning and behavior. Both experimental and related theoretical developments are considered, as well as applications of the basic principles of learning to issues of social significance.

PSYC 251. Behavioral Treatment/Applications. 4 Units.

This course focuses on the application of behavior analytic principles and methods in applied settings, with an emphasis on behavior change procedures, maintenance and generalization of behavior change, and emergency interventions. Topics addressed include the definition and characteristics of applied behavior analysis, selection and evaluation of intervention strategies, measurement of behavior, display and interpretation of behavioral data, and behavioral assessment. Additionally, basic behavioral principles, single-case experimental design, and ethical issues are discussed in the context of behavioral assessment and intervention. Prerequisite: Open only to graduate students in the psychology major.

PSYC 258. Behavioral Assessment. 4 Units.

Students study an overview of behavioral assessment techniques is examined. Specific topics covered include data collection, inter-observer agreement, social validity, treatment integrity, functional assessment, stimulus preference assessment, indirect assessment techniques, and functional analysis procedures.

PSYC 262. Ethical Behavior. 4 Units.

This course will cover professional conduct and ethical behavior with the broad discipline of psychology, as well as the specific ethical and professional guidelines for the Behavior Analysis Certificate (BACB®). This course addresses ethical decision-making, regulatory standards, and professional behavior in assessment, treatment, and research, in a variety of settings. Although this course will encompass a variety of disciplines and settings within psychology, primary attention will be given to those disciplines intersecting with the practice of applied behavior analysis and on those settings in which behavior analysts in practice are most likely to operate. Topics include accountability, confidentiality and informed consent, quality of services, quality of life, emergency management, research and academic settings, professional collaborations, boundaries, cultural competence, and ethical safeguards. Prerequisites: Psychology major and graduate student status.

PSYC 278. Controversial Treatments in Applied Settings. 4 Units.

This graduate seminar covers the varieties and consequences of pseudoscience in the helping professions and how to avoid being influenced by them. The helping professions comprise a significant industry in the United States. This includes medicine, psychology (including behavior analysis), psychiatry, social work, and other forms of counseling. It includes community mental health centers, and other venues such as mental hospitals, crisis centers, and schools. Each profession has a code of ethics that calls on professionals to help clients, to avoid harm, to honor informed consent requirements and promote independence. Professional codes of ethics call on professionals to draw on practice-related research findings. What do we find if we look closely at their everyday behavior? To what extent do professionals and researchers honor obligations described in such codes of ethics? Although this course will encompass a variety of disciplines and settings, primary attention will be given to those disciplines intersecting the practice of applied behavior analysis and on those settings in which behavior analysts in practice are most likely to operate. Prerequisites: Psychology major and graduate student status.

PSYC 283. Research Design. 4 Units.

Students learn the design and analysis of research using single subject and group designs.

PSYC 285E. Personnel Supervision and Management I. 0.5 or 1 Units.

This course focuses on personnel supervision and management. Students will learn how to train others to design and implement behavioral assessments and interventions and oversee the implementation of behavioral programs by others. Students will also attend behavioral program planning meetings and review program-relevant literature. Prerequisites: Instructor permission.

PSYC 285F. Personnel Supervision and Management II. 0.5 or 1 Units.

This course focuses on personnel supervision and management. Students will learn how to train others to design and implement behavioral assessments and interventions and oversee the implementation of behavioral programs by others. Students will also attend behavioral program planning meetings and review program-relevant literature. Prerequisites: Instructor permission.

PSYC 287. Graduate Internship. 1-4 Units.

PSYC 289. Practium. 1-4 Units.

PSYC 291. Graduate Independent Study. 1-4 Units.

PSYC 297. Graduate Independent Research. 1-4 Units.

Pass/No Credit grading only.

PSYC 299. Thesis. 2 or 4 Units.

This course requires students, under the guidance and supervision of a designated faculty research advisor, to independently plan, organize, conduct, evaluate and write-up an original research project as partial fulfillment of the MA degree. Permission of instructor. Pass/No Credit grading only.