Psychology

Degrees and Certificates

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The objective of the Psychology Department is to prepare students to enter graduate or professional schools, or a variety of careers in areas related to the discipline, such as mental health, education, research, business, human resources, human services, and counseling. In accordance with Felician University’s Catholic/Franciscan mission and the values underpinning the discipline of psychology, students will also learn to act ethically, and recognize, understand and respect human diversity. The Psychology Department offers a variety of courses that enable students to gain the requisite knowledge and skills, including lecture courses, research and field practicum courses, and an independent undergraduate research course in which students develop and present an individual project. Students not only have the opportunity to learn from faculty mentors, but can also enrich their experiences within the program by interacting with peers in the Psychology Club.

The learning outcomes of the major are adapted from the American Psychological Association’s guidelines for undergraduate programs in Psychology.*

Psychology Learning Outcomes:

Students successfully completing the Psychology major will:

  • Be familiar with the concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the field of psychology.
  • Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
  • Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis and interpretation.
  • Demonstrate competence in gathering, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information, that is, weigh evidence.
  • Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes.
  • Apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
  • Develop realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills and values in occupational pursuits that meet personal goals and societal needs.

* American Psychological Association. (2007). APA guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major. Washington,DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/about/psymajor-guidelines.pdf on 6/29/11.

Classes

PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology

Credits 3
A survey course that explores the areas of physiological psychology, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, motivation and emotion, personality, and abnormal, developmental, and social psychology (every semester)

PSYC 105: Lifespan Development

Credits 3
This course explores the various stages of the lifecycle from prenatal development through late adulthood. The key biological, cognitive, social and psychological components in each stage are discussed within the lifespan perspective, in relation to the cultural context where such development occurs. (every semester)

PSYC 201: Introduction to Child Development

Credits 3
This course studies physiological, cognitive, emotional, social, and personality development from conception to adolescence. Historical, cultural, and environmental factors of development are discussed. (fall and spring)

PSYC 202: Adolescent Psychology

Credits 3
This course studies adolescence from a physiological, cognitive, social and personality developmental perspective. Contemporary issues of the changing adolescent landscape are also discussed as related to the larger social contexts (fall and spring).

PSYC 203: The Psychology of Adult Development and Aging

Credits 3
This course integrates social, psychological, physical and transpersonal aspects of adult developmental stages with emphasis on orientation toward family life and adjustment problems. It explores the dynamics behind growing old, as well as the nature of adulthood, as it exists in contemporary society. (fall and spring)

PSYC 207: The Psychology of Consciousness

Credits 3
This course examines research and theory concerning normal consciousness, the mindbrain relationship, sleep and dreaming, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback, drug-induced states, and parapsychology. (fall)

PSYC 249: Data Management

Credits 3

This course is your entrée into a key feature of the practice of psychology. Psychology is among the most diverse disciplines in terms of what we consider to be “data,” how we generate this data, and how we perform operations on this data to draw inferences and make decisions. The immediate aim of this course is to prepare you for writing and research methods courses, as well as your senior research project. The set of skills we’ll cover in the course is unique to the social sciences (psychology in particular), and its value should not be underestimated. These skills are important to anyone pursuing a career in psychology. They are also valuable in any workplace that collects information on people’s thoughts, attitudes, or behaviors. Furthermore, these skills support the Franciscan values of Justice and Peace, as they are fundamental to the vital work performed by psychologists, interventionists, program evaluators, grant writers, social service staff, and others involved in the operation of human service operations. 

PSYC 250: Writing and Reading in Psychology

Credits 3
This course is designed to help students become familiar with searching the psychological literature, read journal articles in psychology and present ideas effectively in written form within the discipline of psychology. Students will also learn to make oral presentations of written work.

PSYC 280: The Psychology of Learning

Credits 3
This course examines the principles, theories, and applications of learning with respect to classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, and cognitive processes. Behavior and cognition in animal and human learning are considered. (offered as needed)

PSYC 290: Social Psychology

Credits 3
Social Psychology provides students with an overview of the influence of the social field on the functioning of the individual. Social influences on self-perception, thought, belief systems, and behavior are examined from various theoretical perspectives. (fall, spring)

PSYC 295: Psychology of Addiction

Credits 3
This course covers the main theories of addiction. The main focus is on substances of misuse along with prevention and treatment implications. Behavioral addictions such as gambling, pornography, sex, eating, etc. are also addressed. (spring)

PSYC 301: Educational Psychology

Credits 3
This course examines the psychological principles used in education. Major theories of learning, intelligence, and motivation are covered. Discussion also emphasizes teaching issues such as setting goals and objectives and managing the classroom. (fall and spring)

PSYC 302: Educational Assessment Techniques

Credits 3
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of psychological testing and classroom assessment. The main focus of this course is the construction of instruments and procedures for measuring academic achievement. (fall and spring)

PSYC 303: Statistics for Psychological Research

Credits 3
This course provides an introduction to the statistical methods most typically used in psychological research. Specifically, this course examines the theory and uses of descriptive and univariate and bivariate statistics, as well as the basic principles of inferential statistics (fall and spring)

PSYC 304: Advanced Statistical Methods

Credits 3
This course provides an introduction to more advanced statistical methods in Psychology. Specifically, this course examines hypothesis testing with two or more samples, power analysis, and the analysis of nonparametric data. Topics to be covered in this course include sampling and causality, power analysis, independent and related sample t-tests, one factor and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Chi Squared test for goodness of fit. Computer-based statistical exercises will be employed to provide practical examples of data analytic techniques. (offered as needed)

PSYC 305: Psychometric Theory and Practice

Credits 3
This course presents principles and procedures in psychological testing. It investigates test and instrument construction and standardization in the measurement of intelligence, aptitude, personality and achievement. (offered as needed)

PSYC 307: The Psychology of Sex and Gender

Credits 3
This course introduces students to psychological research on sex and gender. This course will examine sex differences in cognitive abilities, personality and social behavior and the possible causes of these differences. The implications of gender roles for the behavior of women and men will be examined though the study of social behavior such as aggression, altruism, social influence, nonverbal behavior, and achievement. Finally, the impact of changing gender roles on attitudes and personality will be examined through a review of current literature in this field. (spring)

PSYC 309: Research Design in Psychology

Credits 3
This course prepares the student to understand the basic research methodology used in psychological research. Emphasis will be placed on developing a working knowledge of the designs of psychological studies. (fall and spring)

PSYC 310: Experimental Methods

Credits 3
This course continues the development of basic research skills in psychology. This will include emphasizing the understanding of experimental designs, their execution, and the reporting of research findings. (offered as needed)

PSYC 311: Biopsychology

Credits 4
This course focuses on the biological basis of behavior and experience. The course provides an overview of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, the functions of different brain areas, and research methodology. Also studied are the relationships between brain and behavior by examining topics such as sensation and perception, waking and sleeping, hunger, reproduction, emotion, language and psychological disorders. (fall and spring)

PSYC 315: Evolutionary Psychology

Credits 3
This course explores how modern evolutionary theory has the capacity to link the social sciences to each other and to the natural sciences. The focus of study is on integrating evolutionary theory into current psychological theory. (offered as needed)

PSYC 325: Psychology of Careers

Credits 3
This course examines the psychology of working and careers. The focus is to provide students with both a theoretical background of vocational psychology and to offer practical applications for exploring personal career choices. (fall)

PSYC 330: Multicultural Perspectives in Psychology

Credits 3
Evidence continues to grow regarding the need to understand psychological phenomena within a cultural context. This course explores cultural variation within psychological theories. Topics to be covered include: personality, intelligence, psychopathology, and social and family issues. (fall)

PSYC 377: Psychology of Health and Illness

Credits 3
This course explores the ways in which psychological, social and biological factors interact in health and illness. Topics include the mind-body connection, stress and health, the effect of beliefs and social relationships on physical health, and psychosocial responses to illness. (spring)

PSYC 380: Psychology of the Family

Credits 3
This course explores the psychology of the family, including a discussion of the religious, cultural, ethnic, and psychological factors affecting family life. Topics to be discussed include an examination of the intergenerational functions of family dynamics. (fall, spring)

PSYC 391: Motivation and Emotion

Credits 3

Motivation and Emotion is a distinct subfield of psychology that has an intellectual history dating back to Classical Greek philosophy. Usually we say that it is the study of processes that influence the arousal, instigation, direction, and intensity of action. Stated this way, it is hard to pinpoint what this course is not about. What we will do throughout the course is to examine the individual person from several levels of analysis—biological, genetic, physiological, cognitive, personality, and social—with no prior assumption about which perspective is best. We will explore historical origins and current thinking in an array of topics, with special emphasis on critical thinking and productive dialogue. These skills are central to your university experience and are highly valued in work and other settings. 

PSYC 403: The Psychology of Women

Credits 3
This course investigates the hypothesis that there are distinct psychological characteristics of women and explores the alleged psychological sex differences attributable to biological and/or cultural factors. It considers productivity in traditional roles and contemporary work roles in order to understand the psychological dynamics of American women. (offered as needed)

PSYC 405: Childhood and Adolescence Deviance

Credits 3
This course provides a background to understanding deviance from anticipated psychological development and well-being in both children and adolescents. An examination of psychopathology and developmental disabilities will be undertaken. The implications of treatment and education will be explored. (fall)

PSYC 406: Abnormal Psychology

Credits 3
This course describes disorders of behavior, affect and personality. Symptomatology, diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of disorders are examined. (fall and spring)

PSYC 407: The Psychology of Personality

Credits 3
This course analyzes selected theories on the development and structure of personality. Major theoretical orientations of psychology are discussed and evaluated. (fall and spring)

PSYC 409: Counseling Principles and Procedures

Credits 3
This course presents an overview of contemporary counseling theories through a study of the basic philosophy, key concepts, role and function of the counselor, goals of therapy, counseling relationships, and therapy techniques. (spring)

PSYC 410: Undergraduate Research in Psychology

Credits 3
This is an opportunity to engage in an indepth study of a selected area of psychology. Emphasis will be on the latest developments in research. The student pursues an individual research project under faculty supervision and submits written and oral reports at the close of the semester. Students will be encouraged to develop creative explorations of scholarly topics. (fall and spring)

PSYC 411: Advanced Readings in Developmental Psychology

Credits 3
This course is designed to allow the student to explore and examine, in significant depth, one particular area of interest in developmental psychology. This seminar entails a total immersion into the psychological literature and the production of a sophisticated research paper. (offered as needed)

PSYC 413: Psychology: East and West

Credits 3
This course explores the major intersections between Western Psychology and Eastern Philosophy. Implications of this intersection include deeper insights into the nature of the mind, the nature of the self, the nature of matter versus mind, the nature of psychological illness and healing, and the characteristics of “the good life.” (spring)

PSYC 414: Positive Psychology

Credits 3
This course will explore an emerging approach in psychology which examines human strengths, positive psychological experiences, growth-enhancing individual traits and the characteristics of constructive groups and institutions. The most basic assumption that positive psychology urges is that human goodness and excellence are as authentic as disease, disorder, and distress. This approach will be contrasted to the “disease model” traditionally employed in understanding mind and behavior. Positive psychology proposes that positive institutions facilitate the development and manifestation of positive traits, which in turn facilitate positive subjective experiences.

PSYC 425: Psychology and the Arts

Credits 3
This course examines various psychological themes and the application in various literary genres. This is a course designed for advanced students. (spring)

PSYC 445: Research Practicum

Credits 3
This course allows the student to work closely with a faculty member in designing and carrying out a research project of shared interest. This course is intended for students contemplating further study in academic psychology. (offered as needed)

PSYC 446: Research Practicum II

Credits 3
This course allows students to further extend their understanding of the research process by working closely with a faculty member in carrying out a research project of shared interest. It is intended for students contemplating further study in academic psychology. (offered as needed)

PSYC 448: Field Practicum in Psychology

Credits 3
This course provides the student with an opportunity to work in a professional setting observing and/or engaging in work related to the field of psychology. The student will spend a set number of hours at a site approved by the faculty mentor and, in addition, will attend regular on-campus meetings with the faculty mentor. (fall, spring)

PSYC 490: History and Systems of Psychology

Credits 3
This course is a historical and conceptual survey of the key figures, ideas, methods, and philosophical underpinnings and scientific presuppositions of psychology. Emphasis will be given to modern psychological theories currently influencing psychology. The course will review a variety of concepts studied during the psychology major, and thus covers a wide range of psychological subfields.