Psychology (PSYC)

1000 Level | 2000 Level | 3000 Level | 4000 Level

USP Codes are listed in brackets by the 1991 USP code followed by the 2003 USP code (i.e. [M2<>QB]).

1000. General Psychology. 3. [C2<>CS] Surveys the field of psychology through lectures, class discussion and assigned readings. Includes development of behavior, physiological mechanisms of behavior, perception, motivation and emotion, learning, intelligence, individuality and personality and mental health.

1001. Issues in Psychology. 1. [(none)<>I, L] Students debate and analyze controversial topics confronting psychologists, thereby gaining a better understanding of the varieties of work done by psychologists, as well as a better understanding of the methods psychologists use to advance the date of knowledge in the field. Prerequisites: PSYC 1000 or concurrent enrollment.

1111. Psychology and Social Justice. 3. [(none)<>I] Examines the field of political psychology, the study of how individuals behave in the context of policy-making, supporting leaders and causes, and voting. Particular emphasis is placed on social justice in democratic systems, such as the persistence of inequalities based on race, gender, and social class.

2000. Research Psychological Methods. 4. [W2<>WB] Introduces students to some of the methods of investigating psychological questions. Exposes students to various research strategies ranging from observational to experimental, using representative laboratory exercises, lectures, readings, films and demonstrations. Requires written and oral reports. May be used to satisfy department's written and oral communication requirement for majors. Laboratory two hours per week. Prerequisites: PSYC 1000, ENGL WA, STAT 2050 or 2070.

2080. Biological Psychology. 3. Introduces biological bases of behavior. Includes ethology and comparative behavior, psychobiological development, physiological and sensory mechanisms of behavior, and evolution and behavioral genetics. Presents basic structural and functional properties of the nervous system. Prerequisites: PSYC 1000 and general LIFEogy. (Normally offered fall semester)

2210. Drugs and Behavior. 3. Surveys drugs which affect behavior, emphasizing drugs with abuse potential. Includes brief introduction to the chemistry of the brain and how drugs may have their effects. Discusses behavioral, social, historical and medical aspects of each major class of psychoactive drugs. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000.

2220 [2200]. Infant Development. 3. [C2, W2<>(none)] Examines aspects of development of the human organism in the first three years of life. Examines theories, research and issues relating to infant development. Includes motor, perceptual, physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

2300. Developmental Psychology. 3. Explores development and behavior of children from conception to adolescence, emphasizing major roles played by maturation and learning. Acquaints students with the area of child study in terms of research findings, theories of child development and present problems. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000. (Normally offered spring semester)

2310. Exceptional Children. 2. Studies behavior, mental processes and developmental patterns of atypical children, the physically handicapped, the gifted, the mentally retarded and children with neurological and psychological disturbances. Students will not be allowed credit in PSYC 2310 if PSYC 4310 is taken. Prerequisite: 4 hours in psychology. (Offered at Wyoming community colleges)

2330. Psychology of Adjustment. 3. Brings students to an understanding of more common problems of personal adjustment in terms of general psychology principles. Students may not receive credit in both PSYC 2330 and previously offered PSYC 633. Prerequisite: 4 hours in psychology. (Offered at Wyoming community colleges)

2340 [4340]. Abnormal Psychology. 3. Provides a general overview of abnormal behavior, emphasizing types, etiology and treatment methods. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000. (Normally offered spring semester)

2380 [4755]. Social Psychology. 3. Examines how peoples' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.  Course will cover a braod range of theories and research in social psychology.  PSYC 1000.  (Normally offered fall semester)

3120 [4120]. Cognitive Psychology. 3. Deals with higher mental processes that are primarily unique to human beings from theoretical and research orientations. Emphasizes interrelationships between various cognitive processes and continuity of those processes with perceptual and non-cognitive activities. Discusses how information is processed and remembered. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Offered spring semester)

3150. Moral Development. 3. [C2<>(none)] Students explore the vast psychological literature on moral development in affect, cognition and behavior from infancy to adulthood. Topics covered include major developmental theories, research methodologies, current scientific knowledge and its relationship to issues of cultural diversity, social policy and education. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000, junior/senior standing or consent of the instructor. (Normally offered fall semester)

3160 [4160]. Learning and Behavior. 3. Learning focuses on how our experiences affect how we think, feel, and behave.  Reviews major theoretical approaches to learning which derive from animal and human research.  Discusses applications of learning principles to understanding current behavior, teaching and maintaining new behavior, and eliminating unwanted behavior. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Normally offered spring semester)

3250. Health Psychology. 3. Provides overview of growing partnership between psychology and health care, including history of psychology in health care; theoretical foundations of health and illness; intervention and research techniques; stress and high risk behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, eating behaviors, AIDS); psychology's contribution to improving outcomes and quality of life in chronic and life-threatening behaviors. Cross listed with NURS 3250. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000 or consent of instructor. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

3390 [4390]. Theories of Personality. 3. Intensively studies major theoretical approaches to explanation of personality, as well as historical trends that culminated in the theories. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Normally offered fall semester)

3600. Principles of Animal Behavior. 3. Intensively introduces scientific study of animal behavior. Utilizes evolutionary, ecological and physiological approach. Prerequisite: introductory course in ZOO, LIFE or PSYC; or consent of instructor.

4050. Experimental Psychology. 4. [W3<>WC] Through lecture and laboratory students are acquainted with experimental methods in psychological research. Prerequisites: PSYC 2000, STAT 2050 or STAT 2070, and 20 hours in psychology. (Normally offered fall semester)

4060. History and Systems of Psychology. 3. Deals with history of the ideas that led to present science of psychology. Emphasizes the origins of modern psychology within the context of nineteenth century science. Discusses philosophical origins of modern psychology. Prerequisite: 9 hours in psychology. (Normally offered spring semester)

4070. Motivation. 3. Studies motivation concerning both humans and non-human animals, emphasizing humans. Discusses the physiological basis of motivation in some detail. Considers emotion as primarily a motivational state. Covers psychodynamic and personality factors with regard to the human. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Normally offered fall semester)

4080. Physiological Psychology. 4. [(none)<>SB] Examines physiological mechanisms of behavior, strongly emphasizing neural and hormonal processes. Includes fundamentals of neuroanatomy and evolution of the nervous system, basic neurophysiology, sensory and motor processes, as well as the physiology of emotion, motivation, learning and memory. Lecture three hours per week. Laboratory two hours per week. Prerequisites: 6 hours in psychology; and LIFE 1000 or 1010 or an introductory zoology course. (Normally offered fall semester)

4090. Comparative Psychology. 4. Studies unicellular organisms, plants and animals with special reference to principles of behavior common to all. Discusses dependence of behavior on structure, particularly neuromuscular and sensory mechanisms in animals, and its variability and modifiability. Emphasizes phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of nervous systems and behavior systems. Lecture three hours per week. Laboratory two hours per week. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4110. Sleep and Dreams. 3. Focuses on psychological data of sleep and dreams, as well as implications for the field of contemporary research. Particular attention given to subjective phenomena during sleep and to recent studies of the nature, meaning and function of dreams. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Normally offered spring semester)

4150. Cognitive Development. 3. Examines cognitive development from infancy to adolescence. Explores, through lecture, discussion and projects, major theories and current empirical research on cognitive development, as well as implications for social and educational policies concerning children. Prerequisite: 9 hours in psychology, including child psychology course. (Normally offered spring semester)

4200. Sensation and Perception. 3. Examines behavioral and physiological processes involved in sensation and perception. Discusses each of the sensory systems, emphasizing their physiology and role in perceptual processing. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4220. Psychopharmacology. 3. [W3<>WC] Studies behavioral and conscious effects of drugs and drug use in treatment of psychological disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 2340. Dual listed with PSYC 5220.  (Normally offered spring semester)

4250. Psychological Aspects of Chronic Illness. 3. Investigates the impact of chronic physical illnesses on diagnosed children and adults, their families, and society. Emphasizes effects of illnesses on psychological adaptation and quality of life. Should be of particular interest to helping professionals and health care workers. Prerequisites: PSYC 1000 and 3250. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4300. Adolescent Development. 3. Examines the developmental changes that occur during adolescence.  Considers physical and physiological growth; intellectual, cognitive, academic and vocational development, changes in attitudes, interests and activities; and development of interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 1000. (Normally offered spring semester)

4310. Behavior Disorders of Childhood. 3. Provides basic understanding of development processes associated with atypical child development. Examines characteristics, etiology and treatment of various child disorders. Includes conduct disorders, learning disabilities, mental retardation, infantile autism and various other childhood disturbances. Students having credit for PSYC 4310 may not receive credit for PSYC 2310. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology, including PSYC 2300. (Normally offered fall semester)

4320. Mental Retardation. 3. Acquaints students with all phases of mental retardation, emphasizing differing criteria for diagnosing mental retardation and the etiology of different types of retardation. Also deals with different types of treatment used in helping the mentally retarded, as well as current training and educational methods. Prerequisite: PSYC 2310 or 4310. (Normally offered spring semester)

4350. Psychology of Adulthood. 3. Examines theories and research on psychological development from early adulthood to the end of life, with special emphasis on positive development, successful aging, and methodological issues in the study of adult development.   Prerequisite: PSYC 1000. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4370. Criminal Psychopathology. 3. Provides an overview of current theories and empirical evidence concerning relationship between psychological disorder and criminal behavior. Examines various clinical syndromes and their role in biological, social and psychological genesis of crime, as well as the concept of criminal responsibility. Cross listed with CRMJ 4370. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Normally offered spring semester)

4380. Death and Dying. 3. Designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the  field of thanatology. Death is considered from both an individual and sociocultural perspective.  Aims to provide solid ground in research, methods, and theory of end-of-life issues and to encourage contemplation of personal and professional applications of death studies.  Prerequisite: 9 hours in psychology, including PSYC 2300. (Normally offered spring semester)

4400. Principles of Psychological Testing. 3. Encompasses basic concepts, principles and procedures of psychological testing, with a lecture, discussion, laboratory project approach. Emphasizes nature and uses of test reliability, validity, norms and transformations, selecting and evaluating tests, test interpretation models and professional ethics in test use. Lecture three hours per week. Prerequisites: 12 hours in psychology and STAT 2050 or 2070. (Normally offered fall semester)

4500. Introduction to Clinical Psychology. 3. Provides students with general introduction to clinical psychology as a subarea of psychology. Deals with the search for, and applications of, psychological principles and methods aimed at assessing and explaining unique or special problems of the individual, group or family, assisting client(s) to function more meaningfully and effectively, and helping to prevent future problems. Prerequisite: 12 hours in psychology, including PSYC 2340. (Normally offered spring semester)

4600. Psychology of Gender-Role Development. 3. [W3<>(none)] Examines gender roles and sex differences at an advanced level. Incorporates developmental and social psychological perspectives. Includes development of gender-roles across the lifespan; examination of roles of biological, social and cultural factors on gender-role development; theoretical models and conceptualizations of masculinity, femininity and androgyny; differences in play behaviors of boys and girls; and evaluation of psychological measurement, research and theory regarding gender-role development and sex differences. Prerequisites: PSYC 1000 and PSYC 2000; and either PSYC 2300 or 4300. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4730. Psychology and Law. 3. Exposes students to the application of psychological principles to problems in law. Emphasizes the American trial system, correction systems and civil commitment. Cross listed with CRMJ 4730. Prerequisite: 12 hours in psychology. (Offered alternate years)

4740. Advanced Social Psychology. 3. [(none)<>WC] Concentrates on critical assessment of interpersonal behavior. Students are expected to become familiar with data gathering, analysis and reporting procedures commonly used in contemporary social psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 4755 and STAT 2050. (Normally offered spring semester)

4760. Child Maltreatment. 3. [C2<>(none)] Lecture and seminar course. Examines the phenomenon of child abuse and neglect. Includes an overview of attitudes towards and legal definitions of child maltreatment. Explores parental factors, contextual influences and developmental consequences of maltreatment. Relies heavily on current research in child abuse and neglect. Emphasizes policy implications. Cross listed with CRMJ 4760 Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology. (Offered alternate years)

4820. Psychology of Human Sexuality. 3. Encompasses a clinical-personality orientation to psychological factors in the development and expression of human sexuality. Focuses on the individual: interactions of physiological factors with developmental influences and personality patterns that produce feelings, thoughts and behaviors associated with human sexuality. Prerequisite: 6 hours in psychology, including child development course. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)

4830. Senior Thesis. 3. [W3<>WC] Senior research project under faculty guidance and supervision. Faculty sponsorship must be obtained prior to registration. Prerequisites: senior standing, majors only, 27 hours in psychology, PSYC 4050 or consent of instructor. (Normally offered each semester)

4850. Field Work in Psychology. 1-3 (Max. 6). Provides students with new opportunities to experience applied aspects of psychology in real world settings through volunteering, internship, teaching, and related activities. Type and location of experience, and requirements for earning credit and for grading, are determined with a sponsoring faculty person in the psychology department. Preparation of an acceptable report on the work done is essential. No credit is available for field work prior to registration for this course. Prerequisite: consent of instructor required in advance.

4855. Undergraduate Research in Psychology. 1-3 (Max. 6). Provides students with new opportunities to assist in aspects of conducting basic and applied psychological research with a sponsoring faculty person in the psychology department. Specific research activities and requirements for earning credit and for grading are determined with a sponsoring psychology faculty person. Preparation of an acceptable report on the work done is essential. No credit is available for research conducted prior to registration for this course. Prerequisite: consent of instructor required in advance.

4860. Seminar. 1-6 (Max. 6). Small group meetings for extended discussions of particular topics in psychology, generally one topic for the entire semester. Students prepare thorough reports on an aspect of the topic and present this as basis for group discussion. Topics vary from semester to semester. There is no textbook for the seminar, but students are expected to make extensive use of the library. Prerequisites: 9 hours in psychology and consent of instructor. (Offered based on sufficient demand and resources)


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Last Change: 11/80/07