91564

PSY 121 History, Systems & People in Psychology

Stuart Levine

M . W . .

11:50 am -1:10 pm

RKC 101

SSCI

Over the course of the semester we study theoretical insights and conceptual attempts to understand human behavior. These are traced from the speculations within the Ancient World to current scientific thinking and methods guiding the study of psychology and other social science disciplines. Importantly, because a discipline is also about people who advance it, students are introduced to the lives and times and ideas of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field. Particular attention is given to such figures as James, Pavlov, Freud, Skinner and Asch, to mention just a few. Illumination will also come from a consideration of correspondence between and among pivotal individuals in the field. Critical analyses and integrations are juxtaposed with historical renderings. Upper college students likely will benefit from this course because they already possess the foundational knowledge necessary to draw comparisons and critically evaluate varying points of view. Lower college students likely will use the course to greet the intellectual domains they enter. Class size: 22

91506

PSY 127 Neuroscience of Everyday Life

Frank Scalzo Lab:

. . . Th . . T . . .

1:30 pm -3:30 pm 1:30 pm -3:30 pm

HDR 101A RKC 114

SCI

This course will examine the role of neuroscience in everyday life activities. We will examine how the nervous system functions in activities such as sleeping, waking, attention, sensory processes, eating, drinking, and cognitive processes. Basic neuronal function and synaptic regulation will be discussed, as well as how neural systems are organized and regulated to give rise to everyday behaviors. The laboratory will use scientific approaches to answer questions about the relationship between brain and behavior. Prerequisite: passing score on part 1 of the Mathematics Diagnostic.

Class size: 18

91667

PSY 141 A Intro to Psychological Science

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

. T . Th .

10:10 am -11:30 am

OLIN 202

SSCI

How does the mind create the reality we perceive? How do experiences shape the brain, and how do processes in the brain influence thought, emotion and behavior?  This course investigates these and similar questions by studying the science of the human mind and behavior. The course covers topics such as memory, perception, development, psychopathology, personality, and social behavior. A focus is on the biological, cognitive, and social/cultural roots that give rise to human experience. Additionally, the course will consider how behavior differs among people, and across situations. Class size: 22

91668

PSY 141 B Intro to Psychological Science

Amy Winecoff

M . W . .

8:30 am -9:50 am

OLIN 201

SSCI

See above. Class size: 22

91669

PSY 141 C Intro to Psychological Science

Thomas Hutcheon

M . W . .

10:10 am -11:30 am

OLIN 201

SSCI

See above. Class size: 22

91664

PSY 203 A Statistics for Psychology

Kristin Lane

. T . Th .

10:10 am -11:30 am

HEG 204

MATC

This course provides an introduction to the concepts and methods of statistics and is aimed at helping the student to gain a fundamental understanding of the tools needed to understand and conduct research in psychology. Topics to be covered include frequency distributions and probability, descriptive statistics, simple correlation and regression, sampling distributions, t-tests and basic and factorial analysis of variance. Non-parametric tests such as Chi-square will also be introduced. The course will focus on the interpretation and communication of statistics, and we will work with the SPSS software package to analyze data. This course is the first of a two-course sequence in statistics and research methods that is required of all prospective psychology majors. The course is ordinarily taken in the first semester of the sophomore year. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychological Science or its equivalent. Class size: 32

92272

PSY 203 B Statistics for Psychology

Thomas Hutcheon

. T . Th .

10:10 am -11:30 am

HDR 106

MATC

See above.

Lab Options: Students sign up for PSY 203 and either one of the lab sections below.

91665

PSY 203 LBA Statistics for Psychology Lab

Kristin Lane

. T . . .

1:30 pm -3:30 pm

RKC 107

MATC

Class size: 16

91666

PSY 203 LBB Statistics for Psychology Lab

Kristin Lane

. T . . .

3:30 pm -5:30 pm

RKC 107

MATC

Class size: 16

92273

PSY 203 LBC Statistics for Psychology Lab

Thomas Hutcheon

. T . . .

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

HDR 101A

MATC

Class size: 16

91670

PSY 210 Adult Abnormal Psychology

Amy Winecoff

. . W . F

1:30 pm -2:50 pm

OLIN 205

SSCI

This course is designed to examine various forms of adult psychopathology (i.e., psychological disorders) within the contexts of theoretical conceptualizations, research, and treatment.  Etiology and pathogenesis of symptoms (both core and associated), diagnostic classifications, and treatment applications will be addressed.  Adult forms of psychopathology that will receive the primary emphasis of study include the anxiety, mood, psychotic, and substance-related disorders.  Prerequisites: Introduction to General Psychology or permission of instructor. Class size: 22

91671

PSY 230 Cognitive Psychology

Justin Hulbert

M . W . .

10:10 am - 11:30 am

RKC 102

SSCI

Cognitive psychology is the study of mind: how we perceive the world, remember, represent knowledge, acquire new information, become aware of our emotions, make plans, reason, and use language. In this course we examine the empirical foundations that determine our understanding of mind, including classic research designs, recent advances in computational modeling, philosophical perspectives, and changes in cognition throughout the lifespan. The course also considers the neural underpinning of these topics. Class size: 22

91673

PSY 262 Advertising & Consumer Behavior

Thomas Hutcheon

. T . Th .

8:30 am -9:50 am

OLIN 201

SSCI

The average American will spend two years of his/her life watching television advertisements. The ubiquitous (and often intrusive) nature of these advertisements invokes the sentiments of Will Rogers who once said, “advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need.” However, at their core, advertisements are designed to persuade an audience to take an action. For example, a recent advertising campaign funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is widely credited with helping over 100,000 people quit smoking. To influence consumer behavior, an advertisement must attract attention, leave a lasting memory trace, change preferences, and ultimately impact decision-making. In other words, creating a successful advertisement requires an understanding of how the mind works. In this course, students will learn the psychological principles underlying advertising strategies and how these influence consumer behavior. Class size: 22

91676

PSY 335 Science of Forgetting

Justin Hulbert

M . . . .

1:30 pm -3:50 pm

RKC 200

SSCI

Forget something? Of course, we all have. From annoying tip-of-the-tongue moments to more embarrassing (or worse) memory lapses, forgetting is a regular—and sometimes even advantageous—occurrence. But we still have a lot learn about exactly how and why these episodes occur. In this seminar, we will consider leading psychological and neuroscientific theories of forgetting, as well as the empirical evidence for them. Do memories simply decay over time or is interference to blame? Can memories be repressed only later to be recovered? How do drugs, alcohol, and traumatic head injuries affect memory consolidation? By the end of the course, you will have acquired the scientific background necessary to address these questions in relation to forgetting in your own life, as well as notorious cases of memory failures in the public sphere. This course is open to moderated students who have completed at least one of the following prerequisites: Cognitive Psychology (PSY 230), Human Memory (PSY 243), Neuroscience (PSY 231), or with instructor’s permission. Class size: 12

91674

PSY 358 Preschoolers' Thinking: Cognitive Development between 2 - 5 years of Age

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

M . . . .

4:40 pm -7:00 pm

OLIN 309

SSCI

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain & Behavior The primary focus of this course will be the cognitive developmental underpinnings of children’s burgeoning concepts about the social and biological world around them. Children undergo enormous changes in their thinking in the years before they enter school, and these changes have alternately been described as continuous and discontinuous, qualitative and quantitative in nature. In particular, a large amount of research has targeted children’s “theory of mind”, or the understanding that outward behaviors are caused by internal states (thoughts, beliefs), and not necessarily the actual state of affairs. Does a 3-year old understand that two people can have different perceptions of the same experience? When do children realize that thoughts and dreams can’t be touched, the way a toy can? Our discussions will focus on readings from empirical papers, theoretical essays, and books. Open to third and fourth year students with consent of the instructor. Class size: 12

91675

PSY 391 Psychobiology of Stress & Mental IlLNESS

Frank Scalzo

. . W . .

10:10 am -12:30 pm

OLIN 309

SSCI

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain & Behavior Recent advances in the understanding of the neurobiology and physiology of stress have changed the way stress is viewed, both as a primary phenomenon and as a secondary factor that precipitates or causes a variety of psychiatric disorders. The latter include phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and schizophrenia. This research conference will examine recent findings on the mechanisms and biological consequences of stress and will explore links between these effects and psychiatric disorders as reported in journal articles. Students will be expected to read and develop critiques of these articles as well as make class presentations. This seminar is intended for students who have moderated in psychology or biology, but is open to students with suitable background. Class size: 12

92006

PSY AB ABNORMAL Psychology: Advanced Methodology

Amy Winecoff

. . . Th .

2:30pm-4:30pm

PRE

(2 credits) In this course students will participate in laboratory research related to abnormal psychology. Specifically, students will work on projects relevant to understanding eating disorders or to understanding the basic psychological and physiological processes associated with disordered eating. There will be a weekly laboratory meeting in which we will discuss progress on ongoing projects in the lab, and students will take turns presenting relevant empirical articles. In addition to rotating weekly presentations, students will be required to complete two papers and perform tasks related to the day-to-day functioning of the laboratory. Enrollment is open to first-, second-, and third-year students with the permission of the instructor. Class size: 6.

92004

PSY SOC Social Psychology: Advanced Methodology

Kristin Lane

. . . Th .

2:30pm-4:30pm

PRE

(2 credits)This course provides hands-on experience in the practice of Social Psychology. Students will work individually and in teams on ongoing research projects in the Social Psychology Laboratory. The realm of topics to be studied includes the roots of unconscious bias, the gender disparity in the sciences, and behavior change. Students will participate in all phases of the research process, including developing stimuli, programming studies, conducting experimental sessions, and coding and analyzing research data. Requirements include attendance at weekly lab meetings, two papers, a lab presentation, and other assignments throughout the semester. Enrollment is open to first-, second-, and third-year students with the permission of the instructor. Students are expected to enroll for two consecutive semesters. (This course may be taken for a maximum of eight credits.) Class size: 6