p s y c h o l o g y
PSY 1001 College: An Introduction 1 QH
Intended for freshmen in the College of Arts and Sciences. Seeks to introduce freshmen to the liberal arts in general, as well as to familiarize them with their major; help them develop the academic skills necessary to succeed (e.g. analytical ability and critical thinking); provide grounding in the culture and values of the University community; and help them develop interpersonal skills--in short, to familiarize students with all skills needed to become a successful university student.PSY 1111 Foundations of Psychology 1 4 QH
Surveys the fundamental principles and issues of the major areas of contemporary scientific psychology. Approaches the study of psychology as a method of inquiry as well as a body of knowledge. Emphasizes biological bases of behavior, principles of learning and motivation, psychological testing, personality dynamics, psychopathology, and therapeutic approaches. Requires research participation in psychology experiments (or alternative).PSY 1112 Foundations of Psychology 2 4 QH
Continues PSY 1111, emphasizing the areas of lifespan development, sensory and perceptual processes, states of consciousness, cognition, language, memory, emotion, and social influences on behavior. Requires research participation in psychology experiments (or alternative). Prereq. PSY 1111.PSY 1210 Research in Psychology 4 QH
Introduces research methods in psychology such as field research, content analysis, case research, survey methods, simulations, and laboratory experiments. Examines issues of research fairness and evaluating research methods. Explores basic statistical notions including sampling, variability, and correlation. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1211 Statistics in Behavioral Science 1 4 QH
Introduces descriptive statistics (scales of measurement, frequency distribution and graphs, measures of central tendency, dispersion and correlation, standard scores, and the unit normal curve) and probability theory (permutations, combinations, and the binomial theorem). Prereq. MTH 1101 or MTH 1107, and PSY 1112, or permission of instructor.PSY 1212 Statistics in Behavioral Science 2 4 QH
Offers a general presentation of hypothesis testing, including parametric and nonparametric tests, with emphasis on formulating hypotheses and choosing appropriate scales of measurement, tests, and confidence levels. Prereq. PSY 1211.PSY 1215 Sexual Behavior 4 QH
Focuses on the sexual activities of the human male and female from infancy to adulthood. Considers the importance of sexual factors in the life history of the individual, statistical surveys of sexual behavior, and direct observational measures of sexual responding. Explores the nature of love, responses to pornography, prostitution, bisexuality, male and female homosexuality, rape, child abuse, and sexual therapy.PSY 1216 Researching Consciousness 4 QH
Introduces the varied scientific approaches to the study of consciousness and the diverse theories of consciousness and the mind. Explores biology and consciousness; drug-induced states of consciousness, dreaming, hypnosis, meditative states, pain perceptions, and anomalistic psychology (e.g., near-death experiences and ESP). Examines data, theory, and methodological and conceptual problems. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1218 Psychology of Women 4 QH
Introduces the student with little or no background in psychology to the current theories and research on the psychology of women. Critically examines psychological, biological, and social influences on gender differences, gender roles, and gender stereotypes in the light of scientific evidence and individual experience. Assesses their consequences for society. Uses the unique perspective generated in the field of the psychology of women to evaluate traditional research methods in psychology as well as the major psychological theories formulated to explain women and the differences between women and men. Emphasizes critical-thinking skills.PSY 1220 Biological Basis of Mental Illness 4 QH
Examines current hypotheses of brain dysfunction involved in mental illness. Explores the field of biological psychiatry including events in the brain that can be linked to mental disorder. Studies current neurochemical and genetic theories of diseases such as schizophrenia and depression. Emphasizes recent research and critically assesses treating mental disorders biologically, such as with drug therapy.PSY 1222 Psychology of Prejudice 4 QH
Searches for universal characteristics of prejudice by examining its expression toward various minorities, including colonized peoples, culturally Deaf people, Hispanic and African Americans, women, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, and those with status in multiple minorities. Reviews research in social psychology on stereotyping and ethnocentrism for the insight it gives into the nature of prejudice. Uses selected films and student minority advocates to allow class members to hear the authentic voice of targets of prejudice.PSY 1231 Learning and Motivation 4 QH
Offers an introduction to the basic learning and motivational principles that permit humans and animals to adapt effectively to a changing environment. Emphasizes research and theories of operant and Pavlovian conditioning, with discussions of discriminations and generalization, avoidance and punishment, acquired motivational states (for example, addiction), concept formation, biological constraints on learning and behavior, animal cognition, and other related topics. Relates learning and motivational principles to the understanding and treatment of behavioral, affective, cognitive, and motivational disorders. Prereq. PSY 1112, or permission of instructor.PSY 1241 Developmental Psychology 4 QH
Examines changes in social relationships, moral reasoning, language, cognition, sensation and perception, personality, and sex roles that occur with development from infancy through adolescence. Examines major theories of development regarding the role of biology, social learning, and peer and parental influences. Explores individual differences (in attachment and temperament, for example) and research issues relevant to the study of children. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1242 Adult Development and Aging 4 QH
Examines theories of adult personality development and views on the stability of personality over time. Explores changes from young adulthood onward in sexuality, heterosexual relationships, friendships, and occupational roles as well as age-related differences in learning, memory, intelligence, and physical functioning. Attention is also given to issues surrounding family violence, age-related changes in mental health and suicide rates, death and dying, ageism, and intergenerational relations. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1243 Infant Development 4 QH
Focuses on the fact that during the first two years of life, the basic physical, perceptual, cognitive, and emotional capacities emerge and interact in the development of such complex behaviors as visually guided movement, the formation of social attachments, and the emergence of language. Provides an introduction to this critical period of human development; emphasizes how the infant's biological inheritance interacts with the physical and social environment in the generation of these important abilities and behaviors. Prereq. PSY 1241 or ED 1102.PSY 1244 Childhood Mental Illness and Mental Retardation 4 QH
Focuses on mental illnesses that are first diagnosed in childhood such as autism, phobias, conduct disorders, and attention-deficit disorder. Overviews childhood depression and suicide and disorders of eating and sleeping. Covers etiological factors in mental retardation (e.g., maternal disease, lead poisoning, chromosome abnormalities). Describes personality characteristics of individuals with mental retardation as well as the effects of institutionalization, mainstreaming, and psychological interventions. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1251 Food, Behavior, and Eating Disorders 4 QH
Investigates what starts and stops eating behavior. Examines taste, nutrition, metabolism, the brain, food experiences, and societal factors that control feeding behavior. Emphasizes the biological/psychological interaction in normal eating and in pathological eating, such as anorexia, bulimia, and extreme obesity.PSY 1262/LIN 1262 Psychology of Language 4 QH
Provides a basic introduction to psycholinguistics. Topics include the nature and structure of languages, processes involved in the production and comprehension of language, the biological bases of language, and aspects of language acquisition. Examines current theories of language processing and related experimental findings. Prereq. PSY 1112 or permission of instructor.PSY 1263/LIN 1263 Nonverbal Communication 4 QH
Examines the messages we send by posture, facial expression, voice quality, gestures, touch, gaze, and interpersonal distance. Examines origins and consequences of these behaviors as well as differences related to culture, personality, power, gender, and age. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1268 Psychology and Film 4 QH
Uses selected films to investigate psychological subjects, including human development over the life cycle (particularly childhood and adolescence), family dynamics, sexuality, and psychopathology (trauma, anxiety and eating disorders, psychosis). Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1271 Social Psychology 4 QH
Provides an introductory survey of social psychology. Focuses on aggression, attribution, attitude formation, change and measurement; conformity; impression formation; and group processes (social facilitation, deindividuation, for example). Prereq. PSY 1112 or permission of instructor.PSY 1272 Personality 1 4 QH
Offers a systematic study of the normal personality and its development. Focuses on behavioral, dynamic, and constitutional determinants, assessment of personality, research; surveys the major theories of personality. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1273 Personality 2 4 QH
Continues PSY 1272. Prereq. PSY 1272.PSY 1274 Psychology and the Law 4 QH
Traces the effects of psychological factors through the course of a trial, including such issues as accuracy of eyewitness identification, plea bargaining, jury selection, persuasion tactics in the courtroom, presumption of innocence, jury size, jury decision rules, and sentencing and punishment.PSY 1280/AFR 1280 Race and Social Identity 4 QH
Provides an interdisciplinary look at the social, political, and psychological factors shaping contemporary African-American and white ethnic identity. Outlines the history of the concept of race in America. Studies ethnic identity as it has been conceptualized and measured by psychologists. Examines the psychology of intergroup relations and addresses strategies for reducing racism.PSY 1351 Psychobiology 4 QH
Focuses on the relation between brain function and human behavior. Examines how nerve cells function individually and work together both in small networks and in the nervous system; the structure of the nervous system; how our sense organs provide the nervous system with information about the outside world; how the brain controls movement; and how psychological concepts from motivation to language and memory are represented in the brain. Prereq. PSY 1112 or permission of instructor.PSY 1362/LIN 1362 Language Acquisition 4 QH
Examines how language develops in children. Prereq. PSY 1262, LIN 1118, or permission of instructor.PSY 1364/LIN 1364 Cognition 4 QH
Provides a basic introduction to human cognition. Topics include pattern recognition, attention, memory, categorization and concept formation, problem solving, and aspects of cognitive development. Examines current theories of cognitive processing and related experimental findings. Prereq. PSY 1112 or permission of instructor.PSY 1365/LIN 1365 Language and the Brain 4 QH
Focuses on linguistic behavior from a neuropsychological viewpoint. Examines models of how the nervous system, and the brain in particular, controls the production, perception, and internal manipulation of language. Considers localization of cerebral functions and hemispheric lateralization; experimental and clinical evidence for functional models; aphasia and other language pathologies; schizophrenic language; evidence from "slips of the tongue"; and the bilingual brain. Compares speech, sign language, and writing systems. Also discusses interpretation and translation. Prereq. PSY 1262 or permission of instructor.PSY 1366/LIN 1366 Cognitive Development 4 QH
Explores patterns of thought characteristics of infants and young children, how those patterns change with age, and different theoretical explanations for patterns of change. Seeks to convey the state of the art in cognitive developmental theory and research, and to provide students with critical-thinking skills needed to evaluate research in cognitive development. Supplements lectures with class exercises and demonstrations. Topics include development of object perception, memory, categorization, reasoning and problem solving, social cognition, and conceptual change. Discusses theoretically controversial issues such as the interaction of mind and environment in development, domain-general versus domain-specific processes, cognitive development across cultures, and the role of biological constraints in cognitive development. Prereq. PSY 1241, PSY 1262, PSY 1364, or permission of instructor.PSY 1371 Industrial/Organizational Psychology 4 QH
Surveys the psychological fundamentals underlying performance in work settings. Topics include psychological testing, performance evaluation, training, motivating, and leading employees, and the social psychology of organizations. Emphasizes ethical and affirmative action issues. Prereq. PSY 1211 and PSY 1271.PSY 1373 Abnormal Psychology 1 4 QH
Surveys the abnormal personality, including systems of diagnoses, defense mechanisms, and criteria of psychopathology. Examines the symptomatology, etiology, and dynamics of anxiety disorders (phobia, obsessions, compulsions, etc.), dissociative disorders (amnesia, multiple personality, etc.), and somatoform disorders. Examines case histories in detail. Prereq. PSY 1112.PSY 1374 Abnormal Psychology 2 4 QH
Surveys psychological and somatic therapies. Examines the symptomatology, etiology, dynamics, and therapy of schizophrenia, paranoid disorders, mania, depression, and organic disorders. Prereq. PSY 1373.PSY 1375 Clinical Case-Study Development 4 QH
Students reflect upon the clinical case-study notes and personal journal entries made during the preceding clinical co-op experience. Students are expected to identify and research the psychological, neuropsychological, systemic, and behavioral aspects of disorders (e.g., mental retardation, eating disorders, schizophrenia) that they encountered. Evaluates proficiency in applying theoretical perspectives to research through written and oral reports. This course fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences experiential education requirement for psychology majors.PSY 1381 Sensation 4 QH
Provides an introduction to the study of our senses, with emphasis on vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Focuses on how we measure our sensory abilities and relates findings to the functioning of sensory organs--eyes, ears, skin, mouth, and nose--and of the sensory nervous system. Prereq. PSY 1112; PSY 1351 is highly recommended or permission of instructor.PSY 1382 Perception 4 QH
Offers a study of our awareness of the world around us, with an emphasis on visual and auditory perception. Covers perception of light, sound, space, form, motion, auditory scene analysis, and one or more of color, attention, music, and speech perception. Discusses biological reductionism, Gestalt theory, Gibson's direct perception theory, and Marr's computational theory. Prereq. PSY 1112 or permission of instructor.PSY 1410 Systems and Theories of Psychology 4 QH
Presents in an historical context the core ideas and theoretical positions encountered by students in previous courses. Examines different systematic orientations such as structuralist, functionalist, Gestalt, psychoanalytic, behaviorist, cognitive, and humanistic psychology to demonstrate the extent to which the systems influence contemporary American psychology. Prereq. Junior or senior status in psychology major or permission of instructor.PSY 1431 Behavior Therapies 4 QH
Offers a study of successful projects that have provided effective remediation and rehabilitation in institutions for the mentally ill, the mentally retarded, and the developing human (schools). Prereq. PSY 1231 or permission of instructor.PSY 1442 Human Memory 4 QH
Offers a detailed examination of how people learn and remember. Examines the different kinds of memory, short-term, episodic, and semantic, with emphasis on current theories of memory function and related experimental findings. Prereq. PSY 1262 or PSY 1364.PSY 1451 Psychopharmacology 4 QH
Examines interactions between drugs, brain, and behavior. Focuses on such topics as synaptic transmission, behavioral functions of specific neurotransmitter systems, pharmacological treatment of mental and neurological disorders, and drug abuse. Prereq. PSY 1351 or equivalent with permission of instructor.PSY 1471 Social/Personality Roundtable 4 QH
Develops skills in conceptualization and discourse on current topics in social and personality psychology. Uses the combination of a speaker series paired with discussion, readings, and topical papers to promote critical thinking in psychology. Prereq. PSY 1271 or PSY 1272.PSY 1499 Psychology of Reading 4 QH
Provides an overview of issues in the psychology of reading. Topics include the nature of the reading process as a cognitive activity, eye movement patterns in reading, stages of reading development, and dyslexia. Examines current theories of reading and text comprehension. Prereq. PSY 1262 or PSY 1364.Directed Studies -- Honors Courses
PSY 1711 Perspectives in Psychology 1 (Honors) 4 QH
Honors equivalent of PSY 1111. (Core Category II)PSY 1712 Perspectives in Psychology 2 (Honors) 4 QH
Honors equivalent of PSY 1112.PSY 1770 Honors Directed Study 4 QH
For details contact the undergraduate coordinator in the psychology department, 125 Nightingale Hall.PSY 1890, PSY 1891, PSY 1892, PSY 1893, PSY 1894 4 QH each
Directed Study Offers empirical research under the direction of the psychology department, usually on a laboratory or field-based research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Requires a research paper, oral presentation, or poster presentation of the student's work. Interested students should consult directly with the research faculty member, or with a departmental adviser for guidance, at least one quarter before the directed study is undertaken. Prereq. Permission of instructor.PSY 1895, PSY 1896, PSY 1897, PSY 1898 4 QH each
Junior/Senior Honors Program For details, contact the honors office.PSY 1992, PSY 1993, PSY 1994 Independent Study 4 QH
Offers a reading course for the student who wants guidance in the archival exploration and in-depth study of a topic of interest. Conducts study through a series of individual tutorials or discussions with a faculty member that typically involves an extensive, analytical review of the literature. Interested students should consult directly with the relevant faculty member, or with a department adviser for guidance in locating the most appropriate faculty person, at least one quarter before the study is undertaken. Prereq. Permission of instructor.PSY 1996, PSY 1997, PSY 1998, PSY 1999 Psychology Adjunct 1 QH each
A student, under the guidance of a faculty member, may work on any of the following projects with a minimum time commitment of three hours per week: Part 1 of the experiential education requirement; continue the academic exploration of a previous course subject; develop specialized skills or materials related to career goals. Prereq. Permission of instructor. LaboratoriesPSY 1511 Experimental Design in Psychology 4 QH
Focuses on the experimental method in the design, execution, analysis, and reporting of psychological investigations of humans and animals. Prereq. PSY 1112 and PSY 1212.PSY 1530 Experiments in Learning and Motivation 4 QH
Gives students the opportunity to assess the generality, specificity, and robustness of learning and motivational principles, primarily through field experiments with free-ranging feral animals. Involves designing and conducting experiments and writing reports on operant and Pavlovian conditioning, adjunctive behavior, biofeedback, and related topics. Focuses on the theoretical and clinical implications of experimental findings. This course does not use laboratory animals. Prereq. PSY 1211 and PSY 1231.PSY 1531 Learning and Motivation Laboratory 4 QH
Gives students the opportunity to gain proficiency, through direct experience, in lab analysis of behavior and in evaluating common generalizations about human behavior. Expects students to design and perform experiments in animal and human learning, memory, decision processes, concept formation, and other topics of individual interest. Prereq. PSY 1212 and PSY 1231.PSY 1551 Laboratory in Psychobiology 4 QH
Introduces the methods of research in psychobiology. Expects students to work in small groups, conducting three to four hands-on laboratory exercises under supervised conditions. Expects students to read selections of the relevant scientific literature, analyze the collected data, and write experimental reports. Prereq. PSY 1351 or permission of instructor.PSY 1553 Animal Behavior Research 4 QH
Offers students the opportunity to examine key concepts and principles by conducting field studies at a local zoological park or facility following a broad survey of the animal kingdom to identify similarities and differences in the behavioral processes by which individuals and species adapt to their environments. Addresses, through individual or group research projects, such issues as adaptive specializations in learning; the advantages of living in social organization; animal communication; mechanisms of reproduction; cooperation and aggression; ontogeny of behavioral characteristics; and the adaptive roles of male-female differences. Introduces students to the skills of animal-behavior research using a variety of field observation techniques that involve collecting and analyzing data and writing scientific reports on the projects. Prereq. PSY 1112 and PSY 1211 or permission of instructor.PSY 1562/LIN 1562 Psycholinguistics Laboratory 4 QH
Provides students the opportunity to acquire first-hand experience in conducting research on issues in the psychology of language. Focuses on classical experiments and their implications for broader issues of language processing. Involves students in all aspects of each experiment, including collecting and analyzing data and preparing lab reports. Prereq. PSY 1212, and PSY 1262 or PSY 1364.PSY 1564/LIN 1564 Cognition Laboratory 4 QH
Provides students the opportunity to acquire first-hand experience in conducting research on issues in human cognition. Focuses on classical experiments and their implications for broader issues of cognitive functioning. Involves students in all aspects of each experiment, including collecting and analyzing data and preparing lab reports. Prereq. PSY 1212, and PSY 1364 or PSY 1262.PSY 1571 Laboratory in Social Psychology 4 QH
Provides an introduction to the methods of social-psychological research. Assists students in developing the ability to read published social research with a critical eye, to pose questions in a testable manner, to apply experimental methods to social research, and to express themselves in APA journal style. Prereq. PSY 1212 and PSY 1271.PSY 1572 Personality Laboratory 4 QH
Provides an introduction to the methods and areas of personality research. Discusses problems of measurement, control, and interpretation. Critically examines representative published experiments. Expects students to design, collect data for, assess, and write up several experiments, including one original research project. Prereq. PSY 1212 and PSY 1272.PSY 1575/AFR 1575 Community Psychology Laboratory 4 QH
Students reflect upon real-world obstacles in conducting independent field research in communities in and around Northeastern during the quarter. Student reflections are used to guide research design, to evaluate theory, and to problem-solve social problems. Research topics may focus on battered women, HIV, student stress, perceptions of the media, church involvement in dealing with stress, or topics affecting large minority populations. Evaluates student performance through class discussions and written research reports. Fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences experiential education requirement for psychology majors.PSY 1581 Sensation and Perception Laboratory 4 QH
Focuses on experiments involving precise measurements of both physical and psychophysical phenomena, including auditory function, color vision and aftereffects, muscular sensation, tactile sensitivity, and adaptation to perceptual distortions. Prereq. PSY 1212, and PSY 1381 or PSY 1382.Seminars
PSY 1610 Psychology and Personal Values 4 QH
Students identify and reflect upon ethical concerns (e.g., related to confidentiality, animal use, racism, designing and applying research) that they encountered in their prior co-op/research experiences. Considers historical, psychological, philosophical, sociological, and spiritual perspectives. Students use reflective conversation to guide their ethical thinking, research, and problem solving. Evaluates research projects through written and oral reports. Fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences experiential education requirement for psychology majors. Prereq. Any laboratory course in psychology and research or co-op experience in psychology.PSY 1614 Seminar on Heredity and Society 4 QH
Focuses on the origins of the intelligence-testing movement and the movement's relation to eugenics and to behavior genetics. Studies history, methods, substantive findings, and social implications of psychological measurement and testing. Examines the extensive research literature on intelligence testing and the nature/nurture problem in areas such as psychopathology, criminality, and alcoholism. Prereq. Permission of instructor.PSY 1632 Seminar in Behavior Modification 4 QH
Discusses topics in behavior modification in a seminar format. Prereq. PSY 1231, PSY 1531, or permission of instructor.PSY 1651 Seminar in Neuropsychology 4 QH
Offers intensive study, discussion, and practice in lab studies of physiological variables. Covers evolution of the nervous system, sensory and motor mechanisms, motivation and emotion, sleep, attention and perception, learning, and memory. Prereq. PSY 1351 or permission of instructor.PSY 1661/LIN 1661 Seminar in Psycholinguistics 4 QH
Offers intensive study and discussion of issues in the psychology of language. Specific topics vary by quarter. Prereq. PSY 1212, and PSY 1262 or PSY 1364.PSY 1662/LIN 1662 Seminar in Cognition 4 QH
Offers intensive study and discussion of issues in cognitive psychology. Specific topics vary by quarter. Prereq. PSY 1212, and PSY 1262 or PSY 1364.PSY 1671 Seminar in Social Psychology 4 QH
Expects students to examine and present in class their findings on a particular topic in social psychology, such as attribution, aggression, conformity, attitude-behavior relationship. Prereq. PSY 1271 or permission of instructor.PSY 1672 Seminar in Clinical Psychology and Personality 4 QH
Offers seminar presentations of topics relevant to understanding the normal and disturbed personality. Covers topics such as specialized assessment procedures, cognitive styles in personality, temperament, hypnosis, anxiety, aggression, specialized clinical syndromes, and the development of conscience. Prereq. PSY 1374 (may be taken concurrently).PSY 1681 Seminar in Sensation and Perception 4 QH
Expects students to present in class their finding on topics such as how perceptions are organized, formed, and modified by sensory, attentional, motivational, and cognitive factors, how our sensory systems extract information from the environment in a consistent and logical manner, despite large changes in environmental conditions, and how to account for this in physiological terms. Prereq. PSY 1351 and PSY 1381 or PSY 1382.PSY 1888, 1889 Experiential Education Directed Study 4 QH
Draws upon the student's approved experiential activity and integrates it with study in the academic major. Restricted to those students who are using it to fulfill their experiential education requirement.PSY 1990 and PSY 1991 Internship in Psychology 4 QH each
Offers supervised experiences in the application of psychology in instructional, clinical, or other applied settings. Prereq. Junior or senior psychology major, minimum QPA of 3.0, and approval by department.Note: PSY 1410, Systems and Theories of Psychology, also counts as a seminar.
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