Psychology
http://www.uwgb.edu/psychology/
Disciplinary Major or Minor
(Bachelor of Science)
Psychology is the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes (e.g., memory, emotion). It seeks to explain how physiological, personal, cultural, social, developmental, and environmental conditions influence thought and action. Research aims to understand, predict, and influence behavior.
In the past century, psychology has moved from being a branch of philosophy to being both an experimental science and an active helping profession. Likewise, psychologists work in a variety of settings where their expertise in human behavior is applied to increase efficiency, assist in product design, improve work conditions, and more. To quote the American Psychological Association, “In every conceivable setting from scientific research centers to mental healthcare services, ‘the understanding of behavior’ is the enterprise of psychologists” (www.APA.org).
Psychology has developed several specialized sub-areas with foci spanning from the level of the nerve cell (e.g., the neural basis of memory) to that of society (e.g., the developmental consequences of the Head Start program). To recognize that subject matter diversity in the field, the Psychology major also has specific emphases. Students may choose to complete one of the following: (1) Brain, Behavior, and Health; (2) Mental Health; (3) Sustainability; or (4) Culture and Gender Diversity. However, students are not required to have an emphasis and should speak with a Psychology adviser about whether or not one of an area of emphasis is the right fit for them.
A strong grasp of psychology also requires knowledge of the approach and content of considered core to the field as a whole. Students gain this understanding by completing coursework in the primary areas of Psychology: Research Methods, Physiological/Cognitive, Social/Personality, Developmental, and Clinical. Students without an emphasis then complete the major by choosing additional courses to meet individual needs with the help of a Psychology adviser. Those students who elect to have an emphasis should still meet frequently with an adviser to discuss career planning and professional development but will have specific upper-level courses to take to meet the emphasis requirements and complete the major.
Regardless of emphasis, the program offers special opportunities for students to strengthen their professional preparation. Psychology faculty frequently work with students on collaborative research projects. Support for advanced student research is enhanced by technology in the social science research suite. Although all courses are taught by faculty members, undergraduate teaching assistantships allow students to master course content and receive valuable training in the teaching of psychology. Internships are available in a variety of community settings.
Psychology helps to deepen understanding of individual and social behavior and provides a strong general background for many careers. Psychology graduates are employed in a variety of positions with social and community service agencies, businesses, research firms, and governmental agencies. Preparation for specialized professional work — such as testing, counseling, university teaching, consulting, and many research activities — usually requires a master’s or doctoral degree. Psychology majors have pursued graduate school in many fields, including psychology sub-disciplines such as experimental, developmental, industrial/organizational, social, and clinical, counseling, or school psychology, as well as the related fields of social work, education, medicine, law and business.
Psychology majors must choose an interdisciplinary minor. There are many different complementary minors. They vary based on individual interests and future career or educational goals, so students are encouraged to discuss options with a Psychology adviser.
The following is only an example of a four-year Psychology degree program and is subject to change without notice. Students should consult a Psychology program advisor to ensure that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information available about a particular four-year degree option.
Illene N Cupit; Professor; Ph.D., Temple University
Regan Gurung; Professor; Ph.D., University of Washington - Seattle
Ryan C Martin; Professor; Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi, chair
Dean D VonDras; Professor; Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis
Georjeanna J Wilson-Doenges; Professor; Ph.D., University of California - Irvine
Denise Bartell; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
Kathleen C Burns; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts
Jenell L Holstead; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Indiana
Christine A Smith; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Kristin M Vespia; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Iowa
Jason Cowell; Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Sawa Senzaki; Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Alberta
Courses
PSYCH 102. Introduction to Psychology. 3 Credits.
Understanding of behavior from psychophysiological, cognitive, social and clinical perspectives; important issues, methods and findings in the study of psychological process.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 198. First Year Seminar. 3 Credits.
Reserved for New Incoming Freshman.
PSYCH 299. Travel Course. 1-4 Credits.
Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
PSYCH 300. Research Methods in Psychology. 4 Credits.
Experimental methods in psychological research; designing and drawing conclusions from experimental research; critiques of research reports; individual and group laboratory projects.
P: PSYCH 102; COMM SCI 205 or MATH 260 or BUS ADM 216. REC: COMM SCI 205.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 305. Psychology of Stereotyping and Prejudice. 3 Credits.
This course provides an overview of the causes and effects of stereotyping and prejudice from a psychological perspective. It also explores when stereotypes are used, how they are measured, and how they can be reduced.
P: PSYCH 102
Spring.
PSYCH 308. Physiological Psychology. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the biological bases of behavior. Basic sensory, motor, and brain mechanisms are described in reference to normal and abnormal behaviors. Drugs and hormone effects on infants and adults are also discussed.
P: PSYCH 102 AND HUM BIOL 102 or BIOLOGY 201/202 with a C or better
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 310. Drugs and Behavior. 3 Credits.
Psychoactive drugs will be studied regarding their effects on the brain, behaviors and society.
P: PSYCH 102 AND HUM BIOL 102 or BIOLOGY 201/202
Spring.
PSYCH 315. Cognitive Neuroscience. 3 Credits.
This course illustrates the biological bases of behavior with emphasis placed on the basics of neurobiology and the application of neuroscience to our understanding of cognitive processes such as cognitive control, decision-making, memory, language, and attention. Neuroscience refers to the science of the nervous system. Thus, Cognitive Neuroscience is the study of the neurological correlates of thought. However, it’s much more than that. This field is founded on the idea that all thought, indeed all behavior, originates in the nervous system. Cognitive Neuroscience seeks to understand the design and operating principles of the mind, as instantiated in the brain.
P: PSYCH 102
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 330. Social Psychology. 3 Credits.
An exploration of theory, method, and empirical results regarding individual behavior in groups. Major topics include social cognition, aggression, helping, and attraction.
P: PSYCH 102 AND Psych 300 or COMM SCI 301 or HUM DEV 302.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 350. Psychology and Culture. 3 Credits.
A cross-cultural examination of core psychological processes and areas of study, such as cognition, emotion, development, and personality.
P: Sophomore status; PSYCH 102
Fall Only.
PSYCH 380. Conservation Psychology. 3 Credits.
Conservation Psych seeks to understand and motivate humans to practice sustainable behavior.
P: None REC: PSYCH 102
Fall Only.
PSYCH 390. Environmental Psychology. 3 Credits.
Human-environment relationships; examines ways in which the physical environment influences human behavior.
P: PSYCH 102.
Spring.
PSYCH 401. Psychology of Women. 3 Credits.
The psychology of women examines traditional and feminist approaches to women in psychological theory and research as frameworks for understanding women's development and experience in family, academic, work, and relationship roles. The interacting influences of biology, socialization, and cultural context are considered.
P: PSYCH 102.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 415. Organizational and Personnel Psychology. 3 Credits.
Examines the human side of organizations from a scientific framework. Topics include job analysis, performance appraisal, employee selection, training, motivation, job satisfaction, work teams, leadership, and organization development.
P: jr. st.; PSYCH 102 AND Psych 300 or COMM SCI 301 or HUM DEV 302.
Fall Only.
PSYCH 417. Psychology of Cognitive Processes. 3 Credits.
Contemporary theory and research on thinking processes; how people understand and interpret events around them; attention, recognition, thinking, memory, language, imagery and problem-solving.
P: jr. st.; PSYCH 102 AND Psych 300 or COMM SCI 301 or HUM DEV 302
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 420. Psychological Testing. 3 Credits.
An overview of the uses and underlying psychometric concepts of psychological tests. Examines selected tests in the areas of intelligence, personality, achievement, and interest assessment. Discusses controversial social, legal, ethical, and cultural issues related to testing.
P: jr. st
Fall Only.
PSYCH 424. Psychology of Emotion. 3 Credits.
This is an advanced undergraduate psychology course designed to expose students to the science of emotion. Students will become acquainted with the many ways in which biological, cultural, cognitive, and other factors can contribute to our emotions.
P: PSYCH 102 and PSYCH 300 or HUM DEV 302.
Fall Only.
PSYCH 429. Theories of Personality. 3 Credits.
Major ideas about the organization, function, change and development of human personality as discussed by a variety of personality theorists.
P: PSYCH 102 AND Psych 300 or COMM SCI 301 or HUM DEV 302.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 430. History and Systems of Psychology. 3 Credits.
Major schools, figures, trends and systems of thought in the field of psychology; shifts in the conceptualization of the problems, phenomena, methods and tasks for psychology.
P: PSYCH 102 and 300 and one upper level Psych course and jr st.
PSYCH 435. Abnormal Psychology. 3 Credits.
Major psychological, biological, and sociocultural models of abnormal behavior, including problems of childhood, adolescence, and aging. Contextual issues are emphasized, including the influence of culture, social class, and gender on diagnosis and treatment.
P: PSYCH 102
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 438. Counseling and Psychotherapy. 3 Credits.
This class provides an introduction to many contemporary approaches to counseling and their theoretical and research base. It also addresses issues relevant to professional practice in the field, along with the roles of development, values, ethics, and context/culture in the counseling process.
P: PSYCH 102 AND Psych 300 or COMM SCI 301 or HUM DEV 302.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 440. Multicultural Counseling and Mental Health. 3 Credits.
This course involves an exploration of cultural groups, beliefs, and practices within the U.S. and focuses on ways that culture, race, ethnicity, and associated concepts, such as oppression and privilege, influence definitions and treatments of mental illness.
P: so st; PSYCH 102 AND Psych 435 or 438.
Spring.
PSYCH 450. Health Psychology. 3 Credits.
This course examines how health, illness, and medicine can be studied from a psychological perspective. Topics include coping with stress, leading a healthy lifestyle, factors influencing smoking, alcohol use, and exercise, the patient-practitioner interaction, and chronic and terminal illness.
P: jr. st.; PSYCH 102 AND Psych 300 or COMM SCI 301 or HUM DEV 302.
Spring.
PSYCH 478. Honors in the Major. 3 Credits.
Honors in the Major is designed to recognize student excellence within interdisciplinary and disciplinary academic programs.
P: min 3.50 all cses req for major and min gpa 3.75 all UL cses req for major.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 494. Senior Capstone in Psychology. 3 Credits.
Exploration of a particular topic pertaining to psychology from an interdisciplinary perspective. The topic will vary from semester to semester.
P: PSYCH 300; senior status REC: To be taken in the last semester before you graduate.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 495. Teaching Assistantship. 1-6 Credits.
Students will learn the different components related to successful instruction. This will include theoretical perspective, empirical research, and pedagogical techniques relating to teaching that they can apply to a broad array of future teaching and learning experiences.
P: PSYCH 102 or Hum Dev 210, and 3.0 GPA in Human Dev/Psych, and consent of inst; REC: sr st.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 496. Research Assistantship. 1-6 Credits.
Students will assist faculty in conducting research. Responsibilities may include literature reviews, library investigations, questionnaire development, recruitment and interviewing of research participants, data collection, management of research studies, data entry, and some statistical analysis.
P: PSYCH 102 and consent of instr. REC: PSYCH 300 or COMM SCI 205.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 497. Internship. 1-12 Credits.
Supervised practical experience in an organization or activity appropriate to a student's career and educational interests. Internships are supervised by faculty members and require periodic student/faculty meetings.
P: jr st and gpa > or = 3.00.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 498. Independent Study. 1-4 Credits.
Independent study is offered on an individual basis at the student's request and consists of a program of learning activities planned in consultation with a faculty member. A student wishing to study or conduct research in an area not represented in available scheduled courses should develop a preliminary proposal and seek the sponsorship of a faculty member. The student's advisor can direct him or her to instructors with appropriate interests. A written report or equivalent is required for evaluation, and a short title describing the program must be sent early inthe semester to the registrar for entry on the student's transcript.
P: fr or so st with cum gpa > or = 2.50; or jr or sr st with cum gpa > or = 2.00.
Fall and Spring.
PSYCH 499. Travel Course. 1-6 Credits.
Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
