The major | Course descriptions | Degree requirements

PSYC 104, or consent of the instructor, is prerequisite to all other courses in psychology except PSYC 104 and PSYC 219.

(These course descriptions are taken from the 2005-2006 La Sierra University Bulletin. Course descriptions may change from year to year.)

LOWER DIVISION

PSYC 104: General Psychology (4)

Introduction to the scientific study of human emotion, motivation, cognition, and behavior; includes a brief overview of the physiological, cognitive, and motivational aspects of behavior.

PSYC 219: Psychology Colloquium (.5) frequently asked questions

Freshman or sophomore students register for this colloquium, which is devoted to exploring current topics in psychology and professional issues in the field. Enrollment in the quarter of the student’s choice for participation throughout the year. S/U grade. May be repeated up to 4 times for credit. Attendance at eight colloquia is required per half-unit of enrollment.

PSYC 234: Developmental Psychology (4)

Exploration of the physical, mental, emotional, social, and religious/moral development occurring within the family context from conception through adulthood. Includes observations and/or laboratory experience.

PSYC 252, 252L: Quantitative Psychology (4)

Review of statistical techniques most used in psychology, including chi-square, correlation, regression, multiple regression, and analysis of variance. Special emphasis is placed on using and interpreting statistics for the most common psychological research designs. Prerequisite: MATH 251; CPTG 104.

PSYC 295: Directed Research (1-4)

Research project under the direction of an on-campus faculty member or an approved off-campus research supervisor. May be repeated for additional credit, and may extend through a second or third quarter. Approximately 40 clock hours of work per quarter per unit of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and minimum overall GPA of 2.5.

PSYC 299: Directed Study (1-4)

Limited to department majors who wish to pursue independent investigations in psychology under the direction of a department faculty member. Approximately 40 clock hours of work per quarter per unit of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

UPPER DIVISION COURSES

PSYC 304: Social Psychology (4)

Study of the behavior of the individual as a member of the group and behavior patterns within groups. Social interaction; group organization and leadership; social influences on perception, cognitive processes, attitude formation, and attitude change are addressed. Identical to SOCI 304.

PSYC 314: Psychology of Gender (4)

Survey of theory and research on the psychology of gender. Topics include the psychological and physiological development of gender, gender differences in personality, and the social construction of gender.

PSYC 315: Cross-cultural Psychology (4)

A study of cross-cultural psychology focusing on cross-cultural differences, cultural influences on basic psychological processes, the limitations of cross-cultural research, cultural influences on social and developmental processes, and issues of mental and physical health across cultures.

PSYC 319: Career Colloquium (.5)

Junior students enroll in this colloquium to learn strategies for successful application to and completion of graduate school, as well as future careers in the field of psychology.

PSYC 344: Personality (4)

A survey of the major topics in the field of personality, including personality theory; personality assessment; and the physiological, behavioral, and cultural roles of perception, learning, and motivation in personality.

PSYC 349: Methods of Research (4); PSYC 349L: Methods of Research Lab (1)

An introduction to the methodology used in designing and analyzing psychological experiments, integrating theoretical and practical hypothesis testing with the use of appropriate parametric and nonparametric statistics. Includes laboratory practice (1 unit) in the formulation of testable hypotheses, solution of sampling problems, the interpretation of results, and the use of statistical software to evaluate and interpret data. Prerequisite: MATH 251; PSYC 252.

PSYC 355: Psychology of Groups (2)

An examination of intragroup relations, including such topics as the influence of the group on the individual and of the individual on the group. Includes lecture, discussion, and small group exercises.

PSYC 356: Principles of Psychological Testing and Measurement (4)

Examination of psychological testing procedures in evaluation and diagnosis of human behavior. Includes limited supervised experience in techniques of administration and scoring of tests, and the preparation and presentation of data in professional, written reports. Prerequisite: MATH 251 or consent of instructor.

PSYC 364: Introduction to Health Psychology (4)

Study of the interrelationships of psychological and behavioral factors in health and illness. A variety of basic topics in the field are covered, including stress and coping in illness prevention and health promotion; illness behavior; impact of hospitalization; and modification of health habits. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 374: Cognition and Memory (4)

Theory and research in human cognitive processes such as concept formation, problem solving, mental operations, language, and memory. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 401: Senior Project (4)
PSYC 401A: Senior Research Project doc html

This class is designed for psychology majors and requires the completion of an original research project and the writing of a senior paper. Research plan must be filed within the first two weeks of the third term prior to the expected date of graduation, although enrollment may occur any quarter during the senior year. Prerequisite: Psychology major with senior standing.

PSYC 401B: Senior Internship

This class is designed for psychology majors and requires the completion of an internship and the writing of a senior paper. Plan for internship must be filed within the first two weeks of the third term prior to the expected date of graduation, although enrollment may occur any quarter during the senior year. Prerequisite: Psychology major with senior standing.

PSYC 414: Interviewing and Counseling (4)

Procedures, methods, and problems in the collection of personal data in a professional interview situation. Theories and techniques of academic, vocational, and therapeutic counseling in various settings, designed to improve intra- and interpersonal behavioral patterns for more effective living, are explored. Consideration is given to clinical, educational, and crisis-intervention counseling applications. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PSYC 344 or consent of instructor.

PSYC 435: Learning and Behavior (4)

Review and analysis of major phenomena and theories of human and animal learning and behavior. Introduction to the fields of behavioral analysis of change. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 451: Physiological Psychology (4)

An introduction to the study of the biological substrates of behavior. Concentration is on the structure and function of the nervous system constituents, sensory and motor systems as they are involved in molar behaviors. Includes laboratory investigation of the structural and functional organization of the brain and nervous system. Prerequisite: BIOL 104/104L, 105/105L, 106/106L or BIOL 131/131L, 132/132L or consent of instructor.

PSYC 452: Behavioral Neurobiology (4)

An advanced course on the functions of the mammalian nervous system. Neuronal substrates of behavior including perception, motivation, emotion, memory, consciousness, and abnormal thought and behavior are explored. Genetic correlates of behavior are also considered. Identical to BIOL 439. Prerequisite: PSYC 451.

PSYC 454: Psychotherapy (4)

Advanced examination of current theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PSYC 414.

PSYC 456: Sensation and Perception (4)

Introductory survey of the human senses and their role in perception. Consideration of how we sense the physical environment, with an emphasis on what physiological factors influence our perceptions. Includes laboratory experience. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PSYC 451.

PSYC 464: The Exceptional Child (4)

Study of determinants, characteristics, problems, and adjustments of children with mental, physical, emotional, or social disabilities, and of gifted and talented children. Intervention techniques used with children with disabilities are explored. Attention is paid to the rights of children under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Credit not allowed for both EDPC 460 and this course.

PSYC 474: Industrial and Personnel Psychology (4)

Introduction to the application of psychology in industry and business. Topics include psychological solutions to personnel problems, including human relations, effective employee selection, training, motivation, and morale. Includes discussion of employee-employer relations, including factors influencing efficiency of work and job satisfaction. Offered alternate years.

PSYC 475: Abnormal Psychology (4)

Psychology of behavioral disorders with emphasis on etiology, symptoms, and treatment. Prerequisite: PSYC 344 or consent of instructor.

PSYC 478: History and Systems of Psychology (4)

Philosophical and historical background of psychology, with consideration of contemporary schools and systems of psychology.

PSYC 482: Topics in Psychology (2)

Topics of current interest in the field of psychology. Content varies as follows; different sections may be repeated for additional credit.

482A: Prejudice

An examination of the cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects of prejudice, including prejudice based on such categories as race, gender, ethnicity, stigma, and age. Both laboratory and field research are emphasized.

482B: Physician-Patient Communication

An advanced course on the characteristics of communication between physicians and patients. Emphasis placed on determinants of the quality of communication (including nonverbal cues), interaction of various communication styles, and impact on varied patient outcomes.

482C: Critical Thinking: Theory and Application

Advanced class on development of basic skills in critical thinking. Topics include reasoning, logic, common fallacies, practical language, persuasion, problem solving strategies, and applying skills of critical thinking to the complex issues of everyday life.

482D: Eating Disorders

The incidence, etiology, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of bulimia, anorexia, obesity, body dysmorphic disorder, and other eating disorders. Emphasis placed on the effects of media and advertising on the psyche of the young, as well as their perceptions of their bodies.

482E: Myth of Mental Illness

A look at the medical model of mental illness and how it has influenced psychology’s perception of abnormal behavior. Emphasis placed on the dangers of diagnostic labeling; ethnic, cultural, and gender differences in labeling; and an investigation of the theories of Rogers, Szasz, and others who oppose labeling.

482F: Adolescence

A focused study of the developmental period between middle-childhood and early adulthood including developmental tasks related to attachment and autonomy, sexuality, intimacy, achievement, and identity.

PSYC 484: Advanced Topics in Psychology (4)

Topics of current interest in the field of psychology. Content varies as follows; different sections may be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite for all PSYC 484 classes: Upper division standing and PSYC 349. Additional prerequisites for particular sections listed below.

484A: Intergroup Relations

An examination of the way individuals in groups relate to each other focusing on the cognitive aspects of intergroup relations and the relation between identity and intergroup relations. Additional Prerequisites PSYC 304.

484B: Experimental Designs

The logic of scientific thought in the preparation and execution of psychological research, focusing on the role of the experiment in psychology. Includes the preparation of a literature review and a research proposal.

484C: Perceptual and Cognitive Development

Advanced class on the early development of cognition and perception. Topics include physiological basis of perception, color perception, oculomotor development, speech perception, intermodal perception, proprioception memory, language, intelligence, social cognition, and contextual influences, with theoretical perspectives on the nature of cognitive development and their application. Additional Prerequisite PSYC 234.

PSYC 486: Thanatology - Death and Dying (4)

Psychological and social implications of death and dying as experienced by the terminally ill patient and significant others. Introduction to investigative techniques in homicide and suicide; analysis of equivocal deaths; the psychological autopsy. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

PSYC 488: Seminar in Psychology (4)

Variable content to focus on the interface of psychology and one or more disciplines.

488B: Psychology and Law

An introduction to the application of psychological topics to law, including the legal process; trials and juries; eyewitness testimony; presentation of scientific evidence; and the use of social science in the legal system.

488C: Psychology of Religion

An examination of religious behavior from a psychological (theoretical and methodological) perspective. Focus is on the development of religion and religious socialization; religious experience; religion and death; the social psychology of religious organizations; coping and adjustment; and religion and mental disorder.

488D: Psychology of Music

Focuses on the perception and cognition of music. Topics include the sense and perception of sound, timbre, consonance, dissonance, musical scales, attention and memory of melody, rhythm and the organization of time, and cross-cultural universals.

488E: Political Psychology

Application of psychological theory and research methods to political science topics. Examination of the way that politics is influenced by characteristics of people (abilities, personalities, values, attitudes), as well as the way that people are influenced by the political environment (institutions, information, norms). Major theories and approaches in personality and social psychology are used to explore the topics of political leaders, political followers, public opinion, tolerance and intolerance, and international relations.

PSYC 495: Undergraduate Research (1-4)

Original investigation under the direction of an on-campus faculty member or an approved off-campus research supervisor. May be repeated for additional credit, and may extend through a second or third quarter. Approximately 40 clock hours of work per quarter per unit of credit. Prerequisite: PSYC 349, consent of instructor, minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

PSYC 499: Directed Study (1-4)

Limited to department majors with senior standing who wish to pursue independent investigations in psychology under the direct supervision of a department faculty member. Approximately 40 clock hours of work per quarter per unit of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.