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Psychology
Dr. Priest, chair; Dr. Blunt, Dr. Griffith, Dr. Stull; Dr. Farmen (emeritus)
Psychology is the scientific study of the brain, mind, and behavior. It is approached from physiological, cognitive, and social perspectives. Psychologists apply the scientific method (including statistics and experimental design) to the study of brain function, perception, memory, development, social influence, attitudes, organizational behavior, abnormal behavior, and the treatment of disorders. This requires the development of skills in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, speaking, writing, and ethical decision-making.
Each course seeks to integrate psychological theories and data with biblically based principles. Psychology majors have pursued successful careers in research, counseling, teaching, medicine, business, and law. The department’s web page can be found at anderson.edu/psychology.
MAJORS
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR (30 hrs.)
Requirements: • 3 hours of PSYC 2000 • 3 hours of PSYC 2010 • 1 hour of PSYC 4900
15 additional hours from 3000- and 4000-level PSYC courses, including: • At least 12 hours from PSYC 3010, 3030, 3040, 3060, 3100, 3120, 3200, 3210, 3240, 3330, 3400, 3450, 4030, 4100, 4110, 4140, 4150, 4510/4520, 4650 • At least 3 hours from any 3000- and 4000-level PSYC courses • PSYC 4900 does NOT count toward these 15 hours.
Remaining hours from any additional PSYC courses.
COMPLEMENTARY MAJORS
PSYCHOLOGY COMPLEMENTARY MAJOR (26 hrs.)
The complementary major does not stand alone to fulfill graduation requirements, but it is a useful complement to students who are seeking a better understanding of themselves and others. The structure of the complementary major is flexible but has these requirements: • Required courses: PSYC 2000, 2010, 4900 • At least 12 hours from PSYC 3010, 3030, 3040, 3060, 3100, 3120, 3200, 3210, 3240, 3330, 3400, 3450, 4030, 4100, 4110, 4140, 4150, 4510/4520, 4650 • Remaining hours from additional PSYC courses
Youth Leadership Development does not stand alone to fulfill graduation requirements, but it is a valuable complement to such majors as youth ministries, social work, criminal justice, family science, psychology, and other majors involving interaction with youth. This major is also an excellent complement for students who enjoy working with youth but whose careers will be in fields that may not involve interaction with youth.
• PSYC 2000, 2100, 2510, 4210 • SOCI 3210, 3100, and one from: SOCI 3050, 3140, or 3150 • EDUC/PSYC/SOCI 2850, 4800
MINOR
PSYCHOLOGY MINOR (16 hrs.) • Required course: PSYC 2000 • At least 6 hours from 3000- and 4000-level PSYC courses
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Departmental honors are awarded only to those students who meet the requirements below and are recommended by the department faculty. The number of students receiving departmental honors is limited by Anderson University policies and Psychology Department recommendations. Psychology students seeking honors must submit an application in order to be considered.
Minimum requirements for applying include the following: (1) completion of 36 hours of psychology courses, including at least one upper-division course from each full-time faculty member; (2) cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; and (3) GPA of at least 3.5 in the psychology major. From this pool of applicants, the department faculty will award honors as student performance merits.
PSYC COURSES
2000 General Psychology 3 hrs. (3, 0)
An introduction to the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Topics include history, biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, development, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, social, abnormal, and counseling. Required of all psychology majors and minors. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
2010 Research Methods in Psychology 3 hrs. (3, 0)
An introduction to psychological research methods and discipline-specific writing, with an emphasis on inclass exercises. Required of all psychology majors. Applies to the liberal arts writing-intensive requirement. PREREQUISITE: Psychology major or minor. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
2050 Psychological Propaedeutics 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An introduction to the philosophical foundations of psychology. Topics include will, mind, sense, cognition, dreams, mental faculties, imagination, memory, and the unconscious. OFFERED: With sufficient demand.
2100 Interpersonal Relationships 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An introduction to the social skills that increase interpersonal effectiveness in courtship, marriage, work, and play. Methods used may involve role playing, personal feedback, video recording, and group discussion. GRADE: CR/NC. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
2110 Educational Psychology 3 hrs. (2, 0)
An introduction to the application of psychological principles to the challenges of teaching and learning. Examines the theoretical and applied aspects of learning, motivation, human development, personality, and measurement and evaluation. SAME AS: EDUC 2110. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
2440 Applied Statistics and Introduction to Research 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An examination of basic statistical techniques with emphasis on interpreting research literature, practical applications in psychology, business and political science, and use and interpretation of appropriate computer software. PREREQUISITE: Mathematics proficiency. OFFERED: Sem. II.
PSYC (cont.)
2510 Developmental Psychology 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An introduction to the study of psychological growth and development of the individual from a lifespan approach. Child and adolescent development will be emphasized. A holistic approach to physical, cognitive, affective, and personality development; parenting; and stages of grief and dying are used. Theorists considered may include Piaget, Erikson, Kohlberg, Mahler, and Kubler-Ross. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
2850 Practicum in Leadership Skills 2 hrs. (1, 2)
An introduction to training assertiveness, communication, helping, and negotiation skills. Students receive direct feedback on their performance and gain experience in co-leadership and team building. Required for youth leadership development majors. CONSENT: Instructor. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2100. GRADE: CR/NC. SAME AS: EDUC/SOCI 2850. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
3010 Social Psychology 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An examination of the behavior of individuals in society, including the study of attitudes, beliefs, prejudice, aggression, leadership, and altruism. Applies to the liberal arts writing-intensive requirement. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. SAME AS: SOCI/PUBH 3030. OFFERED: Sem. II.
3030 Psychiatric Rehabilitation 3 hrs. (3, 0)
Involves exploring mental health services used to help individuals with severe mental illnesses achieve the best outcomes possible. Focus on evidence-based practices, but discusses a variety of other factors shaping how services are provided, including cultural factors, stigma, and the role of advocacy groups. A repeated theme will be to ask how to implement humane, practical, feasible, culturally competent, cost-effective, and replicable services. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. II, odd years.
A practical approach to the theory and training of small and large groups and their leadership. Focus on leading groups in schools, churches, hospitals, agencies, and industry. Group types covered include discussion, task, and personal-development groups. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. GRADE: CR/NC. OFFERED: Sem. I.
3060 The Emotions 4 hrs. (4, 0)
Our emotions influence almost every part of our lives, including our perceptions, decision-making, and relationships with others. Course briefly examines motivation and how emotion differs from it and the various theories of emotion. It also examines the complex components of emotion, from antecedent event, through appraisal and arousal, to attribution and action. Numerous specific emotions are examined in light of this. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. I.
3100 Human Brain Dysfunction 4 hrs. (4, 0)
Within a framework of neuropsychology, an introduction to brain dysfunction, including language disruption, memory disruption, and the effects of stroke, tumor, and traumatic brain injury. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. II, even years.
3120 Abnormal Psychology 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An exploration of differing perspectives on abnormal behavior and how these impact the resulting classification and treatments. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. I.
3200 Living the Christian Faith in a Post-Christian World 3 hrs. (3, 0)
An examination of the interface of biblical principles as developed through the inductive study of contemporary approaches to understanding the world. Emphasizes the impact of such principles on faith and action. Meets Liberal Arts Christian Ways of Knowing. Applies to the liberal arts speaking-intensive requirement. OFFERED: Sem. I.
3210 Behavioral Neuroscience 4 hrs. (3, 2)
An introduction to the biological foundations of animal and human behavior, including human neuropsychology, the study of brain disease, and how the environment (including toxins) contributes to changes in the brain. The laboratory component stresses the human brain and the student’s ability to recognize its various components. EXPECTATION: PSYC 2010 strongly recommended. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. I.
PSYC (cont.)
Stresses behavior in relation to organizational theories, knowledge, and the application of theories related to individual, group, and organizational performance. Emphasis on understanding the managerial process from a behavioral perspective. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. SAME AS: BSNS 4010. OFFERED: Sem. II.
3240 Experimental Design 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An introduction to complex analysis of variance and covariance. Focuses on intermediate statistical methods of data analysis. The class is for students planning to do graduate work in psychology. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2440 or MATH 2120. OFFERED: Sem. II.
3310 Psychological Tests 3 hrs. (3, 0)
An introduction to the principles and practices of individual and group testing in aptitude, intelligence, interest, and personality. Theory, construction, evaluation, interpretation, uses, and limits of psychological tests are emphasized. Specific topics include reliability, validity, norms, test construction, and selection. EXPECTATION: PSYC 2440 strongly recommended. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. I, 2022-23.
3330 Cognitive Psychology 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An examination of the theoretical and empirical consideration of cognitive processes. Topics include attention, memory, problem-solving, and language. Corresponding topics from neuroscience will also be included. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. II.
3400 Memory 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An introduction to the theory and application of human learning and memory. Students will learn evidence-based best practices for learning and apply this knowledge to class, work or athletics. Memory failures such as forgetting, blocking, and the intrusion of unwanted memories will be examined and solutions discussed. Christian perspectives of memory will be considered. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. II, odd years.
3450 Health Psychology 4 hrs. (4, 0)
Involves the application of psychological principles and research into the enhancement of health and to the prevention and treatment of illness. Examines how biological, psychological, and social factors interact with and impact an individual’s ability to make decisions that promote good health and help prevent illness. Topics may include the role of stress in illness, specific illnesses (e.g. cancer, heart disease), and strategies for modifying lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, weight control). PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: Sem. I.
3500 Thought Life and Spiritual Growth 2 hrs. (2, 0)
Utilizes cognitive theory and spiritual principles to inform one’s interpersonal and professional growth. Presents a convergence model of cognitive precepts and Judeo-Christian spiritual principles that can be utilized in such transformation. A theoretical context will be provided and experiential techniques will be modeled for application. PREREQUISITE: Sophomore or upper-division standing. SAME AS: SOCI 3500. OFFERED: Sem. I.
4030 Counseling and Psychotherapy 4 hrs. (4, 0)
An examination of several approaches to treating abnormal behavior with an emphasis on developing practical competence. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000, 3120. OFFERED: Sem. II.
4100 Leadership and Training Skills 2 hrs. (2, 0)
Equips students to lead small interpersonal skill-training groups using the skills of working with a co-leader, team building, promoting a positive learning environment, agenda monitoring, and remaining task focused. Students will learn to train others in the skills of communication, assertion, helping, and negotiation. CONSENT: Department. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2850. REPEAT: May be repeated once for credit. GRADE: CR/NC. OFFERED: Sem. I, II.
4110 History and Systems 3 hrs. (3, 0)
The study of the evolution of thought in psychology from its inception as an experimental science to the development of its significant systems, issues, experiments, and theories of today. Provides good preparation for the Graduate Record Examination in psychology. PREREQUISITE: PSYC 2000. OFFERED: With sufficient demand.
