Psychology

PSYCH1501 General Psychology

Social Analysis (SA) Social Science (SS)

This course introduces the field of psychology by surveying critical subfields in the discipline, including research methods, ethics, neuroscience, cognition, development, learning theory, psychopathology, counseling theories, and social psychology. Students learn about classic and contemporary research, how to critically evaluate and apply research and theories to real world issues, how individual and sociocultural factors differentially affect people’s experiences in a complex social world, and how to communicate their assessments via papers, group projects, and oral presentations. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits

PSYCH1503 Lifespan Growth & Development This course will cover lifespan developmental research and theory from conception through old age. Students will learn about the major areas of lifespan developmental psychology including physical, cognitive, social and emotional development in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and older adulthood. Students will also develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations of lifespan developmental psychology along with and understanding of current trends and issues in the field. This course will be of relevance to students interested in careers in psychology, education, and nursing or any field that requires an understanding of human behavior. (Note: Nursing students will be given priority registration as this course is a requirement for the major. Any open seats after nursing registration is complete will be made available to other interested students.) Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits PSYCH2203 Social Psychology

Social Analysis (SA) Social Science (SS)

Social psychology deals with the study of people and the environmental contexts in which they live. Social psychology encompasses a broad range of topics, including such areas as conformity, attitudes, gender, attraction and love, helping and aggression, and prejudice and descrimination. Through lectures, discussions, demonstrations and group activities, we will take a scientific approach to explore these everday topics. We will examine classic, as well as more contemporoary, research in social psychology, critically evaluate this research and apply social psychological findings to real world situations. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits

PSYCH2209 Physiological Bases of Behavior

Scientific Inquiry (SI) Natural Science (NS)

Biological psychology, also called behavioral neuroscience or physiological psychology, is the study of the physiological bases of behavior. Biological psychology is concerned primarily with the relationship between psychological processes (behavior) and the underlying physiological events (brain)-or, in other words, the mind-body phenomenon. Its focus is the function of the brain and the rest of the nervous system in behavior (e.g. thinking, learning, perception). Biological psychology also provides a framework for normal brain functioning, allowing us to begin to understand changes associated with brain disorders such as depression or schizophrenia. This introductory level course will include topics such as: structure and function of the nervous system, development and plasticity of the brain throughout the lifespan, processing of sensory information by the brain, learning and memory, and how the brain and nervous system interact with

the body and the environment to influence behavior or result in brain disorders. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 *Students who have taken NEURO2201 are not eligible to enroll in this course.

PSYCH2210 Theories of Personality This course presents the major features of several important personality theories, including the psychoanalytic, the humanist and the cognitive-behavioral. Emphasis will be given to contemporary and psychodynamic theories. Case studies will be used to clarify, compare and contrast different theoretical approaches. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501

PSYCH2211 Race, Gender and Sexuality: Intersection of Privilege and Oppression

Social Analysis (SA) Social Science (SS) Diversity & Multiculturalism (DM)

Cultures set norms for how we are supposed to present ourselves which in turn affect how we are defined, perceived, and treated by others. Privilege refers to advantages prescribed to people based upon their perceived group membership; frequently, group differences are transformed into inequalities. Whether we experience privilege or oppression can depend on which aspects of our identities are salient in a given context. We will discuss the causes and social manifestations of privilege/ oppression locally and globally from an intersectional perspective, examining power and oppression across multiple dimensions of identity (race, gender identity, sexuality), so that we can understand how identities overlap and create multiple levels of oppression for some groups of people.Spring semester. 4 credits PSYCH2303 Child Psychology

Social Analysis (SA) Social Science (SS)

This course offers a comprehensive view of the research and theory dealing with the psychological development of the individual throughout childhood. Within these stages the focus will be on the specifics of cognitive, emotional, physical, social and moral tasks of development. In addition to dealing with the key markers of the early life stages, language development and the emergence of personality, appropriate applications from research will be made to parenting and educational situations. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits

PSYCH2304 Adulthood and Aging This course offers a comprehensive view of the research and theory pertaining to the developmental tasks of adulthood and the later adult years. The focus is on normal adjustment processes, both biological and psychological, from young adulthood, through mid-life, to the end stages of life. Topics will include the biological process of aging, changes in emotional and cognitive functions, relationships, parenting, mid-life crises, life choices as to occupation and retirement, coping and adaptation. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501

PSYCH2403 Adolescent Development

Social Analysis (SA) Social Science (SS)

This course studies the physical, cognitive, social and moral development from the onset of adolescence to young adulthood. The influence of heredity, family, culture, school and peers will be discussed, including common adolescent problems as well as adolescent psychopathological disorders. Special emphasis will be placed on the characteristics and needs of early adolescents and the role of professionals in

adolescent assessment, coordination and education. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits

PSYCH2405 Health Psychology This course deals with the psychophysical bases of health and illness. It considers health-enhancing and health-endangering behaviors, the causes of stress, ways of dealing with stress and the psychological preparation for stressful situations. Psychological research on coping and adaptation is applied to specific questions of pain, illness and modern behavioral medicine. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 Recommended: PSYCH2209 or BIOL1501

PSYCH2801 Methods and Statistics I This course will introduce psychology students to the scientific method and the basics of conducting research, including the use of appropriate measures, design and analyses. Students will learn to use PsychiNFO, follow the elements of the American Psychological Association’s sixth edition manual of style and compose a research report. Validity, reliability, descriptive statistics, sampling distributions, ethics, simple measures, probability theory, hypothesis testing, basic inferential statistics, and the foundations of a statistical package will be covered. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: Satisfactory score on the math placement exam, MATH1101 and PSYCH1501

PSYCH2802 Methods and Statistics II

Quantitative Analysis (QA)

This course will begin where Methods and Statistics I ended. It will cover nonexperimental and experimental designs and introduce more complex methods including simple programming. Students will be expected to become proficient in using a statistical package to analyze data. Between and within subject designs and their analogous techniques will be taught, followed by factorial design and two-way analyses of variance. Use of frequency counts and non-parametric statistical techniques will be introduced. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisites: PSYCH1501 and PSYCH2801

PSYCH3101 Seminar: Psychology of Women The experiences of women, both as a group and as unique individuals, are an important focus of research by psychologists today. In this service-learning course, students will examine critical issues in the field (e.g., gender roles, body image, violence against women), integrate research with applied resources and service in the Boston area, and develop educational programs on these issues for adolescent girls. Classic and contemporary research will guide dialogues about specific issues women and girls face as a group. Examining Boston’s resources (e.g., shelters) will allow students to study how theoretical and empirical research is applied to real-world situations and affects real individuals. Finally, students will work with small groups of adolescent girls to develop resources and programs that will ultimately benefit them and their peers. The work accomplished in this service-learning seminar will reflect the core mission of social awareness and social justice. Fall semester, odd years. 4 credits Prerequisites: Junior or senior status, PSYCH1501, or PSYCH2203 or permission of instructor

PSYCH3103 Relationships, Marriage and the Family

Social Analysis (SA)

This course will provide students with a deep knowledge of interpersonal relationships (e.g. friendships, romantic relationships, and family relationships) across the lifespan. The course examines how relationships are formed and how they function, including challenges to relationships and what makes relationships successful. Students will be exposed to current research on relationships in the digital era, gender roles in

relationships, the science of long lasting romantic relationships,the influence of race and ethnicity on relationships, sexuality and sexual orientation, and the changing American family. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 or instructor permission

PSYCH3111 Cognition This course is designed to introduce students to cognitive psychology with an emphasis on cognitive methods. Students will examine internal mental processes such as attention, memory, language, and reasoning. At all times, students will be challenged to make links between cognitive theory, research, and methods. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisites: PSYCH1501, PSYCH2801

PSYCH3201 Psychology of Language This course introduces the psychology of language or psycholinguistics. The use of language distinguishes humans from animals. Although some animal communication systems may be considered as rudimentary forms of language, human· language differs sharply from animal communications in its cognitive and social functions, and it is also an important vehicle for our thought, with the potential to extend, refine, and direct thinking. Therefore the interaction of language with other cognitive abilities is the central focus of the course. Psycholinguistics asks many important questions like the following. How do people use language to understand each other? What enables children to learn to speak without someone explicitly teaching them the grammar? Why do people have so much trouble to learn a second language in their adulthood? What kind of trouble do braindamaged patients have with speaking and understanding? Are we able to develop robots to speak and understand as humans do? And finally, does our language affect the way we think? In our course, we will focus on the issues and debates that surround this rapidly developing interdisciplinary field. Spring semester, even years. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH2801

PSYCH3210 Child Psychopathology This course provides an introduction to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood mental health disorders. Additionally, the risk and protective factors associated with child psychopathology will be reviewed. The course will use a developmental psychopathological framework to examine childhood mental illness. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 or PSYCH2203 and sophomore standing

PSYCH3212 Adult Psychopathology This course studies mental deviation from normal adult behavior; the etiology and description of various symptom categories, including the changes brought about by D.S.M. IV; major explanatory systems, methods of diagnosis and study of abnormal mental processes, and methods of treatment and rehabilitation. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 and sophomore standing

PSYCH3404 Emerging and Established Adulthood Large cultural and demographic shifts in the United States and other Western countries have altered the traditional pathway from one’s family of origin to adulthood. This class will investigate these shifts by examining the newly conceptualized periods of development that mark the transition from adolescence to adulthood: emerging (18-29) and established (30-45) adulthood. We will consider the psychological implications of these two age periods as they relate to well being, identity, family, love and sex,

cohabitation and marriage, career and community (e.g., religion and politics). We will also critically evaluate the viability/ applicability of the emerging and established adulthood, and will identify variations by race, gender, ethnicity, culture, social class and other lived experiences. Knowledge gained in this class will enrich students’ understanding of human behavior and will provide deeper insight into their own experience of the transition to adulthood. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 or PSYCH2303 or PSYCH2304 or PSYCH2403

PSYCH3601 Counseling Theories and Techniques This course provides an introduction to the theories and techniques of behavior change and psychotherapy. Students will be exposed to various schools of thought, with greater emphasis on empirically validated treatments. Specific skills in interviewing and clinical techniques will be learned through role-plays and classroom demonstrations. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisite: PSYCH1501 and sophomore standing Recommended: PSYCH3211, PSYCH3212

PSYCH4178 Directed Study A student, with departmental approval, may pursue research or applied experience in a specialized area in psychology under the personal direction of one or more members of the department. Offered as needed. 4 credits Prerequisite: Junior or senior status or permission of instructor

PSYCH4282/PSYCH4283 Research Internship I and II Students interested in gaining research experience, preparing to take on postgraduate clinical research positions, getting a Ph.D. in any psychology subfield, and/or wishing to develop a broad set of skills for careers in research, marketing or business should take this course. Students will develop research skills, write an APA style research paper and engage in professional positions. Students will work as a research assistant either on campus with a faculty member or off campus at any number of sites (e.g., Children’s Hospital, Mass Mental Health). Students will have the opportunity to either (a) develop and implement their own research study under the supervision of another researcher or (b) participate in executing an existing research study. Students will gain significant exposure to research process (e.g., developing research questions, methodologies) through their internship site and in the class. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits (8 credits total) Prerequisites: INT1001, PSYCH1501, PSYCH2801, PSYCH2802, attendance at (1) capstone information session, application submission by the Friday before Spring Break, and senior status. Students who wish to study abroad during their junior year must submit their application by the Friday before Winter Break. Credit granted upon completion and acceptance of the work.

PSYCH4284 Research Internship This capstone involves supervised experience in research settings designed for Psychology majors. This specific course is for those students who, by exception, need only one semester of a research internship. Students are required to complete 250 hours at their sites. Students work as a research assistant either on campus with a faculty member or off campus at any number of research settings. Students have the opportunity to either (a) develop and implement their own research study under the supervision of another researcher or (b) participate in executing an existing research study. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisites: INT1001, PSYCH2801, and senior status required.