The 'PSY' courses listed below have course description information provided here. This list is not to take the place of the official course catalog, but is only intended to provide additional information.

100; 151; 311 & 312; 239; 241; 245; 255; 260; 265; 268; 280; 313; 320; 322; 323; 326; 329; 331; 333; 338; 341; 346; 351; 355; 357; 359; 362; 363; 364; 367; 374; 381; 383; 392

PSY 100: Learning to Learn (3h)

This course is designed to convey a variety of effective study, organizational, and learning strategies in a class atmosphere that enables students to personalize and integrate the approaches into their own college level learning style. In the latter part of the course topics such consensus decision making, conflict management, and management of performance anxiety are covered. The class meets for two 50 minute lectures per week and students are required to meet for 10 weekly individual sessions with a graduate assistant to implement and refine their new skills. Third- and fourth-year students by permission of instructor only. Pass/fail only.

PSY 151: Introductory Psychology (3h)

A general survey course designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts and techniques of modern psychology as a behavioral science. The course provides an overview of the major areas of study within the science of psychology, emphasizing principles and research on topics such as: how the brain functions and affects our behavior; how we learn; the nature of and determinants of human emotion; what motivates behaviors such as eating, drinking, sex, and achievement; what factors affect memory, judgment, and decision-making; how behavior is affected by the social environment; human development; abnormal behavior; and more. Emphasis is on developing skills to critically evaluate claims made about human behavior. Experience with psychological research is gained as students participate in on-going research projects in the department. Research experiment information can be found at http://www.experimetrix.com/wfu. Prerequisite to all courses of a higher number.

PSY 239: Altered States of Consciousness (3h)

Examination of consciousness and its relation to behavior. Includes study of sleep and dreams, hypnosis, and drugs as well as such basic perceptual phenomena as attention and perception without awareness. Emphasis on research findings and modern knowledge of brain function. P - PSY 151.

PSY 241: Developmental Psychology (3h)

Addresses how human cognition and behavior develop over the life span, as well as important influences on development. Students who take this class will learn to recognize the particular characteristics and needs of individuals at different ages (e.g., infancy, adolescence, old age), and will gain knowledge of both regularities (averages) and exceptions. Emphasis in the class is placed on evaluating the methods and conclusions of studies of human development, and their implications for applied situations (e.g., whether children should be placed in day care; how classrooms should be structured to enhance learning). This class requires 20 hours of volunteer work with children or the elderly. This field experience helps students connect academic principles of development to real-life examples of thought and behavior through observation of and interaction with individuals representing a particular phase of the life span. P - PSY 151.

PSY 245: Survey of Abnormal Behavior (3h)

Study of problem behaviors such as depression, alcoholism, antisocial personality, the schizophrenias, and pathogenic personality patterns, with emphasis on causes, prevention, and the relationships of these disorders to normal lifestyles. P - PSY 151.

PSY 255: Personality (3h)

This course examines how personality psychologists: provide ways to measure and describe individuals that communicate who they uniquely are, predict which individuals are more likely to behave, think, or feel certain ways, and provide a basis for interventions to improve the quality of people’s lives. Particular attention will be paid to research findings regarding both individual differences (how people differ from each other) and personality processes (the ways in which such differences operate to influence behavior, thought, and action), with appropriate inclusion of historical and theoretical context. Course content will include the different types of individual differences that personality psychologists study (traits, motives, and ways of thinking), genetic and environmental influences on personality, the relationship of brain processes to personality, unconscious processes, personality measurement, the self, applications of personality psychology, and the role of personality in the quality of life. P - PSY 151

PSY 260: Social Psychology (3h)

Social psychology involves the study of the ways in which human behavior, thought, and emotion are affected by the presence or actions of other people, as well as by the social context. Topics to be covered include social cognition, attitudes, social influence, aggression, interpersonal relationships, group behavior, and cultural influences, with an emphasis on the fundamental psychological processes that underlie these phenomena. In addition to examining theory and research in social psychology, the course will examine the methods that behavioral researchers use to study interpersonal processes. P - PSY 151.

PSY 265: Human Sexuality (3h)

Yes, the rumors are true. This course is about sex. It is not, however, an entire semester of talking and reading about having sex. It is a course that explores human sexuality in the context of the science of psychology. In introductory psychology courses sexuality is usually covered under "motivation." It follows that a psychological approach to sexuality is largely concerned with how sexuality motivates human behavior. In this course we cover topics such as mate selection, sexual coercion, commercial sex, sexual problems, sexual orientation, and gender differences in sexuality. A variety of readings and documentary films are employed in this educational endeavor. PSY 151.

PSY 268: Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3h)

This course is an Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is designed to provide an overview of the application of psychological principles, techniques, and theory to the understanding of workplace behavior. It is a survey of topics in I/O including: research methods, job analysis, employee selection, the legal context for personnel decisions, training & development, performance appraisal, organizational structure, work teams, organizational attitudes & behavior, motivation, leadership, organizational development and change, and diversity and work-family conflict. This is an intensive 200-level course. Though the requirements may vary from semester to semester, past classes have consisted of weekly text and article readings, in-class and homework assignments, a group or individual project, and exams. Classes consist of lecture with some small group discussion and activities. The use of activities is so that, after learning the material, you can see the concepts applied (e.g., designing an actual performance appraisal). The individual or team project is designed to bring the text and lecture concepts into the "real world" by conducting a case study of an organization related to one of the course topics (e.g., How does Starbucks motivate its employees?).

PSY 280: Directed Study (1-3h)

Directed studies involve conducting research under faculty supervision.  In some cases, students assist with ongoing research in a faculty member's lab; in other cases students carry out their own study under the supervision of a faculty member.  Another possibility is that students do library research and write a paper on a topic under the supervision f a faculty member.  Each hour of credit requires 3-4 hours of work per week (or 45-60 hours of work over the semester).  If you are interested in a directed study with a faculty member, you should approach them to inquire about possibilities.  Faculty research interests are described in the major/minor handbook. P - PSY 151 and approval of faculty member prior to registration.

PSY 311, 312: Research Methods in Psychology I and II (4h, 4h)

The primary objective of these two courses is to introduce you to the basic research methods that psychologists and other behavioral scientists use to study behavior, thought, and emotion. Understanding and conducting behavioral research require familiarity with a number of methodological topics involving measurement, research design, and statistical analyses. In the first semester (311), you will learn about psychology as a science, the role of theories, statistical fundamentals, the basics of measurement, a variety of measurement techniques, descriptive research, correlational research, multiple regression, factor analysis, scientific writing, and ethical issues. In the second semester (312), the emphasis will shift toward experimental research, including coverage of basic experimental designs, confounding, inferential statistics (including t-tests and analysis of variance), quasi-experimental designs, and single-subject designs. By the end of the year, you should be ready to design and analyze your own research. P - PSY 151 and permission of instructor. (QR)

PSY 313: History and Systems of Psychology (3h)

This course reviews the antecedents of contemporary psychology with the goal of understanding how the present nature of the field has been shaped by its past. Relevant issues and arguments in the philosophy of science regarding the way that science works in general are considered. The philosophical and physiological roots that the science of psychology emerged from are then reviewed, culminating in an attempt to trace the pathways from those foundations to current views. P - Two psychology courses beyond 151 or permission of the instructor.

PSY 320: Physiological Psychology (3h)

Physiological Psychology provides a through understanding of the relationship of neural anatomy and physiology to psychological processes. In essence, the course focuses on anatomical brain structures and their functions, as well as understanding how broader biological concepts relate to the Brain-Mind-Behavior Triad. P - PSY 310 or 311 or permission of the instuctor.

PSY 322: Psychopharmacology (3h)

This course deals with the effects of drugs on behavior. The course includes a description of the physiological effects of a variety of legal and illegal recreational drugs, as well as some medications used to treat disorders of brain chemistry. The influences of conditioning, belief, the drug taking situation, and characteristics of the user on drug effects are investigated. The intersection of drug issues with laws, both domestic and international, as well as issues including drug testing, education, and treatment, are also included. P - PSY 151.

PSY 323: Animal Behavior (3h) [Course also fulfills PSY 623, NEUR 702].

This is a seminar which surveys the field of comparative and evolutionary psychology and can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit in psychology, and graduate credit in Neuroscience. Half the course is devoted to understanding the basics, and the other half concentrates on current issues in Comparative Psychology. Class participation in discussion, field trips, student presentations, and a final paper are key requirements for successful completion of this course. P - PSY 310 or 311 or permission of the instructor.

PSY 326: Learning Theory and Research (3h)

The study of learning theory has a long and diverse history within psychology, and principles that were established early in the field have lasting impact today.  In this course, you will be introduced to past and present conceptualizations of learning and behavior, in both animals and humans.  The early sections of this course emphasize traditional approaches to learning and the applied behavioral therapies that resulted from studies in animal models.  As the course develops, students examine evidence that has caused contemporary researchers to reevaluate the behaviorist perspective and develop models of learning that incorporate cognitive theory.  The course concludes with the examination of the fundamentals of learning and memory processes within the human.  Throughout the course, links are made between learning theory and the physiological processes from which they arise.  P- PSY 310 or 311 or C - 312.

PSY 329: Perception (3h)

How we perceive the world differs from what exists in reality. The study of Perception examines these differences, and how the psychological world relates to the physical world as the formal title "psycho-physics" indicates. This course explores the principles that underlie the processes of seeing and hearing. It focuses on three main issues: (1) the philosophical problems that underlie the mind-body problem, (2) the physiological mechanisms that determine how the body works, and (3) the perceptual mechanisms that demonstrate how the mind interprets the world. P - PSY 310 or 311.

PSY 331: Cognition (3h)

This course is designed to introduce you to the study of cognitive psychology. In it, we will be exploring various questions that have arisen about different aspects of cognition (attention, memory, language, decision making and problem solving), the methods that have been adopted to address these questions, and the resulting answers. In addition, we will be discussing the effects of development, aging, illness and other conditions on different components of cognition. This course is also intended to give you the opportunity to present and discuss ideas, and to make you more familiar with reading and evaluating primary research articles. P - PSY 310 or 312. C - PSY 312.

PSY 333: Motivation of Behavior (3h)

The goals of this course are to introduce you to scientific theories of motivation and emotion and to hone your skills in critical thinking about psychological theories, concepts, and data. Scientific theories are distinguished from other forms of theory by their logical structure and their foundation in observable events. The logical structure includes the concepts used (such as anxiety, need for achievement, or cognitive dissonance) and the relationships among different concepts (e.g. between learning and motivation). Observable events refer to verifiable research, as opposed to opinion or speculation. We survey the field of motivation by looking at a large number of theories and concepts and the research on which they are based so that we can evaluate these theories and concepts. We also apply the theories and concepts we study to everyday life events and problems. That is ultimately what theories are for, to help us understand real-life events. Thus, for example, what is the nature of rewards, how do rewards work, or what do rewards and addictions have in common? P - PSY 310 or 312. C - PSY 312.

PSY 338: Emotion (3h)

Everybody knows what an emotion feels like. But when you try to define an emotion, such as anger, you'll see how it escapes definition. One of the reasons is that emotions consist of many different aspects: biological, cognitive, social and cultural. Another reason is that emotions are often very closely related to the context in which they occur: the social context in which they take place, the personality or psychopathology of the person, and to human development. It is impossible to describe emotions in isolation. Thus emotions are complex and dynamic processes, rather than simple units that can be described in isolation of their context. This course will examine the distinct aspects of emotions in detail. The course will teach you to think about emotions in a scientific way; i.e., you will learn to think about various explanations for your own and other people’s emotions, and for the evidence in favor of those explanations. You will also become familiar with some of the main theories and research in the study of emotions. P - PSY 310 or 311.

PSY 341: Research in Developmental Psychology (3h)

This course is designed to introduce you to the methods, techniques, and pitfalls of conducting and analyzing research in developmental psychology. Because developmental psychology examines individuals from birth to late adulthood, we will be looking at research issues and methods across the entire lifespan. You will get hands-on experience designing, conducting, analyzing and reporting research with children, university students and older adults. Research Projects Required. P - PSY 310 or 312. C - PSY 312.

PSY 346: Psychological Disorders of Childhood (3h)

Students in this class are presented with current understandings of childhood psychological problems from a developmental perspective. General information on psychological assessment and psychological intervention is considered. The bulk of the course deals with disorders themselves, their risk factors and specific psychosocial and medical interventions, with the focus on problems beginning before the age of 18. Specific difficulties discussed include ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression. conduct problems and autism. P - PSY 245 or 344 or permission of the instructor.

PSY 351: Personality Research (3h)

The general goal of this course is to provide direct experience with the kinds of research that personality psychologists conduct. The course is organized around several questions that personality psychologists ask as they do research. By the end of the course, you should have a good idea of the kinds of questions personality psychologists ask, how they go about answering them, and how to interpret the answers that they find. In this course you will collect data about yourself and learn how to ask questions of the resulting data. In this way, you will learn about yourself as you learn about personality psychology. Besides the obvious benefit, such a method also emphasizes the relationships between the academic side of psychology and the meaningful events of daily life. The data collected will include questionnaires, experiments, and experience-sampling ("palm pilot") studies. Each question that we ask will address both methodological and substantive issues. In regards to the substantive issues, we will address three types of personality units and several fundamental issues in personality psychology regarding those three units, including the consequences of differing personalities for the quality of life and the consistency of behavior. In regards to methodological/statistical issues, we will discuss variance, covariance, validity and reliability, experience-sampling methodology, and intra-individual variability. Research Projects Required. P - PSY 310 or 311.

PSY 355: Research in Social Psychology (3h)

This course is designed to acquaint students with the process of doing research in social psychology. The course is divided into two components. In the first part of the class, students take the perspective of a social psychologist who has before him/her a vast array of important domains of research and try to understand why particular topics of study have become the subject matter of social psychology. These include topics such as attitudes, conformity to authority, group dynamics, aggression, prejudice and discrimination, and stereotyping. We approach these topics from the perspective of a researcher who is taking a theoretical approach to understanding the dynamics of these areas. In addition, we explore the various methodological challenges that make the task of research in social psychology especially challenging (e.g., field vs. laboratory research, the nature of independent and dependent variables in social psychology research, ethics, & research settings).

The second part of the course establishes the "feel" of an active research lab. This involves taking the process of research in social psychology from the germination of a research idea through the development of a method of testing this idea. Small groups of students work together to develop testable research hypotheses, design a study
to test these hypotheses, put together materials for the study, conduct the study, analyze the data, and write an APA style paper presenting the outcomes of this work. This component of the class as provides the experience of being a social psychologist for at least one semester. Research Projects Required. P - PSY 310 or 311.

PSY 357: Cross-Cultural Psychology (3h)

Do people across cultures want to feel good about themselves? Does everyone find it hard to be confronted with his flaws? Is it better for children to sleep in their own bed than with their parents? The answer to all these questions --surprising as it may be-- is "no": In some cultures the mind works differently, in some cultures people have different social behavior. In this course you will be exposed to the psychology of people in other cultures, and learn to appreciate these differences. You will see that the psychology of people in other cultures is just as logical when you learn to interpret it in their cultural context. The course will help to challenge your own experiences and Western ideas about what it is to be a person. We will also discuss cross-cultural research, and learn about culturally sensitive research methods. P - PSY 151.

PSY 359: Psychology of Gender (3h)

The purpose of this course is to explore the role of gender in understanding human behavior. An epigenetic perspective is adopted in which the interaction of genetic and experiential factors are considered. Sex differences in the brain, and the earliest known differences in behavior of males and females are reviewed. The emergence of gender as a construct that develops from the sex of the individual and the individuals' experience is considered. Social psychological, cognitive, and social learning theories of gendered behavior are reviewed. The class is taught seminar-style. P - PSY 151.

PSY 362: Psychological Testing (3h)

The first and most important goal is that you obtain the basis for being an informed critic of testing. Tests are used to make many decisions that effect the course of your life. You need to be an informed consumer, not a passive recipient of test scores. Also some of you may be considering careers where you will be using tests on other people. This course is designed to teach you the strengths and limitations of tests as well as how to tell if a specific test is any good. To achieve this end you will need to learn some basic testing theory. You will also have a chance to create a professional-level test of your own. The experience of making up a test will both teach you how it should be done and some personal experience on just how hard it is to do right.

The second goal is that you become familiar with some of the more famous tests that psychologists have developed. We will go over intelligence tests and personality tests. The tests we will look at will be the ones you are likely to encounter in business, education, and clinical situations. You will also have the opportunity to take a typical business intelligence test, a career counseling test, and a standard personality research test. You may (if you wish) receive your scores back on all theses tests and learn how to interpret them. Also, because tests are controversial, we will look at legal issues concerning the use of these tests. P - PSY 310 or 311.

PSY 363: Survey of Clinical Psychology (3h)

An overview of the field of clinical psychology. P - PSY 245 and senior standing or permission of the instructor.

PSY 364. Prejudice, Discrimination, Racism, and Heterosexism. (3h)

A comparison of various socio-cultural/ethnic/sexual groups' similarities ad differences in the initiation, maintenance, and treatment of prejudice, discrimination, racism, and heterosexism, with an emphasis on past and current trends in the United States. P - PSY 151 or permission of instructor.

PSY 367: Effectiveness in Parent/Child Relations (3h)

A survey of research on parenting and parent-child relationships across the lifespan and in different contexts (e.g., cultures, family structures).

PSY 374: Judgment and Decision Making (3h)

A theoretical and empirical examination of how people make decisions and judgments about their lives and the world, and how these processes can be improved. P - PSY 310 or 311.

PSY 381: Honors Seminar (3h)

Seminar on selected problems in psychology. Intended primarily for students in the departmental honors program. P - PSY 311 and permission of the instructor.

PSY 383: Honors Research (3h)

Seminar in selected issues in research design, followed by independent empirical research under the supervision of a member of the departmental faculty. P - PSY 311 and permission of the instructor.

PSY 392: Contemporary Issues in Psychology (1 1/2h)

Seminar treatment of current theory and research in several areas of psychology. Required for senior majors. P - Senior Major Standing.