Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior – how people perceive the world, think and act. In addition to the obvious benefits of an understanding of human behavior, the major in psychology emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills as well as practical experience in developing research ideas, analyzing data and communicating results. 

The psychology major reflects the richness of the field; courses focus on the primary areas of research and instruction—behavior and cognition, clinical, cognitive, personality and social. Core courses survey the field, statistical and research methodologies, and various sub-disciplines, while more advanced courses provide opportunities to explore specific topics in greater depth. Led by faculty who are active researchers, psychology courses at all levels combine the study of people with a focus on the analysis and interpretation of data.

A bachelor's degree in psychology is useful for students seeking or continuing careers in management, education, human resources, research and marketing. Further study at the graduate level can prepare students for a career as a clinical psychologist. All students will find that the major provides knowledge about human behavior and methods of research that are valuable in a range of professions.

Psychology Courses

PSYCH 110-CN Introduction to Psychology (1 Unit)  

A survey course reviewing primary psychological research and theories of human behavior. Carries social science credit.

PSYCH 110-DL Introduction to Psychology (1 Unit)  

A survey course reviewing primary psychological research and theories of human behavior. Carries social science credit.

PSYCH 111-CN Introduction to Psychology (1 Unit)  

NPEP course.

PSYCH 201-CN Statistical Methods in Psychology (1 Unit)  

Measurement; descriptive statistics; probability and sampling; T-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression. May not be audited. Carries social science or science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN and high school algebra.

PSYCH 202-CN Statistical Methods in Psych (1 Unit)  

NPEP course.

PSYCH 205-CN Research Methods in Psychology (1 Unit)  

Methods of psychological research; experimental design; reliability and validity; review and application of statistics; execution and reporting of psychological research. May not be audited. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 201-CN.

PSYCH 212-CN Introduction to Neuroscience (1 Unit)  

Designed for students with no prior coursework in neuroscience or biology. Neurophysiology and neuroanatomy; neuroscience of perception, emotion, morality, memory, mental illness, and consciousness. Carries science credit.

PSYCH 213-CN Social Psychology (1 Unit)  

Psychological processes underlying social behavior; topics include social cognition, attraction, aggression, prejudice, and behavior in groups. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 213-DL Social Psychology (1 Unit)  

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to important theory, research, and methodologies in social psychology. Social psychologists examine how people interpret the social world and investigate the influence of the social environment on individuals’ thoughts and behaviors. We will examine classic topics in social psychology: social cognition, social influence, conformity, group processes, helping, and prejudice. There will be a strong emphasis on methodology and the ways in which study design affects both the research questions one can answer and the conclusions one might draw. Because social psychologists sometimes investigate “everyday” behavior, students often believe that they can rely on intuition or common sense to learn about social psychology. Unfortunately, one core finding in social psychology is that common sense can be misleading at best and seriously biased at worst. Thus, this course will focus on how the scientific method helps to provide empirical answers to questions about humans and their social world.

PSYCH 215-CN Psychology of Personality (1 Unit)  

Nature of personality and its development. Modern theoretical interpretations. Biological and social bases of individual differences. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 228-CN Cognitive Psychology (1 Unit)  

Introduction to research into mental processes such as memory, reasoning, problem solving, and decision making. Carries science or social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 244-CN Developmental Psychology (1 Unit)  

Development of cognitive, social, and other psychological functions. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 303-CN Psychopathology (1 Unit)  

Understanding the nature of psychological, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Emphasis on current evidence regarding causes and characteristics of these disorders. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 306-CN Introduction to Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)  

Definition and history of clinical psychology, personality theory in clinical psychology, diagnosis and classification of disorders, assessment, psychotherapy, and ethical issues. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN. Completion of PSYCH 303-CN is recommended.

PSYCH 309-CN Topics in Social/Clinical/Personality Identity Development (1 Unit)  

NPEP course.

PSYCH 310-CN Special Topics in Social/Clinical/Personality (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

PSYCH 311-CN Psychology of Attitudes (1 Unit)  

Survey of social psychological research on attitudes; focus on the formation of attitudes, the relationship between attitudes and behavior, and attitude change. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 313-CN Relationship Science (1 Unit)  

Social-psychological analysis of close relationships, with an emphasis on romantic relationships. Interpersonal processes associated with relationship formation, development, and dissolution. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 317-CN The Holocaust: Psychological Themes & Perspectives (1 Unit)  

Explores how particular psychological theories and concepts inform understanding of the events of the Holocaust. Includes material from fields of social and clinical psychology. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 324-CN Perception (1 Unit)  

Human perception, particularly vision but also hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Biological foundations, development, and disorders of perception. The senses in everyday life. Carries science or social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 328-PP Brain Damage and the Mind (1 Unit)  

NPEP course.

PSYCH 330-CN Special Topics in Cognition/Neuroscience (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

PSYCH 335-CN Decision Making (1 Unit)  

PSYCH 340-CN Psychology and Law (1 Unit)  

Examines the application of psychology to law, including topics such as the insanity defense, criminal profiling, eyewitness testimony, and interrogation. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 342-CN Evolutionary Psychology (1 Unit)  

Theory, methodology, and empirical data related to how evolution has influenced human psychology and behavior. Emphasis on mating. Carries science or social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 343-CN Psychology of Beauty (1 Unit)  

Theory, methodology, and empirical data related to the psychological impact of human beauty. Emphasis on both cultural and evolutionary perspectives. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 344-CN Cultural Psychology (1 Unit)  

Introduction to concepts and empirical methods used to study how culture shapes mind, brain, and behavior over multiple time scales, including over generations and the lifespan and across situational contexts. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 345-CN Psychology and Law (1 Unit)  

NPEP course.

PSYCH 350-CN Topics in Psychology (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

PSYCH 354-CN Deception: Processes and Detection (1 Unit)  

Multiple perspectives on truth and deception. Exposure to clinical and psycho physiological work on lying, malingering, and styles of deceit. Theories and methods in lie detection. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 366-CN Stereotyping & Prejudice (1 Unit)  

Analysis of the causes and consequences of stereotyping and prejudice, as well as methods used to study these issues. Students conduct original research. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 205-CN.

PSYCH 367-CN Child Psychopathology (1 Unit)  

Major forms of psychopathology present during childhood, including disorders exclusive to childhood and those that may appear during any developmental period. Developmental models of the etiology and course of major psychopathologies. Carries social science credit..

Prerequisite: PSYCH 205-CN; PSYCH 244-CN or PSYCH 303-CN.

PSYCH 369-CN Psychological Tests & Measures (1 Unit)  

Explores the science of psychological assessment, including its history, test construction and evaluation, and common measures of personality, psychopathology, and ability. Students create and evaluate their own psychological measures. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 110-CN.

PSYCH 373-CN Decision Making (1 Unit)  

Human decision making from both descriptive and prescriptive perspectives. Theories and models of decision making applied to a variety of contexts. Carries social science credit.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 205-CN, PSYCH 228-CN.

PSYCH 374-CN Human Memory (1 Unit)  

Scientific study of human memory, including memory systems of the brain, amnesia, remembering, forgetting, encoding, consolidation, memory suppression, and memory distortion. Emphasizes original research reports in cognitive neuroscience. Carries social science credit. PSYCH 205-CN; or consent of instructor.

PSYCH 399-CN Independent Study (1 Unit)