Psychology (PSYC)

Information about experimental courses, when offered, will be available at the Office of the Registrar late in the Spring Quarter preceding the academic year in which the courses are scheduled. Such courses are numbered 191, 291, 391 or 491.

PSYC 100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
Lecture and Laboratory
A survey of the field of psychology, examining the biological, cognitive, and social bases of human thought, emotion, and action. Topics include research methods, neuropsychology, perception, learning and memory, language, consciousness, theories of personality, social interactions, cultural influences, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy. An emphasis will be placed on the scientific study of psychological phenomena and the application of research findings to people�s lives. Laboratory participation is required.

PSYC 210 CHILD DEVELOPMENT - 5 hrs
A study of how humans develop physically, emotionally and cognitively. Prenatal development, birth, infancy, childhood and adolescence are the periods covered. Some topics included are attachment, language, sex-roles, and social and personality development. Prereq: PSYC 100 or sophomore standing or permission of instructor.

PSYC 211 ADULT DEVELOPMENT - 5 hrs
This course examines development from adolescence to death. Using a transdisciplinary, topical approach students examine biological processes of aging, physical health, models of ageism, social relationships and intimacy, the role of work and leisure, gender, ethnicity, economic issues, death and dying, and social policies for the aging. The primary goal of the course is mastery of the methodologies and theoretical models describing and explaining change and continuity. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 220 PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY - 5 hrs
The major personality theories (developed by Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, Kelly, Rogers, etc.) are examined with regard to the structure, dynamics and development of personality using research and clinical evidence. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 225 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
This course focuses on factors that affect human interactions. Major topics covered are attitude formation and assessment, persuasion, interpersonal attraction, sexuality, aggression, prejudice, and conformity. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 230 PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING - 5 hrs
Using examples drawn from both human and animal research, this course examines the changes in thought and behavior that result from experience, including conditioning phenomena, basic memory processes, motivation, and more complex functions such as language acquisition, reading, and problem solving. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 250 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
An introduction to the physiological basis of psychological experience. The course covers 1) neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, with selected topics in brain chemistry and psychopharmacology, 2) neuroregulatory systems, motivation, and emotion, and 3) foundations of learning and memory. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 260 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
Lecture and Laboratory
Basic introduction to issues and problems in experimental design and inference in psychological research. An applied component is participation in laboratory experience and research. Prereq: PSYC 210 or 230 , MATH 230 and minimum of sophomore standing.

PSYC 275 MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
This course introduces students in psychology and related disciplines to multiculturalism. The course will use the experiences of specific co-cultural groups such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans to study cultural pluralism in the United States. The history, cultural attitudes, beliefs, and worldviews of these groups will be studied, highlighting similarities, differences, and experiences in the United States. Topics include ethnic identity development, acculturation, assimilation, and institutional racism. Essential to the course is an examination of theoretical and empirical work addressing the psychological consequences of living in a culture with the principles, ideals, and values nested in a Western worldview. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 290 CRITICAL THOUGHT AND ANALYSIS - 5 hrs
This course examines how to analyze and interpret complex information from the world, with a focus on the logic and methods of research psychology. Topics include: biases in human judgment, decision analysis, research ethics, representation of data, measurement of human traits, hypothesis testing, descriptive and inferential statistics, and experimental design. In general, the course covers strategies that research psychologists employ to ask and answer important questions about human beings. This course is designed for students majoring in Liberal Studies in Business Psychology only, and a special emphasis will be placed on the complexities encountered by psychologists in the business world. Prereq: One 200-level PSYC course and MATH 230.

PSYC 300 SEMINAR - 5 hrs
This course presents established areas in research psychology that have produced significant findings in the past decade, especially in the areas of Cognitive, Perceptual, Physiological, Social, Developmental, Health, and Environmental Psychology. The course will present research areas that have changed because of increased research activity in the field. A different research area may be considered each time the course is offered, and the course will be appropriately subtitled to describe the current focus. Seminars will include lecture, discussion, and student presentations and will be taught at the junior-level, taking advantage of the student�s prior course work while further preparing these students for research as seniors. The course may be repeated once for a total of ten credits. Prereq: PSYC 260 and permission of the instructor.

PSYC 305 PSYCHOLOGY OF PERCEPTION - 5 hrs
An introduction to the sensory and perceptual bases of psychological experience. The course will include: 1) physiological underpinnings of the visual, auditory, and chemical senses, 2) psychological factors influencing the perception of depth, form, and movement, and 3) current theories and research in color, form, and illusions. Prereq: PSYC 260 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 310 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
Using a research-based approach, this course examines how information is stored, processed, accessed and utilized. Some of the topics covered are attention, memory, knowledge representation, language, decision making, and creativity. Prereq: PSYC 260 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 325 HUMAN SEXUALITY - 5 hrs
An exploration of human sexuality in the context of both the empirical research literature and students� personal experiences and value systems. The course emphasizes psychological aspects of sexual behavior pertaining to individual decision-making, interpersonal communication, and subjective experience. The course provides a supportive environment for understanding issues of sexuality and an opportunity to ground this understanding in terms of existing theories and data.

PSYC 330 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
The investigation of disordered behaviors, deficiencies in behavior capacities and disordered personalities. The conceptual framework is based on an integration of relevant biological, psychological and sociological data. Prereq: PSYC 210 and 220, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 340 INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
An introduction to psychology applied to industrial and organizational settings. Some of the topics covered are personnel assessment, work motivation, employee attitude assessment, stress in the workplace, and performance appraisal. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 350 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: BASIC CONCEPTS AND TESTS OF ABILITY - 5 hrs
Theoretical basis for the testing field in general; principles and technical skills necessary for developing, administering and scoring of tests and measurements; supervised testing experiences with tests used frequently by professionals to assess general and specific abilities. Prereq: PSYC 100, PSYC 220 and MATH 230, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 360 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: PERSONALITY - 5 hrs
Basic concepts of assessment as they relate to the study of personality and behavior. Detailed exploration and supervised experience with personality assessment instruments. Prereq: PSYC 350 or equivalent experience.

PSYC 370 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS IN PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
This course will focus on the history of psychology along with the major themes and movements that have emerged and influenced the development of psychology. Some of the major themes to be covered are structuralism, functionalism, experimental positivism, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, humanism, Gestalt and cognitive psychology. Prereq: PSYC 100 and 260, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 375 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN - 5 hrs
This course introduces students to the scientific study of the psychology of women. Special effort will be made to examine women�s development within a multicultural context and to consider the interaction of gender, race, and SES. Students will explore issues related to gender stereotypes, gender differences, gender roles, women�s health, sexuality, language, victimization, mental health, abilities, and achievment. Mastery is expected of current research and theoretical models that attempt to explain women�s strengths and challenges. The course will be taught as an interactive seminar. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 380 HUMAN STRESS - 5 hrs
This course will explore the major stressors of modern society and the psychophysiological nature of the stress response. The course will examine the relationship between stress and illness, identify the personal characteristics that predispose one to stress and examine the major stress symptoms. Additionally, students learn stress reduction techniques and the basic biofeedback modalities. Prereq: PSYC 250 or permission of instructor.

PSYC 390 INDEPENDENT STUDY - 1-5 hrs
Course designed to provide opportunity to engage in independent study in areas not otherwise available. Prereq: Four psychology courses and faculty member willing to supervise.

PSYC 405 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - 5 hrs
This course addresses what happens when development goes awry. The course examines patterns of abnormal development, including developmental delays and behavioral, learning, and emotional problems in childhood and adolescence. Through the examination of theoretical models, hypothesized causes, symptom configuration, and common treatment or interventions, this course introduces students to the myriad of ways in which development can be adversely affected and/or corrected. Models of risk and resiliency will be explored to address the variety of outcomes observed in children who are at high risk for developmental problems. The nature/nurture debate is confronted as students explore multifactorial, dynamic, and systemic models of child development and developmental psychopathology. Prereq: PSYC 210.

PSYC 410 ADVANCED RESEARCH - 5 hrs
A focused experience in one research area of psychology. Intended for the prospective psychology graduate student, this course will provide experience in all aspects of research, including expertise in the relevant literature, research design, data analysis, and writing for publication. Prereq: PSYC 260 and permission of instructor.

PSYC 415 PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
As a specialized area of child psychology, pediatric psychology addresses health, wellness, and adaptation to illness among children and adolescents, integrating pediatric medicine and child psychology. It examines all aspects of a child�s interaction with medical settings and personnel. Focusing on several different disease processes in detail, the course explores the relationship between mind and body in children, factors that improve or diminish psychological adjustment to illness, and medical and psychological interventions to promote well-being. The seminar style is designed for upper level students. Prereq: PSYC 100 and PSYC 210, or permission of the instructor.

PSYC 420 PSYCHOTHERAPY I - 5 hrs
The study of major theories of counseling and psychotherapy; experience in specific procedures and techniques including practice interviews, observations, role-playing, and encounter group experiences. The personal growth of the student is emphasized. Prereq: PSYC 210, 220, and 330, or permission of instructor.

PSYC 421 PSYCHOTHERAPY II - 5 hrs
A continuation of Psychology 420. Prereq: PSYC 420.

PSYC 440 PSYCHOLOGY AS A PROFESSION - 1 hr
This course is intended to inform psychology majors about careers in psychology and the graduate school application process. The course presents a variety of experiences and perspectives from professionals in the field of psychology, Otterbein Alumni, and Otterbein faculty. Students will gain useful information about the process of searching for a job and applying to graduate school, including how to research graduate school and career options, how to choose the right program, and how to maximize post-graduation success. Students will learn how to prepare a resume, build marketable skills and experiences, and identify job opportunities. Finally, students will become familiar with sub-disciplines within psychology. Recommended for juniors.

PSYC 490 INTERNSHIP - 1-15 hrs
Supervised experience in a cooperating agency or institution. Particular internships are designed with regard to the skills of the student and depend on the willingness of a faculty member to work with and supervise qualified and highly motivated students toward such placements. Prereq: Junior or senior status and appropriate course prerequisites.