PY: Psychology
PY 131 — General Psychology
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Principles of psychology and their application to general behavior are presented. Stresses the scientific method in understanding learning, perception, motivation, emotion, personality development, and the social influences on human behavior. Formerly SS 131.
PY 206 — Psychology of Consumer Behavior
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students explore the many facets of individual consumer decision making and behavior, including interpersonal, social, and societal factors that guide and predict behavior. Globalization and culture are emphasized throughout as essential considerations. Topics include consumer well-being, psychological distance, consumer neuroscience, emotions, identity-signaling behavior, status consumption, scarcity, privacy, and ethical consumption. Formerly SS 206.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 230 — Qualitative Research
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students will learn to design, conduct, analyze, and report qualitative research of four major designs: Phenomenology, Ethnography, Case Study Research, and Grounded Theory. The strengths and weaknesses of each design and methods for establishing validity will be discussed. Formerly SS 230.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 231 — Personality
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Emphasizes normal personality development as viewed from a variety of perspectives, including social, educational, biological, and psychodynamic factors. Students apply these psychological principles to problems of everyday living and gain an understanding of both normal and deviant reactions to life events. Formerly SS 231.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 232 — Developmental Psychology
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Studies the development of psychological, emotional, social, and biological processes from prenatal stage and birth to maturity. Emphasis is on critical stages in development as well as application of psychological principles to everyday situations. Formerly SS 232.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 237 — Industrial Psychology
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Applies psychological principles to issues in the workplace. Personnel selection, training, leadership, motivation, job satisfaction, performance appraisal, and stress are explored to provide future leaders, managers, and technical specialists with information and skills to enhance their interpersonal and organizational effectiveness. Formerly SS 237.
PY 299 — Independent Study in Psychology
1-3 credit
Prerequisite(s): a minimum 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Liberal Arts.
PY 311 — Environmental Psychology
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students explore the interaction of human behavior and the natural and built environments. Topics include the psychological experiences of home, work and public space, environmental cognition and perception, place attachment, personal space, natural and restorative spaces, environmental stressors, urban design and well-being, and the intersection of virtual and physical space. Formerly SS 311.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 312 — Sensation & Perception
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course examines the basic human senses and the psychological perceptions that help us interpret and respond to our environment. Students apply sensory and perceptual phenomena to concepts in their major fields of study and examine current applications of sensory and perceptual phenomena in a variety of fields. Formerly SS 312.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 333 — Fact or Fiction? The Psychology of Conspiracy
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course introduces students to psychological investigations of misinformation, misperception, science denial, mass propaganda, and conspiracy beliefs. Students will take a tour through the architecture of belief, explore the social roots of misinformation and conspiracy theories, and evaluate evidence-based solutions to reduce harmful effects. Formerly SS 333.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 334 — The Psychology of Color
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Examines the importance of color and its influences on behavior. Topics include the biological and perceptual characteristics of color, fundamental color research, societal and cultural influences on the meanings and uses of color, adaptations of color in both natural and manmade environments, and the interaction between personality and color. Special attention is given to the application of color in both industry and everyday life. Formerly SS 334.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 335 — Abnormal Psychology
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course is designed to help students understand the symptoms, causes, and treatment of psychological disorders and the contemporary issues facing mental health practitioners and researchers. Issues related to abnormal psychology are presented from theoretical research and clinical perspectives. Formerly SS 335.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 336 — Psychology for Sustainability
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students explore the psychological relationship between humans and their natural and built environments to gain insight into environmental and social problems and generate solutions. Topics include conscious and unconscious influences on human behavior, social norms and influence, the role of contingencies, the neurotoxic effects of pollution, and environmental racism. Formerly SS 336.
PY 338 — Happiness & Human Flourishing (Honors)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students explore the psychological aspects of a fulfilling and flourishing life by critically reviewing and analyzing scientific work drawn from the field of positive psychology. Topics include happiness and positive affect, well-being, empathy, friendship, love, achievement, creativity, mindfulness, spirituality, and humor. Formerly SS 338.
Prerequisite(s): Qualification for the Presidential Scholars Program or 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor.
PY 340 — The Psychology of Gender, Perception and Self-Expression
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Through critical engagement with psychological theories of gender and cognition, this course challenges students to think how gender affects our sense of self, how we communicate that self, and how others perceive us. It encourages students to imagine new possibilities for how we embody our identity and interact based on fashion. Formerly SS 340.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 385 — Social Psychology
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course uses the tools and methodologies of behavioral science to explore how people think about, evaluate, and respond to their social experiences. Topics include person perception, the self, attitudes, emotions, socialization, groups, influence, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, altruism, cooperation, competition, aggression, prejudice, and discrimination. Formerly SS 385.
Prerequisite(s): PY 131.
PY 396 — Social Experiments (Honors)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Students become familiar with basic and applied research within behavioral science. Class discussion and lecture accompany several conceptual replications of psychology field studies. Students apply what they learn to answer psychological questions by developing a novel scientific experiment in which they collect data and analyze and present the results. Formerly SS 396.
Prerequisite(s): Qualification for Presidential Scholars Program or 3.5 GPA with approval for dean of Liberal Arts.
PY 398 — Spirits, Psychics, & Skeptics: Uses and Limits of Psychological Science (Honors)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
By analyzing tests of paranormal phenomena, students are introduced to scientific strategies used to gather evidence. Students will critically evaluate claims and evidence, explore the scientific and psychological explanations for paranormal experiences and beliefs, and identify the boundaries between science and pseudoscience. Psychology’s historical link to metaphysical phenomena is emphasized. Formerly SS 398.
Prerequisite(s): Qualification for Presidential Scholars Program or 3.5 GPA with approval of Dean of Liberal Arts.
PY 499 — Independent Study in Psychology
1-3 credit
Prerequisite(s): a minimum 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Liberal Arts.