Psychology Curriculum
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Psychology M.S. Core Requirement |
Course No. |
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PSY5020 |
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PSY5030 |
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PSY5040 |
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PSY5050 |
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PSY5060 |
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PSY5010 |
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Psychology PhD Core Requirement |
Course No. |
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|
PSY7100 |
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PSY7020 |
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PSY7030 |
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PSY7040 |
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PSY7050 |
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PSY7060 |
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PSY7070 |
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PSY7080 |
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PSY7090 |
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|
PSY7010 |
Psychology M.S. Core Requirement
Human Development
Competency Description - Psychological concepts and theories of human development over the life span; comparison of significant major historical and modern developmental theories with evaluation of their relevance in the formation of a comprehensive psychological theory.
Learning Objectives - The student should be able to explain, compare, and contrast at least two major theories of human development and explain scientific principles involved in theory validation.
Topics
- Philosophy of science and empirical validation in the formulation of theory
- Biological bases of development
- Psychodynamic theories
- Behavioral theories
- Social learning theories
- Cognitive theories
- Family & systems theories
Text
- Berger, K.S. The Developing Person Through the Lifespan. (4th Ed.). Worth
- Carter, B. & McGoldrick, M. (1999). The Expanded
Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family
And Social Perspectives. Allyn and Bacon - Wallace, P.E. Psych On-Line. McGraw-Hill
Psychology M.S. Core Requirement
Psychology of Learning & Motivation
Competency Description - Study of the principles which underlie the discovery, fixation, retention and performance of behavior; theoretical formulation of the conditions necessary for learning and remembering; drives, development and maintenance of secondary motives; perception; conflict.
Learning Objectives - The student will be competent to explain the main tenets of at least three major theories of learning, identify their salient differences, and explain how one theory may be applied to a significant educational problems.
Topics
- The nature of scientific theories and evaluation
- Early philosophies of learning
- Contemporary theories based on philosophy of education
- Contemporary theories not based on philosophy of education
- Thorndike and Skinner
- Hull and Pavlov
- Tolman and Bandura
- Guthrie and Estes
- Piaget and Elkind
- Psychoanalytic theories
- Humanistic theories
- Gestalt
- Field theory
- Norman and Hebb
Texts
- Herganhahn & Olsen (1997) An Introduction to Theories of Learning. Prentice-Hall
- Bull (1998) Learning Theory: A Practitioner's Approach.
Psychology M.S. Core Requirement
Social Psychology
Competency Description - Survey of major classic and modern theories of social psychology, covering attitudes, social cognition, group processes, attributions, social exchange, and intimate relationships.
Learning Objectives - Student will be able to describe the main contributions and schools of thought in social psychology
Topics
- Interpersonal & intergroup relations
- Obedience
- Conformity
- Minority & majority groups
- Social identity
- Theories and concepts of social cognition
- Cognitive dissonance
- Attitudes
- Attribution theory
- Social & behavioral exchange theories
- Rhetorical communication & social influence
- Social psychology & the media
- Cross-cultural psychology
- Evolutionary psychology
Text
- The Handbook of Social Psychology, Volume II, 1998, McGraw-Hill
- Fau, R.M. (1996). The Roots of Modern Social Psychology. Blackwell
Psychology M.S. Core Requirement
Cognitive & Affective Bases of Behavior
Competency Description - A study of cognitive processes from an information processing perspective, including attention, memory, language, reasoning, problem-solving, and artificial intelligence.
Learning Objectives - As a result of completing this competency, the student will be able to explain one theory of each of the following: intelligence, concept-formation, language development, and thinking.
Topics
- Information processing models
- Reasoning and decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Theories of intelligence
- Artificial intelligence
- Perception
- Attention
- Working memory
- Episodic memory
- Semantic Memory
- Natural language
Text
- Ashcraft, M.H. (1998) Fundamentals of Cognition.
Psychology M.S. Core Requirement
Quantitative Methods
Competency Description - Survey of descriptive and inferential statistics, regression, probability, and general linear model. Emphasis on using statistics in decision making and applications.
Learning Objectives - Student will demonstrate understanding of statistical reasoning in solving field-related problems. Student will be able to frame a significant research question and design a research study involving comparison of two groups on at least three variables and explain the rationale for the design.
Topics
- Introduction: Lies, damn lies, and statistics
- Statistical decision-making
- Computer support for statistics
- Descriptive statistics
- Probability concepts
- Discrete probability distributions
- Continuous probability distributions
- Sampling and sampling distributions
- Statistical estimation
- General linear model: Regression and correlation
- Statistical hypothesis testing
- Orthodox statistical inference
- Bayesian statistical inference
- Non-parametric statistics
- Statistical reporting
Text
- Pinch, K.F. (1999) Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Sage.
Psychology M.S. Core Requirement
Psychological Measurement
Competency Description - A critical survey and evaluation of concepts and techniques for assessment of intelligence, special aptitudes, vocational interests, and personality.
Learning Objectives - Student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of types of reliability and validity in detail; explain the steps involved in test standardization; discuss major issues facing uses of testing in educational and industrial settings; explain the appropriate uses of common tests to measure achievement, intelligence and personality; demonstrated ability to evaluate and select tests for research and appication.
Topics
- Test construction theory
- Review of relevant statistical concepts
- Reliability indices
- Types of validity
- Construct validation
- Standardization sampling and procedures
- Criterion vs norm-referenced tests
- Achievement tests
- Intellectual assessment
- Ability and career assessment
- Objective measures of personality
- Projective testing
- Psychomotor and neuropsychological assessment methods
- Culture-free testing and racial bias
- Legal and ethical issues
- Current and future trends in assessment and technology
Text
- Anastassi, A. Psychological Testing. Macmillan
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Biological Bases of Behavior
Competency Description - An introduction to governing neural mechanisms and nervous system morphology in humans; fundamentals of psychopharmacology and common psychoactive drugs, including anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, hypnotics, and stimulants.
Course Objectives - Student will be able to describe the structure of the brain and nervous system, major neuronal mechanisms involved in behavior, and drug-brain interactions.
Topics
- Scientific traditions & history of biological psychology
- Phrenology
- Parkinson's disease & brain chemistry
- Neural transplants
- Neurotransmitters & neuro-physiology
- Mechanisms involved in depression, anxiety, and learning
- Biological theories of schizophrenia
- Hormones & stress
- Drugs & anxiety
- Hormones & sexual behavior
- Hormones & psychosexual differentiation
- Ethology & experimental animal behavior
- Lorenz's hydraulic model
Texts
- Carlson (1998). Physiology of Behavior. (6th Ed.). Cambridge Univ.
- Beatty (1996). Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience.
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Human Development
Competency Description - Psychological concepts and theories of human development over the life span; comparison of significant major historical and modern developmental theories with evaluation of their relevance in the formation of a comprehensive psychological theory.
Learning Objectives
- The student should be able to explain, compare, and
contrast at least two major theories of human development
and explain scientific principles involved in theory
validation.
Topics
- Philosophy of science and empirical validation in the formulation of theory
- Biological bases of development
- Psychodynamic theories
- Behavioral theories
- Social learning theories
- Cognitive theories
- Family & systems theories
Text
- Santrock, J.W. Lifespan Development.
- Carter, B. & McGoldrick, M. (1999). The Expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family And Social Perspectives. Allyn and Bacon
- Wallace, P.E. Psych On-Line. McGraw-Hill
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Personality Theories
Competency Description - A critical consideration of the classic and modern theories of personality structure; emphasis given to empirical derivations of personality and behavior.
Learning Objectives - Student will be capable of comparing and contrasting three personality theories on dimensions of theoretic constructs, determination of behavior, motivational constructs, time-perspective, development of individual differences, conceptions of psychological health/normality, pathology, psychotherapeutic considerations.
Topics
- Framework for study of personality
- Science and theory construction
- Psychoanalytic theories
- Neo-analytic theories
- Interpersonal theory
- Social behavioral perspectives
- Sociobiological concepts
- Humanistic/phenomenological theories
- Existential theories
- Constructivist theories
Texts
- Rychlak, J. Introduction to Personality and Psychotherapy: A Theory Construction Approach. Houghton Mifflin
- Boeree, C.G. Personality Theories. Located online at www.ship.edu/-cgboeree/perscontents.html
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Social Psychology
Competency Description - Survey of major classic and modern theories of social psychology, covering attitudes, social cognition, group processes, attributions, social exchange, and intimate relationships.
Learning Objectives - Student will be able to describe the main contributions and schools of thought in social psychology
Topics
- Interpersonal & intergroup relations
- Obedience
- Conformity
- Minority & majority groups
- Social identity
- Theories and concepts of social cognition
- Cognitive dissonance
- Attitudes
- Attribution theory
- Social & behavioral exchange theories
- Rhetorical communication & social influence
- Social psychology & the media
- Cross-cultural psychology
- Evolutionary psychology
Text
- The Handbook of Social Psychology, Volume II, 1998, McGraw-Hill
- Fau, R.M. (1996). The Roots of Modern Social Psychology. Blackwell
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Cognition
Competency Description - A study of cognitive processes from and information processing perspective, including attention, memory, language, reasoning, problem-solving, and artificial intelligence.
Learning Objectives - By completion, the student will be able to explain one theory of each of the following: intelligence, concept-formation, language development, and thinking.
Topics
- Information processing models
- Reasoning and decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Theories of intelligence
- Artificial intelligence
- Perception
- Attention
- Working memory
- Episodic memory
- Semantic Memory
- Natural language
Text
- Ashcraft, M.H. (1998) Fundamentals of Cognition.
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Psychopathology
Competency Description - Review and critique of major conceptual systems for classification of mental and emotional disorders; DSM IV.
Learning Objectives - Student will demonstrate understanding of normal and abnormal behavior throughout history and modern conceptions, major theoretical approaches to classification and diagnosis, current theory and treatment of behavior problems using case illustrations, and will be able to demonstrate critical thought regarding accepted tenets of abnormality.
Topics
- Meaning of abnormality across time and place
- Law & politics of abnormality
- Models and treatment
- Investigations of abnormal behavior and thought
- Phobias, panic & anxiety disorders
- Obsessions, compulsion, hysteria & dissociation
- Mood disorders
- Psychoactive substance abuse
- Personality disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Nervous system disorders
- Sexual dysfunctions & disorders
- Disorders of childhood
- Disorders of aging
Texts
- Carson, R. et al. Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life. (11th Ed, Revised for DSM III)
- Brown, T & Barlow, D. (1997). Casebook in Abnormal Psychology.
- Kutchins, H & Kirk, S. (1997). Making Us Crazy:
The Psychiatric Bible and the
Creation of Mental Disorders. Free Press - Valenstein, E. (1998). Blaming the Brain: The Truth About Drugs and Mental Illness. Free Press.
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Advanced Statistical Analysis
Competency Description - Advanced statistical methods including factor analysis, canonical analysis, discriminant analysis, path analysis, LISREL; statistical packages commonly used in social scientific research.
Learning Objectives - Student will demonstrate the ability to apply general linear model and multiple regression analysis as a data strategy for experimental and non-experimental research in behavioral sciences.
Topics
- Simple and multiple linear regression with quantitative predictors
- Partial and semi-partial correlation
- Standard and step-wise multiple regression
- Variance partitioning
- Simple and multiple regression with categorical predictors
- Continuous predictors in analysis
- Canonical correlation
- Discriminant function analysis
- Path analysis
- Curvilinear regression
- Meta-analysis
Text
- Pedhazur, E.J. (1982) Multiple Regression in Behavioral Research. (3rd Ed.) Holt.
- Hedges, L. & Olkin, I. (1985). Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis. Academic
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Research Methods and Design
Competency Description - Survey of sampling, hypothesis testing, issues in research design, data gathering methods, uses and limitation of naturalistic and laboratory settings in research, unobtrusive measures.
Learning Objectives - Student will be able to explain uses, advantages, and limitations of major designs used in research including, factorial, block, balanced, Latin squares, and lattice.
Topics
- Overview of research methodology
- Philosophy of science for behavioral research
- Descriptive research
- Experimental research
- Hypothesis formation
- Test theory
- Data gathering methods and procedures
- Single subject designs
- Single-factor between and within designs
- Analytic comparisons with qualitative and quantitative independent variables
- Two-factor between and within designs
- Post-hoc designs for single factors and interactions
- ANCOVA and control variables
- Mixed model designs
- Nested designs
- Sources of invalidty & methods for achieving constancy
- Naturalistic and field research
- Qualitative methods
Texts
- Christensen, L.B. (1997). Experimental Methodology. Allyn and Bacon.
- Kerlinger, F. Foundations of Behavioral Research.
- APA Publication Manual. American Psychological Association.
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
History and Systems of Psychology
Competency Description - Development of various specializations in psychology and their philosophical antecedents to present status as a science and a profession.
Learning Objectives - Student will develop a historical perspective and demonstrate the significance of varying contexts for understanding psychological theories and phenomena; student will be able to delineate the conceptual and methodological underpinnings of the discipline of psychology.
Topics
- History and Historiography
- Ancient Greeks: Nature of explanation
- Romans, Christians, and Middle Ages
- Humanism the Renaissance, and the Reformation
- Origins of science
- Empiricism, associationism, positivism
- Rationalism and romanticism
- Evolution and measurement of human ability
- Experimentalism in physiology and psychology
- Functionalism, behaviorism & neo-behaviorism
- Institutionalization and humanitarian reform
- Gestalt, existentialism & humanism
Text
Hergenhahn, B.R. (1997). An Introduction to the History of Psychology. Brooks/Cole
Psychology PhD Core Requirement
Psychological Measurement
Competency Description - A critical survey of psychometric theory and applications to measurement of human affective and cognitive behavior.
Learning Objectives - Student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of types of reliability and validity in detail; explain the steps involved in test standardization; discuss major issues facing uses of testing in educational and industrial settings; explain the appropriate uses of common tests to measure achievement, intelligence and personality; demonstrated ability to evaluate and select tests for research and appication.
Topics
- Test construction theory
- Review of relevant statistical concepts
- Reliability indices
- Types of validity
- Construct validation
- Standardization sampling and procedures
- Criterion vs norm-referenced tests
- Achievement tests
- Intellectual assessment
- Ability and career assessment
- Objective measures of personality
- Projective testing
- Psychomotor and neuropsychological assessment methods
- Culture-free testing and racial bias
- Legal and ethical issues
- Current and future trends in assessment and technology
Text
- Anastassi, A. Psychological Testing. Macmillan.