Gannon University

LORI D. LINDLEY, Ph.D., Undergraduate Program Coordinator

FACULTY: Associate Professors: Linda Fleming, Kenneth R. Gamble, Ken McCurdy, Robert

Nelsen, Robin Powers, David Tobin. Assistant Professors: Ryan Leonard, Lori Lindley, Luke

Rosielle, Rebecca Willow. Lecturers: Barbara Townsend.

Aims and Objectives

The Department of Psychology endeavors to prepare its students for a variety of professional and liberal arts careers by providing maximal flexibility in vocational planning. Because of the strong foundation in research methods, Core of Discovery, and behavioral sciences its curriculum provides, the psychology concentration prepares the student to pursue graduate study in a variety of fields including Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Law and others. It also prepares the student for nonprofessional careers that require a strong liberal arts background. Four separate tracks are available to help students tailor the psychology major to best fit their own interests and professional goals.

• General Psychology Track: For students who want a general psychology major, this track is often creatively combined with another major or minor to fit their particular interests (e.g., business, pre-law)
• Graduate School Track: For students interested in pursuing graduate school in psychology or a related academic discipline
• Health Science Track: For students combining a psychology major with pre-med, pre-PT, or other health-oriented program
• Human Services Track: For students preparing for human services occupations immediately after graduation, or practice-oriented graduate programs (e.g., counseling, mental health)

PSYC 111: Introduction to Psychology

An introduction to the principle theories and methods used by psychology to explain human personality, behavior and adjustment. 3 credits, Fall, Spring

PSYC 210: Scientific Methods in Psychology

Survey of basic research methods used in psychology including case studies, surveys, correlation, experimental and quasi-experimental design. This course is not intended for those majoring in psychology.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring

PSYC 211: Psychological Statistics

An introduction to frequency distributions, sampling distributions, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, linear regression, and non-parametric statistics. 3 credits, Fall

PSYC 212: Psychological Statistics Lab

Application of and practice using the theoretical concepts in statistics introduced in PSYC 211. This lab should be taken in the same semester as PSYC 211. It is required for psychology majors, optional for non- majors.

Corequisite: PSYC 211 1 credit, Fall

PSYC 213: Psychological Statistics II

A continuation of PSYC 211 with coverage of such topics as multiple regression, analysis of covariance, and selected current topics in the field of psychological statistics.

Prerequisites: PSYC 211, PSYC 212 3 credits, Spring, Even Numbered Years

PSYC 214: Careers in Psychology

An overview of the field of psychology, designed to orient students to the psychology major and how best to tailor it to meet their interests and professional goals. Topics to be covered include ethics, professional writing, applying to graduate school, career opportunities at the bachelor's level, applying the psychology major to other fields, and professional involvement in psychology.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring

PSYC 222: Psychology of Human Development

An investigation of the theories and research findings related to the understanding of complex behavior as it evolves throughout the lifespan.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Fall, Spring

PSYC 225: Social Psychology

An examination of the relationship between social settings and cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes. Includes the study of group dynamics.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring

PSYC 232: Psychopathology

A general introduction to various models of psychopathology with emphasis on the study of anxiety disorders, depression, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Fall, Spring

PSYC 234: Health Psychology

A consideration of the roles played by psychological factors in the maintenance of health and the development of illness. Emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship which includes the patient, the patient's family and the health provider. Includes both a review of relevant clinical and research findings and practical concepts/skill development.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Fall

PSYC 265: Cross-Cultural Psychology

An examination of the role that cultural differences play in social interaction. Factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and language are considered as they impact behavior between individuals and between groups.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Fall

PSYC 275: Psychology of Women

This course concerns psychological approaches to studying women. It examines relevant theory and research. Topics include identity and self-concept, relationships and power, sexuality, parenting, work, mental health and women of color.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, Junior or senior standing. 3 credits, Fall

PSYC 292: Industrial/Organizational Psychology

An introduction to the application of psychological principles to the work environment. Topics include such areas as employee selection, placement, training, employee morale and motivation, supervisory styles, leadership, and general organizational behavior.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits

PSYC 300: Psychology of Creativity

This course was originally designed to integrate the practice of creative production with psychological theory and research dealing with creative behavior. Presently, these facets will be preserved but the emphasis will shift somewhat to theories and research. Creative production, however, will still be required. Throughout the semester, the student will complete various creative exercises and will read essays on the creative process. The exercises will provide an opportunity to develop creative skills in artistic, musical or literary expression, in theatrical production or in scientific and technical problem solving. Readings in psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic, and psychophysiological theories of creativity will provide students with the basis for exploring creativity in themselves and in others.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring, Odd numbered years

PSYC 303: General Experimental Psychology w/Lab

An introduction to basic procedures in psychological research. The components of an experimental study including literature review, hypothesis formation, experimental design, ethics, statistical analysis, interpretation, and communication of research findings are covered. Concepts are illustrated by conducting small group experiments in the lab portion of the course.

Prerequisites: PSYC 211, PSYC 212 4 credits, Fall

PSYC 304: Advanced Experimental Psychology

A continuation of PSYC 303, this course involves advanced concepts in psychological research, as well as the design and implementation of individual research based on the formation of an original hypothesis. All research is done under the guidance and supervision of the instructor.

Prerequisites: PSYC 211, PSYC 212, PSYC 303 3 credits, Spring

PSYC 305: Learning and Cognition

A general introduction to the major theories of learning and cognition. A chronological overview of the gradual change from predominately behavioral models to predominately cognitive models of learning is examined.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, PSYC 211 or equivalent course. 3 credits, Fall

PSYC 306: Psychology of Communication

An introduction to psycholinguistic theory with emphasis on the pragmatics of human communication.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring, Even numbered years

PSYC 307: The Helping Relationship

Emphasis is placed on learning the skills necessary to develop a helping relationship. Students will practice relationship building skills with each other in class. Video feedback will be used as well as class discussion to assess student performance. Person-Centered Theory will be analyzed as a rationale for the helping relationship.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Fall, Odd numbered years

PSYC 308: Psychological Assessment

This course provides an introduction to the process of psychological assessment. A broad array of techniques is presented including behavioral observation, interviews with varying degrees of structure as well as psychological tests that have been developed to assess cognition, personality and interpersonal processes. Neuropsychological instruments will be discussed as well as techniques used in the assessment of families.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, PSYC 211, PSYC 232

Junior or senior standing as Psychology major 3 credits, Fall, Odd numbered years

PSYC 309: Group Dynamics

An examination of group dynamics, with an emphasis on interpersonal processes and therapeutic group elements. A variety of group formats and functions will be covered. The course includes both theoretical and experiential components.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring, Even numbered years

PSYC 313: Psychometrics

A survey of psychological testing and evaluation with an examination of basic technical considerations such as reliability, validity, and standardization. Selected, widely used tests will be reviewed. Some of the controversies in interpretation and application of standardized test results will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: PSYC 111, PSYC 211 3 credits

PSYC 314: Adulthood and Aging

Special consideration of the major psychological processes of aging as they relate to individual behavior and adaptation. Includes the influences of aging on the body, learning and memory, employment and productivity, personality, and psychopathology.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, PSYC 222,

Junior or senior standing 3 credits, Spring, Odd numbered years

PSYC 315: Physiological Psychology

A study of neural mechanisms and their relationship to behavior. A survey of the development of physiological concepts in psychology.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 and (BIOL 104 or BIOL 115 or BIOL 117)

Junior or senior standing. 3 credits, Spring

PSYC 316: Human Factors Psychology

Human factors psychology seeks to take psychological knowledge (especially relating to how people perceive, perform, attend, remember, and think) and apply this knowledge to making the world an easier and safer place in which to interact. The goal of this class is to give students a basic overview of these cognitive processes and then apply them to such topics as the design of displays, controls, and workspaces, stress and workload, safety and accident prevention, and human-computer interaction.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, Junior or senior standing 3 credits, Spring, Even numbered years

PSYC 317: Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology represents the contemporary study of the genetic roots of human behavior, the interaction between biology and the environment, and the ways in which the ancestral environment may have shaped contemporary life. Topics include, but are not limited to: gender differences, romantic relationships and attraction, parenting, environmental preferences, food preferences, violence, warfare, and cooperation.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, Junior or senior standing 3 credits, Spring, Odd numbered years

PSYC 318: Sensation and Perception

Sensation and Perception is the study of how people use their sensory systems (vision, touch, hearing, taste, and smell) to perceive aspects of their environment. This class will present an overview of the basic sensory processes and how the brain uses this information interpret, navigate, and interact with the world.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Spring, Odd numbered years

PSYC 352: History and Systems in Psychology

A detailed consideration of the formal systems of psychology (e.g., Structuralism, Behaviorism, Humanistic-Existentialism) a review of psychology's roots in philosophy and physiology and a survey of the current status of the discipline, with special emphasis on one or more topics of continuing historical interest.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, Junior or senior standing 3 credits, Spring, Even numbered years

PSYC 362: Introduction to Contemporary Psychotherapies

A survey of the various forms of psychotherapy including the history of the field, methods, theoretical and applied models of the therapeutic process, as well as practical issues such as training, gaining credentials, and other professional issues. The experience of becoming and working as a psychotherapist and coverage of selected specialty areas will also be considered.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, Junior or senior standing 3 credits, Spring, Odd numbered years

PSYC 372: Personality Theory

A survey of major theories of personality with emphasis on the Freudian, Neo-analytic, Cognitive, Behavioral and Existential perspectives.

Prerequisite: PSYC 111 3 credits, Fall, Even numbered years

PSYC 382: Undergraduate Psychology Internship

An opportunity to use the principles of psychology in applied settings under professional supervision. A program of readings is completed concurrently with the field placement. The objective is the integration of theoretical knowledge with practice.

Prerequisites: PSYC 111, PSYC 211, PSYC 303, PSYC 305.

Credits are by arrangement. 3 or 6 credits

PSYC 390-394: Special Topics in Psychology

Prerequisite: PSYC 111, prerequisites vary with particular course being offered 1-3 credits

PSYC 395-399: Independent Study

The design and implementation of special research projects where the Psychology major works under the personal supervision of a staff member.

Prerequisites: PSYC 303, PSYC 304, PSYC 211, PSYC 212. Credits are by arrangement. 1-3 credits

PSYC 400: Senior Research Seminar in Psychology

This seminar for senior majors in Psychology deals with recent research in a wide variety of specialty areas in psychology. The emphasis is on the synthesis of previous research and the critical analysis of specific research methods and findings.

Prerequisite: Senior standing as Psychology major. 3 credits, Fall, Spring