Gannon University

KENNETH R. GAMBLE, Ph.D., ABPP Chairperson

FACULTY: Associate Professors: Linda Fleming, Kenneth R. Gamble, Robert Nelsen, Robin Powers, David Tobin. Assistant Professors: Lesley A. Hite, Lori Lindley, Ken McCurdy, Jess Owen, 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.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

PSYC 100: Orientation to Psychology
An overview of the field of Psychology and its various specialty areas and of the potential careers within psychology. A general introduction to the sources of information within the field, a look at ethics and the reporting format of the American Psychological Association.
1 credit, Spring

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, Fall, Spring

PSYC 211: Psychological Statistics
An introduction to frequency distributions, sampling distributions, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, linear regression, and non-parametric statistics.
Prerequisite: PSYC 111
3 credits, Fall, Spring

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.
Prerequisite: PSYC 211
1 credit, Fall, Spring

PSYC 213: Psychological Statistics II
A continuation of PSYC 211 with coverage of such topics as multiple regression, analysis of covariance, power analysis and selected current topics in the field of psychological statistics.
Prerequisites: PSYC 211, PSYC 212
3 credits, Spring, Odd years

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, Fall, 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 and sophomore standing.
3 credits, Spring

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, Spring

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.
3 credits

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 research report writing using the format of the American Psychological Association are covered. Concepts are illustrated by conducting a number of small group experiments in the lab portion of the course.
Prerequisites: PSYC 111, PSYC 212
4 credits, Fall

PSYC 304: Advanced Experimental Psychology
A continuation of PSYC 303, this course involves the design and conduct of individual research based on an extensive review of the literature and the formation of an original hypothesis. All research is done under the guidance and supervision of the instructor.
Prerequisites: PSYC 211, PSYC 212
3 credits, Spring

PSYC 305: Psychology of Learning
A general introduction to the major theories and models of conditioning and learning. Applications of learning theory to problems in psychopathology, human development and education are presented.
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

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 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 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: 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
Prerequisites vary with particular courses being offered
1-3 credits

PSYC 395-399: Independent Study
The design and implementation of special research projects where the Psychology concentrator 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 Seminar in Psychology
This seminar for senior concentrators 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 concentrator.
3 credits, Fall, Spring

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Psychology Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)

THE NEXT STEP

Baccalaureate Degree Program for Graduates of Two-Year Colleges
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)

All students graduating from the College of Humanities, Business and Education must have completed six credits of a modern foreign language.

Students will be permitted to take other courses in substitution for any course listed above which they have satisfactorily completed prior to admission to the next step program. Students are required to complete 18 credits in the Core of Discovery Program at Gannon.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology

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