Introduces students to the science of psychology, presenting the basic principles of mental processes and behavior and the process of empirical investigation.

Introduces new psychology majors to the scientific basis of psychology through interactions with faculty, student mentors, and community professionals. Explores unique opportunities within the major and the college (research, internships, study away/abroad). Students will create a psychology major portfolio and will begin to document their learning and engagement with the discipline. Required for all MCLA psychology majors.

Examines developmental theory and research from an applied perspective. Physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development from early childhood through adolescence will be covered with an emphasis on application. (Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 208 and PSYC 210).

Examines developmental theory and research from an applied perspective. Physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development from early childhood through adolescence will be covered with an emphasis on application.

Introduces core concepts of developmental psychology across the lifespan, from prenatal influences on development to how we grapple with death. Emphasis is placed on theory relating to the developmental aspects of cognition, language, personality, emotions, and social relationships. (Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 210 and PSYC 208).

Examines human social behavior emphasizing environmental and situational factors. Theoretical and applied issues are considered within selected topics. (Psychology majors cannot receive core Self & Society credit for PSYC 230).

Examines theoretical perspectives of maladaptive behavior and the concepts of stress, coping, normality and abnormality. Emphasis on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders of childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Introduces the nature of empirical investigation in psychology and the role of data analysis in psychological research. Students learn the value of research methodology as applied to the field of psychology with a focus on concepts and interpretation of basic research design and statistical analysis. A weekly lab introduces data analysis software applications.

A continuation of PSYC 290, extending the nature of empirical investigation in psychology to specific research designs and statistical analyses. The course focuses on concepts, interpretation and applications of methodology and data analysis used by psychologists, including topics of ethics and APA style. Mastery of course material will be demonstrated by a completed research paper; weekly lab extends students' knowledge of statistical analysis software applications.

Provides junior and senior psychology majors with an opportunity to reflect on their past work in the major. Explores opportunities and interests in preparation for careers and graduate study in the field. Students will work with the instructor and other professionals to develop and implement strategies for success after MCLA. Required for all MCLA psychology majors.

Examines the concept of stigma and how a stigmatized identity has been a part of the human experience throughout history. We will also examine the consequences of experiencing discrimination and describe the situational nature of stigma. This course provides students with the opportunity to more deeply appreciate the experiences of being marginalized and to critically evaluate the empirical psychological literature examining stigmatization.

Studies knowing, learning, thinking and language. Topics include theories of cognition, language, attention, problem solving, memory, consciousness and creative thinking.

Introduces the field of behavior analysis, examining behavior analytic history, philosophy, concepts and principles. Techniques and strategies inside and outside the laboratory will be discussed in detail. Students learn the basics of data-based approaches to behavior treatment. Concepts will be illustrated during discussion of a wide variety of behavior problems associated with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, physical fitness and academic delays.

Examines the relationships between brain function and behavior using concepts from psychology and biology. Topics include motivation and emotion, learning and memory, sensory systems and perception, language disabilities and mental disorders.

Examines the use and abuse of drugs from biological, psychological and cultural points of view. Addresses contemporary efforts in education, prevention and treatment of abuse.

Emphasizes the application of psychological theory and techniques to the management of behavior in structured organizations. Focuses on the concepts of motivation, leadership, and interpersonal and group process.

Examines the special needs of children, the methods used to determine these needs, and the procedures used to meet these needs.

Introduces several major theoretical traditions of clinical and counseling psychology, with special attention to their models of psychological development, psychopathology, and psychotherapy. Proceeding from a comparative, historical, and critical perspective, we will read significant theoretical works from these major traditions—students can expect this reading to be advanced and complex. Students will practice using psychological theoretical models to conceptualize real-life clinical case material.

Examines the field of human sexuality from psychological, biological and sociological perspectives. In covering a wide range of contemporary topics, emphasis is on empirical, verifiable scientific information.

Focuses on the similarities and differences between males and females, masculinity and femininity. Explores the origins and maintenance of gender stereotypes and their consequences.

Explores psychological and sociocultural issues concerning women in our society. Women's experiences will be covered in areas that are stereotypically thought of as male-oriented as well as those more exclusive to females.

Introduces approaches to qualitative and mixed-methods forms of inquiry utilized in psychological research, such as Phenomenological, Grounded Theory, and narrative research approaches. Topics may include verbal reports, naturalistic observation, interview, and case analysis.

Introduces students to the current research and theoretical perspectives related to various psychological and psychosocial components of exercise, sport participation and competition. Personality, motivation, social facilitation, anxiety, aggression and other factors that influence individuals and teams/groups are examined.

Introduces foundational concepts in classroom teaching, learning, and student motivation and well-being from an educational psychology perspective. Evidence-based instructional approaches for supporting successful learning and development are examined. Students read and critique educational research and develop their own practical classroom applications.

Examines the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of the adolescent from a psychological perspective. Psychological and social problems that may arise during adolescence are discussed.

Examines the etiology and clinical characteristics of behavioral disorders in infancy through adolescence, including emotional disturbances, anxiety and conduct disorders, and learning disabilities. Will explore historical and current controversies that involve ideas of children as disordered, disorderly, or disordering. Emphasis on theoretical perspectives, research, assessment, early intervention, and prevention.

Focuses on advanced methodology, data analysis and interpretation in psychological research. A research project is required.

Provides opportunities for students to assist faculty in conducting empirical research. Particular responsibilities may include data collection, statistical analyses and other activities involved in planning and conducting research in psychology. Amount of credit will be determined by the faculty supervisor in consultation with the student. The course may be repeated up to a maximum of six credits with all grades assigned as pass/fail. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

Applies research design and practice to selected problems. Includes literature review, deriving and empirically testing hypotheses. Requirements involve preparation of laboratory and other research materials, recruitment of participants and collection, analysis, and interpretation of resulting data. Culminates in preparation and submission of a complete report of the research project. Content identified by subtitle. This course is repeatable for a maximum of 8 crs.

Examines the development of psychology as a science, an academic discipline, and a profession. Includes a comparative analysis of major contemporary theories in psychology.

Participate in the design, implementation, analysis and dissemination of empirical research. Students will examine the strategies and rationale underlying within-subject designs through exposure to recently published articles from the behavior analytic literature. The relationship between experimental and applied research will be examined closely. All students will prepare an APA-style manuscript describing their research project.

Studies techniques applicable in the helping services and counseling. Theories of counseling and basic psychotherapy will be reviewed. Experiential sessions will demonstrate established theories.

Provides the opportunity for students to assist a faculty member in the preparation and implementation of a psychology course. Particular responsibilities may include providing support with class activities and assisting students enrolled in the course. Amount of credit will be determined by the faculty supervisor in consultation with the student. The course is graded pass/fail. Enrollment requires permission of instructor.

Explores one or more special topics in psychology. Topic will be specified when the course is offered.

For junior and senior psychology majors who choose to conduct psychological research independently in a specific area. The research will be carried out under the direction of the faculty supervisor and will require a substantive scholarly report of the research. The course may be repeated for credit with the permission of a faculty member. The course is graded pass/fail. Enrollment requires permission of the instructor.

An intensive examination of a selected topic in psychology. Mastery of the seminar material will be assessed by the completion of an APA-style paper.

Open to juniors and seniors who wish to read in a given area or to study a topic in depth. Written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor are required. Enrollment requires individual application and permission of the department.

Provides students with a comprehensive review of empirically-supported behavioral teaching procedures for individuals with autism and related disabilities. Topics will focus on teaching skills in a variety of content areas such as language, social, and self-help. Procedures for teaching these include, match-to-sample discrimination training, task analysis, as well as prompting procedures including prompt fading and video modeling.

Receive an intensive overview of behavioral assessment strategies designed to determine the environmental factors that influence behavior problems. Examples from recent literature will be examined in depth with a focus on applications to educational and other settings. All students will conduct three simulated functional assessments and behavior plans.

Designed to familiarize students with the ethical principles of behavior analysis and the historical contexts in which they developed. We will examine ethics as they apply to research, clinical practice, and the role of the behavior analyst in society.

Provides opportunities in a variety of public agencies and private organizations to gain practical experience and to develop skills in applying psychological theories, principles, methods and techniques to the management of problems of human development, thought, adjustment and behavior. Enrollment requires individual application and permission of the department.

Requires completion of a formal thesis on a significant topic in psychology. Intended for senior psychology majors, a literature review and proposal, along with approval of two members of the psychology faculty, is required prior to enrollment in the thesis course.

Orients students to the concepts, processes, and scientific principles of behavior on which the field of applied behavior analysis was founded. Topics of study will include the history and defining features of applied behavior analysis as well as the role of basic principles in producing socially meaningful behavior socially meaningful behavior change (positive and negative reinforcement, punishment, discriminative control of behavior, and motivating operations).

Provides an introduction to key concepts, methods, and ethical considerations associated with behavioral assessment. Course objectives will include teaching students to distinguish between idiographic and norm-referenced assessment approaches to conduct pertinent behavioral assessments (preference assessments, functional assessments, and skills assessments), and to incorporate assessment outcomes with treatment selection and design in accordance with contemporary best practices.

Equips students with skills needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of interventions by subjecting them to experimental evaluation using single subject designs. Students will learn to develop valid and reliable systems for measuring behavior, to display data using popular and accessible graphing software, and to assess for orderly changes in behavior through visual inspection and interpretation of graphic data.

Involves students working with special needs children under the mentorship of a faculty advisor. Students complete readings and research related to their classroom experiences and write a paper on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. Each student is assigned teaching responsibilities under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students participate in a weekly seminar designed to raise issues and discuss topics relevant to the practicum experience and assigned readings.