Course Descriptions

PSY 105 Principles of Psychology
An introduction to the methods and principles of psychology. Applications of psychological concepts to everyday situations are emphasized. Research participation is required.

PSY 201 Health Psychology
Consideration of the impact of psychological, behavioral, social, and biological interactions on health. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 215 Research Methods and Statistics I
Part I of a two-term sequence. See PSY 315. PSY 215 may be taken for one course credit without taking PSY 315. Scientific method as practiced in psychology. This sequence emphasizes skills of bibliographic research, research design and data collection, statistical analysis and interpretation, and APA-style presentation of research findings. (Prereq.: PSY 105, MPG 3, and sophomore status; pass CT assessment or GST 100)

PSY 235 Psychology and Law
Application of psychological principles and research to legal processes, policy, and problems. Emphasis on three content areas: eyewitness memory, courtroom procedures, and forensic clinical practice. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 250 Child Development
Theory and scientific methods of examining development and behavior. Practical implications of data and theory are stressed. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 252 Adolescent and Young Adult Development
Consideration of research and theory related to development during the adolescent and young adult years. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 253 Aging and Adulthood
Development through middle and older adulthood. Consideration of positive and negative aspects of aging. Content is especially relevant to those who study and work with the largest growing segment of our population—the elderly. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 256 Environmental Psychology
This course uses a cultural-ecological viewpoint to study the influence of both the natural and built physical environment on human behavior. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 261 Personality/Cultural Context
Current scientifically-based approaches to description, dynamics, and development of personality. Includes study of gender, social position, and cross-cultural behavior. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 262 Abnormal Psychology
Applying psychological science to understanding the causes and treatments for psychological disorders. Topics include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance use, and eating disorders. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 263 Sports Psychology
Foundations of sports psychology. Psychological concepts applied to sports and enhancement of athletic performance. Topics include motivation, team development, leadership, psychological skills training, and goal setting. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 271 Psychology of Gender
Emphasis on the social construction of gender and its impact on the lives and behavior of individuals. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 291 Addiction and Recovery
Examines addiction and recovery from multiple perspectives, giving special attention to physiological, religious-spiritual, neurobiological, and sociocultural dimensions. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 295 Topics in Psychology
Specific topic will be published prior to registration; e.g., Positive Psychology, Close Relationships, Psychology and Religion. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 315 Research Methods and Statistics II
Part II of a two-term sequence. See PSY 215. Ideally PSY 315 should be taken in the term immediately following PSY 215. (Prereq.: PSY 215 with a grade of 2.0 or higher and ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111)

PSY 325 Social Behavior
Social factors that influence individual and group behavior in natural and laboratory settings.Topics include social cognition, group behavior, social influence, attitudes formation, and change. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 354 Cognitive Psychology
Theory, data, and practical applications relevant to the following topics: attention, perception, pattern recognition, memory, mental imagery, problem solving, decision making, and language. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 355 Biopsychology
Relationship between biology and behavior. Considers biological bases of learning and cognition, emotions, abnormal psychology, and normal and altered states of consciousness. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 357 Behavior Analysis
Principles of learning/behavior change and their application to self-management, family, work, school, and clinic settings. Individualized projects. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor and ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111)

PSY 359 Assessment
Theory and scientific methods of assessing human aptitudes, achievement, personality, abnormal behavior, vocational interests, and impacts of the environment on behavior. Examination of a variety of tests, concepts of reliability and validity, and legal and ethical issues. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 360 Psychology Laboratory (.5 credit)
Laboratory research experience under the supervision of a faculty member. Concurrent or previous enrollment in a full-credit course in the faculty member’s area of expertise and approval by that faculty member are required. (Prereq.: Psy 215)

PSY 373 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
The theoretical and applied study of organizations. Topics include the individual, group and organizational structure/process and change. (Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 381 Historical Perspectives
Focus on the people in psychology’s history, their questions and positions, from the early Greek period to the present. Emphasis on the 20th century, inclusions of women and minorities, and contextual history. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 385 Counseling Psychology
Discuss therapeutic approaches and interventions in counseling (e.g., psychoanalysis, person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and postmodern approaches). Topics include counseling diverse clients, evidence based
practice, and ethical guidelines for the counseling relationship. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 390 Special Topics in Psychology
Specific topic will be published prior to registration. (Prereq.: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor)

PSY 391 Individual Differences
General introduction to the study of individual differences. Particular focus is placed on behavioral genetic methods and designs. Explores the degree to which genetic and environmental influences co-determine the expression of various psychological phenotypes, including psychometric IQ, personality, and facets along broader psychopathologic dimensions. (Prereq: PSY 215 or PSY 105 with consent of instructor; PSY 355 is recommended)

PSY 400 Keystone Internship
Students work 80 hours at an internship site of their choosing and attend weekly (or weekend) class sessions. A series of papers/assignments address career and personal goals as well as the relationship between the internship work and concepts learned in the psychology major. PSY 400 satisfies the Keystone requirement but must involve an off-campus internship to satisfy the Augsburg Experience requirement. (Prereq.: PSY 315 and senior standing)

PSY 410 Clinical Neuropsychology
The exploration of human behavior when the brain is altered by traumatic brain injury and diseases such as stroke, epilepsy, and dementia. Learn human neuroanatomy in order to relate brain systems to attention, perception,  memory, language, personality, and awareness. Address clinical issues, including neuropsychological assessment and interviewing. (Prereq.: PSY 315 or consent of instructor)

PSY 490 Current Topics in Psychology
Specific topic will be published prior to registration. (Prereq.: PSY 315 or consent of instructor)

PSY 491 Advanced Research Seminar
Research team experience in a seminar format. Designed to extend students’ knowledge of statistical and methodological techniques and to explore contemporary professional issues and implications for social policy. Recommended for students headed for graduate school and those electing an honors major. (Prereq.: PSY 315 or consent of instructor)

PSY 493 Seminar: Contemporary Issues
Discussion and exploration of contemporary, theoretical, professional, and social policy issues from a psychological viewpoint. (Prereq.: PSY 315 or consent of instructor)

Internships and Independent Study Courses

PSY 199 Internship
(Prereq.: PSY 105 and one other psychology course)

PSY 299 Directed study
(Prereq.: PSY 105)

PSY 399/396 Internship
PSY 399 involves an off-campus internship; PSY 396 involves an on-campus internship. (Prereq.: PSY 315 and ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111)

PSY 499 Independent Study/Research
(Prereq.: PSY 315)