College of Arts & Sciences

Psychology

Chair Michael Lyons

Professors Barlow, Belle, Brody, Brown, Cronin-Golomb, Eichenbaum, Hagen, Hasselmo, Hofmann, Kantak, Liederman, Lyons, Malley-Morrison, Mostofsky, Otto, Stern, Watanabe

Associate Professors Cherry, Harris, Kelemen, Palfai, Pincus, Rucci, Saudino, Somers, Tompson

Assistant Professors Ganea, Richardson

Clinical Associate Professors Perlitsh, Smith

Clinical Assistant Professor Pratt

Instructors Ely, Feinstein

Senior Lecturers Dunne, Shim

Research Assistant Professors Farchione, Lipton, McGann, Murray, Pierre, Savage, Thompson-Brenner, Whiton

Professors Emeriti Cohen, Gleason, Grossman, Marcucella, Margolius, McNair, Rebelsky, Solomon, Weinberg

Associated Faculty Brief (MED), Bullock (CNS), Ciraulo (MED), Grossberg (CNS), Kaplan (MED), Keane (MED), King, D. (MED), King, L. (MED), Litz (MED), Miller (MED), Morisette (MED), Otis (MED), Resick (MED), Tager-Flusberg (MED), Wolfsdorf (MED)

Adjunct Faculty Daniel, Ehrenreich, Ellis, Lippe (MED), Orsillo (MED), Roemer, Safren, Saxe (MED), Schendan (MED)

The department includes graduate students being trained in both master’s and doctoral programs and more than 27 faculty members who share a serious commitment to teaching and research. Undergraduate courses are taught by the faculty in a variety of instructional formats. Students have many opportunities for exposure to a broad range of thinking about psychology and have significant opportunities to gain research experience. An undergraduate psychology concentration prepares students for a number of vocations and a variety of professional and graduate training programs.

Concentration in Psychology (2001)

Prerequisite  CAS PS 101 or equivalent.

General Requirements  Students must complete eight principal courses with a grade of C or higher. Four of these must be selected from among courses at the 300 level or higher, including one experimental course selected from CAS PS 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, and 328. Principal courses in psychology are those courses listed in the bulletin and numbered at the 200 level and above, excluding CAS PS 211.

The choice of principal courses must include at least two courses from each of the broad content groups listed below. Group A consists of courses in perception, physiological psychology, learning, and cognition. Group B consists of courses in development, personality, and social and abnormal psychology.

Group A:

CAS PS 202 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience

CAS PS 205 Memory and Brain

CAS PS 222 Perception and Behavior

CAS PS 231 Physiological Psychology

CAS PS 234 Psychology of Learning

CAS PS 333 Drugs and Behavior

CAS PS 336 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

CAS PS 337 Memory Systems of the Brain

CAS PS 338 Neuropsychology

Group B:

CAS PS 241 Developmental Psychology

CAS PS 243 Life Span Developmental Psychology in Health and Illness

CAS PS 251 Psychology of Personality: Theories and Application

CAS PS 261 Social Psychology

CAS PS 367 Organizational and Industrial Psychology

CAS PS 370 Psychology of the Family

CAS PS 371 Abnormal Psychology

Please note: students may elect to take either PS 241 or PS 243 but not both.

It is possible to transfer a maximum of three principal courses toward the eight principal courses required for completion of the psychology concentration. Metropolitan College courses are considered transfer courses. Prior departmental approval of all transfer courses in psychology is required.

Design and Statistical Requirement  Students must complete CAS MA 116, MA 214, or CAS PS 211 with a grade of C or higher. Note: only one of CAS MA 116 and MA 214 may be taken for credit.

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Independent Work in Psychology

The department encourages interested and qualified students to pursue a special course of independent work in psychology in the senior year and to have completed one experimental course prior to that time. Interested sophomores and juniors are encouraged to discuss independent work with their advisors in the department at the beginning of the second semester. See Independent Work for Distinction for more information.

Concentration in Philosophy and Psychology (1540)

For information, see Philosophy.

Minor Concentration in Psychology (2001)

Courses required for the minor concentration are stated below.

Prerequisite  CAS PS 101 or equivalent.

Principal Courses  Students must complete five psychology courses with a grade of C or higher. Three of these must be selected from courses at the 300 level or higher, including one experimental course (CAS PS 322 to 328). The choice of principal courses must include at least one course from each of the broad content groups (A and B) listed above. A maximum of two principal courses may be transferred toward the five required.

Required Related Course  CAS MA 115, MA 213, or PS 211 with a grade of C or higher. Note: only one of CAS MA 113, MA 115, and MA 213 may be taken for credit.

Research Participation

Students may be asked, as part of course requirements, to participate in research studies. Such participation is intended to help students learn about the procedures and concerns of psychological research.

Organizations

Sigma Xi and Psi Chi  See Honor Societies.

Undergraduate Psychology Association  Students are encouraged to join this association of psychology concentrators. The association is an independent organization and provides a number of services and programs for students.

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Courses

Courses marked with a (†) satisfy divisional studies requirements. Courses marked with a (*) count toward Women’s Studies minor.

Course emphasis may vary with instructor. It is suggested that prior to preregistration, students consult the department to obtain specific information regarding courses.

†CAS PS 101 General Psychology

Basic introduction to the field of psychology; topics include theories and findings governing learning, memory, perception, development, personality, social and abnormal psychology. Three hours large lecture and one hour discussion section or three hours of small lecture class with no discussion sections. Requirements vary. Students are required to participate as subjects in psychology studies. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

CAS PS 202 Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience

Prereq: sophomore standing. Cognitive neuroscience seeks to understand the brain basis of cognition. This course introduces research methods and human neuroanatomy, and provides a survey of topics including learning and memory, attention, perception, language, social cognition, and executive function. Also offered as CAS NE 202. Lipton. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS PS 205 Memory and Brain

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Explores how modern methods of cognitive science and neuroscience have led to new insights about memory and, more generally, to a greater understanding about the mind and brain functions that mediate cognition, emotion, behavior, and consciousness. Eichenbaum. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 211 Introduction to Experimental Design in Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Concepts of experimental design in psychology, including the identification and control of bias, minimizing unsystematic error, the statistical description of data, elementary probability theory, and elementary statistical inference. Does not count toward the eight principal course requirements for concentrators. Mostofsky. 4 cr, either sem.

†CAS PS 222 Perception and Behavior

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Why do things look as they do? This question is examined with particular emphasis on experiments that clarify the relative contributions of nature and nurture, and structural and experiential factors. Rucci, Watanabe. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

†CAS PS 231 Physiological Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Analysis of the central nervous system: information processing and decision making; emphasis on physiological aspects of perception, attention, learning, and memory. Cherry, Liederman. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

†CAS PS 234 Psychology of Learning

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Survey of theory and techniques in learning and their applications in different settings. Topics include problem solving, memory, reward and punishment, and reinforcement schedules as studied in animals, normal classrooms, and remedial settings. Idrobo. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

†CAS PS 241 Developmental Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Students may elect either CAS PS 241 or PS 243, but not both. Critical review of research and theories pertaining to intellectual and social development of infants and children. Role of early experiences and biological factors in later formation of personality, intellectual, and motivational behaviors; theories include Erikson, Piaget, and Freud. Term paper may be required. Ganea, Harris, Kelemen, Saudino. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

CAS PS 243 Life Span Developmental Psychology in Health and Illness

Prereq: CAS PS 101 and, for students in the MMEDIC program, consent of the director of the MMEDIC program. Students may elect either CAS PS 241 or PS 243, but not both. Psychological aspects of human growth, development, and adaptation throughout the life span, with an emphasis on responses to illness during the various developmental stages. Grant. 4 cr, 1st sem.

†CAS PS 251 Psychology of Personality: Theories and Application

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Students may elect either CAS PS 251 or PS 252, but not both. The historical development of personality theories and their application to social and clinical concerns are emphasized. Classic theories of personality (e.g., psychoanalytic, behavioral, trait, humanistic, cognitive, and social roles) are explored and evaluated through lectures, readings, case materials, and films. Ely, Shim. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

†CAS PS 261 Social Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Provides an understanding of how behavior, feelings, and thoughts of individuals are influenced and determined by characteristics of the situation. Topics: attraction, attitudes, prejudice, social roles, aggression, person perception, and groups. Readings cover theories, experimental research, and application. Belle, Palfai, Shim. 4 cr, either sem. (SS)

CAS PS 303 History of Psychology

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 322–328 Experimental Psychology

Prereq to all 300-level experimental courses: CAS PS 101 or PS 105 and PS 211 or CAS MA 115 and MA 116. Courses include two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory work a week. See individual descriptions below.

CAS PS 322 Experimental Psychology: Physiological

Prereq: CAS PS 211 or CAS MA 115 and CAS MA 116 and CAS PS 101. Laboratory course in physiological psychology. Emphasis on neuroanatomical mechanisms involved in behavior. Experiments are performed on rats and resulting data is analyzed. Research reports required. Cherry. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 323 Experimental Psychology: Learning

Prereq: see above. Methodology, results, and interpretation of respondent and operant conditioning. Experimental analyses of selected topics in learning within the context of reinforcement theory. Required reports of instructor-planned and student-planned experiments using the albino rat. Idrobo. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 324 Experimental Psychology: Developmental

Prereq: see above and CAS PS 241 or PS 243. Human development selected for experimental study; live subjects. Class discussion and practical experience with observational, assessment, and experimental techniques, and review of statistical concepts. Focus varies. Independent research and paper required. Two two-hour lectures per week. Dunne. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 325 Experimental Psychology: Personality

Prereq: see above and CAS PS 251 or PS 252. Systematic approaches to the study of personality. Experimental and observational investigations of selected aspects of personality. Demonstration of experimental procedures; student participation in laboratory and field studies. Ely, Kantner, Malley-Morrison. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 326 Experimental Psychology: Social

Prereq: see above and CAS PS 261. Supervised experience in formulating, carrying out, interpreting, and critically evaluating social-psychological research. Students conduct research on such topics as attraction, impressions and stereotypes, helping, aggression, conflict, etc. Variety of research techniques examined. Costos, Dunne. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 332 Behavioral Medicine

Prereq: two principal courses in psychology, education, nursing, or a health-related discipline, or consent of instructor. Readings from literature describing clinical and research strategies that draw on applications from the behavioral sciences to provide adjunctive therapeutic management of medical disorders. Topics include health and illness behaviors, applied behavior analysis, biofeedback, compliance, and interdisciplinary team care. Mostofsky. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 333 Drugs and Behavior

Prereq: CAS PS 101, PS 105, or consent of instructor. Comprehensive survey of drug influences on behavior; introduces a neuroscience approach to behavior. Several classes of drugs discussed, including abused and addictive substances and psychoactive and therapeutic agents. Caine, Hasselmo, Kantak, Otto. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 334 Behaviorism and Everyday Life

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 336 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Provides an introduction to basic topics and research issues relevant to cognitive psychology. Emphasis placed on understanding how we perceive, attend, and remember information. Related topics include language, problem solving, and intelligence. Somers. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 337 Memory Systems of the Brain

Prereq: CAS PS 231 or CAS BI 325 or consent of instructor. Survey of investigations into the brain systems and neurobiological mechanisms of memory. Includes experimental studies of amnesia in humans and experimental models of amnesia in animals. Focus on evidence for multiple forms of memory and distinct brain systems that mediate them. Stern. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 338 Neuropsychology

Prereq: CAS PS 231 or consent of instructor. Survey of theoretical aspects and major empirical findings in human neuropsychology, including memory, language, spatial function, attention, emotion, and abstract thought. Emphasis is on the relation between brain disorders (resulting from head injury, stroke, degenerative disease, etc.) and abnormal behavior. Cronin-Golomb. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS PS 354 Psychology and Criminal Justice

Prereq: CAS PS 251 or 252. The psychological perspective in understanding the offender and the offense and in dispositional planning, with special emphasis on the young adult offender. Concepts, realities, and problems in working at the interface of law and psychology. Hagen. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 361 Racism, Sexism, and Prejudice

Prereq: CAS PS 261. Similarities and differences in racism and sexism examined as prejudice, cognitions, self-image, and group relations. Tactics, strategies, and programs of changing issues in schools and industry. Student projects. Feinstein. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 367 Organizational and Industrial Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 261. Applies the sociopsychological approach to individual work behavior. Such topics as effects of management approaches to organizational processes resulting in productivity and satisfaction; turbulent environment feedback; change; experiential learning of managers; and roles of the psychologist. Perlitsh. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 370 Psychology of the Family

Prereq: CAS PS 101, or CAS SO 205. Survey of psychological issues related to the family. Includes examination of psychological research and data on the individual’s experience in the family, with special emphasis on developmental and clinical issues. Brody, Feinstein. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 371 Abnormal Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 101. Attention to the wide range of ways in which personality may become disordered; emphasis on normal behavior development as highlighted by psychopathology. Evidence and theories concerning problems of treatment also considered. Lyons, Pincus, Richardson, Shim. 4 cr, either sem.

400-Level Courses

CAS PS 401, 402 Senior Independent Work

Prereq: senior standing, one experimental course, and approval of the Honors Committee. Supervises independent research in some area of psychology. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS PS 434 Principles of Behavior Modification

Prereq: CAS PS 234 or CAS PS 323. A survey of contemporary behavioral intervention and therapy procedures as they have been applied in various settings. Methods of evaluating the effectiveness of these procedures are stressed. Open to nonconcentrators. Mostofsky. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 471 Seminar: Psychopathology

Prereq: one experimental course and CAS PS 371 or consent of instructor. Selected clinical syndromes; neuroses, character disorders, and schizophrenia in children or adults. Selected clinical issues such as sleep and dreaming, psychosomatic illness, attachment and loss, and depression. Fleming. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 472 Family Violence: Theories and Research

Prereq: CAS PS 370 or PS 371. Studies family violence, particularly child and spouse abuse. Students learn various theories while examining epidemiologic, cross-cultural, and clinical data. Through demonstrations, students also learn basic preventative and intervention techniques. Malley-Morrison. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 473 Introduction to Clinical Psychology

Prereq: CAS PS 371. Introduction to current diagnostic and treatment techniques in clinical psychology from empirical, applied, and theoretical perspectives. Topics covered include clinical interviewing, psychological testing, and a comparison of humanistic, analytic, and systems approaches to therapy. Barlow. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 475 Counseling: Theory and Listening Techniques

Prereq: CAS PS 371 and senior standing. Introduces the theoretical underpinnings of counseling and builds students’ listening skills. Extensive role-playing using audio and videotapes. Brody. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 491, 492 Directed Study in Psychology

Prereq: junior or senior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of CAS Room 105. Individual instruction and directed research in a selected topic. Staff. Variable cr, either sem.

CAS PS 504 Trends in Contemporary Psychology

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 520 Research Methods for Perception and Cognition

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 525 Cognitive Science

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 528 Human Brain Mapping

Prereq: CAS PS 336 or consent of instructor. Localization in the brain of human mental functions and the study of their neural mechanisms. Topics include methods (fMRI, PET, TMS, ERP), memory, perception, recognition, attention, and executive processes. Somers. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 529 Neuroplasticity: Enabling the Brain to Heal Itself

Prereq: junior standing, and CAS PS 231 or consent of instructor. Review of neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the astounding reorganizational capacity of the brain. Critical examination of ways to promote this plasticity: early childhood experiences, positive thinking, meditation, exercise, visualization, physical therapy, computerized re-training, and sensory and motor prostheses. Liederman. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS PS 530 Neural Models of Memory Function

Prereq: consent of instructor. Computational models of neurobiological mechanisms for memory function and spatial navigation, with a particular emphasis on cellular and circuit models of the hippocampus and related cortical structures. Hasselmo. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 542 Child Development and Public Policy

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 544 Developmental Neuropsychology

Prereq: consent of instructor. Study of the neural mechanisms underlying behavioral development. Topics include the plasticity of the developing brain in response to deprivation or damage and mechanisms underlying specific syndromes (e.g., aphasia, dyslexia, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, autism, and Tourette’s syndrome). Liederman. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 545 Language Development

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS PS 546 Cognitive Development

Prereq: CAS PS 241 or PS 243. Cognitive development from birth through early adolescence. Relationship of cognition to other traditional areas of psychology (e.g., perception, language, learning, memory, physiology, and psychopathology). Ganea, Kelemen. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 549 Developmental Psychopathology

Prereq: CAS PS 371 and CAS PS 241 or CAS PS 243. Developmental deviations and psychological disorders of childhood. Examination of assessment techniques, treatment theories, and prevention methods. Developmental etiologies of neurotic and psychotic disturbances, effects of family patterns on the character of parent-child pathology, influence of childhood pathology on adult functioning. Tompson. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS PS 552 Topics in Family Research

Prereq: senior or graduate standing, CAS PS 370 or PS 472, and experimental course. Intensive research seminar in which students’ projects focus on family relationships or other close relationships. Experience in writing critical reviews of research literature, developing and analyzing conceptual models, collecting and analyzing data, and evaluating findings. Malley-Morrison. 4 cr, either sem.

CAS PS 560 Cross-Cultural Psychology

Prereq: graduate standing, or six principal courses in psychology and CAS PS 211 or CAS MA 116. Comparative study of psychological variables under different cultural conditions in order to identify universal aspects of human behavior, and to identify cultural influences on behavior. Applications to psychotherapy, public health, child development, education, business, and foreign relations. Harris. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS PS 572 Psychology of Women

Prereq: psychology concentrators with senior standing. Consideration of research topics in the psychology of women. Topics covered include various stages in the life cycle, women’s work and family lives, aspects of victimization, and women’s position in the larger society. Belle, Costos. 4 cr, either sem.

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16 October 2009
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