Psychology gives a student a wonderful understanding of oneself and of other people, and a sense of how we function in the world and the things that are important to us.
Psychology
Major Description
The Psychology major involves coursework that explores behavior, emotions, cognitive processes and the factors that influence them from a variety of perspectives.
Psychology is a pluralistic discipline with roots in and connections to the natural sciences, the social sciences, medicine, and the humanities, and the McDaniel Europe program gives students training in these various roots, providing rigorous theoretical and practical training necessary for a career as a psychologist in medicine, business, and education, as well as preparation for graduate-level work. Psychology students work closely with faculty and other students on research projects, developing their own, individualized research projects in their final year. This work is enhanced with internship opportunities putting students in different, challenging organizational environments in which their growing knowledge of psychology is essential.
Job and Further Study Opportunities
Students completing the Psychology major will find many professional opportunities in business, education, medicine, and public administration. The Psychology major is also the best platform for advancing to graduate programs in counselling, school psychology, education, clinical psychology, psychological science, social work, criminal justice, organizational psychology, behavior analysis, law school and education administration.
Bernie Weiss
Professor of Psychology
Skills You Get
Social Psychology
Behavioral Neuroscience & Analysis
Research Methods
Counselling
Courses
PSY 1106 Introduction to Psychology
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding
An introductory course designed to develop an understanding of the basic principles governing behavior, with emphasis on the scientific method of studying behavior. Intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, learning, personality, workplace issues, and social factors that influence the individual will be considered.
An introductory course designed to develop an understanding of the basic principles governing behavior, with emphasis on the scientific method of studying behavior. Intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, learning, personality, workplace issues, and social factors that influence the individual will be considered.
PSY 2201 Psychology of Learning and Animal Laboratory
Credits: 4 Prerequisites PSY 1106 and Psychology major, or permission of instructor.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental processes of learning based on the principles of operant and Pavlovian conditioning. Topics discussed include research methodology, stimulus control, schedules of reinforcement, and contemporary models of choice behavior. Students participate in three additional hours of laboratory work per week during which they collect and interpret animal subject data.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental processes of learning based on the principles of operant and Pavlovian conditioning. Topics discussed include research methodology, stimulus control, schedules of reinforcement, and contemporary models of choice behavior. Students participate in three additional hours of laboratory work per week during which they collect and interpret animal subject data.
PSY 2303 Personality Psychology
Credits: 4 Prerequisites/Corequisites PSY 1106 or SOC 1104
An overview of the major theories of personality and assessment strategies. Emphasis will be on the normal personality in a diverse world with some attention to disordered personalities.
An overview of the major theories of personality and assessment strategies. Emphasis will be on the normal personality in a diverse world with some attention to disordered personalities.
PSY 2204 Social Psychology
Credits: 4 Prerequisites PSY 1106.
This course will introduce students to research and theory in social psychology. Social psychology involves the study of how other people (real, imagined, or implied) influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This course will include discussion of research in the areas of the self, social cognition, conformity, persuasion, group behavior, stereotyping and prejudice, attraction, aggression, prosocial behavior, and gender and culture.
This course will introduce students to research and theory in social psychology. Social psychology involves the study of how other people (real, imagined, or implied) influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This course will include discussion of research in the areas of the self, social cognition, conformity, persuasion, group behavior, stereotyping and prejudice, attraction, aggression, prosocial behavior, and gender and culture.
PSY 2305 Health Psychology
Credits: 4 Prerequisites/Corequisites PSY 1106.
An introduction to the foundation and practice of health psychology. A bio-psycho-social perspective is applied to the promotion and maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of illness. Behavioral components of health risk factors and improvement of the health care system are addressed.
An introduction to the foundation and practice of health psychology. A bio-psycho-social perspective is applied to the promotion and maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of illness. Behavioral components of health risk factors and improvement of the health care system are addressed.
PSY 2209 Developmental Psychology
Credits: 4 Prerequisites Education 1141, First Year Seminar 1111, or PSY 1106.
The study of developmental changes from the prenatal period through adolescence, with particular emphasis on how physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development interact in forming the whole person. Special attention will be given to theoretical perspectives, the contexts within which development operates (home/school), and the application of research to current topics.
The study of developmental changes from the prenatal period through adolescence, with particular emphasis on how physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development interact in forming the whole person. Special attention will be given to theoretical perspectives, the contexts within which development operates (home/school), and the application of research to current topics.
PSY 2211 Psychology of Abnormality
Credits: 4 Prerequisites Psychology 1106.
The incidence, causes, treatment, and prevention of abnormal behavior of persons; major focus on adult populations.
The incidence, causes, treatment, and prevention of abnormal behavior of persons; major focus on adult populations.
PSY 2214 Behavioral Neuroscience
Credits: 4
Behavioral Neuroscience investigates the relationship between the brain and behavior. The first part of the course is designed to provide students with a solid background in the fundamentals of neuroanatomy, nervous conduction and psychopharmacology; this will allow students to actively participate in classroom discussions in the second part, when major issues in behavioral neuroscience such as learning, memory, emotions, sleep, biological rhythms, and stress are investigated.
Behavioral Neuroscience investigates the relationship between the brain and behavior. The first part of the course is designed to provide students with a solid background in the fundamentals of neuroanatomy, nervous conduction and psychopharmacology; this will allow students to actively participate in classroom discussions in the second part, when major issues in behavioral neuroscience such as learning, memory, emotions, sleep, biological rhythms, and stress are investigated.
PSY 2215 Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Laboratory
Credits: 4 Prerequisites/Co-requisites Psychology 1106.
This course will introduce students to theory and research in cognitive psychology: how the human brain and mind give rise to our perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Topics discussed will include perception, attention, memory, language, emotion, reasoning and judgment, conscious and unconscious mental processing and cognitive models.
This course will introduce students to theory and research in cognitive psychology: how the human brain and mind give rise to our perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. Topics discussed will include perception, attention, memory, language, emotion, reasoning and judgment, conscious and unconscious mental processing and cognitive models.
PSY 2223 Psychological Methods & Statistics I
Credits: 4 Prerequisites PSY 1106 and MAT 1001, 1002 or placement above MAT 1002.
This course offers an introduction to research methods in psychology and statistical analysis. Non-experimental research methods and descriptive statistics are emphasized. Students will learn how to translate psychological constructs into measurable variables and describe patterns of data including measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, and regression. This course is the first part of a two-part series required for Psychology Majors (PSY 2223 – PSY 2224).
This course offers an introduction to research methods in psychology and statistical analysis. Non-experimental research methods and descriptive statistics are emphasized. Students will learn how to translate psychological constructs into measurable variables and describe patterns of data including measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, and regression. This course is the first part of a two-part series required for Psychology Majors (PSY 2223 – PSY 2224).
PSY 2224 Psychological Methods & Statistics II and Lab
Credits: 4 Prerequisites PSY 2223.
This course focuses on experimental research design and inferential statistics. Statistical tests include t-tests; analysis of variance for between groups factors, within-groups factors, and combinations of such factors; and non-parametric tests. The weekly laboratory session is intended to give students hands-on experience designing experiments and analyzing data. This course is the second part of a two-part series required for psychology majors (PSY 2223 – PSY 2224). Completion of this two-part series satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.
This course focuses on experimental research design and inferential statistics. Statistical tests include t-tests; analysis of variance for between groups factors, within-groups factors, and combinations of such factors; and non-parametric tests. The weekly laboratory session is intended to give students hands-on experience designing experiments and analyzing data. This course is the second part of a two-part series required for psychology majors (PSY 2223 – PSY 2224). Completion of this two-part series satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement.
PSY 3200 Writing in Psychology
Credits: 4 Prerequisites ENG 1101 with a grade of "C" or better.
This course is designed as an in-depth foray into writing in the discipline of Psychology. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to write clearly, concisely, and objectively using the format of the American Psychological Association in various formats common in the discipline of Psychology. These objectives will be met with the completion of multiple writing assignments focused on a particular area of Psychology and will require students to read and critically evaluate the primary literature in this area.
This course is designed as an in-depth foray into writing in the discipline of Psychology. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to write clearly, concisely, and objectively using the format of the American Psychological Association in various formats common in the discipline of Psychology. These objectives will be met with the completion of multiple writing assignments focused on a particular area of Psychology and will require students to read and critically evaluate the primary literature in this area.
PSY 3212 Psychology of Gender
Credits: 4 Prerequisites PSY 2204 or 2209. Cross-listed with Interdisciplinary Studies 2212.
This course offers an examination of the psychological and behavioral differences between men and women. The origin of gender differences will be addressed from biological, developmental, and social psychological perspectives. This class will use psychological research and theory to examine how gender differences affect the functioning of men and women in work, relationships, health, etc. Emphasis will be placed on understanding gender as a social psychological construct.
This course offers an examination of the psychological and behavioral differences between men and women. The origin of gender differences will be addressed from biological, developmental, and social psychological perspectives. This class will use psychological research and theory to examine how gender differences affect the functioning of men and women in work, relationships, health, etc. Emphasis will be placed on understanding gender as a social psychological construct.
PSY 4492 Capstone in Psychology
Credits: 4 Prerequisites/Corequisites PSY 2224 and PSY 3200.
An advanced study of a specific topic or overarching theme in psychology. Emphasis will be on discussion and analysis of original literature, psychological theory, and research. Capstone seminars will be offered each spring semester.
An advanced study of a specific topic or overarching theme in psychology. Emphasis will be on discussion and analysis of original literature, psychological theory, and research. Capstone seminars will be offered each spring semester.
PSY 2295/4495 Internships in Psychology
Credits: 0-4
Supervised field experiences in appropriate settings, usually off-campus, designed to assist students in acquiring and using skills and knowledge of the discipline unique to the selected topic.
Supervised field experiences in appropriate settings, usually off-campus, designed to assist students in acquiring and using skills and knowledge of the discipline unique to the selected topic.
PSY 2298/4498 Independent Studies in Psychology
Credits: 0-4
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors. Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors. Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.