Radford University
Undergraduate Catalog
for 1999-2000
PSYCHOLOGY
Alastair V. E. Harris*, Chairperson
Faculty
Michael Aamodt*, Jeffrey L. Chase*, Frederick W. Clemens*, Douglas Covington,
Antoinette B. Dyer*, Chet H. Fischer*, Dianne Friedman*, Donald M. Hall*,
Robert W. Hiltonsmith*, Pamela Jackson*, Joseph S. King*, Lois Kugler*,
Hilary M. Lips*, Curtis S. McKee*, Joseph J. Montuori*, H. Thomas Mullis*,
Mark S. Nagy*, Thomas W. Pierce*, Karl H. Pribram*, Nora P. Reilly*, Heather
L. Servaty *, Jeffrey Willner*
*Graduate Faculty
(For more information, follow the link above to the department's
Home Page.)
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
The program in psychology is designed to provide a basic foundation for entry into graduate programs in psychology or education fields and careers involving human services or research. Department majors may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
B.A. OR B.S. DEGREE
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
All requirements for psychology majors are outlined below.
Prerequisite Survey (3)
PSYC 121. Introductory Psychology
Foundation Courses (6)
PSYC 201 and 202: Research Methods in Psychology I and II
Core Courses (pick two from each group) (12)
Area I: Social Sciences (SS)
317 Child Psychology
343 Social Psychology
361 Psychology of Personality
439 Abnormal Psychology
Area II: Natural Sciences (NS)
320 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
378 Brain and Behavior
333 Principles of Learning
377 Introduction to Sensation and Perception
Integrative Research Experience - Lab Courses (pick one) (3)
420 Research in Human Cognition; Prequisites: 202, 320
434 Research in Learning; Prequisites: 202, 333
461 Research in Personality; Prerequisite: 202
477 Research in Perception and Sensation; Prerequisites: 202, 377
478 Research in Physiology; Prerequisites: 202, 378
Integrative Capstone Experience (3)
470 History and Systems of Psychology (required)
Elective Psychology Courses (9)
Any of the courses listed above beyond the minimum requirements or any other
psychology courses not listed above but which are in the catalog, including
independent studies.
Total minimum hours for the major: - 36
(This does not include STAT 205, 208, OR 211, one of which is a required
course to be counted toward general education OR B.S. degree requirements)
Electives
Students should consult with their academic advisers in selecting elective
courses to complete the 120 semester hours required for graduation.
Total Credits Needed for Degree - 120
B.A./B.S. REQUIREMENTS
B.A. Requirements - 6-12
The Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of the B.A.
language requirement.
B.S. Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree requires an additional six to eight semester
hours to be selected from courses in the following departments:
Mathematics and statistics, computer science, biology, chemistry and physics, geology, physical science and from the physical science division of geography. Photography classes, PHSC 410 and MATH 325 will not meet these requirements.
A student is advised to meet the science and mathematics general education requirements during the freshman year. Biology is the recommended science, and Statistics 208 is recommended as part of the mathematics requirement.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To graduate with a major in Psychology, a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses taken with a PSYC prefix.
PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
(18 semester hours)
The psychology minor requires 18 semester hours of psychology, including
PSYC 121, two courses from each of the core areas (4 courses total) and
one additional course in psychology.
GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Psychology Department offers graduate courses designed primarily for those students who wish to concentrate their studies in experimental, clinical, counseling, industrial-organizational, or school psychology. For a complete description of the graduate program, consult the Radford University Graduate Catalog.
CENTER FOR BRAIN RESEARCH AND INFORMATIONAL SCIENCES
Karl H. Pribram, Director
In conjunction with the appointment of Karl Pribram as the James P. and
Anna King University Professor at Radford University, the university has
established a Center for Brain Research and Informational Sciences (BRAINS)
which is an extension of Professor Pribram's previous work at Stanford University
in Palo Alto, Calif. Human research is concentrated on monitoring the EEG
under a variety of conditions, such as problem solving or hypnosis. Animal
research focuses on sensory codes and their transforms in brain systems.
CENTER FOR GENDER STUDIES
Hilary M. Lips, Director
The objective of the center is to create a resource for and a model of excellence
in gender-related teaching and research. The research activities of the
center provide an important resource for teaching students about gender.
Students receive training in conducting research on gender-related issues.
Through the activities of the center, opportunities for research experience
are provided to undergraduate students.
The center also provides a resource for information about gender research to other departments in the university and to the extra-university community.
PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
PSYC 121. Introductory Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite to all other courses in psychology.
An introduction to the study of behavior. Topics include essential concepts
in brain function, motivation, learning, personality, social and abnormal
psychology, along with the methods used to study them, and their applications.
PSYC 201. Psychological Research I. (3)
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
This course is a survey of the principle topics and methods used to perform
scientific research in various fields of Psychology.
Topics include naturalistic observation of behavior in children and adults,
measurement and scaling of attitudes and perceptual phenomena, qualitative
and quantitative description and analysis of behavior, correlational research
in personality and social psychology, and sampling as applied to the study
of intelligence and other normative psychological scales.
PSYC 202. Psychological Research II (3)
Prerequisite: PSYC 201.
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
This course is a survey of the principle topics and methods used to perform
scientific research in various fields of psychology. Topics include naturalistic
observation of behavior in children and adults, measurement and scaling
of attitudes and perceptual phenomena, qualitative and quantitative description
and analysis of behavior, correlational research in personality and social
psychology, and sampling as applied to the study of intelligence and other
normative psychological scales.
PSYC 305. Forensic Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture and discussion.
Prerequisites: PSYC 121.
Course provides a survey of the forensic psychology areas. Topics will include
aggression, serial killers, jury psychology, eyewitness testimony, detecting
deception, insanity plea, hostage negotiation, and critical incident counseling.
PSYC 317. Child Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Motor, perceptual, linguistic, social and intellectual aspects of human
development from conception through middle childhood. Fulfills one of the
Social Sciences core requirement for the psychology major and minor.
PSYC 318. Adolescent Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Emotional, social, physical, personality and cognitive aspects of human
development in adolescence.
PSYC 320. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. (3)
Prerequisites: PSYC 121.
A survey of basic principles in cognitive psychology. Topics include problem
solving, memory, attention, language, perceptual processes, development
of cognitive abilities across the lifespan, the biological basis of cognition,
and the application of cognitive principles to the fields of mental health,
business and human factors. Fulfills one of the Natural Sciences core requirements
for the psychology major and minor.
PSYC 333. Principles of Learning. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
An introduction to the basic principles of experimental and applied learning.
Data from animal and human experiments will be considered. Selected areas
of application to human social problems included. The laboratory will consist
of a set of graduated exercises which the student will be required to complete,
including training a rat in a set of standard exercises. Fulfills one of
the Natural Sciences core requirements for the psychology major and minor.
PSYC 343. Social Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Study of the effects of others on the behavior of individuals, including
social perception, attitude change, attraction and conformity, as well as
the structure and behavior of groups including leadership, competition and
decision making. Fulfills one of the Social Sciences core requirements for
the psychology major and minor.
PSYC 347. Environmental Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Covers topics related to the interrelationship between human behavior and
experience and the built and natural environment.
PSYC 350. Psychology of Minority Groups. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: PSYC 121 and junior standing.
Study of the effect of membership in a minority group on the psychological
development of the individual. Considers special problems of the African-American,
Mexican-American, Puerto Rican-American, Native American, Chinese-American
and Japanese-American. Covers other minority groups such as religious groups
and the elderly.
PSYC 353 (BIOL 353). Comparative Behavior. (3)
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 102 or BIOL 216.
Study of animal behavior from viewpoints of zoology, ethology and comparative
psychology. Emphasis on review of animal phyla for sensory capacities, motor
capabilities and coordinating mechanisms; classification of behavioral traits;
analysis of instinctive behavior, learned behavior, social behavior, animal
communications and evolutionary significance of social organization. Note:
Does not fulfill the lab course requirement.
PSYC 361. Psychology of Personality. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Introduction to descriptions, dynamics and determinants of personality.
The major theories of personality are discussed and compared. Fulfills one
of the Social Science core requirements for the psychology major and minor.
PSYC 381. Psychology of Work Behavior. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Study of human behavior in relation to personnel, worker motivation, satisfaction,
efficiency, work training, leadership and organizational communications.
PSYC 377: Introduction to Sensation and Perception. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121
An introduction to the basic concepts and theories of sensory and perceptual
psychology. Selected areas of application to everyday life will also be
included. Fulfills one of the Natural Sciences core requirements for the
psychology major and minor.
PSYC 378. Brain and Behavior. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: PSYC 121.
Examines the brain and its role in mediating behavior and psychological
processes in humans and other animals. Topics to be covered include neuronal
functioning and communication, structure of the nervous system, common neurological
disorders, neural bases of perception and action, learning, memory and cognition,
motivation, and biological foundations of psychological disorders. Fulfills
one of the Natural Sciences core requirements for the psychology major and
minor.
PSYC 382. Consumer Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Study of relationship between organizations that provide goods and services
and individuals who receive them; emphasis on research findings which help
consumers derive greater satisfaction and pleasure from the products they
consume.
PSYC 391. Psychology of Women. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Investigates changing roles of women, and the factors of education, intelligence,
personality, physical characteristics and socialization that contribute
to these roles.
PSYC 401. Psychology of the Exceptional Child. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: PSYC 317.
Gives students an understanding of children who are different intellectually,
behaviorally, socially and physically from the average child, as well as
an understanding of the ecology of an exceptional child; provides student
with some knowledge of special needs and techniques used in the assessment
of and education of such individuals as well as information about capacities
and abilities.
PSYC 420. Research in Cognitive Psychology (3)
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: PSYC 202, 320.
An introduction to social learning theory and to current cognitive theories
of perception, attention, memory, language, comprehension, decision making,
problem solving, computerized cognition, and social cognition.
PSYC 429. Maturity and Aging. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Examines aging process and resultant changes in psychomotor skills, learning,
thinking and intelligence, employment and productivity, personality, maladjustment
and life review.
PSYC 434. Research in Learning. (3)
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: PSYC 202, 333.
An empirical and theoretical survey of the major areas in the psychology
of learning. Data from both animal and human experiments discussed from
varying points of view. Requires student to design an experimental project,
construct apparatus as needed, collect data, analyze data and submit a report
in the American Psychological Association (APA) format. Fulfills lab course
requirement.
PSYC 439. Abnormal Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Study of abnormal psychology that emphasizes the history, major perspectives
and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III-R categories. Fulfills one of
the Social Sciences core requirements for the psychology major and minor.
PSYC 445. Psychological Tests and Measurements. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: PSYC 201 and junior, senior or graduate standing.
Foundations and methodologies of psychological testing, including achievement,
ability, interest and personality assessment; problems, issues, developments
and future prospects in psychological assessment. Students research, administer,
score, interpret and report results of selected psychological tests.
PSYC 461. Research in Personality. (3)
Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: PSY 202, PSY 361.
PSYC 461 examines scientific investigations of various aspects of human
personality including development, change, and characteristics. Students
will become familiar with empirical investigations of specific topics in
personality research, and will be required to conduct their own research
project and to submit a research report in American Psychological Association
(APA) format. Fulfills lab course requirement.
PSYC 470. History and Systems of Psychology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: PSYC 121 and junior status as a psychology major or minor.
Develops understanding of history of thought as it relates to the field
of psychology. Centers on significant issues which have persisted through
history and the methods used by great men and women in their efforts to
grapple with these issues. Deals with the systems of psychology and contemporary
theories.
PSYC 477. Research in Sensation and Perception. (3)
Three hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: PSYC 202, 377.
An introduction to research methods and experimental investigations in sensory
and perceptual psychology. Fulfills lab course requirement.
PSYC 478. Research in Physiological Psychology. (3)
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIOL 102, PSYC 202.
Survey of the structure and functions of the nervous and endocrine systems
in controlling and organizing various psychological events and processes.
These include perception and movement, emotion, motivation, memory, language
and consciousness and clinical uses of physiological psychology. The laboratory
is designed to introduce the student to various scientific ways of studying
the relationships between physiology and behavioral. Fulfills lab course
requirement.
PSYC 488H. Final Honors Project. (2-3)
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the Honors Academy, completion of all
other Honors Academy requirements, a minimum of 3.5 GPA in all courses and
in psychology.
Project and topic to be determined by the student, the faculty member with
whom the student works, and the department. In order to receive honors credit,
a student must earn a grade of "A" or "B" for the final
project. Course may not be repeated.
PSYC 490. Seminar in Psychology. (1-3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: PSYC 121.
Presentation and discussion of current issues in psychology.
PSYC 498. Independent Study. (1-6)
See Independent Study.
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