Psychology (PSYC)

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PSYC 2.     Introductory Psychology. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Provides a general overview of theory and research concerning psychological processes at the basic, individual and social levels. Topics will include physiological psychology, comparative psychology, learning, motivation, sensation and perception, developmental psychology, personality, social psychology, maladaptive behavior, individual differences, and selected other topics. Requires three hours of participation as a research subject.

PSYC 4.     Navigating Psychology: The Major and Careers. 1 Unit

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2 and Psychology majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Covers requirements for the major and career options in psychology and related fields. Students learn to design plans of study to meet requirements for the major and enhance career objectives. Introduces career options in various areas such as academic psychology, applied behavior analysis, counseling and mental health, education, industrial-organizational psychology and related fields. Class activities clarify students' career goals and develop skills for job seeking and graduate education. Requires participation as a research subject.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 8.     Methods of Psychology. 3 Units

Corequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to methods of the science of psychology. The topics include psychology as a way of knowing, the role of science in psychology, the nature of psychological research, research ethics, psychological literature and report writing, psychological measurement, and the design and analysis of case studies, survey research, field studies, correlational methods, and experimental methods. Requires three hours of participation as an experimental subject.

PSYC 9.     Introductory Statistics for Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, may be taken concurrently.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics as tools for evaluating data from Psychological research. Topics include: measures of central tendency, measures of variability, correlation and regression, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing procedures including t-tests and analysis of variance. Application of hand computation will be emphasized to include the interpretation and significance of the statistical findings.

PSYC 100.     Cross-Cultural Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, PSYC majors only.

Corequisite(s): PSYC 8.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of similarities and differences in human behavior, cognition, and emotion across cultures. Empirical evidence from cross-cultural research in the various areas of psychology, including biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, personality, and industrial/organizational psychology, is evaluated with the purpose of developing a global perspective on the psychological processes underlying human behavior, cognition, and emotion.

PSYC 101.     Statistics for Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Passing score on ELM; PSYC 2, PSYC 4, PSYC 8. PSYC majors only. PSYC 4 may be taken concurrently.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics as tools for evaluating data from Psychological research. Topics include: measures of central tendency, measures of variability, correlation and regression, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing procedures including t-tests and analysis of variance, and selected other topics. Application of hand computation will be emphasized to include the interpretation and significance of the statistical findings.

PSYC 102.     Advanced Methods and Statistics in Psychological Research. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 121; Psychology majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Plan and conduct projects using experimental, quasi-experimental and correlational methods. Evaluate published research and write proposals with attention to such issues as the reliability and validity of methods, the degree to which statistical assumptions are met, the adequacy of statistical power, and the internal and external validity of the project. Contemporary research design, measurement, and analysis techniques are examined, including the use of statistical software, for varieties of univariate and multivariate research designs. Lecture-discussion three hours; laboratory three hours.

PSYC 103.     Perception. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, PSYC or CRJ majors only. PSYC 8 and PSYC 9 are recommended.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of how information about the outside world is sensed and how that information is organized and interpreted to form perceptions. Vision and audition will be primarily examined, along with some coverage of the other senses. Topics may include psychophysical methods, basic physiology and function of sensory systems, perception of color and form, motion, distance, auditory patterns, body and limb position, temperature, pain, perceptual constancies, attention, perceptual learning, adaptation, and perceptual development.

PSYC 104.     Learning Theories. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, PSYC 8, PSYC 9, and PSYC majors only or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of classical and contemporary theories of learning, and a sampling of experimental findings which bear directly on the theories. Some attention is given to theory construction in psychology.

PSYC 106.     Motivation. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2; PSYC majors only or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Study of theories and experimental findings related to basic processes in animal and human motivation.

PSYC 107.     Controversial Issues in Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 121; Psychology majors only

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Consideration of unresolved issues of interest to psychology and the general public, such as the use of animals in research and mind and health. Emphasis is on critical analysis (but not solution) of the issues as they are presented in public discourse. Discussion format, written reports and evaluations.

PSYC 108.     Organizational Psychology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course will provide an overview of the dynamics of human behavior in organizations, using the lens of psychological theory. Students will explore individual-, group-, and systems-level phenomena in organizations, with the overriding goal of understanding how to maximize performance, well-being, and satisfaction at work. Topics may include job attitudes, teams, organizational culture, individual differences, leadership, employee development, organizational change, occupational stress, fairness and diversity, and more.

PSYC 110.     Cognitive Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2; PSYC majors only. PSYC 8 and PSYC 9 are recommended.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of the basic concepts of cognitive psychology, including sensory storage, pattern recognition, attention, short-term memory, long-term memory, visual imagery, semantic memory structure, text processing, problem solving and decision-making. The relations among artificial intelligence, mental modeling, and the simulation of cognitive processes will also be explored.

PSYC 111.     Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2; PSYC majors and PSYC minors only. PSYC 8 and PSYC 9 are recommended.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introductory overview of the neurobiology of behavior. Emphasis is on the central and autonomic nervous systems and the endocrine system. Topics include physiological, biological and genetic factors involved in sensation and perception, motivation, learning and memory, emotion, social behavior, and mental disorders.

PSYC 115.     Introduction to Neuroscience. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2 and PSYC 8; PSYC or BIO majors only. PSYC 9 recommended.

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and systems neuroscience. Lectures and readings emphasize the empirical questions, techniques and methods used in neuroscience research. Laboratory activities focus on nervous system structure and some of the specialized techniques used within the fields of cellular, systems, and behavioral neuroscience. Lecture-discussion three hours; laboratory three hours.

Cross Listed: BIO 115; only one may be counted for credit.

PSYC 116.     Animal Behavior. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2; PSYC majors only or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Basic principles of animal behavior including the genetic, evolutionary and ecological mechanisms underlying courtship, reproduction, aggression, territoriality, communication and parental behavior; applied aspects of animal behavior; innate or naturally occurring behavior patterns necessary for survival in the natural environment; physiological, social and acquired aspects of animal and, secondarily, human behavior.

PSYC 117.     Drugs and Behavior. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC majors only or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of the classification of psychoactive drugs and their mode of action. Covers effects of psychoactive drugs on central nervous system structure and function and on behavior; use, abuse, effects, and dangers of therapeutic and recreational drugs; motivational aspects of drug use, and methods for treating addiction.

PSYC 118.     Cognitive Neuroscience. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 111 or PSYC 115 or PSYC 117 or BIO 132.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines how the nervous system accomplishes cognitive functioning. Brain mechanisms of higher functions such as memory, attention, sensorimotor integration, decision making, and language will be covered.

PSYC 119.     Human Factors Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Study of the scientific application of psychology and human performance to the design of products and complex systems. Applications of perception, cognition, and human physical limitations are covered, with an emphasis on understanding how they relate to design. Topics include perception, attention, decision making, memory, action, and how they related to areas such as product design, human-machine interaction, health and medicine, aviation and aerospace, ergonomics of the workplace, and designing for special populations.

PSYC 120.     Psychological Testing and Measurement. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 8; PSYC 9; PSYC majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Overview of the history and applications of psychological tests and assessments, including measures of mental abilities, personality, interests, and attitudes. Principles of measurement including construction of tests and assessments, alternative formats, methods for administration and scoring, analyzing items and the reliability of scores, and evaluating evidence regarding the validity of score interpretations.

PSYC 121.     Methods and Statistics in Psychological Research. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 4 (may be taken concurrently), PSYC 8, and PSYC 9; PSYC majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Project-based experience of Psychology. Study of scientific processes in research such as literature reviews; developing testable hypotheses; design; IRB review; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; critical analysis of studies; APA paper preparation; and issues in dissemination. Study of some advanced statistical processes such as factorial ANOVAs, planned and post hoc comparisons, and multiple regression. Study of statistical software programs used in the analysis of data.

PSYC 122.     Qualitative Research in Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 121 and PSYC majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the philosophy underpinning the use of qualitative research and the methods and analyses strategies used in qualitative research. Methods may include interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and behavioral observation. Analyses strategies may include grounded theorizing, negative case analyses, developing case studies, and content coding. Issues pertaining to data accuracy and consistency will be examined, and the researcher's role in interpreting results. Students will complete research projects involving the collection and/or analyses of qualitative data.

PSYC 123.     Program Evaluation. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 8, PSYC 9, PSYC 100; psych majors only

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

This course develops knowledge and skills in empirical research methods as applied to program evaluation. Students gain and practice skills needed to assist community service providers, state agencies, and other organizations to evaluate and improve programs and interventions. Students design program evaluation proposals that utilize psychological research techniques to support organizational effectiveness. Students learn to tailor program evaluations to the mission of an organization or purpose of an intervention, such as the promotion of social justice, well-being, and/or other goals.

PSYC 129.     Behavioral Research Methods. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 8, PSYC 9, and PSYC 171, PSYC majors only or ABA certificate students

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Covers evaluating and thinking critically about behavioral research (i.e., data collection, logic, designs). Topics include: comparing group and single-case designs; observational strategies and measuring inter-observer reliability; displaying and interpreting behavioral data; single-case experimental design including reversal, multiple-baseline, alternating treatments, changing-criterion, and combinatory designs; research ethics; identifying characteristics of pseudoscience; and disseminating behavioral research. The versatility of single-case designs will be discussed by including a wide range of case examples from multiple disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences and education.

PSYC 130.     Personality Theories. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Detailed examination of classic and contemporary personality theories such as those of Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, Fromm, Skinner, Dollard and Miller, Rotter, Bandura, Kelly, Rogers, Maslow and May. Theories will be considered with respect to content, conceptual image of the individual, and current status.

PSYC 134.     Psychology of Human Sexuality. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course covers key theories and insights from the psychological study of human sexuality. It includes classic and contemporary research on human sexual behaviors, bodies, cognitions, and social identities. Course topics may include: social constructionism and essentialism, sexual and gender diversity, sexuality across the lifespan, relationships, attraction, sexual anatomy and physiology, and the history of sexology, among others.

PSYC 135.     Psychology of Multicultural Groups. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D, Race & Ethnicity Graduation Requirement (RE)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the role of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and social class in human development and behavior within diverse cultural groups. Presents sociocultural and ecological perspectives on human development, i.e., that individuals must be understood in the context of his or her culturally patterned social relations, practices, institutions, and ideas. Explores psychological issues that pertain to the major ethnic minority groups in the U.S.

PSYC 137.     Stress Management. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: GE AREA D

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of the causes and manifested effects of various stressors related to acculturation, socio-economic, physical, occupational, and psychological pressures. Techniques for recognizing and coping with stress will be explored. Emphasis is on the development of skills to handle commonly encountered stress-producing situations.

PSYC 142.     Community Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 121 and PSYC majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course is designed to introduce you to the field of community psychology, which is concerned with the scientific study of social problems through collaborative research. This course will provide you with ecological frameworks that aim to reduce social problems (e.g., poverty, mental illness and others) as well as core values of community well-being, empowerment, and collaboration. You will be exposed to prevention and intervention programs employed to solve social concerns as well as potential implications for practice and policy.

PSYC 143.     Practicum in Community Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Junior or Senior standing, Psychology majors and/or Peace Corps Prep certificate only, and instructor permission obtained through approval of an application the semester prior.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Classroom and on-site experience in community psychology. Students will complete 60 hours of service learning experience related to their community organization with supervision by authorized persons at the organization. Students will also attend class meetings to discuss the application of concepts in community psychology to their service learning experience. Topics include: ethics, structure and capacity of community organizations, working with diverse populations, and professional relationships.

Note: Enrolling in or completing PSYC 142 is preferred, but not required, and Seniors will be prioritized for enrollment before Juniors.

PSYC 145.     Social Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Empirical examination of the emotion, behavior, and cognition of individuals in social situations. Topics can include: social psychology methods, social perception, social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, social identity, gender identity, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, conformity, compliance, obedience to authority, helping behavior, aggression, group processes, and social psychology applications. Multiple perspectives discussed.

PSYC 148.     Child Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of behavioral and physiological development during the prenatal period, and behavioral, cognitive and social development during infancy and childhood. Theories, methods and empirical research will be studied.

PSYC 149.     Psychology of Adolescence. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Growth and development during the adolescent period and the interrelationships between adolescents and their culture are studied. Physical, psychological, social and educational problems and their implications are considered.

PSYC 150.     Psychological Aspects of Aging. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Developmental study of human aging emphasizing psychosocial, psychopathological, biological, intellectual and personality processes from a theoretical and research-oriented perspective. Influences including culture, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status on aging are examined.

PSYC 151.     Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Student's academic level must be Junior or higher to enroll in this class.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examination of the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with death and dying. Topics covered include children's and adults' concepts of dying and death; causes and types of death; self-destructive behavior; grief and mourning in the dying person and their survivors; physician aid in dying and other legal and ethical issues; and cross-cultural and historical perspectives on death.

Cross listed: GERO 124

PSYC 152.     Psychological Aspects of Health, Wellness, and Illness. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2 and PSYC 8.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines social, psychological, and behavioral factors important for physical health and emotional well-being. Psychological perspectives are applied to such topics as behavioral medicine, health promotion and compromise, the stress-illness relationship, social relations, personality, emotions, chronic illness, death and dying, and health care provider and patient interactions. Explores the development of health problems and the causes of premature death, as well as research on how psychology can help people live longer, healthier lives.

PSYC 153.     Political Psychology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the ways in which political behavior is shaped by individual beliefs, personalities, cognitive patterns, biases, and other psychological mechanisms. Students will engage with a wide range of research on topics such as cognitive styles, personality, obedience, psychological roots of terrorism, the psychology of ideology, and the role of emotion in politics.

Cross Listed: GOVT 152

PSYC 157.     Psychology of Women. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2 or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Contemporary psychological theories and issues related to the psychology of women in America and globally. Psychological theories may include but are not limited to feminism, cognitive-behavioral, self-object relations, humanistic, social learning and existential. Issues may include development, sexuality, mental health, psychotherapy, physical health, education, work, violence against women, gender inequality, multicultural perspectives, aging, parenting, criminal behavior, politics, sexual slavery, reproductive rights, religion, spirituality, and the arts.

Note: A service course for WOMS.

PSYC 160.     Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2. Psychology major, Psychology minor, LGBTQ Studies minor, or Peace Corps Prep Certificate

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course explores the landscape of contemporary psychological research on gender and sexual diversity with a focus on the identities and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people and all sexual and gender minorities. Course topics include cissexism and heterosexism, identity development and disclosure, parenting, aging, intersectionality, and minority stress, among others.

PSYC 165.     Evolutionary Psychology. 3 Units

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Further Studies in Area B (B5)

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Examination of empirical literature on emotion, behavior, and cognition of individuals from an evolutionary perspective. Topics can include: scientific methods in evolutionary psychology, survival strategies, mating strategies, parenting, kinship, cooperation, altruism, aggression, sexual conflict, and social dominance.

PSYC 167.     Psychology in Personnel Training and Development. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Application of psychological principles to problems of personnel training and development; techniques for determining training requirements, motivating trainees, providing feedback on trainee performance, and ensuring positive transfer of training to the job situation; personnel development programs.

PSYC 168.     Abnormal Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Detailed consideration of behavior disorders and maladaptive behavior: theories of causation, descriptions of the disorders, and strategies of various therapies.

PSYC 169.     Industrial Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, PSYC 8.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Comprehensive overview of various human resources practices and policies, with an emphasis on people's psychological reactions to them. Topics include: recruitment, employee selection, training, employee compensation, legal aspects of employment decisions, and ethics in human resource management.

PSYC 171.     Applied Behavior Analysis. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2 and PSYC majors or posted Behavior Analysis Certificate only, or instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Introduction to theory, historical background, and philosophical assumptions relevant to behavior analysis with individuals. Lectures and laboratory activities in basic principles of behavior and methodology.

PSYC 177.     Special Topics Capstone: Advanced Study in Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, 4, 8, 9, must have Senior status to enroll in course.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Examines a special topic of interest in psychology. Offered by rotating instructors, the capstone explores selected topics in psychology, and contemporary developments in theories, methodologies, and/or methods in the selected sub-discipline or topical area. Topics can include subject matter from all areas of psychology, including, but not limited to: applied behavior analysis, clinical, cognitive, community, cultural, developmental, experimental, feminist, health, industrial-organizational, neuroscience, perception, quantitative, social, etc., as well as related methodologies. Recommend prior coursework in area of focus.

Note: May be repeated for credit providing the topic and instructor are not the same.

PSYC 181.     Experimental Analysis of Behavior. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 9, PSYC 171, and PSYC majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Extensive analysis of single subject experimental research on intermittent reinforcement of behavior, including complex schedules, stimulus control, generalization, and verbal behavior. Lecture-discussion three hours; laboratory three hours; laboratory may include a component of self paced instruction.

PSYC 183.     Teaching of Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Study of best practices in the Teaching of Psychology. Selected topics may include, course preparation, skills for fostering student learning, strategies for improving student writing, theories of assessment, using technology in the classroom, sensitivity to diversity, teaching special populations, and the ethical and legal issues faced in the classroom. Students attend scheduled seminars on course topics and course are mentored by a professor in the Department of Psychology (called Faculty Mentor/Sponsor).

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 184.     Clinical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2 and PSYC 171, and PSYC majors or ABA Certificate students only

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Extensive study of applied behavior analytic methods in the assessment, development, and implementation of treatment programs for a variety of clinical issues including pediatric behavior problems, developmental disabilities, hyperactivity, parent-child difficulties, school-related problems, behavioral safety, brain injury, and dementia. Lecture three hours; laboratory three hours.

PSYC 185.     Psychology of Exceptional Children. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines characteristics, special needs, and problems of children who differ from the group norm because of their level of abilities, physical handicaps, or other deviations.

PSYC 190.     History and Systems of Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 9 and PSYC majors only.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Covers the development of the various schools and systems of psychology, and their philosophical roots, interrelationships and differences. Normally taught with a seminar or proseminar format.

PSYC 191.     Ethics in Behavior Analysis. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 171

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Classroom experience in applied behavior analysis. Students will meet in class for three hours a week to present and review relevant literature. Emphasis will be placed on ethics and professional conduct in applied behavior analysis following the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.

PSYC 194.     Cooperative Research. 1 - 6 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2, PSYC 8, and PSYC 9. PSYC 121 recommended.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Opportunity for dedicated students interested in graduate school or a career involving research to work cooperatively on a psychological research project under faculty supervision.

Note: May be repeated once for up to 6 units of credit.

PSYC 195A.     Fieldwork in the Teaching of Psychology. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised experience in various educational and instructionally related tasks, such as leading discussion groups, setting up and presenting demonstrations, constructing and scoring tests, and tutoring, at selected educational institutions in the Sacramento area.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 195B.     Fieldwork in Child Observation. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 148 or equivalent.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised observation of preschool children in a formal school setting.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 195C.     Fieldwork in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised work experience at an appropriate level in business and governmental organizations.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 195F.     Fieldwork in Community Psychology. 1 - 4 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised experience in various community and governmental agencies, such as the Suicide Prevention Service, Planned Parenthood, and the California Youth Authority. The experience must be of an applied psychological nature, determined collectively by the agency, the supervising faculty member, and the student.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit and a third time if another agency is involved.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 195G.     Fieldwork. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Projects in contemporary areas of psychology under the supervision of one or more faculty.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 196S.     Psychology of Religion. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Introduction to psychological aspects of religion, including its foundations, measurement, and research methods. Selected topic areas include: religious & spiritual development; religion and spirituality in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, emotion, personality, social psychology, and cross-cultural psychology; religion and spirituality in health, mental health, coping, and psychotherapy.

PSYC 196T.     Black Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the concepts, issues and theories related to the psychology of the African American experience. Through the exploration of topics related to the African American experience in the United States, including, but not limited to, African philosophy, the US Census, media representations, language, and political enfranchisement, the course utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to interrogate the cultural, historical, political, and social factors influencing Black identity in the US and the creation of Black Psychology.

PSYC 196U.     Psychology of Happiness. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the scientific study of human happiness from a psychological perspective that includes its foundations, measurement, research methods, theories, and recent advances in the literature. Explores the correlates, predictors, and consequences of happiness at the individual and cultural levels. Topics include benefits of being happy; the roles of age, gender, culture, genes, personality, life circumstances, income, health, and social relationships in happiness; cultural comparisons in happiness; and happiness interventions (i.e., how to increase and sustain happiness).

PSYC 197A.     Advanced Research I. 1 - 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 194 and permission of instructor and Department Chair. Graded; 1 - 4 units.

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Advanced research opportunity for students who have completed previous research experiences in PSYC 194. Students in the course are expected to develop advanced skills in research methods, data management, data analysis, and the communication of research findings by conducting research on collaborative projects under the guidance of a psychology faculty supervisor.

PSYC 197B.     Advanced Research II. 1 - 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 197A and permission of instructor and Department Chair. Graded; 1 - 4 units.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced research opportunity for students who have completed previous research experiences in PSYC 197A. Students in the course are expected to demonstrate competence in advanced research skills in research methods, data management, data analysis, and the communication of research findings by conducting research on collaborative projects under the guidance of a psychology faculty supervisor.

PSYC 198A.     Prospects for Success: Peer Mentee. 1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Provide psychology majors with information and experiences necessary for developing academic goals, skills, and better understanding of the Psychology major. Weekly meetings with peer mentors to discuss topics that include academic planning, website navigation, preparation for meeting with professors, academic skills, student professionalism and resume/CV development.

Note: May be repeated for credit

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 198B.     Prospects for Success: Peer Mentor. 2 - 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 4 and permission from instructor

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Provide peer mentoring and advising to Psychology majors. Develop peer mentoring knowledge and skills through training and assigned readings. Peer mentors provide psychology majors with information and experiences necessary for developing academic goals, skills, and a better understanding of the Psychology major. Conduct weekly mentee meetings to discuss topics that include academic planning, website navigation, preparations for meetings with professors, academic skills, student professionalism and resume/CV development.

PSYC 199.     Special Problems. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Individual projects or directed reading.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 200.     Methods in Empirical Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 8, PSYC 101, PSYC 102.

General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Writing Intensive Graduation Requirement (WI)

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Philosophy of science, critical thinking in the design of research studies, and professional issues. Topics include: nature of science; observational, experimental, and case study designs; formulating research questions; measurement strategies; scaling and coding; internal and external validity; naturalism in research; quasi-experiments; archival research; physical traces; data collection; interpreting results; program evaluation; professional writing; and ethics.

PSYC 202.     Survey of Contemporary Statistical Methods in Psychological Research. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing; PSYC 102 or equivalent

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Broad coverage of common univariate and multivariate designs and analyses used in contemporary psychological research. Primary focus is on providing the basic tools for carrying out the analyses in statistical software and interpreting the results, as well as understanding results presented in published research reports. Topics include various ANOVA and multiple regression models and applications including related categorical and multivariate alternatives, such as logistic regression analysis, discriminant function analysis, MANOVA, path analysis, factor analysis, canonical correlation analysis.

PSYC 204.     Advanced Topics in Statistical Methods for Psychological Research. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 202

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced treatment of selected research design and analysis methods of psychological research. Applications of the general and generalized linear models (e.g., multiple regression models, structural equation models, multilevel models, and limited dependent variable models) for a variety of research designs and data structures. Intermediate to advanced training in statistical software and data management. Focus is on understanding foundations and assumptions of the methods, understanding interrelationships between the methods, performing specialized and non-routine analyses when needed, and interpreting results in detail.

PSYC 205.     Measurement Methods for Psychological Research and Practice. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 202

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Detailed coverage of classical and modern theories and models of psychological measurement, and their applications in research and professional testing settings. Primary focus is on principles of constructing and analyzing measures, including both paper-and-pencil tests/surveys and performance-based tests that require rater judgment in scoring. Measurement models include classical testing theory, generalizability theory, confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch measurement, and item response theory.

PSYC 206.     Tests and Measurement. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and PSYC 102 or its equivalent.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines the administration, interpretation, and application of psychological tests used by behavioral scientists in clinical, educational, organizational, and other settings. Test development, reliability and validity, and legal considerations will be discussed.

PSYC 209.     Seminar in Systems of Psychology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Historical review of the systems of thought which led to modern psychology. An examination of current psychological systems and their development. Factors that differentiate psychological systems will be studied.

PSYC 210.     Theories of Personality. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 102 or equivalent; PSYC 102 may be taken concurrently.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Study of the role of personality theory in the field of psychology, and an examination of the current theories.

PSYC 216.     Current Literature in Personnel and Organizational Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Course work in Personnel and Organizational Psychology; PSYC 102 or its equivalent.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Analyzes selected current articles on theory and research in such journals as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology, and Organizational Dynamics, with written and oral critiques.

Note: May be repeated twice for credit.

PSYC 216A.     Current Literature and Applications in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Seminar to review current literature in selected organizational psychology topics, and develop proposals for applied research in industrial-organizational psychology. Literature focus will be centered on personal and interpersonal factors influencing the quality of work life and experiences of employees. Application focus will be centered on identifying organizational problems amenable to research, reviewing literature and common practices to identify potential solutions, designing a research methodology to address the problem and evaluate the solution, and writing research proposals including Human Subjects Review.

PSYC 216B.     Current Literature and Applications in industrial-Organizational Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 216A

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Seminar to discuss implementation of applied research proposals from the previous semester and review current literature in performance management and workforce planning systems. Application focus will be centered on understanding organizational contexts and constraints for implementing research, obtaining managerial and participant cooperation, maintaining methodological rigor in the field, systematically and objectively recording data, and preparing data for analysis. Literature focus will be centered on methods for measuring employee performance relative to objectives, understanding performance barriers, and identifying human resource needs.

PSYC 217.     Seminar in Social Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Review of classic and contemporary theories and research in social psychology. Topics may include group dynamics, social influence, aggression, helping behavior, attitudes, dissonance and self-justification, prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination; automaticity and social cognition, motivation, and gender. Emphasis upon the application of social psychological theories and research to social problems.

PSYC 240.     Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Surveys the fundamental principles of Behavioral Neuroscience, the connection between the brain and behavior. Topics may include: neuroanatomy, electrochemical transmission, sites and mechanism of drug action, sensation and perception, motor systems, developmental processes, neuroendocrine systems, learning and memory, attention, emotion, executive function, neurodegenerative disease and the neurobiology of mental illness. Seminal experiments and recent discoveries within the field will be reviewed and discussed with a focus on how these findings impacted and continue to influence past and current theory.

PSYC 241.     Seminar in Cognitive Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Provides a survey of topics in human information processing. Selected topics may include perception, attention, memory, knowledge, categorization, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, and language comprehension and production. Classical theories and experiments in these areas will be reviewed in addition to applications of this work to practical problems.

PSYC 242.     Seminar in Learning and Behavior. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Surveys the area of Psychology concerned with how people and animals learn and how their behaviors are changed as a result of this learning. Selected topics include: Inmate behaviors, respondent and operant learning, behavioral economics, comparative cognition, theories of imitation, choice and self-control. Classical theories and current experiments in these areas will be reviewed in addition to implications of this work to practical problems.

PSYC 251.     Developmental Processes. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 148 or PSYC 149.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Study of the psychological processes underlying development throughout the life span. Covers such topics as cognitive, language, emotional, and relationship development in terms of the individual. Attention will be given to functioning of the individual within social units such as the family.

PSYC 262.     Theoretical Foundations of Organizational Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 108 or equivalent.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Major theories that made significant theoretical contributions to organizational psychology are covered, along with areas of significant research which have provided the foundations of modern organizational psychology.

PSYC 267.     Training & Employee Development. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

This course will provide an overview of the application of psychological principles to employee training and development, and an in-depth review of common training and development practices. Additional topics include techniques for determining training requirements, motivating trainees, providing feedback on trainee performance, ensuring positive transfer of training to the job environment, and employee development programs.

PSYC 268.     Advanced Psychopathology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Covers an advanced and detailed discussion of the description, etiology, development, dynamics and treatment of individuals with mental disorders. Since the DSM-IV is the major classification system used by mental health professionals, it will also be discussed. This manual describes essential features of a variety of disorders and outlines the basis on which an experienced clinician can differentiate one disorder from another.

Note: May substitute EDC 231.

PSYC 269.     Analysis of Work and Employee Selection. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring only

Survey of work analysis, with emphasis on designing employee selection systems. Topics to include multiple methods for analysis of different types and aspects of work, and applications of the results such as: Explicating the performance construct for a given job; identifying human attributes required for successful performance; evaluating jobs in terms of compensation; selecting appropriate measurement methods for predictor and criterion constructs; evaluating predictor utility; and the legal environment for employee selection practice.

PSYC 271.     Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate status and instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Designed both for graduate students who are interested in gaining knowledge about the fundamental principles of behavioral psychology and those who are pursuing certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Students will not only learn behavioral theory and the means by which behavior is increased, decreased, shaped and maintained, but they will learn to apply behavioral principles to more complex topics such as concept formation and novel behaviors.

PSYC 272.     Research Methods in Behavior Analysis. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 171 or PSYC 181.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Covers methods related to single-case research (i.e., data collection, logic, designs). Course content is based primarily on contemporary books and articles from peer-review journals. Topics include: measurement of behavior, methods of assessing inter-rater agreement; experimental design including, reversal designs, changing-criterion designs, alternating treatment designs, and multiple-baseline designs; and displaying and interpreting behavioral data. Current methodological issues will be discussed.

PSYC 274.     Theoretical Foundations of Behavior Analysis. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC171 or PSYC181 or equivalent.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Covers major theories that have made significant contributions to behavior analysis, along with areas of significant research providing the foundations of radical behaviorism and contemporary behavior analysis. Topics include history of behaviorism, selection by consequences as a casual mode, pragmatism, determinism, logical positivism, dualism x monism, verbal behavior and private events.

PSYC 275.     Applied Behavior Analysis in the Workplace. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate students only

Term Typically Offered: Fall only

Overview of contemporary research and practice on the use of applied behavior analysis techniques in the workplace. Students will learn to use several performance assessment and improvement tools based on the operant learning literature, as well as learn strategies for effective supervision, training, and management of staff in human service organizations.

PSYC 277.     Special Topics Graduate Seminar in Psychology. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Student Status

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Examines a special topic of interest in psychology at the graduate level. Offered by rotating instructors, the course explores selected topics in psychology, and contemporary developments in theories, methodologies, and/or methods in the selected sub-discipline or topical area. Topics can include subject matter from all areas of psychology, including, but not limited to: applied behavior analysis, clinical, cognitive, community, cultural, developmental, experimental, feminist, health, industrial-organizational, neuroscience, perception, quantitative, social, etc., or related methodologies. Recommend prior coursework in area of focus.

PSYC 281.     Advanced Experimental Analysis of Behavior. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 271.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced consideration of small-N research designs. Analysis of complex contingencies of reinforcement and stimulus control as they apply to such topics as perceiving, thinking, abstractions, and concept formation. In-depth examination of behavior analytic principles in relation to choice behavior and verbal behavior.

PSYC 283.     Teaching Of Psychology. 3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Covers the historical background of higher education, the social and administrative structure of colleges and universities, and the selection, preparation and planning of undergraduate psychology courses, particularly introductory courses.

PSYC 284.     Assessment and Treatment of Behavior Problems. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate status and instructor permission.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced study and practical experience in application and teaching of behavior analytic methods of assessment, data collection, program construction and evaluation for a variety of behavior problems. Students will become proficient in conducting functional analyses, positive programming, and constructing and implementing behavior intervention programs for behavior excesses (consistent with State of California laws) including, antecedent manipulations, differential reinforcement schedules, functional communication training, and response cost. They will be required to develop didactic skills with respect to these various programs. Lecture three hours; Lab three hours.

PSYC 291.     Professional Issues in Behavior Analysis. 3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 271.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Classroom and on-site experience in applied behavior analysis. Students will work at an approved agency for a minimum of 10 hours per week under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Students will also meet in class to present and review their cases. Emphasis will be placed on treatment integrity and ethics.

Note: Requires permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

PSYC 294.     Cooperative Research. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Students work cooperatively on a psychological research project under faculty supervision.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

PSYC 295A.     Fieldwork in the Teaching of Psychology. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised experience in various educational and instructionally related tasks, such as leading discussion groups, setting up and presenting demonstrations, constructing and scoring tests, and tutoring, at selected educational institutions in the Sacramento area.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 295C.     Fieldwork in Personnel and Organizational Psychology. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Supervised work experience at a professional level in business and governmental organizations.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 295G.     Fieldwork. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Projects in contemporary areas of psychology under the supervision of one or more faculty.

Note: Requires permission of instructor and the Department Chair. May be repeated once for credit.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 297A.     Advanced Graduate Research I. 1 - 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 294

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced research opportunity for graduate students who have completed previous research experiences in PSYC 294. Students in the course are expected to develop advanced skills in research methods, data management, data analysis, and the communication of research findings by conducting research on collaborative projects under the guidance of a psychology faculty supervisor.

PSYC 297B.     Advanced Graduate Research II. 1 - 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 297A

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Advanced research opportunity for graduate students who have completed previous research experiences in PSYC 297A. Students in the course are expected to demonstrate competence in research methods, data management, data analysis, and the communication of research findings by conducting research on collaborative projects under the guidance of a psychology faculty supervisor.

PSYC 299.     Special Problems. 1 - 6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Individual projects or directed reading. Requires approval of instructor and Department Chair.

Credit/No Credit

PSYC 500A.     Culminating Experience. 4 Units

Prerequisite(s): Advanced to candidacy and permission of the graduate coordinator.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Completion of a thesis or project approved for the Master's degree.

PSYC 500B.     Culminating Experience. 2 Units

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 500A.

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Continuation of work on thesis or project.