Spring 2009 Course Schedule Psychology & Neuroscience
11
Intro Psychology
Weinfurt, Kevin
Broad survey of the field of modern psychology, primarily for the non-major. Focuses on
the natural science study of behavior, emphasizing biological, evolutionary, cognitive,
and developmental perspectives while placing this work in historical, social and
philosophical context. The conceptual issues which unify the sub fields of psychology
highlighted along with a consideration of the techniques and methods by which
knowledge about brain, mind thought and behavior is acquired and refined. The
implications for life and society of contemporary scientific approaches and technologies.
Students must fulfill a departmental research requirement (if this is their first course in
psychology) either by participation in psychology experiments or submitting a research
paper. Does not count toward the psychology major.
Survey Courses
91
Biological Bases
Lamoureux, Jef
An introduction to the methods, models, and reasoning that have led to discoveries about
brain-behavior relations, and a critical evaluation of the current theories that guide our
thinking about the neurobiology, development and evolution of sensory and cognitive
processes, sleep, pain, emotion, hunger, and thirst as well as maternal and sexual
behavior patterns. Students required to participate as subjects in psychological research.
Prerequisite: Biology 19 or Biology 25L; may be taken concurrently.
92
Cognitive Psych
Cabeza, Roberto
Overview of cognitive processes including pattern recognition, concept formation,
attention, memory, imagery, mental representation, language, problem solving, and
modes of thinking. The basic approach is both empirical (using data collection and
analysis) and theoretical (building models using inductive/deductive reasoning).
Application of basic laboratory results to cognition in everyday life. Students required to
participate in psychological research.
97
Developmental Psych
Feng, Gary
Overview of the cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur throughout the
lifespan, with emphasis on the period from infancy to adolescence. The approach
examines both the empirical evidence (data collection and analysis) and the theoretical
models (constructs using inductive-deductive reasoning) used in understanding human
psychological development. Students required to participate in psychological research.
99
Personality/Social
Grimes, Christina
The determinants of socially significant human behavior--those residing in the person,
those that are the product of interpersonal context, and those resulting from the
interaction of both sources. Formative as well as contemporary influences considered.
Emphasis on the reasoning, research designs and methods used to examine the complex
interplay of individual and social context. Students required to participate in
psychological research.
Statistics and Methods courses
101
Research Methods
Hardy, Kristy
A hands-on experience in designing and conducting research in psychology. Theoretical
topics included experimental and non-experimental methods, including observational,
archival, and case-study methods. Problems of validity and control. Using these
theoretical tools, students review literature, design experiments, collect data, analyze
data, and write papers on areas such as learning, cognitive science, sensation and
perception, and social and psychology. Prerequisites: one prior course in psychology and
Psychology 117, Statistics 101, 102, 103, 110, 112, 114, 200, 210, 213, or Mathematics
117
Applied Stat Meth Psych
Rebecca Shelby
Introduction to statistical methods commonly used in psychological research. Topics in
applied statistical methods including: measures of central tendency and variability;
probability and distributions; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing; t-test and
analysis of variance; correlation and regression; and chi-square tests. Calculate and
interpret statistics with reference to data and research questions typical in psychological
research. Includes a lab section with instruction in the management and analysis of
psychological data using statistical software designed for use in social science research.
Required for the major.
181CS
Brain Waves and Cognition
Woldorff, Marty
The Event-Related Potential (ERP) method and its use in cognitive neuroscience.
Emphasis on the reasoning, research designs and methods used in measuring eventrelated potentials. How ERPs are recorded, analyzed, and used to study cognitive
processes. Students complete projects and experience this methodology. Prerequisites:
two of the following three courses (Psychology 91, 92, or 135).
181FS
Functional Neuroimaging
Diaz, Michelle
Overview of use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) in the investigation
of human sensory, motor, and cognitive function. Topics will include FMRI to study
human brain systems involved with movement, sensation, perception, and memory.
Students will design and execute a neuroimaging experiment. Consent of instructor
required.
183BS
Child Observation
Grimes, Christina
Introduction of research methods used to study children, with particular emphasis on
observational techniques. Focus on developing proficiency in research methodology,
becoming skilled at communicating research findings to other psychologists, and
increasing knowledge and expertise with young children. Consent of instructor required.
185BS
Res Meth Soc Psych
Robinson, Jorgi
Study of empirical research methods used to study contemporary issues in social
psychology, including both experimental and nonexperimental strategies. Prerequisite:
Psychology 99 or 116.
185CS
Res Meth Health/Clinical
Blumenthal, James
Contemporary approaches to psychologically based research in health and mental health.
Survey, laboratory, and/or narrative self-report methodologies. Class research projects.
Prerequisites: Psychology 99 and Statistics 101 or the equivalent.
Lecture courses
102
Alcohol, Brain and Society
Swartzwelder, Scott
Multidisciplinary course exploring the impact of alcohol use on individuals and society.
Integrated segments focus on: biomedical effects; addiction and treatment; historical
context of drinking; and college drinking issues. Not open to first-year students.
108A
Educational Psychology
David Malone
Principles of developmental, social, and cognitive psychology as applied to education,
with a focus on how children learn. Examination of the impact on learning of race, class,
gender, and ethnicity, including a comparative analysis of cultural differences in
American schools. Through structured service learning experiences in local schools,
students reflect through writing on ethical issues in teaching. Required service learning.
109B
Stress & Coping
Keefe, Francis
Psychological theory and empirical work on stress and coping, with an emphasis on posttraumatic stress. Focus on the research designs, methods and reasoning by which stress is
inferred and its effects assessed. Prerequisite: Psychology 99.
111
Learning & Adaptive Behavior
Schmajuk, Nestor
Principles of instrumental learning in animals and humans. Topics include elicitation,
classical conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, problem solving, behavioral
economics, and verbal behavior. Focus on empirical data, quantitative analysis, research
methodology, and technologies generated from learning research. Prerequisite: none, but
some knowledge of quantitative science desirable.
112
Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience
LaBar, Kevin
The biological bases of higher brain function, including perception, attention, memory,
language, emotion, executive functions and consciousness. Emphasis on the human brain,
and the current theories and controversies in this rapidly growing field. Comparisons of
human brain function with machine intelligence and the higher brain functions of nonhuman animals. Prerequisites: some background in cognitive psychology (Psychology 92
or equivalent) and biological psychology (Psychology 91 or Psychology 135 or
equivalent)desirable, but not essential.
114
Personality
Fitzgerald, David
Theory and research dealing with the human personality, focusing on universal features
of personality that are part of human nature, ways in which personality variables and
processes differ across people, and the processes through which personality relates to
thought, emotion, and behavior. Topics include personality traits, genetic and biological
influences on personality, cognitive aspects of personality, motivation and emotion, self
and identity, unconscious processes, personality measurement, and personality
dysfunctions. Students required to participate in psychological research.
115
Psychology of Consumers
Chartrand, Tanya
The psychology of consumers and ways of influencing consumer behavior. How
knowledge of consumer psychology and behavior is used to develop marketing
techniques. How to use consumer psychology in making business decisions; the ethical
issues associated with consumer influence. Prerequisites: Prior course in Psychology.
116
Social Psychology
Shah, Jim
The effects of social interaction and social processes on a wide range of individual
attitudes and behaviors (for example, conformity, leadership, prejudice, aggression,
altruism). Emphasis on the logic, reasoning, research designs, and methods by which
knowledge is generated. Equal attention to experimental and non-experimental research.
119A
Abnormal Psychology
Fitzgerald, David
Disordered behavior and constructive personality change viewed in interpersonal and
social context for purposes of understanding normal and abnormal personality
development and functioning. The research designs, methods and reasoning by which
psychologists assess behavioral disorders and personality variants. How these disorders
vary from culture to culture and the ethical issues associated with treatment. Students
required to participate in psychological research.
124
Approaches to Human Development
To be determined
he multidisciplinary nature of developmental research; the psychological, social, cultural,
and biological paradigms as they relate to human development; normative and nonnormative behaviors and changing cultural values across the life course; comparison of
how different age groups (e.g., children, young adults) modify values to work within their
specific cultural and social needs. Designed for sophomores enrolled in or considering
the Certificate Program in Human Development. Consent required for juniors and
seniors.
127
Drugs, Brain/Behavior
Kuhn, Cynthia
Mechanisms by which psychoactive drugs act. Changes that occur with chronic use of
drugs; drug abuse and dependence. Social and legal implications of psychoactive drugs.
Designed for both science and nonscience majors. Emphasis on the reasoning, research
designs, and methods for understanding drug effects. Prerequisite: introductory biology
(Biology 25L) and chemistry (Chemistry 11L, 12L).
130
Psychosocial Aspects of Hum Dev
Deborah Gold
Biological, cultural, behavioral, and social arenas of human development throughout the
human life span, with emphasis on the comparison of socially constructed age groups.
Examination of age groups in terms of their unique ethical values and challenges, as well
as the social dilemmas caused by the extension of life expectancy. Psychosocial
development between (1) men and women, (2) African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians,
and Caucasians, and (3) different socioeconomic strata. Service learning project with
daily journals required.
133
Psychology of Ethnicity and Context
Gabriella Stein
Focuses on children and families as they are shaped and impacted by race, culture,
ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and community/neighborhood context. Aspects
considered include: parental beliefs, expectations, disciplinary strategies, children's
mental health and academic and career goals. Prerequisite: Psychology 97 recommended.
137
Adolescence
Stocking, Vicki
Adolescent development, including identity formation, intelligence, sexuality, peer and
parent relationships, vocational choices, drugs, and psychopathology. Theory and
empirical findings. Emphasis on the methods and research designs that have led to an
understanding of adolescent development. Required participation in service learning.
138
Soc Psychology of Business
Gerend, Peter & Bleak, Jared
Application of social psychological principles to the understanding of how businesses
respond to significant environmental change. Focus on multinational firms to allow for
consideration of cross-cultural influences. Prerequisites: Psychology 116/Sociology 106
or a Markets and Management course.
Seminars
148S
Neuroscience of Cognitive Aging
Jurkowski, Anita
Theories of cognitive aging (emphasis on the psychobiological/neurobiological
perspectives) focusing on processes of perception, attention, decision making, memory
and movement through both text and journal readings. Neurological diseases of aging
(i.e., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease). Focus on developing skills for scientific
grant writing.
151S
Clin Intervention Children/Families
Hardy, Kristina
Study of techniques used by clinical psychologists to treat and prevent psychological
disorders of childhood. Focus on a) understanding major types of clinical interventions,
b) how clinical psychologists develop, implement, and evaluate interventions, c) ethical
issues in treating children and families, d) integration of research and practice in the
treatment and prevention of childhood psychological disorders. Enrollment limited to
juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: Psychology 119B or 119A and a research methods
course or statistics course.
157S
Life Span Analysis of Soc Rel
Costanzo, Philip
The developmental changes that occur in social relationships (for example, parent,
sibling, peer) across the life span; the differing roles these relationships play in the
development of the individual. Particular attention given to understanding gender and
ethnicity differences in the forms and functions of relationships. Prerequisite: Psychology
97 or 99.
160S
Social Science Policy Research
To be deterimened
Theory and research methods in social science applied to solutions to contemporary
social problems. Includes direct mentoring and participation in faculty research on topics
such as drug abuse, racial socialization, teenage aggression, school failure, and child
abuse. Preparation for independent research. Methods course approved for Children in
Contemporary Society certificate program. Consent of instructor required.
162S
Personality & Individual Differences
Caspi, Avshalom
Study of assessment of personality and cognitive-ability traits, and their influence on the
life course. Topics include: assessment of personality traits; behavioral genetics;
personality continuity and change across the life course; influence of personality traits
and intelligence on health and status attainment. Prerequisite: introductory course work in
psychological methods and statistics in the behavioral sciences.
164S
Role of Race & Culture on Development
Wilborn, Makeba
Critical examination of racial, cultural, and social influences on development of African
American children in the U.S. Traditional and nontraditional theoretical and empirical
approaches; issues surrounding children's cognitive, language, and psychosocial
development, plus educational attainment explored from a socio-cultural perspective.
Includes discussion of racial stereotypes, familial interactions, social policy, the media,
and peer groups. Prerequisites: Introductory Psych, Developmental, Human
Development, Research Methods courses. Juniors and Seniors only.
170OS
Prevention & Intervention
Alexander, Susan
This course will present an overview of the issues of substance use, abuse and addiction
as well as other addictions and disorders. The course will focus on the motivations for,
the effects of, and outcomes and consequences of addictive behaviors. Time will be spent
on physiological issues motivating use. Specific attention will be paid to a life course
approach to the issues of use, abuse, and addiction. Specific focus will be given to issues
that effect decisions about use, as well as differences in use and treatment programs for
adolescents, adults and older adults. Media perspectives that shape attitudes about use,
abuse and addictions will be considered. Students will identify how the experience of use,
abuse, addictions and treatment effects individuals, families, communities and our
society. The role of gender, age and race/ethnicity will be considered in historical context
and in light of current understandings and approaches.
170RS
Clinical Issues for LBGT
Long, Janie
Not currently available.
170S
Social Psychology of Education
Patall, Erica
Why do some students work hard and do well in school, while others fail? How can
social environment of the classroom promote student academic success? These questions
are addressed. The purpose is twofold: examine classical, contemporary theories, data in
social, personality, and developmental psychology within the educational context, use
this research to discover practical advice for students, parents and educational
practitioners. Focus on individual factors (motivation, attributions, and self-beliefs),
interpersonal factors (interaction with teachers, peers, and parents), as well as
environmental and cultural factors. Why do some students work hard and do well in
school, while others fail? How can social environment of the classroom promote student
academic success? These questions are addressed. The purpose is twofold: examine
classical, contemporary theories, data in social, personality, and developmental
psychology within the educational context, use this research to discover practical advice
for students, parents and educational practitioners. Focus on individual factors
(motivation, attributions, and self-beliefs), interpersonal factors (interaction with
teachers, peers, and parents), as well as environmental and cultural factors.
170US
Behavioral Disorders
Fenwick, Virginia
An in-depth investigation of self-injurious behavior (e.g. cutting), substance abuse, and
eating disorders. This seminar-style course will emphasize behavioral approaches to
these disorders and discrediting myths regarding these disorders. Students will critically
evaluate recent published studies and write response papers using objective behavioral
descriptors. Final research project integrates information, and includes designing a study
to test novel hypotheses. Prerequisite: one prior course in Psychology.
173S
Theoretical Issues Soc Psych
Wallach, Lise
Examination of basic issues that cut across different areas of psychology, with emphasis
on the nature of science and knowledge, the kinds of knowledge psychology may
provide, and different conceptions of mind.
175AS
Motivational Approaches
Shah, James
Social psychology on motivation and its role in determining nature and consequences of
self and social-regulation. Focus on research and theorizing on differing motivations
underlying social behavior (such as the motivations characterizing stereotyping and
prejudice as well as achievement behavior and interpersonal relationships). Prerequisite:
Psychology 99 and either statistics or a psychological research/methods course.
179S
Neuroscience of Illusions
Tucker, Thomas
Human sensory systems and their limitations. Sensorineural mechanisms, the brain's
reconstructions and representation of the physical world, cortical processing of space and
time, conscious and unconscious mental operations. Prerequisites: Psychology 91 or
Psychology 135/Biology 154/Neurobiology 154.
195S
Topics in Neuroscience
Henry Yin
A formal research and training component of the Howard Hughes Forum in Neuroscience
that includes review of directed reading and research in both theoretical and experimental
neuroscience. Emphasis on the development of the ability to critically evaluate empirical
research and to construct mathematical or deductive/inductive models. Final project
includes preparation of a formal research proposal and a review of the role of ethics in
science. Enrollment in an independent study and consent of instructor required.
200B
Honors Seminar
Costanzo, Phi
Continuation of Psychology 200A. Focus on completion and submission of Graduation
with Distinction thesis. Pass/Fail grading only. For undergraduates only. Consent of
department required.
203S
Gene-Enviroment Interplay
Caspi & Moffitt
Introduces students to an emerging topic in behavioral science: the interaction between
genes and environments. Evaluates research showing that genes influence susceptibility
to the environmental causes of abnormal behavior, and research showing that genes'
connections to behaviors depend on environmental experiences. Readings are primary
journal articles. Topics include the design and analysis of genetic research into mental
disorders, and ethical issues stemming from genetic research into human behavior. Prior
coursework in statistics/research methods, genetics, and/or abnormal psychology is
desirable.
218S
Pesonality, Stress, and Disease
Williams, Redford
The interaction between person and social environment as a contributor to development
of physical disease. Both epidemiological and laboratory-based research considered.
Prerequisite: Psychology 109A for undergraduates and consent of instructor.
223S
Learning & Cognition
Schmajuk, Nestor
Several connectionist theories of human and animal learning and cognition. Neural
network theories of classical conditioning; the concepts of models of the environment,
prediction of future events, reliable and salient predictors, redundancy reduction,
competition for limited capacity short-term memory, mismatch between predicted and
observed events, stimulus configuration, inference generation, modulation of attention by
novelty, and timing. Neural networks of operant conditioning; the concepts of goalseeking mechanisms, response-selection mechanisms, and cognitive mapping. How
neural network models permit simultaneous development of psychological theories and
models of the brain.
238S
Everyday Cognition
Day, Ruth
Selected cognitive concepts (for example, encoding, retrieval, representation, information
load) and their application to everyday situations. Cognition in the classroom, courtroom,
hospital, grocery store, and laboratory, as well as on the job, athletic field, construction
site, dance floor, and computer. For each situation: successful vs. mediocre performance,
cognitive processes involved, task analysis, potential problems, experimental tests, and
implications for both cognitive theory and everyday life. Class sessions include
presentations by the instructor, students, and individuals from the everyday world.
Prerequisites: for undergraduates: Psychology 92 or related course work and consent of
instructor.
268S
Brain & Language
Andrews, Edna
Focus on cognitive processes and brain mechanisms involved in language comprehension
and production. Psycholinguistic models and how these models may be implemented in
the brain.
270PS
Self & Social Behavior
Leary, Mark
Overview of psychological theory and research involving the role of self-attention in
human thought, emotion, motivation, and behavior; open only to seniors and graduate
students.
272S
Obesity & Eating Disorders
Surwit, Richard
A review of obesity and of the major clinical eating disorders (including binge eating
disorder, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa) and their pathophysiology, and their
treatments. Prerequisite: Introductory Biology.