PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC)
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
John Roach Center for the Liberal Arts (JRC) LL56, (651) 962-5030
Robinson-Riegler (chair), Amel, Beckmann, Bock, Buri, Chalkley, Giebenhain, Hankerson, Jessee, Johnson, Prichard, Scott, Tauer, Wolfe
Psychology Department Web Site
The courses and programs offered by the Department of Psychology are meant to be a part of a liberal arts education, teaching the basic principles and theory of psychology, the scientific study of human behavior, mental processes, and emotions. The psychology programs are designed to prepare students with the analytical and technical skills necessary for graduate study in psychology and for careers in human services and other occupations for which a psychology background is valuable. Courses are offered that introduce psychology to non-majors, enabling students to make practical applications of psychology to their own lives.
Students who graduate with a major in psychology will be able to produce a research paper written in accordance with American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. They will be trained in those research and statistical skills frequently employed in the field of psychology. They will be able to complete an independent research project, and write a synthesis of the psychological literature in an area of psychological interest.
Students majoring in psychology must successfully complete a minimum of twenty-four credits in psychology at St. Thomas. Students minoring in psychology must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits in psychology at St. Thomas. All courses counting toward the major or the minor must be graded using the regular (letter) grading system.
The department also offers General Psychology (PSYC 111) for students to fulfill the Social Analysis component of the core curriculum.
Psychology Honor Societies
Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in psychology, was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. The St. Thomas chapter was established in 1997. Students who have a grade point average of at least 3.00 in psychology, rank in the highest 35 percent of their class, and who have completed at least three semesters of college coursework, including nine hours in psychology, are eligible to apply for membership.
Nu Rho Psi, the national Neuroscience Honor Society encourages professional interest and excellence in scholarship, particularly in neuroscience. The St. Thomas chapter was established in 2007. Students who have a 3.2 or higher overall grade point average and a 3.5 or higher grade point average in specific neuroscience courses are eligible to apply. For more information, go to http://www.stthomas.edu/neuroscience/clubs/default.html.
The Department of Psychology also recognizes selected students each year for outstanding research, service, and academic achievements.
Major in Psychology
- PSYC 111 General Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 212 Research Methods in Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 422 History and Systems (4 credits) (to be taken during the senior year)
Plus 8 additional courses:
- At least one from each perspective (5 classes)
- The remaining classes may be from the elective list or from the perspective lists
- Four of the eight must be 300/400 level
- Two must be lab courses (PSYC 212 is a pre-requisite for all lab courses)
Perspective-Based Courses
BIOLOGICAL
- PSYC 206 Brain and Human Behavior
- PSYC 207 Drugs, and Behavior
- PSYC 322 Sensation and Perception
- PSYC 401 Physiological Psychology
COGNITIVE
- PSYC 315 Cognition
- PSYC 323 Psychology of Learning and Memory
- PSYC 400 Seminar in Cognition
- PSYC 415 Research Issues in Cognition
SOCIAL
- PSYC 121 Social Psychology
- PSYC 151 Cross-Cultural Psychology
- PSYC 321 Research Issues in Social Psychology
DEVELOPMENTAL
- PSYC 200 Infancy and Childhood
- PSYC 202 Lifespan Development
- PSYC 203 Psychology of Adolescence
- PSYC 204 Adulthood and Aging
- PSYC 402 Developmental Psychology Research
CLINICAL
- PSYC 301 Psychopathology
- PSYC 302 Personality Theories
- PSYC 313 Psychological Testing
- PSYC 428 Counseling and Psychotherapy
ELECTIVE COURSES
- PSYC 205 Psychology of Women
- PSYC 250 Positive Psychology
- PSYC 288 Psychology of Marriage and Family
- PSYC 308 Motivation and Emotion
- PSYC 342 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- PSYC 365 Health Psychology
Allied requirements
All of the following or an adequate substitute approved by the chair:
- BIOL 101 General Biology (4 credits)
or BIOL 105 Human Biology (4 credits)
or BIOL 106 Women, Medicine and Biology (4 credits)
or BIOL 207 Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution (4 credits)
or CHEM 100 (Chemistry in our World)
or CHEM 101 (Environmental Chemistry)
or CHEM 108 (Nursing Chemistry)
or CHEM 109 (General Chem for ENGR)
or CHEM 111 (General Chemistry)
or CHEM 115 (Accelerated General Chemistry) - *STAT 220 Statistics I (4 credits)
*STAT 220 has prerequsites. Check the course description for current prerequsites.
Students should take the following courses in the following order:
- STAT 220
- PSYC 212
Note: These courses should be taken early in the college career, since they are prerequisites for some required courses in psychology. A student should consult early with her/his department adviser to have her/his plan approved.
Minor in Psychology
- PSYC 111 General Psychology (4 credits)
Plus eight credits from the following:
- PSYC 121 Social Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 151 Cross-Cultural Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 200 Psychology of Infancy and Childhood (4 credits)
- PSYC 202 Lifespan Development (4 credits) (students may not receive credit for both 202 and 200)
- PSYC 203 Psychology of Adolescence (4 credits)
- PSYC 204 The Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (4 credits)
- PSYC 205 Psychology of Women (4 credits)
- PSYC 206 The Brain and Human Behavior (4 credits)
- PSYC 207 Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)
- PSYC 212 Research Methods in Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 288 Psychology of Marriage and the Family (4 credits)
Plus eight credits from the following:
- PSYC 301 Psychopathology (4 credits)
- PSYC 302 Personality Theories (4 credits)
- PSYC 308 Motivation and Emotion (4 credits)
- PSYC 313 Psychological Testing (4 credits)
- PSYC 315 Cognition (4 credits)
- PSYC 321 Current Research Issues in Social Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 322 Sensation and Perception (4 credits)
- PSYC 323 Learning and Memory (4 credits)
- PSYC 342 Psychology and Work (4 credits)
- PSYC 400 Seminar in Cognitive and Language Development (4 credits)
- PSYC 401 Physiological Psychology (4 credits)
- PSYC 415 Research Issues in Cognition (4 credits)
- PSYC 422 History and Systems (4 credits)
- PSYC 428 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy (4 credits)
Students should consult early with a department adviser to have their plan approved.
The following two stipulations apply only to NSCI majors looking to minor in Psychology:
- No more than two classes may overlap between the PSYC minor and NSCI major. Note: for NSCI majors these will likely be PSYC 111 and PSYC 212
- NSCI majors may not count PSYC 206 or 207 toward their PSYC minor as there is too much content overlap between these courses and courses available in the NSCI major.
Teacher Licensure
Elementary Education with a Specialty in Social Studies (5-8)
Co-major in Social Studies (5-12) and a Co-major in Secondary Education
See Education
Psychology Undergraduate Courses
| Course Number | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC 102 | Lifespan Develop. for Nursing | 2 | |
| Description of course Lifespan Develop. for Nursing : | This course will provide you with an opportunity to learn about growth and development throughout the human lifespan. We will use psychological theories and research to examine physical, cognitive and psychosocial development, while appreciating the important role of biological and cultural factors. Lifespan development is a very broad area, and we will not be able to cover all possible topics. We will instead focus on thinking critically, making meaningful connections between topics, and understanding diversity within development. The different topics and theoretical approaches we cover will enable you to have an integrated understanding of lifespan development. This introduction to developmental norms and differences will support the aspiring nurse’s ability to help patients navigate life events and stages. Connections to healthcare contexts will be highlighted. Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 102 and PSYC 202. PSYC 102 cannot count toward the developmental perspective requirement of the PSYC major. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 111 | General Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course General Psychology : | An introduction to the research questions, concepts, theories, methods, and findings of psychological science. Although the selection varies with instructor, topics include brain function, psychological testing, sensation and perception, cognition (learning, memory, language), states of consciousness, motivation, human development, personality, origins and treatment of disorders, social behavior, stress and health, and applied psychology (workplace, community, environment). | ||
| PSYC 121 | Social Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course Social Psychology : | This is an introduction to the field of social psychology, which examines how an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the social context. The course covers such topics as conformity, persuasion, stereotypes and prejudice, love and relationships, helping behavior and altruism, aggression, the self-concept, and group dynamics. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 151 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course Cross-Cultural Psychology : | This course is designed to cover the issues and themes current in the field of cross-cultural psychology. Examples of such issues include: cultural variation along the lines of collectivism and individualism; psychological principles that might be universal compared to those that are culturally specific; how content and context affect psychological functioning, and variation within as well as between cultures. A range of substantive areas within psychology will be examined, including social, developmental, organizational, cognitive, health psychology, and psychology of emotion. Examples will be drawn from a range of non-Western cultures (e.g., Japan, India, Liberia) as well as various cultures within the United States (e.g., African-American, Hispanic, American Indian). Emphasis will be placed on how Western and non-Western cultures differ from each other, on how non-Western cultures differ from each other, and on how intra-cultural variation also plays important roles in psychological functioning. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 200 | Psy: Infancy & Childhood | 4 | |
| Description of course Psy: Infancy & Childhood : | An introduction to issues and theories of development dealing with infancy, toddlerhood, and early and middle childhood. The course reviews the principles, theories, research and application of cognitive, emotional, personality, social and physical development. Also examined is how children develop the knowledge, skills, and personality characteristics that allow them to become successful adults as well as how differences among children come about. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 NOTE: Students who receive credit for PSYC 200 may not receive credit for PSYC 202. | ||
| PSYC 202 | Lifespan Development | 4 | |
| Description of course Lifespan Development : | An introduction to developmental principles and theories throughout the life span. The course also includes research, application and the interplay among the physical, emotional, social and intellectual variables in the process of growth and development. Also examined is how individuals develop the knowledge, skills, and personality characteristics that allow them to become successful later in life as well as how differences among individuals come about. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 NOTE: Students who receive credit for PSYC 202 may not receive credit for PSYC 200 or 204. | ||
| PSYC 203 | Psych of Adolescence | 4 | |
| Description of course Psych of Adolescence : | An introduction to issues and theories of development dealing with adolescence. The course reviews the principles, theories, research and application of cognitive, emotional, personality, social and physical development. Also examined is how adolescents develop the knowledge, skills, and personality characteristics that allow them to become successful adults as well as how differences among teens come about. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 204 | Psych: Adulthood & Aging | 4 | |
| Description of course Psych: Adulthood & Aging : | Theories of and research in physical, emotional, social, personality and intellectual development in adulthood and in old age. This course will emphasize the psychological adjustment to the stresses and demands (e.g., vocation, marriage, retirement, bereavement) the individual encounters during those developmental stages. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 NOTE: Students who receive credit for PSYC 204 may not receive credit for PSYC 202. | ||
| PSYC 205 | Psychology of Women | 4 | |
| Description of course Psychology of Women : | An examination of physiological, experiential, and social factors affecting the psychological development of women and their status as adults. Addresses diversity among women and how factors such as class and race intersect with historical and contemporary gender inequalities in women's lives. Topics include: biological and social influences on the development of gender, research on sex-related differences in psychological traits and cognitive abilities, media image and stereotypes of women, close relationships and sexuality, mothering, employment, aging, violence against women, and psychological health. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 206 | Brain & Human Behavior | 4 | |
| Description of course Brain & Human Behavior : | An examination of brain systems that subserve human behavior. Topics include: human development, consciousness, social behavior, cognition, emotion and abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 207 | Drugs and Behavior | 4 | |
| Description of course Drugs and Behavior : | The course surveys some basic facts and principles of administration, absorption, transport, action, deactivation and elimination of drugs. Various classes of drugs; their effects on mood, behavior, and consciousness; their use and misuse; and phenomena of chemical dependency and its treatment modalities are discussed. Lectures, readings, films, tapes and invited speakers are employed. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 212 | Research Meth in Psych | 4 | |
| Description of course Research Meth in Psych : | Research designs and problems, with emphasis on operationalization of concepts, development of hypotheses, specific research designs, sources of error, literature reviews, data collection, data analysis and use of APA format. Prerequisites: PSYC 111 and STAT 220 (QMCS 220 or IDTH 220) View Online Printable Schedule | ||
| PSYC 243 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 250 | Positive Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course Positive Psychology : | This course explores current research on positive emotions, well-being, positive thinking, character strengths, virtues, values, wellness, resilience, positive relationships, and aspects of institutions (family, school, business, etc.) that cultivate positive experiences for their members. In addition to examining research on these topics, students will be expected to engage in positive psychology exercises related to the recognition of their own character strengths and the cultivation of gratitude. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 269 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 288 | Psy of Marriage & Family | 4 | |
| Description of course Psy of Marriage & Family : | An examination of the psychological concepts, issues, challenges and changes relevant to marriage and family today. Topics include intimacy, liking and loving, power and control, gender, marriage and family therapy, and the psychological effects of marriage vs. non-marriage, divorce, and various parenting styles. Prerequisites: PSYC 111 and junior standing or permission of the instructor | ||
| PSYC 296 | Topics | 2 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PSYC 297 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PSYC 298 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PSYC 301 | Psychopathology | 4 | |
| Description of course Psychopathology : | This course sets forth a framework for understanding abnormal or maladaptive behavior. It will investigate specific diagnostic categories (such as depression and schizophrenia), causal factors and treatments of these maladaptive patterns. Prerequisites: PSYC 111 and junior standing | ||
| PSYC 302 | Personality Theories | 4 | |
| Description of course Personality Theories : | A review of major theories of personality, including psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic and trait-factor approaches. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 308 | Motivation and Emotion | 4 | |
| Description of course Motivation and Emotion : | Survey of research and theories related to specific motives (such as hunger and thirst) as well as approaches to emotional states such as anger, happiness and sadness. Relevant research will be drawn from both the social and physiological branches of psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 111 and junior standing | ||
| PSYC 313 | Psychological Testing | 4 | |
| Description of course Psychological Testing : | This course provides an overview of the principles of testing and measurement, particularly as they relate to the practice of psychology and education. The course examines the theories underlying individual and group-administered tests in such areas as intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interests, personality, neuropsychological and educational tests. Various controversial issues in the field of testing will also be addressed including ethics, bias, computer-based assessment, and testing of special populations. Counts toward fulfilling the Psychology major lab course requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 212 | ||
| PSYC 315 | Cognition | 4 | |
| Description of course Cognition : | This course will provide an overview of cognitive processes, the processes that collectively comprise what is commonly termed "thinking." Topics discussed will include perception, attention, remembering, language, problem solving, reasoning, and social cognition. The course will focus on how these processes operate in everyday situations, as well as empirical (laboratory) investigations of these processes. Connections between cognitive psychology and other areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, biological) will also be discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 321 | Res Issues: Social Psych | 4 | |
| Description of course Res Issues: Social Psych : | This laboratory course provides hand-on experience in the design, implementation, and presentation of a social psychology experiment. Class readings and discussion introduce social psychological research, link classic social psychological research to current social issues, and teach students to do what social psychology researchers do. Prerequisite: PSYC 212 | ||
| PSYC 322 | Sensation & Perception | 4 | |
| Description of course Sensation & Perception : | A study of the structure and function of sensory systems, the information that these systems provide the brain, and the subsequent interpretation of sensory information that we call perception. The course focuses on visual perception (e.g., brightness, color, form, depth, movement, constancy, illusions) and auditory perception (e.g., detection, discrimination, loudness, pitch) and incorporates art and music. Prerequisite: PSYC 212 | ||
| PSYC 323 | Learning and Memory | 4 | |
| Description of course Learning and Memory : | The basic concepts involved in simple associative learning are presented, along with theoretical and applied concerns. The analysis and modification of animal and human behavior by means of classical and instrumental conditioning are discussed. The course also will trace the history of the study of learning from its roots in philosophy to the current cognitive approach. Prerequisite: PSYC 212 | ||
| PSYC 327 | Spooks, Psychics & Skeptics | 0 TO 4 | |
| Description of course Spooks, Psychics & Skeptics : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 334 | Psychology for Sustainability | 4 | |
| Description of course Psychology for Sustainability : | Drawing from work in environmental psychology, ecopsychology, and conservation psychology we will address how psychological theory and research can be applied to promote a sustainable future and explore psychological aspects of the reciprocal relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world. This course will provide an overview of the basic knowledge, theories, and research methods that characterize the psychology of sustainable behavior. After completing this course, students will understand the causes and consequences of environmental degradation, understanding of the psychological underpinnings of the approaches being used to promote sustainable behavior and be able to describe important social, cultural, and policy factors that influence sustainable behavior. Prerequisite: One of the following PSYC 111, ENVR 151, ENGR 123, BIOL BIOL 102, BIOL 209, GEOL 115 OR CHEM 101, or permission of the instructor. | ||
| PSYC 342 | Psychology and Work | 4 | |
| Description of course Psychology and Work : | This course presents basic concepts of psychology as they apply everyday in the workplace. Topics to be covered include measurement and its applications in the workplace (e.g., personnel decisions and performance appraisals), worker training, worker attitudes and motivation, worker adjustment, health and safety, leadership, communication and group behavior and development of the organization. Prerequisites: PSYC 111 and junior standing | ||
| PSYC 365 | Health Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course Health Psychology : | This survey course will examine the contributions of psychological research to the understanding, prevention, and treatment of a variety of health concerns. This course will employ a biopsychosocial model, which means that we will study how social, emotional, behavioral, biological, and spiritual factors influence health. The specific topics include injury, stress, pain management, additions, sleep, patient-physician relations, and chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, and AIDS. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 | ||
| PSYC 389 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 393 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 400 | Sem/Cognitive & Lang Devel | 4 | |
| Description of course Sem/Cognitive & Lang Devel : | Current theory and research in a specific topic related to cognition. Topics will vary, but will include in-depth coverage of specific topics related to thinking and consciousness. Sample topics include (but will not be limited to) specific aspects of consciousness (e.g. Sleep and Cognition), memory (e.g. eyewitness memory or memory distortion), social cognition (e.g. stereotyping), developmental cognition (e.g. language development), cognitive neuroscience (e.g. brain mechanisms underlying attention), comparative cognition (e.g. animal language), and applied cognition (e.g. human-computer interaction). Prerequisite: PSYC 111 and one additional PSYC course or permission of the instructor. | ||
| PSYC 401 | Physiological Psychology | 4 | |
| Description of course Physiological Psychology : | This laboratory course includes study of the brain, its function and its control of behavior. Neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and biochemical substrates of behaviors associated with feeding, drinking, sex, sleep, arousal, emotion, learning and memory are examined. Prerequisites: PSYC 212; PSYC 206 or PSYC 322 or NSCI 301; and BIOL 101 or BIOL 207 or equivalent | ||
| PSYC 402 | Developmental Psych Research | 4 | |
| Description of course Developmental Psych Research : | This laboratory course presents methods and designs in developmental research methodology. The course examines observational, experimental and quasi-experimental research as well as analyses, ethics, and other core issues in developmental psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 200 or 202; and PSYC 212 | ||
| PSYC 415 | Research Issues in Cognition | 4 | |
| Description of course Research Issues in Cognition : | This laboratory course explores research issues in cognitive psychology, with special emphasis on cognitive psychology methodology, current research issues, hands-on research, and discussion/analysis of primary research sources. Specific topics covered each semester may vary slightly. Examples of topics include: subliminal perception; automatic processing; implicit memory; eyewitness testimony; memory reconstruction; expertise and problem solving; the use of heuristics in decision making; person memory. Approximately four lectures and three laboratory hours per week. Prerequisites: PSYC 212 | ||
| PSYC 422 | History of Psych in Context | 4 | |
| Description of course History of Psych in Context : | This course explores psychology's past with a special focus on events representing the discipline's sustained interest in applying science to enhance human welfare. From its early days, U.S. psychologists have applied our discipline's knowledge to solve social problems. This course examines psychology's complicity, in its early years, with questionable cultural practices and unjust social norms (e.g. the eugenics movement, racial bias). We also study the social/historical context surrounding psychology's early applications. The goal is to promote reflection on the place of psychology in the broader culture and raise awareness of the complexities inherent in using science to solve social problems, in the service of preparing students to be "morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good." Prerequisites: Senior standing and declared Psychology major | ||
| PSYC 428 | Counseling & Psychotherapy | 4 | |
| Description of course Counseling & Psychotherapy : | Theories and procedures of counseling and psychotherapy are discussed, including psychoanalysis, client-centered therapy, cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, and others. Prerequisites: PSYC 301 and three psychology courses | ||
| PSYC 476 | Experiential Learning | 1 TO 4 | |
| Description of course Experiential Learning : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 478 | Experiential Learning 0 Credit | 0 | |
| Description of course Experiential Learning 0 Credit : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 489 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PSYC 490 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PSYC 491 | Individual Research | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Research : | No description is available. | ||
| PSYC 495 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||