Dedman College
(2010 Undergraduate Catalog)
Psychology
www.smu.edu/psychology
Professor Ernest Jouriles,
Department Chair
Professors: Alan Brown, George Holden, Ernest Jouriles, Thomas Ritz.
Associate Professors: Robert Hampson, Renee McDonald, David Rosenfield, Jasper Smits.
Assistant Professors: Austin Baldwin, Georita Frierson, Alicia Meuret, Amy Pinkham, Lorelei Simpson.
Lecturers: Michael Crow, Susan Hornstein, Chris Logan.
Visiting Lecturer: James Calvert.
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Practicum, individual research and independent study courses (PSYC 3099, 3199, 3299, 3399, 4395) may be taken only on a pass/fail basis. Such courses will not count toward the major.
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PSYC 1300 must be successfully completed before declaring a psychology minor. Nine hours of the 18 hours needed for the minor must be at the 3000 level or above. The minor requires three PSYC courses chosen from the following: PSYC 2301, 2314, 2319, 2351, 3310, 3360, 4320, 3370.
The student must also complete two elective courses in psychology (six hours) at the 3000 level or higher. Practicum, individual research and independent study courses (PSYC 3099, 3199, 3299, 3399, 4395) may be taken only on a pass/fail basis. Such courses will not count toward the minor.
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1300. Introduction to Psychology. Broad introduction to psychology as a behavioral science, with special emphasis on cognition, development, learning, social interaction, personality, and physiological and clinical psychology (psychopathology and psychotherapy).
2301. Research Methods in Psychology. Design and evaluation of psychological research with emphasis on scientific method, data collection, experimentation, control procedures, validity, reliability and report-writing skills. This is a challenging and rigorous class in research; required for psychology majors.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1300.
2314. Developmental Psychology. A survey of the processes and variables that influence the development of the fetus, infant, child and adolescent. Emphasis is on theories and research in such areas as perceptual, cognitive, language, social/emotional and moral development.
2319. Social Psychology. Addresses the question of how individuals' thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by their social environment; includes topics such as attitude change, conformity, attraction, aggression and small-group behavior.
2351. Abnormal Psychology. A study of the theories, causes, assessment, and treatment of abnormal behavior, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders and other forms of psychopathology in adults. There is an examination of the continuum of normal and abnormal behavior with consideration of historical and cultural perspectives, ethical concerns and research methodologies in understanding psychological disorders.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional psychology course hours; or instructor approval.
3099, 3199, 3299, 3399. Research Training. Supervised research experience in faculty research projects in labs, clinics or field settings. May involve library research, participant recruitment, data collection, data input and analysis.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301. Instructor consent required.
3310. Memory and Cognition. A survey of how information is encoded, stored and retrieved in adults. Topics may include attentional processes, perception, verbal learning and memory.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional course hours, or instructor approval.
3335. Psychology of the Family. A basic introduction to understanding the family. Topics include coupling and dating, parenting of young and older children, and progression to older age. Other topics include understanding competent family functioning, dealing with health and illness, and family counseling.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
3360. Health Psychology. A basic introduction to the subject. Topics include causes and correlates of health, illness, and dysfunction, as well as the interplay of emotions, cognitions, and behavioral/physical factors.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional course hours, or instructor approval.
3364. Forensic Psychology. Examination of the interface between psychology and the legal system, focusing in particular on the role of mental health experts in criminal trials and civil disputes.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
3365. Organizational Psychology. Psychological principles applied to organizations, both business and volunteer, emphasizing a systems approach and including personnel selection, leadership, motivation, communication, group dynamics, and an overview of organizational developments.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
3370. Personality. An examination of theories that address the underlying bases of personality and the causes of individual differences. Emphasis is placed on the normal personality, but the causes of abnormal personality development are also considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
3371. Psychology of Women. This course focuses on understanding women as individuals. Personality theories will be considered as they relate particularly to women. Modern women's options and conflicts, motives and values, and their perceptions of their individuality in the face of rapid social change will be examined.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4320. Biological Psychology. An advanced overview of the topic. Classes focus on understanding perception, consciousness and sleep, motor behavior emotion, and learning with evidence from biological and medical fields. Students will learn basic anatomy, physiology and research methods. Applications to research and treatment will be addressed.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4321. Behavioral Action of Drugs. Principles of drugs and behavior. Classification and chemical effects of behaviorally active drugs. Influences of environmental, response and task variables, as well as evaluation and treatment of addiction will be addressed.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4325. Psychology of Emotions. An advanced introduction to the topic, with a focus on theory as well as psychological and psychobiological research on humans and animals. Central topics to be considered are the role that cognitions, culture, language, and nervous system play in determining emotions. Classes include group projects and demonstrations.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4333. Domestic Violence and Children. Overview of research and theory on domestic violence and its effects on children. Applied component involves working with children in a domestic violence shelter and on research projects involving at-risk children and adolescents.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, and instructor approval.
4334. Psychological Disorders of Children. Theories, causes, assessment, and treatment of abnormal behavior from infancy through adolescence. Topics include behavioral and emotional disorders, as well as developmental and learning problems. Historical and cultural perspectives, ethics, and research methods are also addressed.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4339. Psychology of Aging. An exploration of the biological, psychological and sociocultural influences on adult development and aging. Difficulties specific to older adults such as elder abuse and neurodegenerative diseases are also covered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4341. Social Cognition. Surveys social perception and cognition, including person perception, nonverbal communication, emotional expression, accuracy and stereotyping. Ecological, evolutionary and cognitive theoretical approaches are considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301, 2319, or instructor approval.
4342. Close Relationships. Course covers research and theory in the psychology of close relationships, including different theoretical perspectives; emphasis on attraction, relationship development and maintenance, communication, conflict resolution, and dissolution.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4352. Introduction to Clinical Psychology. A survey of the important issues and subfields of clinical psychology from the viewpoint of the scientist-practitioner model. Research, assessment, diagnosis and theories in the area of psychotherapy are covered. Intended for students contemplating graduate school in clinical psychology or related fields.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4363. Conflict Resolution. This class covers research and theory in the psychology of interpersonal conflict, and mechanisms for resolving, managing or avoiding conflict. Emphasized domains are alternative dispute resolution, close relationships, the workplace and international conflict.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301, 2319, or instructor approval.
4381. Special Topics. Designed to cover topics that may have temporary or limited interest.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
4395. Practicum/Internship. An intensive study of interpersonal helping relationships based upon psychological theories and research findings. The emphasis will be upon supervised personal involvement with others.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301. Instructor consent required
5381. Special Topics. Designed to cover topics that may have temporary or limited interest.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1300, 2301 and three additional psychology course hours, or instructor approval.
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