Psychology (PSYC)

Associate Professor Stephanie Berger,

Chair of the Department

Associate Professor Jay Friedenberg,

Associate Chair

The Psychology Department offers a program which emphasizes both the humanistic and scientific aspects of psychology. The psychology major is designed for students: (1) who desire to study and understand human behavior, (2) who want to enter psychology as a profession, or (3) who regard psychology as liberal arts preparation for further training in the professions. In order to meet the diverse needs of students, the Department offers both a B.S. and a B.A. degree with concentrations in general psychology, counseling, developmental, educational, industrial-organization, and health psychology. These degrees are discussed in greater detail below.

The goals of the department are to provide students with the opportunity:

• to learn psychological concepts, principles, theories, and research strategies.

• to develop skills in analyzing, evaluating, and applying psychological principles and theories to their professional preparation and personal lives.

• to conduct independent study, research, and internships.

• to explore career opportunities in psychology and related areas.

Manhattan College’s Psychology Department is joined with the Psychology Department of the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Courses are offered on both campuses.

Majors: Every student who wishes to declare a major in Psychology should consult with the chair. Students must receive a minimum grade of C in a psychology course for the course to be credited to their major. Students who are considering graduate school should consult with faculty members during their junior year. All students interested in graduate study are advised to take the Graduate Record Examinations. As part of the department’s outcomes assessment initiative, all psychology majors may be required to complete a standardized psychology achievement exam during their senior year, as well as surveys measuring department and instructor effectiveness.

Requirements for a B.S. in Psychology: The B.S. degree of 36 psychology credits is recommended for students who prefer a more comprehensive exposure to psychology, especially if they plan to complete a doctorate in psychology. Students should complete the following courses: Roots: Psych (LLRN 123), Introduction to Psychology II (209), Statistics (205), Research Methods I (315), an advanced research methods course (318, 323), Social Psychology (321), Learning and Cognition (340), Child Psychology (345), either Personality (347) or Psychological Testing (302), Abnormal Psychology (421), Sensation and Perception (367), and Physiological Psychology (435). In addition, Principles of Biology I (115, 117) and Principles of Biology II (116, 118) are required. Students are strongly encouraged to take Anatomy and Physiology 207, 208. Students will need a total of 122 credits for graduation.

B.S. in Psychology (Health Concentration): Recommended for students interested in health psychology and health related fields. Students should take Roots: Psych (LLRN 123), Introduction to Psychology II (209), Statistics (205), Research Methods I (315), and an advanced research course (318, 323). Students should take the following core psychology courses: Social Psychology (321), Health and Stress (341), and Physiological Psychology (435). Students should select three of the following: Behavior Modification (210), Adulthood and Aging (320), Motivation and Emotion (333), Group Dynamics (344), Abnormal Psychology (421), Internship (375 or 475), or Research in Psychology (429, 430). Required cognate courses are Principles of Biology I (115, 117) and Principles of Biology II (116, 118) and Anatomy and Physiology (207, 208). Recommended cognate courses include Introductory Nutrition (BIOL 221), Physiology of Exercise (BIOL 306), Addiction and Habituation (HLTH 302), Health Counseling (HLTH 401), Organization and Administration of Health Programs (HLTH 404), and Culture, Health, and Illness (SOC 335).

Requirements for a B.A. in Psychology: The B.A. degree provides students with opportunity to study psychology within the context of a broader liberal arts curriculum, while exploring various career options. The B.A. degree requires 30 credits. All B.A. students should complete the following courses: Roots: Psych (LLRN 123), Introduction to Psychology II (209), Statistics (205), and Research Methods I (315). Students subsequently focus their study of psychology in one of the following concentrations: general, developmental, counseling, or industrial. Students will need a total of 120 credits for graduation.

General Concentration: Recommended for students who want to study and understand some of the most representative areas of psychology. The required core includes Social Psychology (321) or Personality (347), Learning and Cognition (340), Child Psychology (345) or Abnormal Psychology (421), and either Motivation and Emotion (333), or Sensation and Perception (367), or Physiological Psychology (435). Students can select any two 300 or 400 level psychology courses.

Developmental Concentration: Recommended for students who want to understand the developmental perspective in psychology. In addition to the required B.A. courses, the required core contains Learning and Cognition (340), Child Psychology (345), Adolescent Psychology (346) or Adulthood and Aging (320), and either Motivation and Emotion (333) or Physiological Psychology (435). Students can select two of the following courses: Behavior Modification (216), Psychological Testing (302), Psychology of the Exceptional Child (310), Psychology of Family Relations (342), Psychology of Women (343), or an Internship (375 or 475).

Education Concentration: This track is for students in the School of Education concentrating in psychology. General Psychology (203), Intro to Psychology II (209), Statistics (205), Research Methods I (315), Learning and Cognition (340), Motivation and Emotion (333), Social Psychology (321). Students must complete either Child Psychology (345) and Psychology of Adolescence (346), or Education 303. Students who completed Education 303 must take three of the following electives. Students who completed Child Psychology (345) and Adolescent Psychology (346) must complete one of the following electives: Abnormal Psychology (421), Psychology of Family Relationships (342), Psychological Testing (302), Behavior Modification (216), Psychology of Exceptional Children (310), Psychology of Women (343), Personality (347).

Counseling Concentration: Recommended for students who want to pursue career opportunities and advanced training in the counseling field. In addition to the required B.A. courses, the required core contains Psychological Testing (302), Principles and Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling (327), Abnormal Psychology (421), Contemporary Psychotherapy (437), and Physiological Psychology (435). Students can select one of the following courses: Behavior Modification (216), Psychology of Criminal and Delinquent Behavior (251), Psychology of Exceptional Children (310), Social Psychology (321), Psychology of Women (343), Child Psychology (345), or Personality (347).

Industrial Concentration: Recommended for students who are interested in industrial and organizational psychology. In addition to the required B.A. courses, the required core contains Industrial Psychology (373), Organizational Psychology (374), Psychological Testing (302), Social Psychology (321), or Group Dynamics (344), and either Motivation and Emotion (333) or Health and Stress (341). Students can select one of the following: Consumer Psychology (305), Psychology and Law (256), Adulthood and Aging (320), Psychology of Women (343), or an Internship (375 or 475).

Requirements for a Minor in Psychology: 15 approved credits, including PSYC 203 or LLRN 123 and any 12 additional credits. Students wishing to minor in psychology must consult with the chair of the department.

203. General Psychology. A survey of the fundamental concepts of the science of human and animal behavior, emphasizing human development, learning and memory, psychological testing, personality, and abnormal behavior. Not open to students who have taken LLRN 123. (Cr.3)

204. Introduction to Psychology. This core curriculum psychology course will provide students with a fundamental grasp of the research, principles, and theories of psychology. Students will acquire a better understanding of their behavior through the coverage of such topics as development, motivation, learning, memory, personality and abnormal behavior. (Cr.3)

This course is for College of Mount Saint Vincent students only.

205. Statistics. Application and interpretation of descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and regression, student’s t-tests, and analysis of variance. Statistical computer packages will be used for data analysis. Prerequisite: PSYC 209 (Cr.3)

209. Introduction to Psychology II. This course will provide students with a fundamental grasp of the application of the scientific method to the study of psychology. Topics include research methodology, biological bases of animal and human behavior, intelligence, problem solving, motivation and emotion. Prerequisite: PSYC 203, LLRN 123, or PSYC 204. (Cr.3)

216. Behavior Modification. A survey of the principles of learning as applied to selected problems of behavior. (Cr.3)

251. The Psychology of Delinquent and Criminal Behavior. A survey of psychosocial causes of criminal behavior. Topics include the antisocial personality, drug abuse, neuropsychological components of criminality, and the critical evaluation of detection methods. (Cr.3)

256. Psychology and Law. An analysis of the interface between psychology and law in areas such as jury selection, sentencing, the insanity plea, eyewitness testimony, and psychiatric evaluation of defendants. (Cr.3)

All 300 and 400 level courses require PSYC 203 or LLRN 123 or PSYC 204.

302. Psychological Testing. A survey of the various tests available to psychologists, including intelligence, achievement, aptitudes, and personality tests. The student is not trained for clinical interpretations. Prerequisite: PSYC 205. (Cr.3)

305. Consumer Psychology. An analysis of consumer behavior from a psychological perspective. Topics include the impact of motivation, information processing, memory, personality, attitudes, and lifestyles on consumer decision processes and purchases. (Cr.3)

Not open to students who have taken MKTG 307.

310. Psychology of Exceptional Children. Study of the characteristics of atypical children. Emphasis on understanding, treatment and prevention of problems of the mentally, physically, and emotionally exceptional child. Two hours of field work will replace one class lecture period. (Cr.3)

315. Research Methods I. This course examines the application of the scientific method in psychology, focusing on the experimental approach. Laboratory exercises, library research, and writing research reports are required. Prerequisite: PSYC 205. (Cr.3)

318. Research Methods in Cognition. An examination of research methods, particularly the experiment, and theoretical approaches to the human process of cognition: perception, memory, thinking, problem solving, and decision-making. Experimentation in these areas and laboratory reports are required. Prerequisite: PSYC 315. (Cr.3)

319. Childhood and Adolescence. This course will survey the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of the person from conception through adolescence. The essential research and theories explaining the development of language, conceptual skills, interpersonal skills, and personality will be discussed and evaluated. (Cr.3)

This course is for College of Mount Saint Vincent students only and may not be taken by Psychology Majors.

320. Adulthood and Aging. This course will examine the physical, social, emotional, intellectual alterations occurring in adulthood and old age. The fundamental research and theories explaining the stages and developmental tasks of adulthood will be described and evaluated. (Cr.3)

321. Social Psychology. A study of the processes by which the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings of the individual are influenced by his/her social environment. Topics include social perception and attribution, attitude development and change; interpersonal attraction and interpersonal relations such as friendship. (Cr.3)

323. Research Methods in Social Psychology. An examination of research techniques, recent theoretical models, and issues within the area of personality and social psychology. Field and laboratory studies will be designed, implemented, and reported. Prerequisite: PSYC 315. (Cr.3)

327. Principles and Techniques of Interviewing and Counseling. In-depth exploration of techniques for establishing a stable working relationship with a client; examination of prominent contemporary approaches to interviewing and counseling from theoretical and practical standpoints. (Cr.3)

329. Cognitive Science. Cognitive science is the scientific interdisciplinary study of mind. Surveys major theories of mind from different perspectives, including philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, networks, evolution, linguistics, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

330. Special Topics in Psychology. New course offerings in any area of psychology. Descriptions of specific topics will be posted in the psychology department. Specific requirements will depend upon the topic. (Cr.3)

333. Motivation and Emotion. An introduction to human motivation and its interaction with emotions, surveying the research and theories of motivational states such as hunger, sex, affiliation, and aggression and of emotions such as love, fear, and anger. (Cr.3)

336. Advanced Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. Advanced statistical analyses will be covered, including complex analysis of variance, non-parametric procedures, and multivariate analysis techniques applicable to behavioral sciences research. Advanced computer statistical packages will be employed. Prerequisite: PSYC 205. (Cr.3)

340. Learning and Cognition. The course surveys the fundamental operations of the mind as viewed from an information processing perspective. Attention, perception, the representation of knowledge, memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and language are studied. (Cr.3)

341. Psychology of Health and Stress. The study of the psychological processes that affect health with a focus on stress and stress management. Topics include: psychological analysis of health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors and psychobiological perspectives on pain management, chronic illness, and terminal illness. (Cr.3)

342. Psychology of Family Relationships. The study of love, intimacy, and commitment in traditional and non-traditional families. Topics include: dating, communication, sexuality, and parenting. (Cr.3)

343. Psychology of Women. An introduction to the psychology of women, surveying psychological, social, and biological determinants of behavior. Topics such as sex differences in motivation and personality, variation in the contemporary roles of women, and alternate lifestyles are discussed and analyzed. (Cr.3)

344. Group Dynamics. An introduction to small group processes, including theory, research, and application. Topics include leadership, power, decision-making, and conflict. (Cr.3)

345. Psychology of Childhood. Study of the physical, mental, emotional and social development of the child from conception to adolescence. (Cr.3)

346. Psychology of Adolescence. Study of the physical, mental, emotional and social development of the adolescent. (Cr.3)

347. Personality. An examination of the research and theories explaining the development of personality and its functioning. (Cr.3)

360, 460. Independent Study in Psychology. This course is designed to allow psychology majors to pursue an area of special interest in psychology. Students must present a preparatory outline to qualify. Permission of the faculty mentor, department chair, and the Dean of the School of Arts are required at the time of registration. (Cr.3, 3)

367. Sensation and Perception. This course explores how we see and hear. Topics include: color vision, object perception, perception of depth, size, and motion. Particular attention is paid to Gestalt psychology and the perception of illusions and ambiguous figures. (Cr.3)

373. Industrial Psychology. The application of psychological principles and methods to the study of individuals and groups in the workplace. Topics include: personnel selection, placement, and evaluation; training and development; and human factors engineering. (Cr.3)

374. Organizational Psychology. An analysis of human behavior in organizations. Topics include organizational structures and dynamics, motivation and job satisfaction, management styles, and problems in human relations. (Cr.3)

375, 475. Internship. The internship provides students with the opportunity to explore the ways in which psychologists function in various institutional settings. Students are required to sign a contract which specifies the number of hours or days that will be spent in the institution, the responsibilities that must be fulfilled, and the project that must be completed. A contract signed by the work supervisor, the faculty mentor, the internship coordinator, the department chair, and the Dean of the School of Arts is required at the time of registration. (Cr.3, 3)

415. History and Problems in Psychology. A survey of the historical background of psychology. Topics include theoretical approaches (e.g., structuralism, functionalism) as well as critical issues (e.g., environment vs. genetics). (Cr.3)

421. Abnormal Psychology. The course surveys a variety of psychological disorders ranging from anxiety to depression and schizophrenia. Current theories regarding their causes are discussed and compared. Approaches to treating the disorders are also covered with particular emphasis on the psychotherapies and associated behavioral techniques. (Cr.3)

429-430. Research in Psychology. Supervised participation in research design, data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results in conjunction with ongoing research projects in psychology. Permission of the faculty mentor, the department chair, and the Dean of the School of Arts are required at the time of registration. (Cr.3)

435. Physiological Psychology. An analysis of the biological factors underlying behavior with emphasis on anatomy and functions of the nervous system. Topics include: behavioral genetics and the neurophysiological substrates of learning, motivation, and abnormal behavior. Fall, Spring. (Cr.3)

437. Contemporary Psychotherapy. Contemporary forms of psychotherapy are discussed and critically evaluated including psychoanalysis, behaviorism, Gestalt, and humanistic therapies. (Cr.3)