Psychology

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. The social, emotional, and physical development and functioning of humans and non-humans are investigated to help students understand themselves, other people, and the organisms that inhabit the earth. The program explores how behavioral choices are made and how these are influenced by the interaction of genetic inheritance with the physical and social environment. Coursework includes topics covering brain function and drug effects to motivation, memory, and learning to human sexuality, social influence, human development, abnormal behavior, and therapy methods.

Psychology provides access to employment in counseling, social services, personnel, marketing, and teaching. A psychology degree also prepares students for graduate work in experimental and clinical psychology and related areas, such as special education, social work, business, communications, law school, and health care.

See the Psychology page for program and contact information.

Programs

Transfer

Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer

Courses

PSY 101 Applied Psychology (3 Credits)

Introduces the basic foundation of psychology to degree-seeking students and career and technical students. Focuses on practical applications of psychological principles in the workplace and everyday life. Topics include motivation, emotions, individual development, identifying problem behavior, coping resources, group dynamics and communication skills.

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PSY 199 Selected Topics: Psychology (1-4 Credits)

This course is in development.

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PSY 201 Mind and Brain (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Introduces psychology as a scientific study of the biological bases of behavior. Includes history of psychology as a science and surveys methods of inquiry, statistics, sensation, perception, states of consciousness including drug effects, motivation, emotion, learning, memory, language, thinking and intelligence. The major theoretical approaches to psychology are included.

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PSY 202 Mind and Society (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Emphasizes psychology as a scientific process, surveying methods of inquiry. Overview of selected areas of psychological study including: human development through the life span; human sexuality; health psychology; personality theories and assessment; psychological disorders; intervention and therapy; social psychology, and human factors psychology. The major theoretical approaches to psychology are included.

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PSY 204 Research Methods: Design and Analysis (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Learn scientific method and deepen your appreciation of why it is a valuable method for learning about the world. Teaches scientific concepts and terminology, how the scientific literature is used to generate hypotheses and interpret research findings, how research studies are designed, how data are collected and managed, and how statistics are used to understand data. Class will include discussions of parametric and nonparametric analyses, between subject designs, within subject designs, differences between experimental and correlational research and the differences between qualitative and quantitative data.

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PSY 210 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Introduces cognitive psychology, a sub-discipline within psychology that focuses on the mental structures and processes that make sensation, perception, attention, memory, learning, language, problem solving and decision making possible. Gain fundamental knowledge that is applicable to every area of modern psychology.

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PSY 213 Introduction to Physiological Psychology (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: BI 121, BI 122, BI 231, BI 232, BI 233 or PSY 201.

This course provides a scientific introduction to the brain's anatomy and function. It builds a foundation for understanding sensory and motor systems, brain rhythms and brain plasticity. Essential neurophysiological processes that underlie topics such as human development, cognitive and emotional behavior, gender, and psychological disorders will be presented.

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PSY 215 Developmental Psychology (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Comprehensive study of human development over the life span from prenatal through late adult development. Focuses on physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes throughout the human life cycle and emphasizes an interactionist approach to explain developmental processes and outcomes. The major theoretical approaches to psychology are included.

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PSY 216 Social Psychology (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: PSY 202 or SOC 201; WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Surveys the influence of psychological processes on groups and the influence of culture, society, and groups on individuals. Includes analysis and exploration of behavior from a social psychology perspective. Includes topics such as aggression, prejudice, conformity, affiliation, altruism, persuasion, interpersonal attraction, social cognition, conflict resolution, attitude formation and change, and applied social psychology.

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PSY 219 Abnormal Psychology (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Introductory survey of the variety of emotional, mental and behavioral disorders experienced by humans. History, theoretical perspectives, diagnostic criteria and issues, etiology and treatment strategies are covered for the major forms of psychopathology.

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PSY 227 Animal Behavior (4 Credits)

This course will cover the fundamental aspects of animal behavior: how and why animals behave and how animal behavior is studied. Topics include mechanisms of behavior, behavioral ecology, feeding, predation, mating, parenting, communication and social behavior.

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PSY 228 Positive Psychology (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

This course explores the components necessary to help a person flourish in their environment by addressing the biopsychosocial aspects that contribute to positive behaviors and human strengths. Material will provide an overview of the theories of happiness, importance of self-care and positive social cognitions, utilizing strengths in personal and professional venues, and means of achieving healthy relationships personally and with one's community.

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PSY 233 Psychology of Violence & Aggression (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.

Addresses the developmental, social, physiological and cultural aspects that contribute to violence and aggression as well as the legal issues involved. Includes an overview of the theories of aggression, as well as factors influencing family violence, violent children, mob mentality, hate crimes, war and terrorism, stalking, sex crimes and murder.

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PSY 250 Readings in Psychology (1 Credit)

Prerequisites: Instructor approval.

Provides a scientific introduction to how to critically read and discuss scientific literature.

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PSY 261 Indonesian Field Study I: Preparation to Study Abroad (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: Instructor approval based on completion of Field Study Readiness Checklist.

This course is the first of a three-class sequence. Prepares students for international field research training about conservation, sustainability and biodiversity. Topics include Indonesian people, culture and history, Indonesian language. Students will development and design a conservation-related field research project that will be conducted in Indonesia.

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PSY 262 Indonesian Field Study II: Global Health: Field Training and Research (6 Credits)

Prerequisites: PSY 261 and instructor approval based on completion of requirements outlined in PSY 261.

This course is conducted in Indonesia. Provides hands-on field research training and outreach experiences related to international conservation, sustainability and biodiversity. Student projects developed in PSY 261 are conducted in this course. P/NP grading.

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PSY 263 Indonesian Field Study III: Communicating Indonesian Field Experience (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: PSY 262 and instructor approval based on completion of requirements outlined in PSY 261 and PSY 262.

Provides the opportunity to summarize, reflect, and discuss experiences with international field study and field research techniques completed in PSY 262 in Indonesia. Includes formal and informal presentation styles; discusses oral, written and visual formats for scientific communication. P/NP grading.

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PSY 280 Co-op Work Experience Psychology (1-4 Credits)

Prerequisites: instructor approval.

Provides experience in which students apply previous classroom learning in an occupational setting. Credits depend on the number of hours worked. P/NP grading.

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PSY 298 Independent Study: Psychology (1-4 Credits)

Prerequisites: instructor approval.

Recommended preparation: prior coursework in the discipline.

Individualized, advanced study to focus on outcomes not addressed in existing courses or of special interest to a student. P/NP grading.

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PSY 299 Selected Topics: Psychology (1-4 Credits)

This course is in development.

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