University of Nebraska at Kearney
College of Natural and Social Sciences

1994-96 UNK Undergraduate Catalo

Department of Psychology

Courses (PSY)

190GS. Dynamics of Personal Adjustment - 3 hours

This course is designed to help the student gain a greater awareness of interpersonal relationships.

192. Death and Dying - 1 hour

Issues of death and dying are discussed from the perspectives of medicine, psychology, religion, philosophy, law and other fields. Spring only.

203GS. General Psychology - 3 hours

The fundamental concepts of psychology as derived through the scientific investigation of behavior are described. Students have the option of selecting a class taught with the traditional lecture-discussion method or with the Personalized System of Instruction (P.S.I.) which involves self-pacing and mastery methods.

204. Advanced General Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. A more detailed investigation of some of the topics covered in General Psychology, using experiential methods to facilitate the understanding of both the content and methods of psychology.

210H. Issues in Psychology - 3 hours

The field of psychology is introduced through exposure to unresolved theoretical and social issues.

230GS. Human Development - 3 hours

Human growth and development is surveyed from the prenatal period through old age and death. Emphasis is placed on physiological, cognitive, and social/personality developments at the various age levels.

231. Abnormal Behavior and Society - 3 hours

An introduction to the various models for understanding abnormal behavior, e.g., genetic and developmental models; the descriptions of predominant mental disorders, and major modern treatment interventions. The course addresses these issues from a societal context and is recommended for those majoring in fields other than psychology, such as nursing, allied health sciences, and criminal justice majors.

250. Behavioral Statistics - 4 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203GS. College algebra is recommended. The methodology used in scientific research is described along with the special problems that psychologists face in the interpretation of research results. One laboratory each week.

270. Experimental Psychology - 4 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 250. Advanced methods in data collection are presented. Research designs and their appropriateness for specific areas of study are reviewed. One laboratory each week.

290. Special Topics - 3 hours

Topics which are not assigned or covered in other courses in the department are studied. On demand.

300. Seminar in Psychology - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270 and a declared major in Psychology. An informal review of academic, professional, and career planning issues of a psychology major.

310. Learning and Conditioning - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203GS. The concepts and principles of learning are studied in detail. Data from human and animal experimentation are considered. Spring only, even years.

310L. Learning and Conditioning Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. Aspects of conditioning and learning are demonstrated. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 310. Spring only, even years.

312. Sensation and Perception - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Sensory and perceptual systems are examined in detail. Fall only, odd years.

312L. Sensation and Perception Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. Sensory and perceptual phenomena are reviewed within a laboratory setting. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 312. On demand.

313. Physiological Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The relationships between physiological processes and human behaviors are studied. Fall only.

313L. Physiological Psychology Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. The techniques and methodology used in the study of the biological influences on behavior are introduced. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 313. Fall only.

317. Biopsychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Biopsychology deals with the interaction of biology and behavior from the molecular to the molar level. All levels of interaction are investigated. Spring only, odd years.

317L. Biopsychology Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. Biopsychology Laboratory uses the methods of Ethology and Comparative Psychology to investigate the relationship between biology and behavior. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 317. Spring only, odd years.

318. Experimental Social Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. An exploration of the theories, methods and research regarding the relationship of the individual to others and to society. Topics include person perception, interpersonal attraction, attitudes, and attitude change, conformity and leadership. Fall only.

318L. Experimental Social Psychology Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. A review of social psychological research methods, including experimental and quasi-experimental designs, unobtrusive measures, field studies, behavioral and verbal measurement, the avoidance of bias, and ethical issues in research. Fall only.

370. History and Systems of Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The ideas of individuals who have influenced the development of psychology as a science from the ancient Greeks to the 20th century are reviewed.

371. Environmental Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The relationships between behavior and natural and man-made environments are addressed. Every other year.

374. Psychology of Gender - 3 hours

Motivational levels, goals, self-concept, and various personality characteristics which differentiate between women and men are studied. Rearing differences between boys and girls and their accompanying behavioral expectations will be studied as well as the development of sex differences in intellectual and biological functions.

376. Psychology and Criminal Behavior - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Criminal behavior and rehabilitative efforts will be investigated in light of psychological research, theory and clinical experience. Various potential causes of criminal behavior will be explored. Psychology's role within the legal system will also be addressed.

380. Introduction to Clinical Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: PSY 203, junior standing. The student will be introduced to the various professional activities and settings of clinical psychologists (psychologists trained to independently assess, diagnose, and treat mental disorder.) Special emphasis will be given to psychotherapeutic interventions.

380F. Field Experience in Clinical Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: PSY 203, junior standing. Students will visit a clinical facility for three hours a week and process their learning experiences in a one hour weekly lab. Opportunities to interact with patients and staff are included. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 380. Permission of instructor required.

399. Psychology Apprenticeship Programs - 1-3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Students assist faculty members as research assistants, as classroom discussion leaders, as proctors in PSI courses, or in preparing special lectures or programs. Departmental permission required. PSI proctoring is recommended for those students preparing to take the Graduate Record Exam.

403/803P. Motivation - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The principal issues, methods, and theories of motivation are thoroughly examined. Offered on an irregular basis.

406/806P. Theories of Personality - 3 hours

Prerequisites: PSY 203, PSY 370 recommended. Personality theories from Freud to contemporary theorists are discussed.

407/807P. Psychopathology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: PSY 203. Current theoretical models and research are applied toward understanding the descriptions and causes of the predominant mental disorders. The course is based on the diagnostic system employed by most mental health professionals.

410/810P. Industrial Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The application of the concepts of psychology to people at work is addressed. Topics include personnel selection and appraisal, motivation, job satisfaction, employee development, industrial engineering, and advertising.

416/816P. Eastern Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The psychological aspects of various Eastern philosophical traditions including Sufism, Yoga, Taoism, and Buddhism are examined. The psychology of Zen is emphasized. Experiential as well as theoretical approaches are used. Fall only.

417/817P. Humanistic Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The tenets and methods of humanistic psychology, its historical roots, theoretical concepts, and how it is distinguished from Psychoanalysis and Behaviorism are reviewed. Group discussion format is used. Spring only.

430/830P. Memory and Cognition - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Topics concerning intellectual functioning are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the information processing approach to the study of mental life. Topics include perception, attention, consciousness, memory, problem solving, and language. Spring only.

430L. Memory and Cognition Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. The methodology used in the study of cognitive processes is reviewed. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 430. Spring only.

450/850P. Psychometrics - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Basic measurement concepts, the selection, administration, and interpretation of standardized tests are reviewed. Spring only, even years.

450L/850LP. Psychometrics Lab - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 203, PSY 250 recommended. Must be taken concurrently with 450/850. Practical experience in test construction and the application of concepts such as norms, standardization, reliability and validity. Spring only, even years.

453/853P. Developmental Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The psychology of child development is studied. Special emphasis is placed on experimental findings related to the development of physical, intellectual and cognitive functioning, and the development of personality. Fall only.

453L. Developmental Psychology Laboratory - 1 hour

Prerequisite: PSY 270. Methods of studying children and adolescents are investigated. Must be taken concurrently with PSY 453. Fall only, even years.

455/855P. Adolescent Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. Adolescent development is comprehensively reviewed. The intellectual, physical, and social/moral development of adolescents is discussed, along with the special problems of young adults. Offered every other year.

462/862P. Adult Development and Aging - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. The changes in physical, cognitive and social/personality development during adulthood are addressed. Offered every other year.

465/865P. Drugs and Human Behavior - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203; background in physiological psychology and/or biology is recommended. The pharmacological, physiological, and psychological effects of hypnotics, euphoriants, phantasticants, excitants, and inebriants are discussed. Spring only, even years.

470/870P. Neuropsychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: PSY 203. PSY 313 and/or PSY 317 are recommended. The relationship between human brain function and behavior is investigated. Topics include cerebral asymmetry, sensory and motor systems, functions of the association cortex, and the rationale of neuropsychological assessment. Spring only odd years.

475. Practicum - 3 hours

Prerequisites: 24 completed hours of psychology coursework and permission of the department chairman. This course gives the student the opportunity to gain experience in the application of psychological principles in various settings.

475G. Practicum in Gerontology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 15 hours in the minor and permission of the director of the gerontology program. This course gives the student the opportunity to work with professionals in the field of aging. Includes 120-180 actual contact hours during the practicum experience.

480/880P. Advanced Seminar in Psychology -

Prerequisites: At least 12 completed hours of psychology coursework, Junior/Senior/Graduate standing, and permission of the instructor. An in-depth examination of a particular topic in one of 13 designated areas of psychology. Taught in seminar format. Topics will be announced during the preceding semester. Offered on an irregular basis.

491/891. Expanded Campus Workshop - 1-3 hours

Refer to Academic Information section for description.

493. Readings in Psychology - 1-3 hours

Prerequisite: 24 completed hours of psychology coursework and permission of the department chairman. The student designs a set of readings in a chosen area of psychology. The work is completed under the supervision of the department chairman.

499. Research in Psychology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: 24 completed hours of psychology coursework, including PSY 270, and permission of the department chairman. The student engages in a research project of his/her own design. The project is supervised by a psychology faculty member.

Other Graduate Courses:

890 Directed Research, 3 hours; 896 Thesis 1-6 hours; 899 Directed Reading 1-3 hours. See Graduate Catalog for course descriptions.