Courses of Instruction
(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students
PSYC 1a Introduction to Psychology
[ ss ]
A survey of contemporary scientific psychology. Topics include brain and behavior, perception, learning, cognitive processes, plasticity, intelligence, child and adult development, personality, social behavior, and the relationship between normal and abnormal behavior. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Sekuler and Staff
NPSY 11b Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a or MATH 10a, or permission of the instructor. This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken PSYC 11b in previous years.
Data and theories regarding current conceptions of brain-behavior relationships. Begins with an introduction to neural systems as classically defined (sensory, association, motor, autonomic), and moves on to examination of the biological underpinnings of various behaviors, from those relating to basic drives (reproduction, feeding) to those with a cognitive flavor. Throughout, the accent is on interactions between organisms and environment (learning). Usually offered every year.
Mr. Katz
NPSY 12a Sensory Processes
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or MATH 10a, or permission of the instructor.
Examines the human senses, emphasizing sight and hearing, studied from standpoints of anatomy, physiology, and psychophysics. Insights from the study of special observers including developmentally immature humans, members of nonhuman species, and people with abnormal sensory systems. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Sekuler
PSYC 13b Perception
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
A survey of the field including topics such as visual directions, stereoscopic vision, monocular size-distance and shape-slant perception, perception of motion and movement. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Hershenson
PSYC 14a Comparative Psychology
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
The analysis of the behavior of organisms from a comparative and evolutionary perspective considering genetic, humoral, sensory, and experiential factors in the control of behavior. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Wodinsky
PSYC 15a Biological Bases of Motivation
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
Topics include hunger, thirst, migration, and sexual behavior. Evidence from biology, neurophysiology, and endocrinology is evaluated. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Wodinsky
NPSY 16a Motor Control (formerly PSYC 127a)
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: NPSY 11b, or NPSY 12a, or permission of the instructor.
Surveys control of vertebrate posture and movement, various perspectives including muscle properties, reflex organization, central pattern generation, spatial representations, learning, and development. Emphasizes research in physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and computational theory. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. DiZio
PSYC 21a Learning and Behavior
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
Current theories of learning will be explored in the light of experimental evidence derived from animal roles. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Wodinsky
NPSY 22b Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a or MATH 10a, and sophomore standing in psychology or neuroscience.
Cognitive factors in sensory processes, attention, memory, motor control, plasticity, and language. Experimental and neuroimaging approaches are emphasized. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Sekuler
PSYC 31a Personality
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
Covers major personality theories and related research. Emphasis will be on application of theory, issues in personality assessment, and personality development across the life span. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Lachman and Staff
PSYC 32a Abnormal Psychology
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
A general introduction to psychopathology. Various theoretical models will be discussed. The techniques and findings of research, clinical and experimental, will be emphasized. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Knight
PSYC 33a Developmental Psychology
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
An examination of normal development from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is given to theoretical issues and processes of development with an emphasis on how biological and environmental influences interact. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Watson
PSYC 34b Social Psychology
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
An introduction to theory and research on the psychological processes that relate the individual to his or her larger social world in terms of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Topics include attitudes, social perception, prejudice and discrimination, attraction, behavior in groups, and the role of culture. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Isaacowitz
PSYC 36b Adolescence and the Transition to Maturity
[ ss wi ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a
Examines the core issues (identity, intimacy, sexuality, spirituality, etc.) that define development during adolescence. Heavy emphasis is placed on the integration of research and theory in understanding adolescence. Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 37a The Psychology of Adult Development and Aging (formerly PSYC 101b)
[ ss ]
Describes the sensory, cognitive, personality, and social changes that occur in normal aging. Emphasis on pathways to successful aging in the context of a shifting balance of gains and losses in psychological and physical functioning. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Isaacowitz and Ms. Lachman
PSYC 38a Seminar in Health Psychology (formerly PSYC 131b)
[ wi ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a.
An examination of the social and psychological factors important for well-being, physical health, and effective medical care. Psychological perspectives are applied to such topics as health promotion and compromise, the stress-illness relationship, social relations, chronic illness, death and dying, and health care provider and patient interactions. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Sherman
PSYC 51a Statistics
[ ss qr ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a or the permission of the instructor. Students must consult with department one semester before anticipated enrollment. This course normally should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
Covers the fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics. Techniques useful in the behavioral sciences will be emphasized. Students learn the theory of statistical decisions, practical application of statistical software, and how to analyze journal articles. Usually offered every semester.
Messrs. DiZio and Fiser
PSYC 52a Research Methods and Laboratory in Psychology
[ wi ss qr ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a and 51a. In order to pre-enroll in this course, students must consult with the department one semester before anticipated enrollment. This course normally should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken PSYC 152a in previous years. Refer to the Schedule of Classes each semester for information regarding applicaibility to the writing intensive requirement.
The laboratory/lecture offers supervised practice in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and formal presentation of experimental results. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. DiZio and Staff
PSYC 92a Internship and Analysis in Psychology
Provides an opportunity for the student to supplement an off-campus internship experience with a related academic project. The specific requirements of the research component are negotiated by the student and the sponsoring faculty member. Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 93a Independent Research in Psychological Sciences
Supervised research experience in a psychology laboratory environment, culminating in a research proposal or report. Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 98a Readings in Psychological Literature
Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 98b Readings in Psychological Literature
Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 99d Senior Research
Usually offered every year.
Staff
(100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students
NPSY 120b Man in Space
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 52a and PHYS 10a. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Topics include how orbital flight is achieved, spacecraft life support systems, circulatory dynamics, sensory-motor control and vestibular function in free fall, and the physiological and psychological adaptations necessary in space flight, and how astronauts must readapt on return to Earth. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Lackner
NPSY 125a Advanced Topics in Perception and Adaptation
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: MATH 10b, NBIO 104b, and PHYS 10a.
Covers current issues and theories in vision, vestibular function, proprioception, and adaptation to unusual force environments from psychological and biological perspectives. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Lackner
NPSY 128b Motor Control, Orientation, and Adaptation
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NBIO 140b.
A seminar critically reviewing and discussing current research about spatially adapted animal movement. The analysis focuses on behavioral properties, biophysics, and neural substrates. Topics include sensorimotor transformations, learning, memory, context specificity, and sensorimotor adaptation. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. DiZio
PSYC 130b Life Span Development: Adulthood and Old Age
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, 31a or 33a, 51a, 52a , or permission of the instructor. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Seminar on advanced topics in life span developmental theory and methodology. Substantive emphasis will be on cognitive, personality, social, and physical changes that occur in midlife and later life. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Lachman
PSYC 133a Seminar in Nonverbal Communication
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, 51a, and 52a or permission of the instructor. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Seminar in advanced topics in nonverbal communication covering theoretical and methodological issues. Topics will include the nonverbal communication of one or more attributes (emotion, demographic qualities, identity, and personality traits) through various modalities (face, voice, body) and the factors that influence the accuracy of nonverbal communication. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Zebrowitz
PSYC 134a Emotions and Well-Being
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, PSYC 34b, PSYC 51a, PSYC 52a. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Who is happy? Are emotions universal? Investigates psychological theory and research on emotion and well-being. Considers the nature of emotional experience, and focuses on the causes and consequences of well-being and happiness. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Isaacowitz
PSYC 135b Seminar in Social Cognition
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, 34b, 51a, 52a (formerly 152a), or permission of the instructor.
Considers the general nature of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, theoretical explanations for these phenomena, and methods for assessing them. Specific examples of stereotyping are discussed in light of research methods and theoretical issues. Attention is given to stereotype accuracy, self-fulfilling prophecy effects, and mechanisms for coping with stereotypes. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Zebrowitz
PSYC 136b Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 33a, PSYC 52a and permission of intructor. Juniors and seniors have priority for enrollment. Although topics vary from year to year, the course may NOT be repeated for credit. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Provides students with detailed information about theories and special topics of research in developmental psychology. Usually offered every other year.
Mr. Watson
NPSY 137b Cognitive Modeling
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: MATH 10b, and PSYC 51a or NBIO 136b, or permission of the instructor.
A general introduction to the construction and simulation of mathematical models of human cognitive processes. The major emphasis will be on models of human learning and memory. Students will be expected to have some background in computer programming. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Fiser
PSYC 145b Aging in a Changing World
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, 51a, 52a, or permission of the instructor. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Psychological issues related to the aging process are examined in a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics include intellectual functioning, memory loss, personality changes, and physiological changes in later life. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Isaacowitz and Ms. Lachman
PSYC 150b Organizational Behavior
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, PSYC 51a, and PSYC 52a.
Covers the fundamentals of industrial/organizational psychology, including the topics of leadership, work motivation, organizational culture, organizational structure, group dynamics, perception, decision-making, and cross-cultural interaction. Assignments include group project analysis of real organizational dilemma using concepts covered in class. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Molinsky
NPSY 154a Human Memory
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 22b.
Presents a systematic analysis of current memory research and theory with an emphasis on visual learning experiments and neural network models. Usually offered every third year.
Staff
PSYC 155a Perceptual Development
[ ss ]
Seminar will discuss current issues in the development of visual space perception. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Hershenson
NPSY 159a Advanced Topics in Episodic Memory
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NBIO 140b or NPSY 154a, and permission of the instructor.
Deals with current topics in the study of episodic memory. Discussions and readings on topics such as memory for temporal order, category learning, associative symmetry, item versus associative recognition, theories of search in free recall, and the memory systems controversy. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
PSYC 160b Seminar on Sex Differences
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a, 51a, 52a or permission of the instructor. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement.)
Considers research evidence bearing on sex differences in the cognitive domain and in the social domain, evaluating this evidence in light of biological, cultural, and social-cognitive theories as well as methodological issues. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Zebrowitz
PSYC 161a Clinical Psychology Practicum I
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a and 31a or 32a. Students must enroll in this course in order to enroll in PSYC 161b and should only enroll in this course if they are also able to enroll in 161b in the spring semester.
In conjunction with PSYC 161b, provides intensive supervised experience in mental health intervention. Students serve in helping roles as volunteers for eight hours a week in social service and mental health programs. They relate their experience to empirical and literary readings within the context of group supervision in weekly seminars. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cunningham
PSYC 161b Clinical Psychology Practicum II
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: Students may enroll in the course only if they have completed PSYC 161a in the previous semester.
In conjunction with PSYC 161a, provides intensive supervised experience in mental health intervention. Students serve in helping roles as volunteers for eight hours a week in social service and mental health programs. They relate their experience to empirical and literary readings within the context of group supervision in weekly seminars. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cunningham
PSYC 164b Social Relations and Health Across the Lifespan
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, PSYC 51a, and 52a.
Examines ways in which our relationships with others are intricately interwined with many aspects of our health across the human lifespan. Discusses the current literature related to social relations and occurrence of, and coping with, specific diseases (e.g., AIDS, cancer, heart disease, arthritis) and the relationship of social relations to prevention of illness. Considers issues of gender, race/ethnicity, and other social categories that interact with social relations and health in adulthood. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Sherman
PSYC 167b Schools of Psychotherapy
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a and 32a. (Latter may be taken concurrently.)
The theories and techniques of several schools of psychotherapy and behavior modification are considered. The theories of personality, methods of intervention, goals of therapy, and relevant research will be emphasized. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Knight
NPSY 168b Electrophysiology of Human Memory
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 51a, NBIO 140b, NPSY 22b.
Laboratory course covering experimental methods and data analysis of electroencephalographic recordings during memory tasks. Projects involve data collection using a 128 channel EEG system. Topics cover time and frequency based methods as well as source modeling. Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 169b Disorders of Childhood
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, 33a, or permission of the instructor. Seniors and juniors have priority for admission. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Issues of theory, research, and practice in the areas of child and family psychopathology and treatment are reviewed in the context of normal developmental processes. Usually offered every fall.
Mr. Cunningham
NPSY 174b Visual Cognition
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 12a or permission of the instructor. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Higher-order processes in vision. Visual impact of cognitive and other top-down influences, including attention, expectation, plasticity, and learning. Focus on visual recognition, contour formation, segmentation, temporal binding, and face and object perception. Studies of visual perception in brain-damaged individuals. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Sekuler
NPSY 175b The Neuroscience of Vision
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 12a or permission of the instructor. (Satisfies Research Intensive requirement)
Examines the neural basis of human vision from several complementary perspectives. Relates visual capacities of human observers to the structure and function of the visual system. Considers computational and functional neuroimaging approaches to vision. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Sekuler
PSYC 180a Social Neuroscience and Culture
[ sn ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a, 51a, and 52a, or permission of the instructor.
Introduction to empirical research on a breadth of social neuroscience topics-- including the self, stereotyping, and moral reasoning--with a more focused coverage of culture. Emphasis will be placed on literature comparing Eastern and Western cultures. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Gutchess
PSYC 183a Social Cognition from a Cognitive Science Perspective
[ ss ]
This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken LING 183a in previous years.
In order for an organism to behave socially, it must have internalized knowledge of the distinctions and options available for social and cultural interaction. Explores the character of such knowledge, drawing on literature in ethology and evolutionary psychology and on parallels with linguistics. Usually offered every third year.
Staff
PSYC 193b Tests and Measurements
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: PSYC 1a and 51a.
Covers test theory, types of measurement, the theory and measurement of reliability and validity, and test construction. The measurement of intelligence, achievement, and personality are considered. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Knight
PSYC 195a History of Psychology
[ ss ]
Structuralism, Gestalt theory, William James (Consciousness), Functionalism, Behaviorism, Learning theories, Psychoanalysis, Piaget, cognitive theories, etc. Recommended for students taking the psychology GRE. Usually offered every semester.
Mr. Hershenson
NPSY 196b Advanced Topics in Cognition
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 159a or permission of the instructor.
This seminar covers current issues and research in memory, speech perception, and processing resource limitations. Emphasis will be placed on the current literature in the field. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Wingfield
NPSY 197a Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisites: NPSY 11b and NBIO 140b, or permission of the instructor.
Covers current research and issues pertaining to the neurobiology of perception (focusing mainly but not exclusively on perception of chemosensory signals) as well as the neurobiology of simple learning. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Katz
NPSY 199a Human Neuropsychology
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 22b, or NBIO 140b, or permission of the instructor.
Designed as an introduction to human neuropsychology. Topics include cerebral dominance, neuroanatomical mapping, and localization of function, with special reference to language, memory, and related cognitive function. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Wingfield
(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
NPSY 207b Seminar in Perception
Prerequisites: MATH 10b, NBIO 140b, and PHYS 10a.
Examines the various aspects of visual, vestibular, motor, and proprioceptive information by which objects and events in three-dimensional space are perceived by human observers. Current research in psychology and artificial intelligence is considered. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Lackner
PSYC 210a Advanced Psychological Statistics I
In conjunction with PSYC 210b, this course teaches students how to do independent data analysis in psychology at a Ph.D. level. Topics include methods for describing data, exploratory data analysis, elementary probability theory, null hypothesis significance testing and alternatives, the binomial distribution, contingency table analysis, one-way and factorial analysis of variance, and repeated measures analysis. Students receive extensive instruction in the use of the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Usually offered every year.
Mr. Cross
PSYC 210b Advanced Psychological Statistics II
Prerequisite: PSYC 210a.
This course is a continuation of PSYC 210a. Topics include statistical power analysis, simple correlation and regression, multiple regression, nonparametric statistics, an introduction of logistic regression, and a brief introduction to multivariate procedures. Students learn to use multiple regression as a general data analytic system. More advanced instruction in SPSS is also provided. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Liu
PSYC 211a Graduate Research Methods in Psychology
A required course for all masters degree students, first-year doctoral students in the Social Developmental Program, and selected undergraduate students by permission of the instructor. Students who are interested in this course must consult with the department one semester before anticipated enrollment.
The lecture offers supervised practice in research design, including experimental and correlational designs, data analysis and interpretation, and formal presentation of research results. Usually offered every year in the fall semester.
Ms. Lachman and Ms. Zebrowitz
PSYC 215a Multivariate Statistics I: Applied Structural Equation Modeling
Prerequisites: PSYC 210a and 210b or equivalents.
Covers theory, methods, and applications of structural equation modeling (SEM) using LISREL. Introduces the conceptual and procedural principles underlying SEM, enables students to analyze data by using SEM methods, and exposes students to SEM techniques used in the literature. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Liu
PSYC 220a Research in Spatial Orientation
Mr. Lackner
PSYC 223a Research in Behavioral Neuroscience
Mr. Katz
PSYC 224a Research in Speech Perception and Cognitive Processes
Mr. Wingfield
PSYC 225a Research in Visual Space Perception
Mr. Hershenson
PSYC 226a Research in Cognitive Processes and Psychopathology
Mr. Knight
PSYC 229a Research in Person Perception
Ms. Zebrowitz
PSYC 230a Research in Animal Behavior
Mr. Wodinsky
PSYC 231a Research in Social Psychology
Staff
PSYC 232a Research in Developmental Psychopathology
Mr. Cunningham
PSYC 233a Research in Visual Cognition
Mr. Sekuler
PSYC 234a Research in Life Span Development; Adult Personality
Ms. Lachman
PSYC 235a Research in Organizational Psychology
Mr. Molinsky
PSYC 236a Research in Developmental Psychology
Mr. Watson
PSYC 237a Research: Social and Developmental Psychology
Staff
PSYC 238a Research in Human Memory
Staff
PSYC 239a Research in Human Motor Control
Mr. DiZio
PSYC 240a Research in Visual Recognition and Learning
Mr. Fiser
PSYC 242a Research in Forensics
Mr. Knight
PSYC 243a Research in Emotion and Aging
Mr. Isaacowitz
PSYC 244a Research in Health and Aging
Ms. Sherman
PSYC 250a Advanced Research Project
Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 250b Master's Project Readings
Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 253a Advanced Research Methods in Social Perception
Prerequisite: PSYC 211a or PSYC 52a (formerly PSYC 125a) and PSYC 51a or PSYC 210a.
Provides supervised experience in social perception research. Students conduct research projects and discuss the design, execution and analyses of these projects in a weekly seminar that considers methodologies for research on nonverbal communication, impression formation, and stereotyping. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Zebrowitz
PSYC 280a Advanced Readings
Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 280b Advanced Readings
Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 300a Proseminar in Brain , Body, and Behavior I
Offers an in-depth review of primary sources in several major topic areas of social and developmental psychology. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
CONT 300b Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences
Required of all first-year graduate students in health-related science programs. Not for credit.
Ethics is an essential aspect of scientific research. This course, taught by University faculty from several graduate disciplines, covers major ethical issues germane to the broader scientific enterprise, including areas or applications from a number of fields of study. Lectures and relevant case studies are complemented by two public lectures during the course. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Ringe
PSYC 302a Proseminar in Brain , Body, and Behavior II
An in-depth review of primary sources in several major topic areas of social and developmental psychology. Usually offered every second year.
Staff
PSYC 316a Social Developmental Psychology Research Seminar
Required of all social developmental program graduate students who have not been admitted to candidacy. Usually offered every year.
Staff
PSYC 400d Dissertation Research
Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff
Cross-Listed Courses
PHIL 39b
Philosophy of Mind
LING 100a
Ontroduction to Linguisticss
PHIL 123b
Topics in Biomedical Ethics: Mental Illness
PHIL 141b
Topics in Philosophy and Cognitive Science
NBIO 150a
Autism and Human Developmental Disorders
ANTH 161b
Culture and Cognition
LING 197a
Language Acquisition and Development
HS 373a
Minority Children and Families