2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

Beh Sci 320. Lifespan Development. Examines how people develop physically, psychologically, socially, and cognitively
from birth to death. Explores universal and unique changes that are unique to specific individuals. Developmental theories
explaining these changes are presented. Focuses on the social context of development: “What is the impact of income,
education, ethnicity, race, sex, culture, and historical time period on developmental outcomes?”
Beh Sci 330. Abnormal Psychology. Examines the development, nature, and treatment of psychological disorders within a
biopsychosocial context. Special consideration is given toward leadership and military applications.
Beh Sci 332. Advanced Research Methods and Statistical Tools. Continues the integrated approach to statistical and
experimental psychology, extending cadet experience into practical experimental design; methodological procedures are
learned and applied in psychology and human factors experiments.
Beh Sci 335. Learning and Memory. How does experience affect performance? This is the central question that has
confronted learning theorists for several millennia; it is a question that dominated psychology for most of its first century. This
course examines learning and memory from a variety of historical theoretical perspectives. In the laboratory students will test
learning and memory notions using rats and then report their experimental findings.
Beh Sci 340. Marriage and Family. Examines courtship, marriage, and family in a diverse American culture. Emphasis
on the strains inherent in the dynamic interaction of gender, work, and family roles with special attention paid to the
situation of military families and possible impacts on mission. Uses lecture/discussion, films, student reports, and visiting
experts. Practically, this is an important step in preparing the graduates for their own marriages as well as providing some
understanding of the effect of family factors on the productivity of military members.
Beh Sci 350. Social Change: Cultural Anthropology and Sociology Perspectives. Introduces anthropological methods
and examines a major question addressed by sociology, “How is human organization achieved, maintained, disrupted, or
changed?” Specifically addresses social construction of identity and reality, social control, social agency, structure, and conflict.
Accordingly, it looks at human development from past and present to understand the practices of diverse groups of people and
the theories used to explain the maintenance and change of such practices. This comparative theoretical approach emphasizes
the interdependence of physical environment, social environment, and intentional efforts toward social change.
Beh Sci 352. Social Psychology. Provides an introduction to social psychology and Behavioral Sciences. Social psychologists
seek to understand the nature and causes of individual behavior in social situations. In other words, social psychology explains
how the average person reacts to various social pressures. Topics covered include social perception, attitudes, prejudice and
discrimination, interpersonal attraction, social influence, pro-social behavior, aggression, groups, and personality. From a
practical standpoint, this course explains how and why people react to the world and other people as they do. Leadership
implications are discussed.
Beh Sci 355. Biopsychology. Examines the biological and neurophysiological foundations of human and animal behavior.
Emphasizes central nervous system mechanisms, which mediate processes such as learning and memory, language,
intelligence, sleep and arousal, reward and punishment, and human mental disorders. Gives special consideration to sensation
and perception and topics that impact human factors design concerns.
Beh Sci 360. Sociology. The systematic study of human social behavior and groups. Racism, sexism, social stratification,
bureaucracy, religion, education, and socialization are but a few of the topics covered. Classroom discussions and interaction
with others are stressed throughout the course. Practically, this course teaches students how to examine what is “really” going
on around them.
Beh Sci 370. Cognitive Psychology. Familiarizes students with the cognitive approach to understanding human behavior that
argues that human behavior can best be understood and predicted through a scientific understanding of mental activity. Topics
include: perception, attention, memory, decision-making, consciousness, and other processes related to thinking.
Beh Sci 371. Aviation Psychology. Provides students with an historical overview of aerospace human factors, especially
with regard to aircrew and maintainer performance in the unique flight environment. Cockpit and maintainability issues
are discussed, tracing their evolution from the earliest Wright Flyer military aircraft through today’s highly automated
weapon systems. Reviews human capabilities and limitations affecting performance in the context of aviation human-system
integration and system design. Covers in detail human factors involvement in aviation safety, particularly air and space mishap
investigation, and the various means of aiding in mishap prevention.
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