2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

Beh Sci 373. Introduction to Human Factors. Examines the process, principles, and guidelines of human factors as
they impact the design of systems used by people and provides an introduction to the Human Factors and Systems Design
option. Emphasizes interactions between human capabilities and limitations, the task, and the environment, as they relate to
performance.
Beh Sci 375. Human Factors in Systems Failure. Provides a basic understanding of the criticality of human factors
consideration in the design of systems. Includes an examination of historical case studies of complex systems failures due
to human error and human factors engineering design shortcomings. Case studies include civil and military systems failures.
Focuses on human factors causes cited in systems failures, analysis of human factors theory and systems theory applying to
the cited causes, and student-designed systemic corrections directed toward the prevention of similar failures in subsequent
system designs.
Beh Sci 377. Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Using concepts from several disciplines of psychology, this course
provides a systematic study of job related behavior and an overview of the behavior of individuals at work by exploring
work behaviors and related variables as part of a complex open system. Topics in personnel (industrial) psychology include
analyzing jobs, matching individuals to jobs via selection or socialization, and training and performance evaluation. The
second half of the course concentrates on the social context of work, and investigates motivation, job satisfaction, leadership,
organization theory, personality, stress, and absenteeism and turnover.
Beh Sci 380. Theories of Personality. Examines major psychological theories of personality including analytic, humanistic,
cognitive, and learning approaches. Considers other non-traditional approaches which explain personality development from
the socio-cultural perspective. Examines theoretical concepts to understand individual personality development, relevant
current and historical issues, and application to military leadership.
Beh Sci 390. Sensation and Perception. Provides an introduction to the way the outside world is perceived through our
senses and how our brain makes sense of all the sensory inputs. How our body experiences the world and what we perceive of
the world are two interrelated, but different entities. This is an important topic for Air Force officers, because our perceptions
do not always accurately represent the outside world. For example, pilots with inaccurate perceptions of their aircraft
attitude (e.g., spatial disorientation) could lead to loss of control of their aircraft. Through lectures, labs, demonstrations and
discussions, this course introduces the basic anatomy of the sensory systems, as well as, how these structures are used to
“make sense” out of what we are experiencing so that we can do such things as understand speech, perceive color, see motion
and depth, and recognize faces.
Beh Sci 410. Advanced Topics in Leadership. Capstone seminar course in Leadership and Organizations option. This
advanced course explores the current trends and theories in leadership and leadership development from a scientific
perspective, centering on the concepts of transformational leadership, values-based leadership, servant leadership, and
emotional intelligence, among others. Case studies, facilitated and student-led round-table discussions, projects, and
experiential exercises allows students to gain an in depth understanding of leadership and its application across a variety of
situations and contexts.
Beh Sci 430. Tests and Measurement. Provides a basic understanding of the field of testing and measurement. Discusses
the terminology, procedures, and basic psychometric properties inherent in assessment procedures. Introduces various types
of assessment instruments. Focuses on understanding individual and organizational assessment through an overview of
measurement principles, the assessment process, test construction and development, and the use of evaluation results. Presents
students the opportunity to learn and apply test construction through the development of assessment instruments. As this is an
overview course, students will not gain proficiency in administering clinical assessment instruments.
Beh Sci 460. Advanced Topics in Sociology and Anthropology. An advanced course exploring specialized topics in
sociology and anthropology on a rotational basis with the intent of creating a deeper and more robust understanding of the
specific discipline. Particular course content and emphasis varies from year to year based on new and emerging research in the
selected field of study. Designed primarily for the advanced student and is conducted through a seminar/discussion model.
Beh Sci 470. Advanced Topics in Cognitive and Bio-Psychology. Advanced course designed to explore specialized topics
in cognitive and bio-psychology on a rotational basis with the intent of creating a deeper and more robust understanding of the
specific discipline. Particular course content and emphasis varies from year to year based on new and emerging research in the
selected field of study. Designed primarily for the advanced student and is conducted through a seminar/discussion model.
62 United States Air Force Academy Catalog