Catalog 12-13.indd - McMurry University

Course Descriptions - UndergraduatePSYC 3310Language: Mind, Brain and Society (3-0) Prerequisites:None. This course is Cross-listed as READ 3310. Counts as anelective for Psychology majors and minors. The course focuseson defining the nature of human language, the linguistic structureof the English language, and how the knowledge of linguistics,psychological, neurolicgial, and social foundations of languageis useful for teaching and learning. (Fall, summer I)PSYC 3320Personality Psychology (3-0) Prerequisite: PSYC 1340.Counts as an elective for all psychology majors and minors.This course involves a detailed investigation of the processesresponsible for normal and abnormal personality formation.Topics include contemporary and historical models of personality,their assumptions, structures, research methods, assessmenttechniques, and fi ndings. (Fall)PSYC 3340Social Psychology (3-0) Prerequisites: PSYC 1340 orSOC 2300. (Cross-listed as SOC 3340) A required course forall psychology majors and an elective for psychology minors.This course is a survey of the ways in which interpersonalevents and cultural forces can affect attitudes, social learning,perception, and communication by the individual and the group.(Fall, Spring)PSYC 3382Positive Psychology and Mental Health (3-0) Prerequisite:PSYC 1340. Intended as an elective for majors and minors inpsychology. This course is a study of the prevention and correctionof maladjustment and the development of the wholesomepersonality. Strong emphasis is placed on the contributionsthat the behavioral sciences make to the understanding ofthe individual. (Spring)PSYC 3385Gerontology (3-0) Prerequisites: PSYC 1340 and 2360 orpermission of instructor . Intended as an elective for majors andminors in psychology who have an interest in learning about andworking with the elderly. This course involves a study of theaging process, including the physical, psychological, and socialinfluences on aging. It includes an analysis of the servicesavailable and needed by the elderly. (Fall odd years)PSYC 3390Psychopharmacology (3-0) Prerequisite: PSYC 1340. Intendedas an elective for psychology majors and minors who areinterested in the role of chemicals in infl uencing behavior. Thiscourse studies the relationships among most common drugs,biochemical processes of the central nervous system, andbehavior. The common uses of these drugs in various clinicaland medical therapies, substance abuse, and treatment methodsare also stressed. (As needed)PSYC 4300Abnormal Psychology (3-0) Prerequisites: PSYC 1340 andjunior or senior standing. This course is designed for all personswith an interest in psychological disorders and is an upperlevel elective for psychology minors, but is required for majors.This course is concerned with an analysis of maladaptive behaviorincluding mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders,as well as substance abuse, somatoform disorders,brain dysfunction, and dissociative disorders. Classifi cation,etiology, prevention, and treatment of abnormal behaviors arealso examined. (Fall, Spring)PSYC 4315Psychological Tests and Measurements (3-0) Prerequisites:PSYC 1340, three additional advanced hours in psychology,and junior or senior standing. Intended for those studentswho seek training in administering and evaluating psychologi-cal tests. It is an upper level elective for psychology majorsintended for those students who seek an introduction to the administrationand evaluation of psychological tests. This courseis designed as a survey of a wide variety of group and individualpsychological tests. Students administer, score, and interpretselected tests. Topics include test validity, reliability, objectivity,standardization, and meaning of tests and measurements inpsychological and educational settings. (Spring, even years)PSYC 4320Psychology of the Criminal Mind (3-0) Prerequisites:PSYC 1340, three additional advanced hours in psychology,and junior or senior standing. Intended for all students with aninterest in psychology and criminal justice. An upper level electivefor psychology majors and minors, and all other interestedstudents. This course is designed to provide the studentbiological, psychological, and sociocultural theoretical explanationsfor criminal behavior. Research fi ndings and the treatmentand handling of criminals from a mental health perspectiveare examined. Emphasis is placed on understanding the behaviorand thought processes of psychopaths. The use of mentalhealth professionals within the criminal justice system is alsodiscussed. (Fall even years)PSYC 4330History and Systems of Psychology (3-0) Prerequisites:PSYC 1340, three additional advanced hours in Psychology,and junior or senior standing. An upper level elective forpsychology majors and minors. This course investigates thehistorical development of systems and theories of psychology,emphasizing both the continuity of ideas and the changesin those ideas as psychology has evolved. Various historicaland contemporary schools of thought in psychology are examined.(As needed)PSYC 4341Physiological Psychology (3-0) Prerequisites: PSYC 1340,BIOL 1401 or equivalent, and junior or senior standing. Requiredfor all psychology majors and is an elective for psychologyminors. Designed for the psychology or biology student withan interest in how biological function infl uences behavior. Thiscourse examines the processes by which biological factors infl u-ence human and animal behavior. Special emphasis is placedon the effects of the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, andgenetics on learning, memory, motivation, sensation, and abnormalbehavior. (Spring)PSYC 4365Death and Dying (3-0) Prerequisite: PSYC 1340. Thiscourse is designed for all students with an interest in understandingdeath processes. An upper level elective for psychologymajors and minors. This course is a study of the social and psychologicalimpact of dying, death, and bereavement. Studentsare provided the opportunity to explore their own feelings aboutdeath and dying and to develop professional skills for workingwith dying and grieving persons. (Spring even years)PSYC 4370Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3-0) Prerequisites:PSYC 1340, three additional advanced hours in psychology,and junior or senior standing. Designed as an upper levelelective for psychology majors, minors, and business students.This course studies the application of the principles of individualand group psychology to persons in the workplace and other organizationalsettings. Topics include behavioral measurement,personnel selection and training, job satisfaction, and humanfactors in job design. (As Needed)PSYC 4375Clinical and Counseling Psychology (3-0) Prerequisites:PSYC 1340, PSYC 4300, three additional advanced hours inpsychology, and junior or senior standing. Designed as an up-194