2008-09 Catalog - Saint Mary's College of California

Curriculum Psychology14 Advanced Meditation (.25)Building upon the skills and knowledge gained in Meditation 13, studentscontinue with more advanced aspects of the theory and practice ofmeditation. Course offered on a pass/fail basis only. Does not counttoward the major. Prerequisite: Psychology 13.Does not satisfy an Area B requirement.Upper Division100 Seminar in PsychologyAn investigation of the history and philosophical foundations of modernpsychology. Emphasis is upon basic issues of psychology, emerging inthe long philosophical tradition of Western civilization, which groundpsychology as an empirical human science. Prerequisite: Senior psychologymajor or consent of instructor.104 Test ConstructionA study of the principles of testing and measurement in the creation of apsychological test. The general history, function, and use of tests. Norms,reliability, validity, item analysis. Prerequisite: Psychology 3, 4.Does not satisfy an Area B requirement.105 Advanced Psychological StatisticsAdvanced research methods for evaluating psychological data utilizingSPSS. Topics generally include: theoretical sampling distribution, probability,decision theory, multiple analysis of variance, multiple regression analysis,and factor analysis. Prerequisite: Psychology 3, 4.Does not satisfy an Area B requirement.110 PsychobiologyExamines the complex interaction of nature and nurture underlying thebehavior of animals and humans, and the methods used to investigatethis interaction. An overview of the anatomical, neural and neurochemicalbases of behavior in both normal and clinical cases is provided. Learningis enhanced through laboratory activities of dissection, computer modelsand electrophysiological techniques. Laboratory fee: $125.Does not satisfy an Area B requirement.113 Animal BehaviorA study of behavior of animals, including primates and humans, and themechanisms that control behavior at both the biological and psychologicallevels. Field trips may be required.115 Health PsychologyA study of the relationships among mental processes, behavior, andphysical health with an emphasis on the role of psychology in preventionand treatment of illness as well as promoting optimum health.Prerequisite: Psychology 2, Biology 15 or 25.120 Experimental PsychologyA study of the logic of experimentation as applied to psychological problemsthrough selected experiments in sensation, perception, cognition,learning, and motivation. Laboratory fee $50. Prerequisite: Psychology 3.Does not satisfy an Area B requirement.126 Sensation and PerceptionExamines the cognitive and physiological processes responsible forthe acquisition and mental representation of sensory information.Prerequisite: Psychology 3, 110.127 Learning, Memory, and CognitionExamines how organisms acquire and use information provided by experienceand how such information is represented in memory. The coursecovers the major theories in learning and memory, and the mechanismsand processes by which knowledge is used for the control of behavior.Prerequisite: Psychology 3.128 NeuropsychologyA comprehensive survey of the relation between behavior and brainactivity across the human lifespan, examining theory and research onsuch topics as neurodevelopmental disorders; clinical neuropsychologicalassessment; and neuropharmacology, rehabilitation and functional neuroanatomyand physiology. Prerequisite: Psychology 1 and 2.139 Human Development for Non-majorsStudents will examine theory and research in physical, social, emotional,and cognitive development from conception to death. Studentswill examine how developmental research is conducted and analyzerecent studies in the field. There will be on-site visits to developmentalprograms and students will critique programs in terms of what they havelearned in the course. Not open to majors and minors in Psychology,who should take 140. Prerequisite: Psychology 1 or 10.140 Human DevelopmentAn examination of the major theories of and influences on humandevelopment from conception through death, including the biological,cognitive, emotional, social and cultural dimensions of development.Only majors and minors in psychology may enroll in this course. Allothers should take 139. Prerequisite: Psychology 1 and 2.141 Infancy and ChildhoodAn examination of development from conception through early childhood(0-5 years), including the biological, cognitive, emotional, social andcultural dimensions of development, with discussion of special topics, e.g.learning disabilities and child abuse. Students complete an in-depth casestudy of a child as a way to integrate course materials and naturalisticobservation. Prerequisite: Psychology 139 or 140.142 Adolescent DevelopmentAn examination of development from late childhood through adolescence(11-18), including the biological, cognitive, emotional, social andcultural dimensions of development, with discussion of special topics,e.g., identity issues, cross-cultural issues, and high-risk behaviors.Students conduct an extensive interview which integrates an adolescent’sown experience with current research and theory. Prerequisite:Psychology 139 or 140.143 Adult DevelopmentA study of the major psychological, social, and cultural factors thatinfluence development from early adulthood through old age. Studentsexamine in depth a public policy that affects adults or families.Prerequisite: Psychology 139 or 140.158