An examination of research, theory, and applied psychological science related to the emotions, cognitions, and behaviors of eating, food, and weight. Includes a critical look at common myths and realities regarding weight and health, eating disorders, and the sociocultural pressures related to food choices and body size.
Examination of the development of communication patterns in a psychological and sociological context. Psychological and emotional barriers to effective communication will be explored. Application of assertiveness techniques to effect behavior change based on cognitive and behavioral theories in psychology are a major focus. Assessment and implementation of appropriate techniques in a variety of situations, including communication with family, friends, and at the workplace are also discussed.
A psychological examination of shyness as a form of temperamental diversity. A comparison of shyness, social anxiety, introversion and the potential psychosocial challenges of each. Strategies for addressing challenges will be presented.
An introduction to the theoretical constructs describing personality, including how personality develops and the dynamics of human behavior. Current research and intersectional approaches to understanding personality are addressed.
An introduction to the symptoms, prevalence, causes, and treatments of disturbances in mental, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Methods of assessment, classification, current diagnostic criteria, and theoretical models for understanding these disorders are discussed in-depth. Attention paid to social and cultural understanding of psychopathology.
Critical exploration of psychological research as it applies to understanding the causes, physiology, consequences, and management of stress. Emphasis is on applied stress management.
An introduction to data analysis including measurement and research design. Intended for general education and prospective behavioral science majors. The course will focus on computation, interpretation, and application of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include organization of data, central tendency and variability, hypothesis testing, non-parametric statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression.
Explore aspects of the legal system studied by psychologists. Emphasis on research and theories in psychology to understand key participants in the legal system (e.g., criminals, police, victims, witnesses) and examine legal controversies (e.g., race and justice, death penalty, insanity defense, profiling, and eyewitness identification) that can affect legal outcomes.
An introduction to research methods in psychology. This course presents how researchers in psychology use critical analysis, theories, and methods to generate usable information. Emphasis on research design, experimental procedures, instrumentation, qualitative methods, and the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of findings. Attention is paid to strategies to decolonize psychological research.
This course examines the biological basis of behavior and mental processes. Psychopharmacology, cognitive neuroscience, research processes, and ethics will also be addressed.