Major in Psychology | Course Descriptions
Chair: Donna M. Desforges (936) 294-1178; psy_dmd@shsu.edu
The Department of Psychology and Philosophy supports the Mission Statement of the University and that of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Department is committed to providing a quality educational environment conducive to scholarship and the acquisition of knowledge and applicable skills. We recognize that this ideal requires the effective use of faculty expertise and creativity, a sensitivity to needs of university and community, as well as a genuine concern for the abilities and goals of students.
Faculty: Jeff Anastasi, Marcus Boccaccini, Jerry Bruce, Gina Coffee, Donna Desforges, Mary Alice Conroy, Richard Eglsaer, Marsha Harman, Craig Henderson, Melanie Kercher, Thomas Kordinak, Heather Littletonm, Audrey Miller, Rowland Miller, David Nelson, Paul Neunuebel, Ramona Noland, T.C. Sim, Christopher Wilson, Thomas Wood
Information: (936)294-3552; AB4 315
BS in Psychology
• Faculty-student collaborative research opportunities.
• Local Chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology and the Psychology
Club offer networking opportunities with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.
• Psychology faculty publish in nationally recognized scientific journals.
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Communication Studies
• Criminal Justice
• Philosophy
• Statistics
• Special Education
The bachelor of science degree in psychology is a useful and interesting program of study for liberal arts students and those desiring work in such areas as human services, public relations, correctional institutions, rehabilitation facilities, program development, and research to name just a few.
• Psi Chi Chapter, the National Honor Society for Psychology, Local Chapter
• Psychology Club
John D. Symonds Scholarship. The fund is established in memory of Dr. John Dobie Symonds, Associate Professor of Psychology at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Symonds published and presented scholarly papers in several areas including sleep research, cross-cultural research, and social learning theory.
Contact the department for information on how to apply and for scholarship deadlines.
The courses within the Psychology Program are divided into four blocks:
Required Courses: PSY 131, 332, 234/214, 387/317
Experimental Block: PSY 333/313, 336, 337, 382, 391, 432, 492
Personality-Social-Developmental Block: PSY 365, 374, 381, 431, 434, 491
Clinical-Adjustment Block: PSY 237, 289, 331, 334, 371, 383, 488
In order to complete a major in Psychology, a student takes 13 hours from the Required Courses plus 6 hours from each of the three remaining blocks. Six hours of elective Psychology completes the 38 semester hours required for the major.
Psychology majors choose an approved minor of 18 semester hours, 6 of which must be advanced. Some suggested minors are Biology, Philosophy, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Statistics.
Minors in Psychology take 18-24 hours. Courses required of non-teaching minors are PSY 131, 3 hours from each of the remaining three blocks, plus 6 hours PSY electives. Of these hours, 6 must be advanced, taken in residence.
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
| PSY 131 | 3 |
PSY 234/214, 332, 3 hrs PSY | 10 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 |
ENG literature or PHL 261 or 263 | 3 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 |
COM | 3 |
| Lab Science | 8 |
Lab Science | 8 |
| MTH 164 or 170 | 3 |
POL 261, 285 | 6 |
| Component Area 4 (Visual and Performing Arts) | 3 |
30 |
|
| KIN 215 | 1 |
||
30 |
|||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| PSY 387/317, 9 hrs. of PSY | 13 |
PSY (advanced) |
12 |
| PHL 262 | 3 |
PHL 372 | 3 |
| Component Area 5 (Cultural Studies) | 3 |
Minor | 9 |
| Minor | 9 |
Electives | 5 |
| Electives | 3 |
29 |
|
31 |
|||
Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.
PSY 131 Introduction to Psychology. [PSYC 2301] This course is designed to be a broad survey of the field of psychology covering such topics as learning, perception, personality, development, psychopathology, etc. It covers both the theoretical basis and the empirical content of these areas. Credit 3.
PSY 214 Introduction to Research Methods: Lab. Laboratory to be taken concurrently with PSY 234. Credit 1.
PSY 234 Introduction to Research Methods. This course is designed to introduce the student to the scientific method in general and research methodology in psychology in particular through laboratory and field experiments. Laboratory period required. Credit 3.
PSY 237 Professional Psychology. A survey is made of clinical/counseling psychology, e.g. psychopathology, diagnostic instruments, methods and techniques; individual and group psychotherapy, theories, community psychology; professional ethics of the clinical/counseling psychologist. Credit 3.
PSY 289 Psychology of Adjustment. [PSYC 2315] A study is made of the dynamics of human behavior applying psychological theory to the development of the wholesome well adjusted personality. Techniques for managing stress, reducing anxiety, coping with anger, increasing assertiveness, and achieving self-control are considered. Credit 3.
PSY 313 Physiological Psychology Lab. Laboratory to be taken concurrently with PSY 333. Credit 1.
PSY 317 Statistics Laboratory. Laboratory to be taken concurrently with PSY 387. Credit 1.
PSY 331 Abnormal Psychology. This course includes an introduction to behavioral disorders. Biological and social factors in the development, diagnosis, and treatment of psychopathology are studied. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 332 History of Psychology. This course includes an historical survey of the scientific and philosophic antecedents of modern psychology. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 333 Physiological Psychology. This course is designed to acquaint the student with the biological substrates of behavior. A study is made of the genetic, neuroanatomical, neurochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms of such psychological processes as sensation, movement, learning, memory, motivation and emotion. This course is offered primarily for psychology majors and minors but may serve as an elective for majors in biology, chemistry, and public health. Laboratory period required. Prerequisite: 3 hours in Psychology and 4 hours in Biology or consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PSY 334 Human Sexuality. A study is made of the biological, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual elements of our human sexuality. Topics such as sexual health, sexual dysfunction, sexuality education, and intimate relationships are covered. Credit 3.
PSY 336 Sensation/Perception. A study is made of the sensory processes, the relationship between physical stimuli and sensory/perceptual experience, and perceptual phenomena. Topics such as pain, constancies, illusions, and psychophysics are covered. Credit 3.
PSY 337 Cognition. This course is intended to provide a broad survey of the field of cognitive psychology covering such topics as attention, memory, forgetting, consciousness, and organization/ structure. It covers both the theoretical basis and empirical content of the area. Credit 3.
PSY 365 Close Relationships. This course examines the processes of social interaction, using the perspective of psychological theory and research. Topics include the growth of relationships, love, social exchange, impression management, communication, jealousy, and loneliness. Techniques for improving interactions are considered. Credit 3.
PSY 371 Humanistic Psychology. An examination of the major themes of humanistic/existential psychology/philosophy and their impact on contemporary society. Works from literature, psychology, philosophy, and religion are included. Taught with PHL 371. Credit 3.
PSY 374 Developmental Psychology. A study is made of the physical, mental, emotional, and social growth and development of the person across the entire life span. Credit 3.
PSY 381 Social Psychology. This course examines individual human behavior as it is influenced by cultural and social stimuli. Topics studied include interpersonal attraction, aggression, prejudice and sexism, conformity, altruism, and group behavior. Credit 3.
PSY 382 Comparative Psychology. This course deals with physical and behavioral differences in animals and how these differences can be adaptive. Specific topics include habitat selection, territoriality, predator and anti-predator behavior, reproductive behavior, and social behavior. Prerequisites: PSY 234 and 387. Credit 3.
PSY 383 Psychology and the Law. This course is designed to examine the application of scientific and professional principles of psychology in the legal system, the use of social science methods to study the legal system, and the impact of law on the practice of psychology. Content areas include legal competencies, the insanity defense, jury consultation, psychologists and the death penalty, the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, prediction of violence, the psychology of victims, family law, and ethical dilemmas. Prerequisites: 6 hours of PSY. Credit 3.
PSY 387 Elementary Statistics. This course is a study of statistics as applied to problems in psychology and education, to include frequency functions, correlation and regression, and statistical tests of significance. Credit 3.
PSY 391 Psychopharmacology. This course includes a study of the field of behavioral pharmacology: the systematic study of the effects of drugs on behavior and the way in which behavioral principles can help in understanding how drugs work. The course focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms of action of various psychoactive drugs. Credit 3.
PSY 431 Personality. A study is made of the major theories of personality; the biological and social factors in the development and functioning of personality are considered. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 432 Learning. This course includes a study of the major theories of learning and their historical backgrounds; experimental procedures in the study of learning are discussed. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 433 Seminar in Psychology. This course includes discussions of selected topics in psychology. Credit 3.
PSY 434 Applied Social Psychology. This course examines the use of social psychological theory and method to explain and solve real world problems. Topics include physical and mental health, the environment, law, consumerism, and processes of conflict and social influence. Prerequisite: PSY 381. Credit 3.
PSY 475 Problems. Designed for advanced students in psychology who are capable of independent study. Prerequisites: Approval of Program Coordinator and the instructor directing the study. Credit 3.
PSY 488 Psychological Testing. A study is made of group and individual differences and their assessment. The student is introduced to instruments and techniques used in the measurement of intelligence, aptitudes, achievement, interest, attitudes, and other dimensions of personality and behavior. Prerequisites: 9 hours in Psychology including PSY 131 and 387. Credit 3.
PSY 491 Divorce: The Psychological Impact. A comprehensive investigation is made of psychological, legal, moral, religious, and cultural variables related to cause, process, and adjustment to divorce is made. Emphasis is placed on the impact of divorce on the individual. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Credit 3.
PSY 492 Industrial/Organizational Psychology. This course provides an integration of psychological principles as applied to industrial/ organizational milieu. The focus is on the application of research methodology, psychological assessment, personality, and organizational theories to the work environment. Specifically, research related to the application of psychological theory related to personnel, work environment, organizational, and pertinent legal issues will be considered. Prerequisite: PSY 131 or PSY 289. Credit 3.
PSY 493 Positive Psychology. This course will focus on the scientific understanding of healthy human processes of positive emotions, character strengths, traits, and virtues (such as courage, gratitude, hope, optimism, self-regulation, spirituality, and wisdom). Assessment methods and intervention applications in diverse settings (e.g., education, health, corporate and organizational leadership, and clinical psychology) will be covered. Prerequisite: 6 hours in Psychology. Credit: 3.