University of Maine at Farmington 2007-2008 Catalog
 
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Psychology
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  PSY 101S - General Psychology
This course provides a broad overview of the field of psychology. Topics include the history of psychology, the nature of psychological research, physiological processes, sensation, perception, human development, learning, cognition, language, motivation, emotion, personality, social psychology, stress, psychopathology, and therapy. Relevant cultural differences are discussed. Every semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 104S - Parenting the Young Child
Exploration of the changing role of the parent in the development of the young child from pregnancy to the age of 5. Emphasis is placed on supporting cognitive, social, and emotional development. Summer.

Credit: 4

  PSY 140 - Child Counseling Practicum
Students participate in a service learning opportunity involving work with an elementary school child to help develop his or her social skills. Each student serves as a mentor for an elementary school student under the direct, on-site supervision of the instructor and the school liaison. (Repeatable up to 2 credits). Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Fall semester.

Credit: 1

  PSY 200 - Psychological Tools:Understanding Psychological Research
Designed specifically for psychology majors, this course fosters the development of the skills necessary for understanding psychological research. Students read professional journal articles, write in a style formalized by the American Psychological Association, and develop a basic understanding of the statistical analyses most commonly used in psychological research. Statistical software packages employed to analyze and interpret psychological data are also discussed. Course should be taken during sophomore year. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or permission of instructor. Spring semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 202 - Psychology in Cinema
A wide range of psychological phenomena will be explored through the analysis of critically acclaimed films.  Discussions will focus on the accuracy of the relevant depictions, public perceptions of psychology, and directorial techniques.   Relevant cultural differences are also explored. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or permission of instructor. Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 208 - Social Psychology
This course examines the social psychology of relationships, attitude formation and change, interpersonal influence, and group dynamics. Social psychology emphasizes the importance of the social context in understanding individuals and groups. Students will explore classic studies as well as recent trends and findings in the field. Research and theories pertaining to such issues as conformity, cognitive dissonance, aggression, social comparison, stereotyping, prejudice, and attraction are discussed. Relevant cultural differences are also discussed. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or permission of instructor. Spring semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 209 - Abnormal Psychology
This course examines various issues pertaining to abnormal human behavior. Major emphasis is placed on anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenias, and personality disorders. The diagnosis, symptoms, causes, and treatment of disorders are also discussed. Where appropriate, mental disorders are considered from a variety of cultural perspectives. Disorders found in various regions of the world are discussed.  Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 211 - Psychology of Learning
The major theories of learning proposed by Pavlov, Thorndike, Skinner, Bandura, Piaget, Tolman, and others are discussed.   Theoretical tensions among these theories are analyzed and special attention is focused on the potential applications of these theories in various settings, including education. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S. Every third Spring semester. 

Credit: 4

  PSY 222 - Creativity and Intelligence
This course examines creativity in relation to intelligence, personality traits and the social context.  Methods to stimulate creativity in children and adults are analyzed and compared.  Behaviors that tend to stifle creativity are also examined. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S. (Pass/Fail option) Every third Spring semester

Credit: 4

  PSY 225S - Child and Adolescent Development
This course is designed to expose students to the complexities of development from conception through adolescence.   Emphasis will be placed on relations among physical, cognitive and social development in a variety of contexts and cultures. Every semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 226 - Adulthood and Aging
This course provides a survey of psychological theory and research pertaining to adult development and aging. Special attention is given to general theoretical issues in the study of adult development as well as to empirical research relevant to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that accompany the aging process.  Cultural variations in developmental processes will also be discussed. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S. Spring semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 230S - Death and Dying
This course examines the experiences and needs of dying persons and their survivors. Cultural differences in approaches to the topic of death are also examined. (Pass/Fail only) Every second Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 235 - Introduction to Counseling
This course introduces students to basic counseling skills and provides a survey of relevant theories of personality and psychopathology.  Topics covered include psychological trauma, suicide risk assessment, intake assessment, case management fundamentals, psychopharmacology. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor. Every semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 237S - Career Counseling
This course explores various theories of career development.  Methods and resources pertaining to career assessment, career guidance and counseling, and program development are presented.  Job seeking and retention skills are also discussed.  Unique issues that emerge when career counselors work with minority and other culturally diverse populations are considered.  This course is of value to both majors and nonmajors. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission instructor. Every second Spring semester. CCP 

Credit: 4

  PSY 245 - Sports Psychology
The course examines the psychological aspects of physical fitness, coaching, leadership, team relations, aggression and violence in sports.  The history of sports and the roles of women and ethnic groups in athletics will also be considered.  Concerns about youth participation will be addressed, including health risks, peer and parental pressure, and the significance of playing for growth and development. Every second Spring semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 259 - Evolutionary Psychology
This course is the synthesis of principles of modern evolutionary biology and modern psychology. Basic principles such as survival, short- and long-term mating strategies, parenting, and kinship will be covered. Significant attention will also be focused on various issues of group living, including cooperative alliances, aggressive behaviors, status and social dominance. In addition, the scientific movements leading toward the emergence of Evolutionary Psychology will be discussed. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option). Every third Fall semester. 

Credit: 4

  PSY 275 - Statistical Applications to Psychology
This course fosters the development of the basic statistical skills that psychology majors need in order to organize data, perform elementary statistical computations, and interpret the results.  The role played by statistics in the research enterprise is also discussed.   The statistical analyses covered include t-tests, non-parametric tests, one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, correlations, linear regression, and multiple regression. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every third Fall semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 277 - Topics in Psychology
This course involves the study of advanced topics in the field of psychology.  Course content is determined by the individual instructor. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S. (Pass/Fail option) Variable.

Credit: 4

  PSY 300 - Transpersonal and Eastern Psychology
This course examines Eastern and Western psychological theory, systems of inquiry, and experiential methodologies that strive to move individuals beyond self-centered behavior and ordinary states of consciousness. Transpersonal systems in modern psychology, Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoga, and Christianity as well as those found in other cross-cultural traditions will be explored using a holistic teaching approach that facilitates both critical analysis as well as experiential understanding. A sample of additional class topics include meditation and metacognitive research/practice, skepticism and belief, expectancy effects, altered states of consciousness, limitations of objective and subjective research, cults, stages of faith, transpersonal paradoxes, contradictions, and inherent limitations. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or higher, PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every second Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 302 - Sensation and Perception
This course examines the relationship between sensation as a physiological process and perception as a psychological phenomenon.  Special attention will be given to the physiology and psychology of vision, audition, and the development of the senses.  In addition, the course will explore interactions among perception, learning, the social context, and neurophysiology. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S. Every second Fall semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 303 - History of Psychology
This course explores the historical roots of the major theoretical perspectives in the field of psychology.   Specific issues discussed include methods of historical research, the personality characteristics of significant theorists, and the influence of culture on the evolution of psychological theories. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S. Every third Fall semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 304 - Testing and Measurement
This course familiarizes students with major tests used by psychological and educational researchers and clinicians. Students learn to recognize and administer relevant tests of individual abilities, achievement, personality traits, and attitudes. Students will also learn how to construct tests that are practical, reliable, and valid. By the end of the course, students will design an original measurement tool that can be used in educational testing or in psychological research and practice. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S. Every second Fall semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 314 - Cognitive Psychology
This course explores the foundations and applications of contemporary cognitive psychology.  Attention will be given to general theoretical issues in the field as well as to such topics as memory, problem solving, attention, language, and the physiological basis of human cognition. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or permission of instructor. Every second Spring semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 315 - Physiological Psychology
This course involves an exploration of the basic anatomical systems and physiological processes that underlie human behavior.   Special attention will be placed on the biological underpinnings of sensation, cognition, emotion, motivation, learning, and various psychological disorders. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and BIO 150N. Every second Fall semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 317 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
This course explores personnel and organizational factors that influence human performance in the workplace. Topics include job design and human factors engineering, selection and recruitment, training and performance appraisal, leadership, motivation and commitment, satisfaction and productivity, stress and work life quality, as well as organizational culture, development, and change. Workforce diversity and relevant cultural differences are also discussed. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S. Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 327 - Diversity and Multiculturalism
This course explores the many ways in which diversity and multiculturalism are relevant to issues in counseling, employment, and civic engagement.  Various perspectives regarding how we and others understand terms such as race, ethnicity, nationality, self-identification, and multicultural competence will be considered.  Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S. (Pass/Fail option) Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 329 - Child and Family Counseling and Psychopathology
The specialized theories and techniques for understanding and working with children and families in various cultural contexts are explored. The course also examines various individual and systemic pathologies that affect children and families. Mental disorders of children and transitional crises of families are discussed, including pervasive developmental disorders, attentional disorders, conduct disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, divorce, and family violence and victimization. Related ethical and legal issues are also discussed.  Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 333 - Family Theory and Research
This course examines social psychological theories and research relevant to the study of families. It examines the American family as a social institution embedded in a cultural and historical context, and seeks to provide students with knowledge about the contemporary American family. Topics will include relationships among children, parents, and grandparents; cohabitation, marriage and divorce; single parenthood, remarriage and stepfamilies; family policy; historical and demographic changes that influence family structure and diversity; and the interaction of work life and family life. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or SOC 101S. Every second Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 350 - Personality Theory and Research
This course provides a broad overview of theory and research pertaining to human personality. Psychodynamic, trait, cognitive, and humanistic approaches are reviewed and relevant empirical research are critically evaluated. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S or permission of instructor.  Every second Spring semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 360 - Group Psychotherapy
Students in this course will explore the fundamentals of group dynamics and leadership strategies in an experiential group setting. Emphasis is placed upon enhancing emotional intelligence, personal development, self-efficacy and awareness of group norms. Active participation is required. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S or PSY 225S. Every semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 377 - Advanced Topics in Psychology
This course involves the study of advanced topics in the field of psychology.  Course content is determined by the individual instructor.  Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S. Pass/Fail option) Variable.

Credit: 4

  PSY 396 - Field Experience in Psychology
This course involves participation in a community-based learning experience.  Students will be supervised by an individual UMF Psychology Faculty Member.   Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and permission of instructor. Variable.

Credit: 1-8

  PSY 397 - Independent Study and Research in Psychology
Individual students are provided with an opportunity to examine a topic in greater depth than is possible in regular Psychology course offerings. Participation in this course may require an extensive survey of a relevant topic or an original research project. The topic, the credits the student will earn, and the responsibilities of the student, must be approved by the Department Chair.  Prerequisite(s): Three (3) courses in Psychology and permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Variable.

Credit: 1-8

  PSY 400 - Research Methods in Psychology
The primary focus of this course is the scientific methodologies relevant to inquiries in the social sciences.  Both single-subject and group methodologies are considered.  Special emphasis is placed on collecting and analyzing data.   Students conduct original research and present their findings at the conclusion of the term. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and PSY 200 and a statistics course. Every semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 435 - Psychotherapeutic Methods
This course is an advanced follow-up to PSY 235. Counseling and case management skills are taught experientially. Working in pairs, students initially practice counseling skills and subsequently interview volunteers who share accounts of real life issues. Emphasis is placed on motivational interviewing, problem conceptualization, goal setting, helping skills, and cognitive behavioral strategies. This course is particularly useful for students pursuing employment or graduate work in human service areas that involve counseling. Prerequisite(s): PSY 209 and PSY 235 or permission of instructor. Spring semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 440 - Psychology and Law
This course fosters an understanding of the relationship between the mental health and legal professions. It examines the responsibilities of both disciplines to society as well as relevant research and legal precedents. Prerequisite(s): Two (2) 300 level Psychology courses or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every second Fall semester.

Credit: 4

  PSY 455 - Crisis Intervention and Stabilization
This course reviews the basic concepts and skills needed to effectively perform mental health assessments, stabilization, and referral in a crisis situation.  Topics to be considered include diagnosis, psychotropic medications, the process of identifying and reporting abuse, techniques for dealing with violent persons, involuntary hospitalizations, and relevant community support services.  Professional and ethical issues will also be discussed. Prerequisite(s): A counseling course (PSY 235 or REH 200 or equivalent) and PSY 209. (Pass/Fail option) Fall semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 484 - Senior Seminar
This course involves a critical analysis of classic and contemporary texts relevant to the work of psychologists.  All Psychology majors will be exposed to cross cultural issues in this class. Text selection will enable students to explore issues of racial, ethnic, or gender diversity. As the Psychology Department's capstone course, PSY 484 requires extensive reading, writing, and critical relection. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and PSY 200 and PSY 400, or permission of instructor. Every semester. CCP

Credit: 4

  PSY 485 - Seminar in Psychology
This seminar is an opportunity for approximately ten students to explore an important issue in the field of Psychology.  Specific topics are determined by the instructor prior to the beginning of the seminar. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and two (2) advanced courses in Psychology, or permission of instructor. Variable.

Credit: 4

  PSY 486 - Seminar in Psychology
This seminar is an opportunity for approximately ten students to explore an important issue in the field of Psychology. Specific topics are determined by the instructor prior to the beginning of the seminar. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and two (2) advanced courses in Psychology, or permission of instructor. Variable.

Credit: 4

  PSY 496 - Internship in Psychology
This course provides an in-depth, practical experience in psychology. A proposal will be worked out in consultation with a psychology faculty member who will supervise the experience. The proposal must be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Psychology Department for approval. At the conclusion of the internship, the student will submit a comprehensive report regarding the experience to the supervising faculty member. Not available to students who have completed an internship in another department. Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and 24 credits in Psychology (excluding PSY 396 and 397) and permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail only.) Variable.

Credit: 4-16

  PSY 499 - Senior Thesis
This course, which can be taken in lieu of Senior Seminar (PSY 484), involves independent scholarly work in psychology. A proposal will be worked out in consultation with a psychology faculty member who will supervise the thesis. At the end of the course, the student will submit a final written thesis and will present an oral defense to the supervising faculty member. Other available faculty members of the department will be invited to participate in the thesis defense. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101S and PSY 200 and PSY 400, or permission of instructor. Offered on request.

Credit: 4

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