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Courses

The Psychology Department offers a wide variety of courses to give undergraduate students the solid foundation needed before graduating and moving into a graduate program or career in psychology.

PCOM 385 Advanced Community Psychology: Externship
Supervision is provide in a variety of community action programs which have preventive as well as treatment goals. Day and hour assignments can usually be arranged, but effective study participation will require a three hour block of time in order to serve directly in a community setting.
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PCOM 245 or instructor’s permission

PCOM 387 Methods in Evaluation Research
This course focuses on the application of psychological research methods and knowledge to the evaluation of the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of community programs. Emphasis will be on techniques for program planning and for constructive innovations in community settings.
Prerequisites: PCOM 245, PSYC 301, PCOM 385, majors only, instructor’s permission, field work required

PCOM 391 Cooperative Education in Psychology
The cooperative education option integrates academic study with a supervised employment experience outside the formal classroom environment. The co-op term is a semester off campus, during which a student is supervised by a faculty coordinator and the Office of Cooperative Education, and is responsible for completing the terms of a learning contract. Contact Office of Cooperative Education.
Prerequisite: Junior status

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
Psychology as an applied behavioral science; human development, conflict and adjustment, social behavior, group processes, individual differences, personality theory and assessment, behavior disorders, and principles of conditioning, learning and forgetting. Meets the General Education Requirement – Social Science, Survey Course

PSYC 102 Women’s Worlds
This course introduces the general student to the broad and interdisciplinary field known as women’s studies. It is designed to make students aware of the new discoveries in feminist research and to focus on many aspects of the female experiences. The course is designed to help students understand different methodologies in diverse disciplines and to treat areas such as literature, history, psychology, and the arts through a thematic approach. Meets the General Education Requirement – Contemporary Issues. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement. Cross-listed with Women’s Studies, WMST 102.

PSYC 103 Freshman Seminar
Major objective is to better acclimate the beginning college student (freshman and transfer) to campus life through an emphasis on affective education and group interaction. Values clarification and self-identity are important course components. Meets the General Education Requirement Electives – Personal/Professional Issues.

PSYC 104 Freshman Experience
This comprehensive course is designed to better acclimate the beginning college student to campus life and assist in the development of academic strategies. The course will also promote an understanding of human diversity, values and perspectives as they relate to overall student success at Montclair State. Meets General Education 2002 – New Student Seminar.

PSYC 120 Psychology of Leadership
This course is for Emerging Leaders Learning Community students only. This course allows students to begin to develop their own leadership styles. While receiving a grounding in historical and contemporary psychological theories on leadership, they will practice leadership through community service and assess themselves based on theories, assessment instruments, and behaviors. This is a service-learning course. Meets Gen Ed 2002- Social Science for non-psychology majors only.

Prerequisite: Emerging Leaders Learning Community members only.

PSYC 200 Educational Psychology
Required for teaching. This course covers child and adolescent development; fundamentals of learning theory as applied to classroom situations, learning inhibition and academic non-achievement, personal-social adjustment, measuring and evaluation teaching-learning, creativity. Course may not be taken by psychology majors for major credit effective Fall 1995. Meets the General Education Requirement – Social Science, Topic Course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 201 Child Psychology
Covers growth, development and behavior of children. Physical, intellectual, social and emotional development and their interaction. Scientific method exemplified through the literature and intensive study of individual children. Course may not be taken by psychology majors for major credit effective Fall 1995. Meets the General Education Requirement – Social Science, Topic Course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 202 Adolescent Psychology
Covers biological, psychological and social factors that shape the transition from childhood to adulthood. Normal and deviant patterns of development in morals, intellect, emotions and judgment; problems of adolescents with practical application to oneself and others. Meets the General Education Requirement – Social Science, Topic Course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 203 Introduction to Psychological Research
The course will introduce students to different methods of psychological research including survey, correlational and experimental methods. Introductory descriptive statistics and correlational analysis will be covered. Basic aspects of sound scientific writing, including conducting a literature search and writing a scientific manuscript following American Psychological Association guidelines, will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 220 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
An introduction to basic statistical methods in the behavioral sciences. The course begins with a review of descriptive statistics. The main course emphasis will be on probability theory and inferential statistics and their application to psychological research. This includes such methods as z-tests, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation and nonparametric statistics. Laboratory sessions provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts from class using computers, particularly statistical software packages.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203 or PSYC 288

PSYC 224 Children’s Rights & Child Advocacy
Explores the review and evaluation of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of young citizens (preschool through adolescence); the process and goals of advocacy; the community services available to and lacking for the optimum development to maturity of young citizens. Psychology, education, sociology, mental health, law enforcement, medicine are domains of study and investigation.

PSYC 225 Psychology of Adjustment
Discusses: individual and social adjustment; typical varieties of adjustive behavior illustrated by practical examples; factors which facilitate or impede people’s adaptation to life situations such as work, marriage, disability, etc. Meets the General education Requirement – Social Science, Topic Course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 227 Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality
Topics include: behavior and attitudes influenced by basic sexuality; widening perspectives to aid in decision-making; developmental periods and sexual relationships; connections between psychological theory and sexual mores; genetic understandings.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 230 Environmental Psychology
Covers the influence of the physical environment on the behavior of organisms: population growth and regulation; crowding; sensory experience, enrichment and deprivation; motivational force of environmental stimulation; adaptation to environment as a function of prolonged exposure; salutary effects of aesthetically pleasing stimulation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 231 Psychology of Aggression
The roots causes of violence in America will be examined through case studies, (the protest movement of the 1960s, sexual and physical abuse, violent-criminal activity, etc.) and familiarization with biochemical, psychological and socio-cultural research into causes and effects of aggression and violence. Meets the General Education Requirement – Contemporary Issues. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 235 Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth
Surveys current practices and problems of exceptional children and youth. Explores the unique needs of individuals with handicaps that involve intellectual, sensory, motor, neurological, social and emotional origins. Utilizes analysis of case materials for theoretical and practical applications to the psychology of exceptionality.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 245 Hispanic/Latino Psychology
Focuses on the personal, social, institutional and cultural forces that affect the psychology of Hispanic/Latino Americans. The course will cover issues such as the measurement of psychological functions, bilingualism, personal values and belief systems, the dynamics of the family and acculturation. A midterm and a final exam as well as a research paper will be required from students. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 246 Psychology of the Black Experience
Covers historical impact of scientific and institutional racism on the psychological study of blacks. Survey and critical analysis of traditional European approaches with non-traditional methods for comparison. Future development and advancement of a black psychology considered. Meets the General Education Requirement – Social Science, Survey Course. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirements.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 248 Psychology and Law
Law and psychology share a common focus: the understanding, prediction, and regulation of human behavior. Despite this commonality of interest, different emphasis on these elements and a different mandate have frequently hindered active communication and collaboration between the two disciplines. The purpose of this course is to present the common ground of law and psychology, and show how they contribute to each other.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 265 Psychology of Women
The course will investigate contemporary issues in the psychology of women (an opportunity for original research will be provided). Theoretical positions and recent research in the area will be examined. Meets the General Education Requirement – Social Science, Topic Course. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 268 Psychological Aspects of Aging
Overview of later maturity and aging. Emphasis on psychological, physiological and sociological aspects. Aging and the cognitive process. Mental health, death, adjustment problems, needs, issues.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 288 Introduction to Cognitive Science
An introduction to the multidisciplinary field of cognitive science. Topics include: the mind-body problem, thought as computation and the computer model of the mind, the role of representation in mental activity. Emphasis will be upon the methodological approaches found in artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, cognitive anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, linguistics, and philosophy. Cross-listed with Mathematics and Computer Science, CMPT 290.
Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or PSYC 101 or CMPT 183 or LNGN 210 or PHIL 100

PSYC 294 Psychology of Leadership

This course is for Emerging Leaders Learning Community students only. This course allows students to begin to develop their own leadership styles. While receiving a grounding in historical and contemporary psychological theories on leadership, they will practice leadership through community service and assess themselves based on theories, assessment instruments, and behaviors. This is a service-learning course. Meets Gen Ed 2002- Social Science for non-psychology majors only.

Prerequisite: Emerging Leaders Learning Community members only.

PSYC 301 Experimental Psychology
Introduction to laboratory methods of research in areas such as motivation, perception and learning. Emphasis is on design and execution of exploratory investigations. (three hours lecture, three hours laboratory).
Prerequisites: PSYC 203 and 220, or PSYC 220 and 288 or LNGN 288 or PHIL 288.

PSYC 302 Health Psychology
The theoretical, empirical and clinical aspects of health psychology will be presented. The relation of health psychology with other areas of psychology and other scientific disciplines will be discussed. The historical developments of the field, its research methodologies, theoretical models and exemplary interventions will be described.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 304 Social Psychology
Focuses on social behavior of the individual and the group, social perception, motivation, and learning; attitudes and values; development and dynamics of social groups; inter-group tension and prejudice; mass phenomena; psychological approaches to social issues.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 305 Physiological Psychology
Anatomical, neural and biochemical bases of behavior are studies. Topics include localization of function, neurohormonal interaction, sensory and motor functioning, emotions, the relationship of neurophysiological processes and personality.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 306 Psychology of Work: Personnel Psychology
This course will address psychological issues involved in personnel decision making (e.g. job interviewing decisions, hiring decisions). Students will learn about aligning organizational and human resource strategy and learn about tools and techniques in personnel psychology including job analysis, equal employment opportunity law, performance management, employee selection, and organizational training and development. This course is designed to be an active learning course where students learn about important personnel functions and then apply the knowledge in activities and assessments. Students will learn about measurement and assessment of job applicant and how this assessment must be conducted to be fair and successful.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 306 Psychology of Work: Organizational Psychology
This course will address individual, social and group interactions in work organizations. Students will learn about how social factors such as roles, norms, groups, stereotypes and culture influence individual and organizational behavior. Students will study theories and practices in organizations to assess and improve job attitudes, work stress, work motivation, leadership and organizational functioning. This course is designed to be an active learning course where students learn about the different social factors that influence organizational function, and then apply this knowledge in activities and assessments. Students will gain a better understanding of their own work experiences as a result of this course.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 308 Perception
Discusses the theory and procedure of perceptual research. Theoretical approaches; modern psychophysical and perceptual research, traditional problems of perception constancies of size and color brightness.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203 or instructor’s permission

PSYC 310 Introduction to Psychological Testing
Tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement and personality; principles of psychological testing; approaches to test construction.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 313 Cognition
The study of the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of knowledge, utilizing behavioral, observational, and computer modeling methods.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 314 Psychology of Judgment & Decision Making
This course examines how human beings make decisions and judgments. It reviews how personal values, uncertainty and cognitive, social, and neurological processes affect decision making. This course draws upon a wide range of examples from many fields including psychology, economics, criminology and medicine. Students will also learn strategies and techniques to enhance judgment.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 320 Developmental Psychology
This course surveys human psychological development from the prenatal period to adolescence. The interacting forces of heredity, environment, and physical, cognitive, emotional and socio-cultural factors are reviewed in the light of current research and theory in these areas.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 330 Forensic Psychology
An examination of the interaction between psychology and the legal system. Emphasis placed on the assessment and diagnosis of psychopathic behavior, court-mandated evaluations and the role of the psychologist as expert witness. The application of psychological knowledge within the criminal justice context. Ethical guidelines in forensic psychology. Prerequisite: junior or senior status

PSYC 332 Psychological Foundations of Personality
Explores current approaches and theories of personality development and organization.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 340 Human Learning and Memory
Covers research, language and methods of learning theory. Classical and operant conditioning, complex habits, remembering and forgetting, transfer of training, cognition and behavior modification. Review of animal research but primary emphasis is on people.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 348 Psycholinguistics
Explores the study of language through linguistic, behavioral and cognitive methods. Basic linguistic ideas are used for the explication of problems in grammar, cognitive structure, meaning, and speech production and comprehension.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 353 Comparative Animal Behavior
The student will explore experimental and field studies of behavior in a few selected animal species with particular reference to the behavior of vertebrates. The program will involve detailed study of instinctive behavior and imprinting, respondent and operant behavior with emphasis upon the procedures and variables concerned with the acquisition of new forms of behavior.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 358 Fundamentals of Conditioning and Learning
Major theoretical problems and theories of learning are considered. Includes experimental analysis of basic phenomena of conditioning and learning, studied primarily through experimental studies of infro-human organisms. Students may study selected topics more extensively.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 360 History and Systems of Psychology
Discusses the historical development of psychology; comparative analysis of the major schools of contemporary psychology; new trends and movements in psychological theory.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 365 Abnormal Psychology
Topics include an overview of psychopathological processes; neuroses, psychoses, and characterological disorders; feeling, thinking and behavioral aspects during the lifespan. Diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Prerequisites: PSYC 203

PSYC 366 Health Psychology: Applications to the Community
The course will present psychological contributions to interventions designed to promote health, prevent illness and avert further disability. Appropriate techniques to assess, plan and implement programs at the community level will be discussed. The multidisciplinary multilevel nature of community programs will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203 or instructor’s permission

PSYC 402 Social Role of Psychotherapies
Covers the effects of various psychotherapies upon society, social institutions and social relationships; impact of classical Freudian therapy, behaviorism, group and encounter movements.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 420 Packaged Computer Programs for Psychology
A detailed review of the use of a computer package for the purpose of doing statistical analyses of psychological data. The instructor will select one such package for presentation and choose among SPSS, EcStatic, BMD, SAS, and others. Instruction will be provided on coding, data entry, menu selection, score transformation and exporting.
Prerequisite: PSYC 220 or a course on psychological statistics

PSYC 459 Special Topics in Psychology
An in-depth review of important theoretical and methodological issues in a specific area of psychology. The area to be covered is chosen by the instructor. The course permits the instructor and students to examine psychological issues which are either not covered in the curriculum or which deserve more in-depth treatment than is possible in a regular course. The course may be taken no more than twice as part of major degree requirements in psychology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203

PSYC 488 Seminar in Cognitive Science
Seminar discussion of foundation works and contemporary research articles in cognitive science. With the instructor’s guidance and supervision, each student will define an area of cognitive science for comprehensive in-depth review of research and write a literature review. Professional issues in cognitive science are discussed.
Prerequisites: PSYC/CMPT 290, PSYC 301, and any one of the following: PSYC 313, LNGN 300, LNGN 420, LNGN 445.

PSYC 491 Independent Study I: Research
Individual research project under supervision of a professor in the department.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

PSYC 492 Independent Study II: Research
Individual research project under supervision of a professor in the department.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

PSYC 495 Psychology Honors I
With the instructor’s guidance and supervision, each student will define an area of psychology for comprehensive, in-depth review of research; generate research questions and hypotheses; delineate appropriate design, methodology and statistical analyses to answer these questions and test these hypotheses; collect and analyze preliminary data; and write an Honors Thesis Proposal.
Prerequisite: PSYC 301 and permission of instructor; overall G.P.A. of 3.5

PSYC 496 Psychology Honors II
This course constitutes the second semester of Psychology Honors. Students are expected to gather, analyze and interpret the data for their honors project, write the analysis and discussion chapters, and submit their completed honors thesis. Students who successfully complete this course will graduate with honors in Psychology.
Prerequisite: Completion of PSYC 495 with a grade of A or A-