Catalog 2021-2022

PSY - Psychology

PSY 101 is a prerequisite for all courses in psychology. PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course must be successfully completed before enrolling in any 300-level (or higher) psychology course. In addition, PSY 312 is a pre- or co-requisite for most 400-level courses. See the course descriptions for the requirements of each course.

PSY 101 General Psychology

An introduction to the basic principles of psychology.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

PSY 201 Psychological Assessment

A study of psychometric theory with emphasis on techniques and topics in clinical interviewing, self-assessment, and reliability and validity of psychological tests in counseling and healthcare settings.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 202 Industrial Psychology

Studies the application of psychological principles to business and industry. Includes topics such as personnel selection, training, job satisfaction and work motivation.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 203 Social Psychology

Introductory survey of basic concepts in social psychology including research methods, attitudes, interpersonal processes, and small group processes.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 210 Psychology of Child Development

Focuses on psychological development in infants, children, and adolescents. Emphases are on applied, practical applications of research findings and consideration of the "how-to" as well as the "how" of growth and development. (Service learning may be required)

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 211 Statistics and Experimental Methods I

An introduction to statistical techniques and experimental methods. Statistical coverage includes frequency distributions, graphic representations, central tendency measures, variability measures, probability and the t-tests. Methodological coverage includes the nature of science, ethics, research approaches, the experimental approach, hypothesis testing, two-group designs and control for two-group designs. Students must complete PSY 211 with a grade of "C" or better to register for PSY 312.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSY 101 and MAT 160, MAT 170, MAT 260, MAT 261 or MAT 225.

PSY 219 Biopsychology of Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation psychology is area 22 of the American Psychological Association, covering the psychology of disability and rehabilitation. This course takes an applied approach to some of the neuroscience relevant to the psychologist on a treatment and recovery team. The neuropathy of stroke, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, pain, and chronic illness are discussed, as specific examples of neural pathways, neuroplasticity, loss of daily function, and the common comorbidities of depression and anxiety.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 220 Fundamentals of Biopsychology and Learning

Introduces the student to fundamental concepts and examples in biological psychology and the study of learning and memory. The course focuses on topics essential to understanding the biological bases of behavior, including how the brain is organized, the units of brain function, and how neurons communicate sensory information, process perceptions and control behavior. Various aspects of learning including habituation, conditioned behaviors (classical/Pavlovian and instrumental/operant), theories of reinforcement and memory mechanisms are also discussed.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 225 The Cognition of Game Playing

Game playing meets a variety of human psychological needs, such as cognitive, social, and emotional, leading every human culture to play games. Centered on the cognitive aspects of games, this course examines how humans interact with these creative endeavors. Students study how our psychology influences the games we play, and how our cognitions affect our responses to and within those games. All types of games are considered, from board games to games of chance to video games.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 227 Applied Cognitive Psychology

Examines how the findings of cognitive psychology can be applied to educational and everyday settings. The core of cognitive psychology is the science of how people acquire, process, store, and use information. As such, it can assist in the design and creation of educational curriculum, software (educational and otherwise), and other human inventions.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 231 Inquiry into Clinical and Counseling Psychology

This course will provide an overview of clinical and counseling psychology utilizing an inquiry-based approach to learning. Students will learn about the theoretical underpinnings of these applied fields as well as the basic skill sets required to be successful mental health practitioners. Students will also be exposed to some of the current controversies in clinical and counseling psychology while learning ways to analyze these complex problems.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 250 Health Psychology

Explores the area of psychology that examines psychological aspects of how individuals maintain health, become ill and respond to illness.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 299 Special Summer Studies

Special courses are offered occasionally during the summer sessions.

Credit Hours: 2-4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101

PSY 303 Abnormal Psychology

A systematic presentation of concepts related to the etiology, symptoms and treatment of psychological disorders.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 304 The Psychology of Prejudice

Prejudice, which is a negative attitude toward an individual due to his or her group membership, still exists in the modern world. And it is a problem that is even deeper than we think. It is something strongly rooted in humanity that seems to serve several fundamental psychological functions. In this course, we will explore prejudice using a scientific lens and attempt to answer some crucial questions such as the following: Why does prejudice exist? Where does it come from? What forms does it take? How has it evolved throughout history? What functions does it serve? What can we do to reduce or eliminate it?
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 305 Applied Psychology: Consumer Psychology

Focuses on the application of the principles of psychology to consumer behavior.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 310 Emerging Adulthood

This course explores the developmental changes that take place during a newly documented developmental period, emerging adulthood, which spans the ages of 18 to the late 20s. Over the course of the semester, we will investigate several questions about this developmental period by turning to the psychological literature, including: (1) What does it mean to be an adult? (2) What developmental changes are taking place during the college-age years? (3) Does being an emerging adult give one a “free pass” on deviant behaviors? (4) How does the current generation of college students differ from previous generations?

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 311 Evolutionary Psychology

Examines theory and research in evolutionary psychology. The course is structured around ultimate explanations, descriptions that focus on the survival and reproductive consequences of (sometimes difficult to explain) human behaviors, and how they could have been shaped by natural selection. Comparative examples from pertinent animal literature are provided where appropriate.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and PSY 220.

PSY 312 Statistics and Experimental Methods II

Extension of elementary statistical and experimental methodological topics begun in PSY 211. Statistical coverage includes correlation, regression, and one-way and two-way analyses of variance. Methodological coverage includes a review of ethics, hypothesis testing, various experimental designs and control in experimentation.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211 with a grade of "C" or better, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 316 Psychopharmacology

Examines current and possible future drug treatments for psychopathological symptoms. Addictive drugs of abuse and their biological mechanisms are covered, as are controversies involving the possible overdiagnosis and overmedication of disorders that also respond well to behavioral and other therapeutic interventions. Critical interactions between "talk therapy" and the client's medicated or unmedicated state are addressed.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and PSY 220.

PSY 317 Psychology of Adult Development and Aging

The course focuses on the growth, decline, and stability of psychological functioning in adulthood and aging. Some topics to be covered include physical and cognitive development, perception, memory, language, intelligence, thinking, knowledge, and moral reasoning. (Service learning may be required.)

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 318 Sensation and Perception

Explores the sensory and physiological bases of perception and how people process relevant information in their environments. All five senses are covered, with primary emphasis on vision. Focal topics include the perceptual process, neural processing, perceiving objects, color, depth, size, movement, sound, speech, touch, flavor and odor.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and PSY 220.

PSY 319 Psychology of Personal Relationships

Examines current theory and research in the field of relationships. Primary approach is social psychological, but other major theories of relationships are examined.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 326 Memory and Executive Functioning

This course examines the cognitive psychology of human memory and executive functioning. Memory refers to the maintenance of learned information or skills over time, and executive functioning refers to strategic control processes that regulate our thoughts and behaviors. The course will discuss theories about and distinctions between various forms of memory (e.g., working memory, long-term memory, implicit memory) and types of executive functioning (e.g., maintenance of task goals, shifting attention, prioritizing, updating, sequencing, inhibiting). Additional topics will include metamemory, false memories, dual-task interference, directed forgetting, interference resolution within memory, and recollection versus familiarity.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and PSY 220

PSY 330 Selected Topics in Psychology

A course involving special topics in psychology. Provides students with the opportunity to explore subject matter in psychology more thoroughly than is possible in a formal class.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 340 Behavior Modification

This course is designed to provide an in-depth overview of the principles of behavior that have been developed from research on how people and animals learn. There will be a specific focus on learning and scientific principles from behavioral and clinical psychology. Students will learn how these principles explain human behavior and are applied to alter behavior.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, and one other 200-level course.

PSY 399 Careers in Psychology

For psychology majors only, to be taken in student’s junior year. This course is required and is offered on a pass/fail basis. The goals of the course include individual reflection on the student's personal experiences and education at UT, and preparation for life after graduation, including career possibilities and postgraduate education.
Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisites

Junior or senior standing

PSY 404 Human Sexual Behavior: Seminar

A survey of the physiological, sociological and psychological aspects of human sexuality. Requires independent study project and seminar presentation.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSY 312

PSY 406 Internship in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Open only to psychology majors. A supervised internship in local organizations. Admission by application to the industrial/organizational internship coordinator. Graded on a pass/fail basis. May not be used to satisfy the general distribution requirements. May be repeated for credit if internship location varies.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 202 and PSY 211, and GPA in the PSY major of 3.0.

PSY 407 Internship in Experimental Psychology

Open only to psychology majors. A supervised internship with local or collaborative research-suitable institutions. Admission by application to the experimental psychology internship coordinator. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. May not be used to satisfy the general distribution requirements. May be repeated for credit if internship location varies.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 211, PSY 220 and PSY 311, and a GPA in the PSY major of 3.0.

PSY 408 Internship in Developmental Psychology

Open only to psychology majors. Course provides opportunities in semester-long internships focusing on selected topics related to children’s formal and informal learning and how programs are developed to best serve the needs of children with and without learning differences. Admission by application to the developmental internship coordinator.
Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSY 101, PSY 210, and PSY 211; junior or senior status and GPA in the PSY major of 3.0. Pre-requisite or co-requisite of PSY 312.

PSY 409 Directed Internship in Psychology

Involves internship placements focusing on individual project- or problem-based experience in psychology. Admission by application to faculty member in area of interest, which may include: Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Experimental Psychology. Students are encouraged to bring potential locations to faculty for review and approval. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

Junior or senior status and GPA in the PSY major of 3.0. Prerequisite courses will be determined by area of internship focus. May not be taken in place of existing internship offerings (PSY 405 and PSY 408) for the semester the student is enrolled. May be repeated for credit if internship location varies, but a maximum of 4 credits can be used towards the major.

PSY 410 Sexual Harassment: Seminar

Examines the topic of sexual harassment as an organizational problem. Students will explore the topic from a psychological, historical, and legal perspective. Specific topics will include definitions and theories of sexual harassment, perceptions of harassment, legal definitions of harassment, harassment of men, effects of harassment and cross-cultural perspectives on harassment.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 312

PSY 414 Understanding Childhood Disorders

Students will take an in-depth look into childhood disorders in order to gain an accurate understanding of what qualifies as abnormal development in childhood. The information in this course will familiarize the student with how childhood disorders are diagnosed, assessed, and treated. Students will also learn about the etiology and characteristics of behavioral, emotional and developmental disorders.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 210 and PSY 312

PSY 415 Contemporary Clinical Interventions

This survey course will give an overview of research-supported psychological interventions in clinical psychology. We will explore the history of psychotherapy, the core components of behavioral and cognitive interventions and the “new wave” of acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies. In addition, we will discuss other contemporary developments in clinical psychology, such as transdiagnostic treatments, the use of technology to increase access to mental health care, research support for these new movements and the future direction of clinical interventions.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 303 and PSY 312

PSY 420 Behavioral Neuroscience

Surveys current knowledge of the biological bases of behavior and psychological abilities (learning and memory), diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's) and disorders (anxiety, depression, PTSD). Incorporates research findings from both animal models and human neuropsychiatric cases.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 220 and PSY 312. Recommended: PSY 311 or PSY 316.

PSY 424 Cognitive Psychology

The various roles of the mind are examined in this course. Central topics investigated may include neurocognition, pattern recognition, selective and divided attention, sensory memory, working memory, long-term memory, acquisition and retrieval processes, memory errors, models of long-term memory, language, visual knowledge, and conscious versus unconscious thinking.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 220 and PSY 312. Recommended: PSY 318.

PSY 425 Thinking

Examines the emerging field of cognitive science, a discipline encompassing cognitive psychology, computer science, philosophy, and linguistics, among others. Topics include problem solving, reasoning, expertise, categorization, and analogies. Upon completing this course students will have an appreciation of the current major research findings in the area.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 312

PSY 430 Selected Topics in Psychology: Seminar

A seminar course involving special topics in psychology. Provides students with the opportunity to explore subject matter in psychology more thoroughly than is possible in a formal class. Requires an independent study project and a seminar presentation.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSY 312

PSY 450 Independent Study

Involves independent study and Honors research on individual problems in psychology. May be repeated for credit if subject matter varies.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor and department chair.

PSY 451 Senior Thesis

A substantial research and writing project expected to yield a journal-ready manuscript.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Senior standing, minimum 3.5 GPA, completion of 24 hours in psychology, and consent of instructor and department chair.