Undergraduate Catalog

Psychology

Chairperson: Dr. David J. Lane
Office: Waggoner Hall 100
Telephone: (309) 298-1593
Fax: (309) 298-2179
Website: wiu.edu/psychology

Program Offerings and Locations

  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Macomb, Quad Cities (Psychology option only)
  • Minor in Aging Studies: Macomb
  • Minor in Forensic Psychology: Macomb, Quad Cities
  • Minor in Mental Health: Macomb, Quad Cities
  • Minor in Neuroscience: Macomb
  • Minor in Psychology: Macomb, Quad Cities, Online

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

Faculty

Bainter, Blankenship, Cruise, Fisler, Goodwin, Hammersley, Harbke, Hemenover, Humes, Intrieri, Keefe, Kelly, Lane, Lindemann, McClure, McFadden, McGuire, Schmidt.

Honors Curriculum

Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Honors in the Major, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Honors in the Major includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Honors in the Major and General Honors. View more information about honors curricula or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/honors.

Department Information

Psychology is a scholarly and scientific discipline which attempts to understand and explain human behavior, and it is an applied profession which attempts to solve psychological problems and fulfill human potential. Psychology majors therefore acquire knowledge about the principles of human behavior and skill in the application of these principles.

Students seeking to understand why people behave and think as they do should consider a major or minor in Psychology. The study of Psychology prepares students for a wide range of careers in such areas as clinical services, counseling, business, industry, health care, testing, education, and behavioral research. It also prepares students for advancement to graduate studies or enrollment in professional schools. The department has several tracks within the major including Aging Studies, Forensic Psychology, Neuroscience, and Mental Health. Anyone whose future involves interacting with others will find the study and exploration of psychological principles valuable.

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science—Psychology

All students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Psychology must complete I, II, and III.A or III.B below, and the Foreign Language/Global Issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

Note: Students enrolled in this major may not minor in Forensic Psychology.

  1. University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Requirements: 55 s.h.
  2. Core Courses: 14 s.h.
    PSY 100, 200, 223, 323†, 492, 499
  3. Options of Study (select A or B)
    1. Psychology: 51 s.h.
      1. Select 9 s.h. from Category 1: 9 s.h.
        PSY 340, 343, 344, 346, 442, 443, 444, 456
      2. Select 9 s.h. from Category 2: 9 s.h.
        PSY 334, 353, 380, 422, 423, 424, 425, 427, 430, 433, 451, 452, 453, 486, 487
      3. Select 9 s.h. from any Psychology courses: 9 s.h.
      4. Any Minor: 16 s.h.
      5. Open Electives: 8 s.h.

        Note: At least 19 s.h. in the major must be taken at the 300–400 level.

    2. Forensic Psychology: 55 s.h.
      1. PSY 453: 3 s.h.
      2. PSY 490, taken twice with different topics: 6 s.h.
      3. Directed Electives: 18 s.h.
        Select 18 s.h. from any of the following courses:
        Clinical Foundations: PSY 334, 424, 442, 451
        Non-Clinical Foundations: PSY 343, 346, 422, 430, 452, 456; PSY/ANTH 353
      4. Forensically Related Electives: 12 s.h.
        Select 12 s.h. from the following courses: ANTH 405; HIST 303, 310; LEJA 212, 255, 306, 312, 357, 412, 413; PHIL 205, 420; POLS 319; PSY 434; SW 325, 380; SOC 255, 300, 355, 425, 445, 463; SOC/WS 435
      5. Any Minor: 16 s.h.

# The Foreign Language/Global Issues graduation requirement (see Multicultural Perspectives Requirement) may be fulfilled by successfully completing one of the following: 1) a designated foreign language requirement; 2) a General Education Global Issues (GEGI) course; 3) any major’s Discipline-Specific Global Issues (DSGI) course; or 4) an approved Study Abroad program.
* Students must complete one of the following one-year sequences outside the major: BIOL 100, 101; BOT 200, ZOOL 200; CHEM 101, 102; CHEM 201, 202; METR 120, GEOG 121; GEOL 110, 112; MATH 101, 102; MATH 101, STAT 171; MATH 101, 123; MATH 102, 123; MATH 102, STAT 171; MATH 123, STAT 171; MATH 133, 134; PHYS 114, 115; or PHYS 211, 213.
† PSY 323 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement.

Note: Certain courses taken in the major and minor may also fulfill University General Education requirements.

Minors

Minor in Aging Studies: 18 s.h.

See Interdisciplinary Studies Minors.

Minor in Forensic Psychology: 18 s.h.

Note: This minor is not open to students majoring in Psychology.

  1. PSY 100, 453, 490*: 9 s.h.
  2. Select 6 hours from the following: 6 s.h.
    PSY 221, 250, 251, 357, 380, 422, 424, 433, 451, 452, 456, 490*
  3. Select 3 hours from the following: 3 s.h.
    ANTH 405; PHIL 205; POLS 319; SOC 255, 300, 355, 425, 445; WS/SOC 435

* Seminar course—PSY 490 may be taken twice, once as a core requirement and once as a Directed Elective, but they must be on different topics in Forensic Psychology.

Minor in Mental Health: 18 s.h.
  1. PSY 251, 380, 424: 9 s.h.
  2. Choose 9 s.h. from the following: 9 s.h.
    AAS 251; HE 441; HE/WS 321; PSY 243, 334, 353, 427, 433, 434, 442, 444, 451, 460 or 463 (lab experience or readings must be in a mental health area), 487, 490; SOC 424; SW 331, 338

Note: PSY 460 and PSY 463 may account for a total of 4 s.h.
Note: PSY 487 and PSY 490 may account for a total of 3 s.h.

Minor in Neuroscience: 19–21 s.h.
  1. PSY 343, 443: 7 s.h.
  2. Choose two courses from the following: 6–7 s.h.
    BIOL 340; PSY 444, 340, 344, 456; ZOOL 432; Neuroscience Related Seminar BIOL 470 or PSY 490
  3. Choose two courses from the following: 6–7 s.h.
    BIOL 330; CHEM 221, 330, 421, 422; KIN 270; PHIL 425; ZOOL 330, 331, 321, 420, 430; PSY 460 or 463 (lab experience or readings must be in the Neuroscience area, 460 and 463 may account for 4 total s.h.)
Minor in Psychology: 18 s.h.
  1. PSY 100: 3 s.h.
  2. Psychology Electives: 15 s.h.

Course Descriptions

AGING STUDIES (AGE)

202 (Cross-listed with ANTH/PSY/RPTA/SOC 202) The Aging Person in the Social Context. (3) An introduction to Gerontology, including a comprehensive and critical review of demographic, physiological, activity, and psychosocial dimensions of aging-related issues and processes. Not open to students with credit in ANTH/PSY/RPTA/SOC 202.

460 Individual Research in Aging Studies. (1–3, repeatable to 3) Students will design, conduct, and present the results of their research projects in writing or orally. Research content is drawn from interdisciplinary topics including current issues in aging. Students considering graduate school are strongly encouraged to enroll. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; Aging Studies minor; minimum GPA of 3.0 in AGE 200, SOC 405, and PSY 423; and consent of Aging Studies advisor.

463 Individual Readings in Aging Studies. (1–3, repeatable to 3) The student will explore a structured set of readings concerning the biological, psychological, and social factors of aging. The student will work in consultation with a designated Aging Studies faculty member and prepare a written report on the topic. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; Aging Studies minor; minimum GPA of 3.0 in AGE 200, SOC 405, and PSY 423; and consent of Aging Studies advisor.

487 Practicum in Aging Studies. (2) This is a supervised practicum in a community agency planning for or delivering services to older adults. The practicum focuses on the application of interdisciplinary knowledge through direct experience. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; Aging Studies minor; minimum GPA of 2.50 in AGE 200, SOC 405, and PSY 423; and consent of Aging Studies advisor. Corequisite: AGE 490. Graded S/U only.

490 Seminar in Aging Studies. (1) An interdisciplinary investigation of selected facets of the practicum in Aging Studies. Seminar discussions focus on the application of concepts derived from all Aging Studies courses and applied to each student’s specific field experience. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing; Aging Studies minor; minimum GPA of 2.50 in AGE 200, SOC 405, and PSY 423; and consent of Aging Studies advisor. Corequisite: AGE 487.

PSYCHOLOGY (PSY)

100 Introductory Psychology. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) An introduction to Psychology including methods, theory, and data regarding the study of behavior. Topics include biological, social, learning, personality, motivation, and abnormal behavior.
IAI: S6 900.

200 Psychology as a Science and Profession. (3) A required course that provides an overview of career opportunities for Psychology majors; includes an introduction to scientific writing and APA style guidelines. Prerequisites: Psychology major and PSY 100 and ENG 180, or permission of instructor.

202 (Cross-listed with AGE/ANTH/RPTA/SOC 202) The Aging Person in the Social Context. (3) An introduction to Gerontology, including a comprehensive and critical review of demographic, physiological, activity, and psychosocial dimensions of aging-related issues and processes. Not open to students with credit in AGE/ANTH/RPTA/SOC 202.

221 Psychology of Child Development. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) A presentation of the data and generalizations concerning the development of children from birth to adolescence. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission of instructor.
IAI: S6 903.

223 Research in Psychology I: Statistical Methods. (4) Introduction to basic statistical concepts, terminology, and methods used in social science research. Topics include measurement scales and descriptive and inferential statistics. Students will gain experience using software for data entry, analysis, display, and presentation of results. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and must have completed the University General Education Curriculum baccalaureate-level skills in Mathematics requirement; Psychology major or permission of instructor.

243 Mind, Brain, and Behavior. (3) This course is a study of basic principles of brain function and anatomy. The content covers current scientific methodologies and modern theories concerning mind and brain relationships. The course focuses on problem-solving related to popular topics in brain science. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission of instructor.

250 Human Social Behavior. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) An introduction to the influences of social factors on behavior. Topics include helping, aggression, interpersonal attraction, attitudes, prejudice, and behavior in groups. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission of instructor.
IAI: S8 900.

251 Personality and Adjustment. (3) An introduction to the study of personality and its relation to human behavioral adjustment emphasizing such topics as relating to others, stress management, needs, values, and self-esteem. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission of instructor.

308 (Cross-listed with POLS 308) Political Psychology. (3) A study of the psychological underpinnings of political behavior to better understand how individuals make sense of and react to the political world. Not open to students with credit in POLS 308. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or PSY 100, or permission of instructor.

323 Research in Psychology II: Research Methodology. (3) An introduction to the use of scientific methods in the study of behavior. Techniques in designing, conducting, and reporting psychological research are covered. Lectures and laboratory. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: PSY 200, PSY 223 with a grade of C or better, and ENG 280.

334 Perspectives on Substance Abuse. (3) This course is designed to provide students with a usable framework regarding the nature of substance abuse and dependence. Students will explore various perspectives on substance use, as well as current issues in its diagnosis and treatment. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and 251, or permission of instructor.

335 Substance Abuse Assessment, Education and Case Management. (3) This course is designed to provide an understanding of the roles of assessment, education, and case management in substance abuse treatment settings. Prerequisite: PSY 334.

340 Fundamentals of Learning and Behavior. (3) A systematic presentation of the empirical findings concerning the acquisition, maintenance, and removal of behavioral patterns. Findings from the study of animal learning are stressed. Prerequisite: PSY 223 or permission of instructor.

343 Behavioral Neuroscience. (3) An examination of physiological or biological psychology emphasizing the relationships between behavior and underlying physiological mechanisms. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or ZOOL 200, and 6 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or permission of instructor.

344 Perception. (3) A consideration of sensation and perception including color perception, constancies, and illusions. Prerequisite: PSY 223 or permission of instructor.

346 Motivation and Emotion. (3) The role of motives and emotions in the behavior of animals and humans including their physiological and psychological bases. Prerequisite: 6 s.h. of Psychology coursework or permission of instructor.

353 (Cross-listed with ANTH 353) Cultural Psychology. (3) (Multicultural) Examines culture as the physical environment, social institutions and practices, language, and the media that influences human behavior and mental processes. Not open to students with credit in ANTH 353. Prerequisites: 9 s.h. of Psychology coursework and junior standing or permission of instructor.

357 (Cross-listed with WS 357) Women and Work. (3) (Multicultural) Examination of major psychological issues encountered by women entering the workforce, including career choice, combining work and family life, leadership, and inequities. Not open to students with credit in WS 357. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

360 Research Practicum. (1, repeatable to 2) The course involves a research apprenticeship under the direction of a faculty member wherein the student will be involved in assisting faculty in conducting research and other relevant research activities. Prerequisites: 9 s.h. of Psychology courses and a written contract with the student’s research supervisor.

380 Clinical Psychology. (3) A review of traditional and contemporary developments in clinical psychology with emphasis on recent developments in community mental health, nonbehavioral psychotherapy, group treatment, and clinical research. Prerequisite: PSY 251 or permission of instructor.

422 Adolescent Development. (3) A study of adolescence from the standpoints of growth and adjustment emphasizing the areas of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and 221, or permission of instructor.

423 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging. (3) A survey of the adult years from early adulthood to old age and the dying process. Emphasis will be placed on psychological theories and research related to aging and its implications. Prerequisite: 9 s.h. in Psychology coursework, or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

424 Psychopathology. (3) This course examines the biopsychosocial aspects of psychopathology. Emphasis is placed on terminology, classification, sources, and empirically-based treatments (EBTs) associated with psychopathology. Students will understand pathological behavior patterns and apply knowledge of sources, symptoms, and EBTs. Prerequisites: PSY 251 and junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.
IAI: PSY 905.

425 Psychology of Exceptional Children. (3) A psychological approach to children above and below the normal range in learning and behavior characteristics. Examines assessment techniques, methods of remediation or enhancement, and relevant federal and state legislation. Prerequisite: PSY 221 or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

427 Health Psychology. (3) Examines how psychological theory and research have been used to study the behavioral, psychological, and social factors that affect physical health. Topics include how social scientists study coping with stress, pain, illness management, and prevention of unhealthy behaviors. Prerequisites: PSY 251 and 223, or permission of instructor.

430 History and Systems of Psychology. (3) A study of the important historical and contemporary schools of Psychology. The systems of Psychology are presented in an historical setting leading to an evaluation of trends in Psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 323 or permission of instructor.

433 (Cross-listed with WS 433) Psychology of Gender. (3) Examines the psychological, social, and biological bases for societal-defined sex roles. The knowledge of these factors will assist students in recognizing and understanding the influence of gender on human experiences (i.e., behaviors, cognitions, emotions, physiology) and relationships. Not open to students with credit in WS 433. Prerequisite: 9 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

434 Substance Abuse Treatment Approaches and Techniques I. (3) This course is designed to provide an introduction to basic therapy and counseling skills that are utilized in the treatment of substance abuse, as well as current brief therapy approaches. Prerequisite: PSY 334.

442 Principles of Behavior Modification. (3) An application of learning principles to modification of human behavior emphasizing operant and respondent principles. Topics include autistic behavior, academic learning, rehabilitation, token economies. Prerequisite: 9 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

443 Principles of Neuroscience with Laboratory. (4) A study of the nervous system from a multidisciplinary perspective. This perspective emphasizes physiological, genetic, neurochemical, and psychological explanations of nervous system function. This class will include a 3-hour lecture component and a two-hour lab. Prerequisites: PSY 343; BIOL 330 or BIOL 340, or ZOOL 430, or CHEM 330, or CHEM 221, or KIN 270, or permission of instructor.

444 Biopsychology of Drugs and Addiction. (3) A systematic study of the relationships between drugs and psychological processes (i.e., psychopharmacology) with emphasis on the roles of the central nervous system, individual experience, and the environment in determining the outcome of drug use. Prerequisite: PSY 343 or ZOOL 200 or HE 123 or HE 442, or permission of the instructor.

451 Personality. (3) An advanced treatment of the major research concepts and theoretical formulations of personality emphasizing integration of personality with other areas such as learning and social psychology. Prerequisites: PSY 251 and an additional 6 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

452 Applied Social Psychology. (3) Coverage of major research and theories in social psychology, with a focus on applying psychology in practice. Emphasis on how theories can be applied to social problems, e.g., reducing wrongful convictions, health risks, prejudice, discrimination, and social exclusion. Prerequisite: PSY 250 or permission of instructor.

453 Psychology and Law. (3) A comprehensive study of the interface between Psychology and the legal system. Topics covered include the insanity defense, eyewitness memory, child interview procedures, and suspect interrogations. Prerequisite: 9 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or permission of instructor.

456 Cognitive Processes. (3) A survey of topical areas related to complex thought processes including cognitive neuroscience, attention, knowledge, memory, problem solving, and language. Prerequisites: BOT 200 or COMM 311 or LEJA 303 or PSY 323 or SOC 324 or SW 312 or ZOOL 200 and 9 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or permission of instructor.

460 Individual Research in Psychology. (1–4, repeatable to 4) The student designs, carries out, and writes up a research project. Ordinarily, students enroll for two consecutive semesters of two hours credit each semester. This offering is strongly recommended for students planning to do graduate work in Psychology. Prerequisites: open to majors in Psychology having a GPA of at least 3.00 in Psychology and a written contract with the student’s research supervisor.

463 Individual Reading in Psychology. (1–2, repeatable to 3) The student reads extensively on some topic in Psychology, chosen in consultation with a Psychology instructor, and prepares a written report on the topic. Ordinarily, a student will register for 1 s.h. of credit. Prerequisites: junior standing and a written contract with the student’s reading supervisor.

486 Crisis Hotline Internship in Psychology. (3) Practicum course designed to provide supervised practical experiences in a crisis intervention Hotline. Students receive training in clinical skills and deliver paraprofessional crisis hotline services. Prerequisites: cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 or instructor permission, and consent of the crisis hotline internship instructor.

487 Community Internship in Psychology. (3) Practicum course designed to provide supervised practical experiences in applied settings. Students actively participate in the service delivery systems of approved agencies and organizations. Prerequisites: cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 or instructor permission, and consent of the community internship instructor.

488 (Cross-listed with FS 488) Fire-Related Human Behavior. (3) Considers fire related behavior in general including fire detection, suppression action, and evacuation behavior. Also considers fire-setting behavior, fire-prevention education, and eyewitness processes. Not open to students with credit in FS 488. Prerequisite: FS 210 or permission of instructor/chairperson.

490 Seminar. (1–3, repeatable to 12) Instructors of the department may present a seminar on some topic of interest. Seminar descriptions are posted outside of the Psychology Department main office prior to registration periods. Prerequisite: written permission of the instructor.

491 Honors Thesis in Psychology. (1–4, repeatable to 4) The preparation by an Honors student of an undergraduate Psychology thesis under the direction of one or more members of the Psychology Department. Ordinarily, students enroll for two consecutive semesters, taking 3 s.h. in the first and 1 s.h. in the second. Prerequisite: Honors major in Psychology with junior or senior standing.

492 Capstone Experience. (1) Students will write a substantive paper that integrates empirical and/or theoretical material from at least two subdisciplines of Psychology. Prerequisites: senior standing; PSY 323; permission of instructor. Graded S/U only.

499 Senior Comprehensive Exam. (0) An exam which all Psychology majors must take during their senior year. Taking the exam will result in a grade of S. Prerequisite: senior standing.