Psychology

College of Science and Engineering

Dean: Dr. Carmen Domingo

Department of Psychology

Ethnic Studies and Psychology Building, Room 301
Phone: (415) 338-2167
Fax: (415) 338-2398
Email: psych@sfsu.edu
Website: http://psychology.sfsu.edu
Chair: Dr. Ryan Howell

Program Scope

Undergraduate Program

Psychology is a broad field of study and practice comprised of several different yet complementary areas of specialization. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is built around a core set of courses in theory and methods and three broad areas of study: basic psychological processes, psychological development, individual differences, and social, cultural, organizational, and community contexts. Several themes of common interest extend across these broad areas including an appreciation for cultural and human diversity, ethics and values, a sense of individual empowerment, historical antecedents, critical thinking, and the understanding of self and others.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology offers a foundation in the analysis and critical evaluation of psychological literature, the communication of psychological concepts and facts both orally and in writing, and the development of psychological research including design, data analysis, measurement, and basic computer operation. Our B.A. degree provides an excellent foundation for work in the community in many fields that involve human relations and behavior. In addition, the undergraduate degree is excellent preparation for graduate school in all fields of psychology and other behavioral and social sciences as well as for graduate programs in business, law, medicine, and many other professional fields.

Application Filing Periods

Applications for admissions to the Psychology major are accepted only during the application filing period for the fall semester: October 1 to November 30 (for admission for the following fall). Applications are not accepted for spring semesters. Applications received outside of the fall semester open filing period will not be considered.

Transfer applicants from other colleges must submit an application via CSU Mentor at http://www.csumentor.edu.

Continuing SF State students must submit their application form directly to the Department of Psychology. 

Honors Thesis

Participation in an honors thesis is strongly recommended for students who plan to go to graduate school in psychology. Students need a written commitment by a Psychology faculty member who will agree to supervise the honors thesis, a 3.5 GPA in all upper-division coursework, and senior standing. For more details, contact the Honors Thesis Coordinator.

Career Outlook

The undergraduate program provides a foundation of skills and knowledge for careers both outside and inside of psychology. Since most jobs require a well-developed sense of how people function, a degree in psychology is often a desired background for positions in both government and industry. Undergraduate work in psychology includes training to develop the abilities to analyze critically and to understand complex behaviors, to deal with interpersonal problems, and to use research tools.

The following are some careers that graduates with bachelor's degrees in psychology have entered.

Psychological Research and Development: data analysis assistant; educational research assistant; public opinion poll-taker; research assistant in mental health; research design technician; statistician; survey interviewer.

Mental Health and Social Services: alcohol treatment center assistant; child care program assistant; corrections counselor; counseling assistant; counselor, child/adolescent; crisis center counselor; drug abuse program assistant; psychiatric technician.

Business and Government: employment interviewer; human factors assistant; human resources manager; personnel analyst; psychometrist; public relations assistant.

Teaching: high school psychology instructor.

Graduate Programs and Career Preparation

The Psychology Department offers both Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees. A Master of Arts in Psychology is awarded with concentrations in Developmental Psychology; Mind, Brain, & Behavior; and Social, Personality, and Affective Science. A Masters of Science is awarded with concentrations in Clinical Psychology; and School Psychology. The Psychology Department also offers a Masters of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Each degree topic has been designed to meet student needs and to qualify students for vocational goals relevant to that topic. Close liaison between students and advisors is an important feature of every graduate concentration.

The Developmental Psychology concentration focuses on life-span development from conception through aging. Major interest areas include social and emotional development, parent-child relations, family processes, sex differences, development across cultures and ethnic minority groups, learning, cognition, and psycholinguistics. The program is appropriate for students who wish to enter doctoral programs, and prepares them for academic, research, and applied careers in the field of child and developmental psychology.

The Mind, Brain, and Behavior concentration is for students seeking to become broadly informed and productive research psychologists who will be prepared to enter doctoral programs or perform competently as research associates in diverse areas of psychology. This program offers the opportunity for coursework and research in such areas as biofeedback, emotion, physiological psychology, clinical research, program evaluation, psycholinguistics, and cognition. The program also prepares students for teaching in community colleges.

The Social, Personality, and Affective Science concentration is designed to provide appropriate preparation and experience to students who intend to proceed to doctoral study, as well as for students who intend to develop careers at the master's level in research, community college teaching, or applications of social, personality, and affective science. The program emphasizes achievement of competency in research skills (design, implementation, and interpretation of findings), familiarity with the theoretical and empirical literature of the discipline, and proficiency in application of social, personality, and affective science to the solution of social problems; e.g., peace and conflict resolution, intergroup relations, and cultural diversity in modern society.

The Clinical Psychology concentration is intended to qualify students to provide mental health services in community mental health centers, schools, hospitals, private practice, managed care, and similar careers. The program provides the academic preparations and pre-master's supervised hours required for the State of California Marriage and Family Therapy license.

The School Psychology concentration is intended to meet a requirement for a career as a School Psychologist in California public and private schools. In addition to the degree, students will need to complete some additional coursework and an internship experience to qualify for the State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential with authorization in School Psychology.
 
The Industrial-Organizational Psychology degree is designed to qualify students for professional careers in organizational behavior and human resource functions in business, industry, or government; or for doctoral programs in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Professor

Avi Ben-Zeev (2001), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Yale University.

Jeffrey T. Cookston (2002), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin.

David Gard (2005), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley.

Mark W. Geisler (1999), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. State University of New York, Stony Brook.

Diane J. Harris (1990), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of Michigan.

Ryan Howell (2007), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of California, Riverside.

John J. Kim (1995), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

David Matsumoto (1989), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley.

Patricia Miller (2010), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of Kansas.

Ezequiel Morsella (2007), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Columbia University.

Kenneth Paap (2008), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Jae Paik (2006), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Indiana University, Bloomington.

Amy Smith (2004), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of California at Santa Cruz.

Charlotte Tate (2009), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of Oregon.

Christian Wright (2003), Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of South Florida.

Associate Professor

Melissa Hagan (2015), Associate Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Arizona State University.

Gaurav Suri (2016), Associate Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Stanford University.

Assistant Professor

Kevin Eschleman (2012), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Wright State University.

Sarah Holley (2011), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley.

Shasta Ihorn (2018), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin.

Juliana Karras-Jean Gilles (2020), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. The Graduate Center City University of New York.

Zena Mello (2013), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. The Pennsylvania State University.

Rita Rodriguez (2008), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Stanford University.

Diana R. Sanchez (2017), Assistant Professor in Psychology. Ph.D. Colorado State University.

Lecturer

James Halligan (2003), Lecturer in Psychology. Ph.D. University of Michigan.

Mary P. Hughes-Stone (1982), Lecturer in Psychology. M.A. San Francisco State University.

Major

Minor

  • Minor in Psychology
    This minor is under temporary suspension. Please contact the department for further information.

PSY 101 Psychology of Personal Development (Units: 3)

Basic concepts in psychology are used to foster the student's understanding of his/her own personal development and life endeavor.

PSY 111 The Logic and Psychology of Critical Thinking (Units: 3)

Designed to improve students' skills in understanding/criticizing arguments, theories, and their reasoning process. Apply an analytic approach to the evaluation of oral and written communication and problem-solving activities.

Course Attributes:

  • A3: Critical Thinking

PSY 171 Quantitative Reasoning in Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: First year math advising module. Students who elect to take additional support should concurrently enroll in MATH 122.

Psychological statistics and measurement essential to understanding statistical and quantitative arguments. Lecture, 2 units; activity,1 unit.
(Note: For this course to satisfy General Education, students must earn a grade of C- or CR or higher.)

Course Attributes:

  • B4: Math/QR

PSY 200 General Psychology (Units: 3)

Basic methods and concepts of psychology which have broad academic relevance and can be applied to the study of psychology as well as other academic disciplines. Psychology majors must take for a letter grade and earn a C or better to continue in the major. [CSL may be available]

Course Attributes:

  • E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
  • D1: Social Sciences

PSY 205 First Year Experience: Translating Personal Experiences to a Science of Mind and Behavior (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2* with a grade of CR or C- or better.

First-year experience that provides a synthesis of personal interests and background with the empirical psychological literature.

Course Attributes:

  • E: Lifelong Learning Develop

PSY 300 Current Issues in Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Selected issues and controversies of current scientific and professional importance. Advanced study of behavior as a personal, social, and biological phenomenon, and treatment of psychology as a science and as a healing art. [CSL may be available]

PSY 303 Psychology: The Major and the Profession (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; must be taken in the first semester of the major.

Overview of the psychology major and the field of psychology. (CR/NC grading only)

PSY 305GW Writing in Psychology - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Psychology majors; GE Area A2; PSY 371 with a grade of C or better; completion of 60 units.

Writing techniques and practices appropriate for the field of psychology. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. No more than 3 units may be applied toward the Psychology major. (ABC/NC grading only)

Course Attributes:

  • Graduation Writing Assessment

Topics:

  1. Mind and Body Connection
  2. Law and the Death Penalty
  3. Controversial Issues
  4. Aging
  5. Research within Communities
  6. Why Attachment Matters
  7. Perspectives of Conflict Management
  8. Writing for Academic Audience
  9. Writing for Popular Press Audience
  10. Social, Personality, and Affective Science
  11. Mind, Brain, and Behavior
  12. Cognitive Processes
  13. Workplace Behavior
  14. Observations of Children
  15. Schools and Education
  16. Clinical Issues & Disorders

PSY 320 Sex and Relationships (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.

Explore the role of sexuality in traditional and emerging forms of intimate relationships.
(This course is offered as PSY 320 and SXS 320. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
  • UD-D: Social Sciences
  • Global Perspectives

PSY 330 Child Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; PSY 200* or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

The development of the child from conception to adolescence. Intended for non-psychology majors. (Credit not given for both PSY 330 and PSY 431.)

Course Attributes:

  • UD-B: Physical Life Science
  • Social Justice

PSY 371 Psychological Statistics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, and Liberal Studies majors; PSY 171 and PSY 200 or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Statistical theory and techniques appropriate to psychology and related fields; statistical inference and the testing of hypotheses. Psychology majors must take for a letter grade and earn a C or better. Lecture, 2 units; activity, 1 unit.

PSY 400 Introduction to Research in Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, and Liberal Studies majors; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Integrates psychological research methods with statistical techniques. Theoretical, empirical, and interpretive issues are examined within the fundamental methods of inquiry: observation, measurement of individual differences, surveys, and experiments. Lecture, 2 units; lab, 1 unit.

PSY 430 Adolescent Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors with PSY 200 or equivalent and PSY 330 or PSY 431; or Child and Adolescent Development majors with CAD 210 and CAD 410; or permission of the instructor.

The physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development during adolescence.

PSY 431 Developmental Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development majors; PSY 200 or equivalent.

Fundamental principles of developmental psychology; origin and development of behavior. (Credit not given for both PSY 431 and PSY 330.)

PSY 432 Cognitive Development: Language, Thinking, and Perception (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development majors; PSY 431; or permission of the instructor.

Cognitive development is studied from two dominant approaches--Piagetian and information processing. The textbooks used are collections of articles by leading theoreticians and researchers in the areas of perception, attention, mental representation (episodic and semantic), and problem-solving.

PSY 433 Social, Emotional, and Personality Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development majors; PSY 431 or CAD 210 and CAD 410; or permission of the instructor.

Advanced course in developmental psychology covering theory and data in the areas of emotional, social, and personality development over the life span.

PSY 435 Developmental Psychopathology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; PSY 330 or PSY 431 or CAD 210 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

Interrelationship of typical and atypical development among children and emerging adults, patterns of adaptation and maladaptation throughout the lifespan with a focus on risk and protective factors.

Course Attributes:

  • UD-D: Social Sciences

PSY 436 The Development of Femaleness and Maleness (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; PSY 371; or permission of the instructor.

Integration of biological, psychological, social, and cultural knowledge toward an understanding of the development of gender and sex in all their meanings and facets. A critical look at theories of gender, sex, and gender/sex in psychological science with attention to stereotypes and social issues within the United States, and considering both cisgender and transgender experiences.
(This course is offered as PSY 436 and SXS 436. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PSY 440 Social Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors and students in the Conflict Resolution Certificate Program and PSY 200 or equivalent.

Survey of theories, research and applications in major areas of social psychology, including communication and social influence processes in interaction, group dynamics, attitudes, stereotyping and prejudice, altruism and aggression, person perception and social cognition, sex roles and sex differences, crowds and social movements.

PSY 441 The Psychology of the Family (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors and Conflict Resolution Certificate students; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalent.

Exploration of the family as a psychological group, parental relationships with special attention to the dynamics of pairs, and the impact of the family on personality and mental health.

PSY 442 Health Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalents.

A critical review of the relationships between psychological variables and both physical and mental health. Combination of lectures, tests, reading of original research, and conducting an actual study in the field. Students gain knowledge of the relationships between health and psychology and become critical readers of literature relating the two.

PSY 443 The Science of Happiness (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing Psychology majors; PSY 200 and PSY 371.

Conceptual, experiential, and applied introduction to positive psychology.

PSY 450 Variations in Human Sexuality (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.

Variations in sexuality: sexual identity, relationships, behavior, and fantasy; identification of personal and social problems associated with varied sexual lifestyles.
(This course is offered as SXS 400, PSY 450, and SOC 400. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • UD-D: Social Sciences
  • Social Justice

PSY 451 Theories of Personality (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Survey of the major contemporary theories of personality. Theoretical positions are compared and critically examined along various significant dimensions, including their relationships to the total field of psychology. Methods of personality assessment as related in theory construction.

PSY 452 Clinical Psychopathology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalents.

An overview of the different theoretical models of psychopathology and the factors that can contribute to psychological dysfunction; emphasis will be placed on exploring the major categories of psychological disorders, their causes, and treatments.

PSY 455 Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors and students enrolled in the Conflict Resolution Certificate Program; PSY 200 or equivalent.

Cross-cultural behavioral, developmental, cognitive, and social data and research of psychological phenomena as they are differentially affected by culture and subculture. Emphasis on the diversity of parent-child relationships, role of women and men, adult personality and beliefs, attitudes, and values.

PSY 456 Psychology of Human Sexual Behavior (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.

Psychological aspects of human sexual functioning particularly pertaining to gender identity, pairing, sexual orientation, sexual intercourse, self-stimulation, reproduction, contraception and abortion. Related social issues such as alternative lifestyles, changing sex roles and recreational sex. (This course is offered as PSY 456 and SXS 456. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PSY 461 Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors and Conflict Resolution Certificate students; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalents.

Application of psychological principles and methods in understanding human behavior at work, and to approach and solve problems in business and industry. Addresses such issues as: employee selection, training, and evaluation; working conditions; motivation, leadership, and organizational theory.

PSY 462 Personnel Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

The application of psychological principles to personnel selection and related practices in organizations. Designed for the psychology major interested in developing proficiency in personnel techniques.

PSY 463 Human Factors (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors or permission of the instructor.

A survey of methods and research in the study of the interface between human operators and machines. Applications include equipment design for computers, aircraft, automobiles, household appliances, and similar systems.

PSY 464 Psychology of Career Pursuit (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or consent of the instructor.

Evaluation of psychological research related to career interests, career success, job satisfaction, and workplace discrimination. Examination of the legal standards for determining workplace discrimination and harassment. Development of skills such as resume building, goal setting, network building, job searching, and interviewing. Self-exploration about one's identity and career interests. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PSY 465 The Psychology of Work-Life Stress (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PSY 200 or equivalent.

General understanding of basic concepts, mechanisms, and issues related to stress; examines basic factors in context of business organizations. Topics include employees' cognitive appraisal of organizational stressors; physiological, psychological, and behavioral outcomes; and individual differences and long-term consequences.

PSY 466 Training and Development in Organizations (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Application of principles of psychology in the development, delivery, and evaluation of training and development programs in work organizations.

PSY 472 Introduction to Legal Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors, Criminal Justice Studies majors, and Prison Reentry Studies minors; PSY 200 or C J 300; or permission of the instructor.

Topics include laws and the ethics of therapy, alternative dispute resolution, mental health aspects of criminology, police psychology, the insanity defense, treatment of prisoners, the psychological forces toward crime and delinquency, expert mental health testimony, eyewitness testimony, and jury behavior.

PSY 474 Psychology of Social Justice (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology and Criminal Justice majors; PSY 200 or C J 300.

Psychological explanations for structural barriers to equality and social justice through an exploration of the mainstream psychological literatures of procedural, distributive, retributive, and restorative justice. Approved preparatory course for Experimental College instructors.

Course Attributes:

  • Social Justice

PSY 475 Psychology of Policing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology and Criminal Justice majors; PSY 200 or C J 300.

Psychological study of organizational processes and management of police agencies. Topics include causes and effects of psychological factors affecting police, and implications of military and community-service models of police management on police selection, stress, training, organization development, technology.

PSY 490 Introduction to Data Science for Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PSY 371.

Use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract psychological insights from data. Examine the basic principles of data science - applied to understanding behavior - including data visualization, statistical concepts, data transformation, basic programming, and fundamentals of neural networks, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Gain experience working with the statistical programming language R.

PSY 491 Learning (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalents.

Methods, findings, and theory in animal and human learning and memory.

PSY 492 Perception (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Methods, theory, and analysis of sensations and perceptions; the study of the psychological and biological approaches to perception.

PSY 493 Motivation (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Theory and experimental evidence on the origins and direction of behavior. Learned and unlearned drives, anxiety, curiosity, and emotions.

PSY 494 Cognitive Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

An introduction to the dominant paradigm in cognitive psychology--the information processing approach to understanding the nature of human intelligence.

PSY 495 The Psychology of Human Memory (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing Psychology majors; PSY 200 and PSY 371.

Examination of fundamental theories and research in the study of human memory and explore their real-life applications.

PSY 498 Cognitive Neuroscience: Psychological Models (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Prospects and potential limitations of studying cognitive psychological processes from the integrated perspectives of cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, neural network modeling, and neuroscience.

PSY 521 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

The methods of clinical psychology, including case study techniques, psychodiagnostic evaluation, remediation of psychological distress. The current scope of professional practices in clinical psychology.

PSY 525 Community Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors and Conflict Resolution Certificate students; PSY 200 and PSY 371 or equivalents.

Introduction to methods practiced within the community psychology and community mental health fields. A range of methods is presented along with the range of underlying assumptions and philosophies of psychological fieldwork. [CSL may be available]

PSY 531 Psycholinguistics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200 or equivalent.

Comprehensive introduction to psycholinguistics. Theory and research are examined in three areas of human functioning--comprehension, production, acquisition. In addition, mental representations of meaning, the relation between language and thought, and bidialectism and bilingualism are studied.

PSY 540 Decision Making: A Perspective from Social Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PSY 440*.

Every day we have the opportunity to make countless decisions: should we eat dessert, cheat on a test, or attend a sports event with our friends. But despite our vast experience with decisions, we humans are (highly) imperfect decision-makers. We routinely depart from rationality and optimality, and we do so in systematic and predictable ways. Deeply examine these departures from rational decision making and identify strategies for making better and more effective decisions.

PSY 547 Social Conflict and Conflict Resolution (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors, Global Peace, Human Rights, and Justice Studies minors, and students enrolled in the Conflict Resolution Certificate program; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Review of theory and research concerning conflict between individuals and groups. Principles of perception, expectation, subjective expected utility, payoff matrices, prominence, communication restriction, and expectations of personality.

PSY 558 Field Services Seminar (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 371; concurrent enrollment in PSY 559.

Issues in the professional application of psychological principles in community service. May be repeated for a total of 4 units. [CSL may be available]

PSY 559 Psychological Field Service (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 371; concurrent enrollment in PSY 558.

Supervised field services in cooperating community psychological agencies. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. [CSL may be available]

PSY 571 Intermediate Psychological Statistics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 371 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.

Statistical theory and techniques applicable to various experimental designs and other forms of psychological research. Lecture, 2 units; activity, 1 unit.

PSY 581 Physiological Psychology I (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Background and contemporary research relating behavior to biological processes. Data on neural and hormonal systems are summarized and used in examining such complex behaviors as learning, perception, and motivation.

PSY 582 Physiological Psychology II (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors or graduate students in psychology; PSY 371, PSY 581, or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

Selected issues and research dealing with the biological basis of behavior. Students read intensively on a mutually agreed upon topic and report their findings for discussion and development in class sessions.

PSY 645 Group Processes (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors and students enrolled in the Conflict Resolution Certificate program; PSY 200, PSY 371, or equivalent.

Practicum involving observation of interaction within the class and in outside groups, aimed at the investigation of the psychology of groups.

PSY 668 The Psychology of Leadership (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; PSY 200 or equivalent.

Examination of classic and contemporary theories of leadership in psychology and related fields; Topics include leadership styles, personality, self-analysis, and perspectives of leadership across diverse individuals and groups.

Course Attributes:

  • Global Perspectives

PSY 680 Peer Advising in Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; 1 year in residence; 12 units of Psychology coursework; and a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Prepare and deliver academic advising to undergraduates in psychology: academic policies and procedures. Individual advising 3 hours weekly. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Lecture, 2 units; fieldwork, 1 unit.

PSY 685 Projects in the Teaching of Psychology (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B in the course the student will be assisting in or permission of the instructor.

Training and experience in the teaching of psychology through fieldwork and instruction. Students work as Instructional Aides to a psychology instructor and receive training in teaching and learning principles as well as participate in teaching-related activities. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.)

PSY 690 Future Directions for Psychology Majors (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Psychology majors; 19* units of upper-division Psychology coursework; PSY 303*.

Exploration of career options within the field of psychology. Activities include informational interviews with professionals in the field of psychology, practice job interviews, and online networking. (CR/NC grading only)

PSY 693 Proseminar I (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; selection as an honors candidate; concurrent enrollment in PSY 697.

First of a two-semester seminar with the principal goal of developing a detailed senior project proposal. Work here may include examination of literature reviews, theoretical contributions, methodological studies, experiments, and field studies and practical applications.

PSY 694 Proseminar II (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Psychology majors; completion of Fall semester work in PSY 693 and PSY 697.

Continuation of PSY 693. Intended to facilitate and to provide evaluation of progress toward completion of the senior project. Completed senior project culminates the semester.

PSY 697 Senior Project Preparation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PSY 693.

Student develops an original project, including background material and theoretical substrate, and prepares a methodology for a paper suitable for presentation in PSY 693.

PSY 698 Senior Project in Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Concurrently enrollment in PSY 694.

Student carries out the senior project and prepares a written report for presentation.

PSY 699 Independent Study in Psychology (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.

An intensive study of a particular problem in psychology under the direction of a faculty member. Intended for students who have completed available coursework in the area of a special problem. May be repeated for a total of 9 units. Only 3 units can be applied to the Psychology major elective requirement. [CSL may be available]

PSY 721 Clinical Methods: Assessment of Intelligence and Perceptual-Motor Functioning (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students; concurrent enrollment in PSY 729; or permission of the instructor.

Problems in the assessment of mental and emotional characteristics of individuals. Discussions, demonstrations, and application of individual assessment techniques including the standard individual tests of intelligence for children and adults as well as neuropsychological, educational achievement, and perceptual-motor tests.

PSY 722 Clinical Methods: Personality Appraisal and Projective Techniques (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students; PSY 721; concurrent enrollment in PSY 729; or permission of the instructor.

Problems in the assessment and diagnosis of individual personality and its disorders. Discussions, demonstrations, and applications of standard appraisal techniques including projective tests.

PSY 723 Clinical Methods: Psychological Assessment (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students or permission of the instructor.

Methods of assessment of mental functioning of individuals, including clinical interviewing, psychological diagnosis, report writing, and the administration and interpretation of cognitive/neuropsychological batteries, personality inventories, and projective tests. Assessment considerations for children, older adults, and cross-cultural populations.

PSY 724 Clinical Issues: Drugs, Brain, and Behavior (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students or permission of the instructor.

Examination of basic mechanisms and advances in psychopharmacology, neurological interventions for psychological disorders, and treatment approaches for substance abuse disorders.

PSY 728 Conference to Accompany Psychology Practicum (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential Program students; concurrent enrollment in PSY 729.

Issues in the practice of clinical psychology including alcohol and substance use, general conceptual framework, models of intervention, professional ethics and law, roles, and responsibilities of psychotherapists. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

PSY 729 Psychology Practicum (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students; concurrent enrollment first with PSY 721 and then with PSY 722.

Practicum in the methods and procedures of psychological assessment, diagnosis, and prognosis and techniques of psychological intervention with individuals, couples, and families. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

PSY 730 Seminar in Current Issues in Developmental Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students or permission of the instructor.

Problems and issues in developmental psychology: new directions in theory, method, and research.

PSY 737 Laboratory in Observation of Children's Behavior (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students or permission of the instructor; must be taken concurrently with PSY 739.

Observations and experimental studies of human behavior. Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit.

PSY 739 Technical Writing for Psychological Journals (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students; concurrent enrollment in PSY 737.

Practicum on preparing written reports on observations of human behavior within the American Psychological Association format. Activity.

PSY 740 Seminar in Social Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students or permission of the instructor.

Critical examination of current theories and research in social psychology, emphasizing social influence processes and personality variables which may affect behavior in diverse organizational and informal settings, and exploring applications of social psychology in the design and assessment of social change.

PSY 742 Seminar in Survey Research (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

Principles and methods of survey research are studied and applied in supervised field experiences covering the entire survey process, from research design to sampling, data collection, and preparation of a report.

PSY 751 Seminar in Current Trends and Issues (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

New developments drawn from current overviews and symposia. Implications for revision of theory, practice, and experimental procedures. Both ethical views and scientific and applied methods are critically examined.

PSY 753 Seminar in Therapeutic and Developmental Change I (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

Convergence of developmental theory and psychotherapeutic process, focusing on clinical theories relevant across the lifespan from infancy through old age, and end-of-life. Considerations of culture, SES, and other factors shaping development.

PSY 754 Seminar in Therapeutic and Developmental Change II (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 753.

Modern versions of psychodynamic theories incorporating family concepts, ethnicity, and community issues including cultural factors in the dynamics of spousal or partner abuse.

PSY 760 Seminar in Organizational Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 761 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

Selected psychological theory and research findings applied to the study of human behavior in organizational settings.

PSY 761 Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

Current problems and problem-solving approaches in selected areas of personnel practices concerning the use and development of human resources in industrial, professional, and other applied fields.

PSY 762 Seminar in Industrial Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 761 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

Theory, research, and methods from I/O psychology pertaining to personnel selection and related decisions in organizations, including job analysis, performance measurement, validation, selection strategies, and test administration.

PSY 765 Industrial Training Program Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program, permission of the instructor.

Examination of the theoretical, methodological, and practical approaches to the development, installation, and evaluation of training programs in the modern work setting. Considers learning theory and research, training theory and techniques, and methods of assessing and evaluating programs.

PSY 766 Psychological Foundations of Organizational Change (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 761 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

Psychological theory and research on group and organizational change processes, with attention to problems and methods of organizational change and assessment of organizational intervention outcomes.

PSY 768 Seminar to Accompany Field Experience in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Psychology graduate students and School Psychology Credential students or permission of the instructor; concurrent enrollment in PSY 769.

Experiences in field assignments are explored for theoretical and research implications. Ethical, professional and inter-professional implications are considered.

PSY 769 Field Experience in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 760, PSY 761, PSY 762; permission of the instructor.

Supervised field assignments for advanced graduate students in a variety of business, professional, and industrial settings. May be repeated for credit for a total of 6 units. (CR/NC grading only)

PSY 770 Research Methods and Techniques (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

Seminar in research designs applicable to the systematic analysis of varieties of human behavior.

PSY 771 Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; intermediate statistics; or permission of the instructor.

Major analysis of variance designs used in psychological research. Topics include an introduction to use of a major statistical package and a brief introduction to use of the General Linear Model. Students in the master's program in psychological research should take this course at the first opportunity. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

PSY 772 Applications of Multiple Regression to Psychological Research (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Restricted to Graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential Program students; intermediate statistics; or permission of the instructor.

Experimental designs using multiple regression and correlation methods. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

PSY 777 Statistical Analysis of Multivariate Data Using Computers (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; two applied statistics courses or equivalent.

Theory and application of multivariate models, illustrative assigned problems, and laboratory in computer data processing. An integration of explanations of linear statistical models, existing computer programs which accomplish multivariate linear analyses, and analyses of data collected in student's own research (e.g., M.A. thesis). Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

PSY 792 Proseminar in Foundations of Contemporary Psychological Research (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program.

Contemporary theory and research in such basic areas of psychology as learning and motivation, sensory process and perception, physiological, developmental, social and personality, and clinical and abnormal. Each seminar topic is directed by a faculty member specializing in that area and accompanied by comprehensive and systematic readings. Students in the master's program in psychological research should take this course at the first opportunity. Lectures and discussion on criteria for the design, execution, analysis, and report of psychological research on animal and human subjects. (CR/NC grading only)

PSY 798 Research Colloquium (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

Presentations and discussions of current or contemplated research projects. (CR/NC grading only)

PSY 799 Supervised Selected Research (Units: 1-6)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Psychology and School Psychology Credential students; PSY 770.

Experimental research under the direction of a member of the faculty. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

PSY 821 Clinical Methods: Diagnosis and Advanced Psychopathology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Clinical or School Psychology program or School Psychology Credential Program.

Examines various approaches to the evaluation and treatment of major mental disorders including substance abuse disorders and disorders of childhood and adolescence. (Plus-minus letter grade only.)

PSY 822 Clinical Methods: Marital and Family Systems Theory and Therapy (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 821.

Characteristic interpersonal interactions including those involving substance abuse or partner abuse and how those appear in the clinical interview are studied from different theoretical viewpoints including assessment and intervention procedures. Conditions which promote psychological change in couples and families including same-sex relationships are studied from an interpersonal, familial, and sociocultural perspective. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PSY 828 Conference to Accompany Advanced Psychology Practicum (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; concurrent enrollment in PSY 829.

Therapeutic process and change with diverse mental disorders and populations. Explorations of principles of recovery oriented care, case management, and collaborative treatment. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

PSY 829 Advanced Psychology Practicum (Units: 3-6)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 729.

Supervised advanced psychology practicum in clinical psychological evaluation and intervention. May be repeated for a total of 12 units.

PSY 839 Field Experience in Developmental Psychology (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program or permission of the instructor.

Supervised field experience with children and adolescents. May be repeated for a total of 4 units. (CR/NC grading only)

PSY 855 Seminar in Professional School Psychology (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program and permission of the instructor.

Roles, skills, and competencies of professional school psychologists as they apply to educational, career, developmental, and mental health needs of children and opportunities for working with these needs within the interpersonal, legal, and professional structure of the school.

PSY 857 Behavior Management (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Psychology or School Psychology Credential students.

Behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and ecobehavioral theory and intervention applied to human behavior change. Primary focus on classroom behavior management. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [Formerly cross-listed with COUN 719]

PSY 858 Conference to Accompany Psychology Internship (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; concurrent enrollment in PSY 859.

Seminar in problems in the professional practice of psychology. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

PSY 859 Psychology Internship (Units: 6)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; PSY 829 or equivalent.

Internship in the application of psychological principles and procedures including psychological evaluation, treatment. May be repeated for a total of 12 units.

PSY 891 Seminar in Selected Problems (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to Psychology graduate students and School Psychology Credential students.

Special areas of advanced applications of psychological research and theory. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated for a total of 9 units when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Mind, Brain, and Behavior
  2. Social, Personality, and Affective Science
  3. Clinical Psychology
  4. School Psychology
  5. Advanced Developmental Psychology
  6. Advanced Industrial Organizational Psychology
  7. Consultation
  8. Professional Development
  9. Advanced Research Methods
  10. Adolescence and Young Adult
  11. Parent - Child Relations
  12. Cognitive Development
  13. Prevention, Intervention, Family Transition Events
  14. Advanced Statistics
  15. Positive Psychology
  16. Cognition
  17. Perception
  18. Strategies for Publishing in the Social Sciences
  19. Children's Reasoning about Social Inequality
  20. Machine Learning & Neural Networks for Research
  21. Evaluation Methodology in Context
  22. Psychological Research About Race & Ethnicity

PSY 896 Directed Reading (Units: 3-6)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program.

Special problems in psychology, chosen on the basis of individual interests and studied under the direction of a member of the faculty. May be repeated for a total of 9 units. (Plus-minus letter grade, CR/NC, RP)

PSY 896EXM Culminating Experience Examination (Unit: 0)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, committee chair, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

For students whose culminating experience consists of an examination only. Not for students enrolled in PSY 898 as their culminating experience. (CR/NC, RP)

PSY 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology; permission of the candidate's committee chair; and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies.

The student formulates, conducts, and presents an intensive research thesis which must be defended before a committee drawn from the psychology faculty. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration. (CR/NC grading only.)

PSY 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Psychology or School Psychology Credential Program; permission of the graduate major adviser and supervising faculty member.

Study is planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a member of the faculty. Open only to graduate students who have demonstrated ability to do independent work. Enrollment by petition (form available in the Psychology Office).