2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Psychology
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Matthew Dykas, Chair
402 Mahar Hall
315-312-4013
www.oswego.edu/psychology
Directory of Professors
Psychology—the scientific study of human and animal behavior and how such knowledge can be applied—is useful in many contexts, including health care, education, business, industry, sports and law. SUNY Oswego’s Psychology Department offers a superior program taught in an exciting atmosphere.
The Department of Psychology offers both a major BA and a minor in psychology. In both programs, students explore psychological science and behavior from the viewpoint of objective research. Through the application of scientific reasoning and methodology to the study of complex psychological subject matter, our majors acquire the analytical and critical thinking skills valued in the contemporary career marketplace. The rigorous curriculum also provides graduates with the strong, broad background in the field required for admission to graduate programs in psychology or related fields.
The Psychology Department also offers a multidisciplinary BA/MBA program jointly with the School of Business. The program is designed to prepare Oswego psychology graduates for careers in business. At the conclusion of the program students receive a BA in Psychology, a minor in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration.
The Psychology/Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program is another multidisciplinary program offered jointly by the Department of Psychology and the HCI Program that is designed to allow students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in HCI to complete both degrees in a shortened time frame. Students receive a BA in Psychology and a MA in Human Computer Interaction upon successful completion of the program.
All students enrolled in Psychology Department major programs are encouraged to engage in hands-on work in their area of interest. Students may elect to work on research projects with individual faculty or to pursue advanced research or independent study of their own. The department has excellent resources to support research in comparative and physiological psychology, evolutionary psychology, perceptual processes, human and animal learning, social psychology, experimental psychology and statistics, human factors, cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, gender and sexuality, psychology and law, health psychology and multicultural psychology.
Several faculty have federally funded and unfunded research projects that students can become involved with including the areas of infant perception, cardiovascular reactivity, and other areas of ongoing investigation.
The Department of Psychology is very proud to be home to an active chapter of Psi Chi, the national honors society in Psychology, as well as an active Psychology Club that is open to all interested students.
Because of very heavy student interest in the programs offered by the Department of Psychology, admission of first-year students and both internal and external transfer students may be restricted. Consult the Admissions Office (315-312-2250) or the Psychology Department Office (315-312-4013) for current admissions requirements.
The Department of Psychology cosponsors the following programs. The department has a representative-advisor to consult with those interested in the Cognitive Science program and to advise psychology majors who wish to build an elective sequence in this area.
Cognitive Science Major – B.A. Degree
Cognitive Science Major – B.S. Degree
Linguistics Major – B.A. Degree
Philosophy-Psychology Joint Major – B.A. Degree
The Graduate Advanced Certificate Program - Interdisciplinary Trauma Studies - is cosponsored by the Psychology Department.
Major
Minor
Honor Requirements for Major
Psychology
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PSY 100 - Introduction to Psychology
Psychology is the science that studies behavior and mental processes, and studies the profession that applies that science.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 200 - Lifespan Development Psychology
Survey of the current theories and research that describe and explain the changes in behavior that take place across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166.
Offered: Fall, Summer
Credit: 3 -
PSY 202 - Memory and Cognition in Everyday Life
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of memory, problem solving and decision making. The focus will be to link the cognitive psychology research to applications that will help students to improve memory, problem solving and decision making, and to recognize and avoid the impediments to successful memory, solving and decision making in their daily lives. This course will give students the knowledge that will help them with critical thinking in all aspects of their lives, including their diverse career goals. The course will also be a foundation for any additional coursework in cognitive psychology, cognitive science, or human factors.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166.
Offered: Not on a regular basis.
Credit: 3 -
PSY 280 - Analysis of Psychological Data
Basic techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics, their applications to research in psychology and how to efficiently communicate statistical results in written format using APA writing style.
Prerequisites: PSY 100 or COG 166, or instructor permission.
Note: Laboratory course.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 4 -
PSY 290 - Research Methods in Psychology
This course involves critical consideration of the basic research methods used in psychological research. Emphasis is on designing, running, analyzing and communicating studies in diverse areas of psychology as a means for understanding the logic of research methodology.
Prerequisite: PSY 280 or instructor permission.
Note: Laboratory course.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 4 -
PSY 302 - Learning
This course is designed to be an advanced topical course within the specific area of learning. Students will utilize their methodology skills attained from PSY 290 to examine the area of learning from both the practical and theoretical standpoints. Students will be responsible for in-depth readings of original research in several specific areas of learning.
Note: If you took PSY 302 you cannot take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 290
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 305 - Cognition
This area of psychology is guided by the information processing approach in its examination of how people think. Topics include attention and memory, problem solving, decision making, and logical reasoning.
Note: If you have taken PSY 405 you cannot take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 310 - Topics in Psychology
Varied topics in psychology.
Note: Variable credit one to three, may be repeated four times for a total of 15 credits.
Prerequisite: PSY 100
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 320 - Developmental Psychology
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to developmental psychology and to the scientific study of developmental processes during the period from conception through adolescence. As such this course will present theory, research, and applied topics as they apply to prenatal development, infancy, childhood and adolescence. Topics will include major theories and themes in developmental psychology, developmental research methods, physical development, socio-emotional development, cognitive development, language development, moral development, and contexts for development to include culture, family and peers. The emphasis in this class is on discovering the many different biological, maturational, and experiential factors that influence development.
Note: Students who have taken PSY 322, PSY 323 or HDV 322 or HDV 323 may not take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit: 3 -
PSY 326 - Psychology of Race: Examining Racial and Ethnic Identity Development
Psychological aspects of racial and ethnic identity development and personal identities of U.S. racialized groups will be explored from a psychological basis. Students will increase cultural awareness of their own and others racial and ethnic identities and will evaluate research on the role of racial and ethnic identity development in psychological processes and human behavior.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or SOC 100.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 330 - Educational Psychology
A study of psychological principles and research as applied to classroom organization, teaching, and learning.
Prerequisite: PSY 320 or HDV 322 or HDV 323; or instructor permission.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 340 - Social Psychology
Introduction to the social determinants of individual and group behavior with an emphasis on current theory and research.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 344 - Psychology of Women
In this course, traditional and contemporary theories on the psychology of women are examined. Historical and current research on the psychosocial development of girls and women are discussed and critiqued.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 345 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
This course describes and explains psychological aspects of work-related behavior, providing students with the skills necessary to effectively address the issues that impact human behavior in the workplace. Students will examine how psychological theories, methods, and research apply to the workplace.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 350 - Abnormal Psychology
Examines the origins and symptoms of emotional and behavioral disorders. Prevention and treatment will be examined, along with cultural and historical influences on our understanding of disorders.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit: 3 -
PSY 361 - Psychology of Language
Survey of the major research findings in the psychology of language with special emphasis on the psychological processes involved in language acquisition and adult language comprehension and production.
Note: Students that have completed PSY 310, Psycholinguistics, cannot take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 100 or COG 166.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 390H - Honors Seminar in Psychology
The Psychology Honors Program is one option for the capstone experience for psychology undergraduates at SUNY Oswego. The program is designed to enable students to complete an individual research project (i.e. Honors Thesis) under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The Honors program will require students to complete at least 2 semesters and up to 4 semesters of this seminar course, which is designed to help students design, execute, write, and defend their Honors Thesis. Each semester includes specific thesis support and professional development content that is linked to the stage of the process (and career) for the majority of students. Class time will involve lectures by the instructor, group discussions, and targeted exercises.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 or instructor permission.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
Credit: 1-4 -
PSY 399 - Independent Study
Individual study and research.
Note: Credits 1 to 12, may be repeated 5 times for a total of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: Minimum 60 credits and 3.0 GPA and instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis.
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PSY 402 - Learning
This course is designed to be an advanced topical course within the specific area of human learning. Students will utilize their methodology skills attained from PSY 290 to examine the area of learning from both the practical and theoretical standpoints. Students will be responsible for in-depth readings of original research in several specific areas of learning. In addition, students will be involved in the basic methods of data collection, experimental design, data analysis, and report writing within the area of learning.
Note: If you have taken PSY 302 you cannot take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 290
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 4 -
PSY 403 - Biopsychology
An examination of the physical and biological mechanisms that underlie or are associated with specific behaviors and experiences including aggression, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, psychopathology, development, and the action of psychoactive drugs.
Note: Laboratory course. If you have taken PSY 303 you cannot take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 290.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 4 -
PSY 405 - Cognition
This area of psychology is guided by the information processing approach in its examination of how people think. Topics include attention and memory, problem solving, decision making, and logical reasoning.
Note: Laboratory course. If you have taken PSY 305 you cannot take this course.
Prerequisite: PSY 290.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 4 -
PSY 410 - Advanced Topics in Psychology
Course description is dependent on topic. Contact department for description.
Note: Repeatable up to 15 credit hours.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and upper division standing.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 411 - Introduction into Neural Networks
Introduction to Neural Networks’ provides a rigorous introduction to the principles of neural function in the context of network and connectionist network theories. A variety of approaches will be considered as an explanatory model for human behavior more broadly, and how they might support a range of cognitive phenomena.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and PSY 305, or instructor permission
Equivalent Course: COG 411
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 422 - The Aging Brain
This course will cover the structural and functional alterations associated with aging along with their underlying mechanisms, with a focus on the cognitive changes in healthy adults as well as in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Topics including the cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes, as well as neural compensations in the aging brain will be discussed.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and 303 and 305; or instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis.
Credit: 3 -
PSY 423 - Psychology Adulthood & Aging
This course is designed to be a topical course that will cover a broad scope of normative psychological, cognitive, social, and biological development from adulthood through old age. Theories of adult development and aging will be presented. Students will read and discuss empirical articles from the primary literature.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and PSY 200 or PSY 320, or Instructor Permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 426 - Development and Interpersonal Relationships
The principal goal of this course is to achieve an advanced understanding of how interpersonal relationships develop over the course of the lifespan, from the cradle to the grave. Using both attachment theory as the main conceptual framework and work from a variety of other related research traditions (e.g., family systems theory, social cognition, peer relations, developmental psychopathology, child maltreatment), we will examine how different types of social relationships e.g., child-parent relationships, romantic relationships, friendships) emerge throughout development and how the quality of these relationships effect broad and specific aspects of personal functioning and overall well-being.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and 320; or instructor permission.
Offered: Fall
Credit: 3 -
PSY 428 - Cognitive Development
This course is designed to be a depth course that will cover a broad scope of normative cognitive development from infancy to adolescence. Theories of cognitive development and theories within subfields of cognitive development will be presented. Students will read and discuss empirical articles from the primary literature to gain an understanding of the current issues, methodologies and knowledge base in this area of psychological science.
Prerequisite: PSY 200 or PSY 305 or PSY 320; or instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 433 - Primate Cognition
This seminar will provide a comprehensive introduction to the study of primate cognition from an evolutionary and comparative perspective. Students will develop a more evolutionarily grounded understanding of cognition and social behavior from learning about our nonhuman primate cousins.
Prerequisite: PSY 290, and PSY 305 or PSY 320
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 441 - Theories of Personality
A study of the major classic and current theories of personality and human behavior with an emphasis on the contributions to general psychology. It enables students to acquire an in-depth understanding of concepts and principles that they can use to unravel mysteries of human behavior and see how these influences relate to our understanding of psychopathology (abnormal psychology) through an examination of personality research.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 or permission of instructor
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 445 - Risk and Reward
This course is designed as an advanced topics course in clinical psychology for behavioral science students and will examine in-depth the concept of impulse control and how it applies to the development and maintenance of a wide range of psychopathology. Students will be exposed to controversial topics, including suicide, trauma, child abuse, and substance abuse/addiction and will be required to think critically about these issues for class assignments. The knowledge and skills learned in this course will prepare students to critically evaluate published scientific literature across the many domains of psychopathology. Major topics include the neurobiology and phenomenology of impulse control, disorders of impulse control (ICDs), personality disorders, behavioral and substance dependence, and sex/porn addictions.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and 350; or instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis.
Credit: 3 -
PSY 450 - Topics in Abnormal Psychology
Topics in Adnormal Psychology
Note: Repeatable up to 9 credit hours.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and PSY 350
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 451 - Advanced Topics in Abnormal Psychology: Trauma and Loss
This course examines the study of the psychology of trauma and loss as it impacts human behavior. The nature of trauma and grief and the types of loss people experience when they encounter traumatic experiences, psychological theories of trauma and loss, cultural and historical issues relevant to traumatic loss experiences, as well as some of the methods used to study these reactions will be covered.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and 350, or instructor permission.
Offered: Summer
Credit: 3 -
PSY 452 - Introduction to Trauma Studies
Intermediate and advanced concepts of the psychophysiology and neurobiology of the trauma response and current research on evidence-based trauma assessment and intervention with civilian and military populations are examined. Research on clinical criteria, cultural, historical and contextual factors for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, other Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders, and related comorbid disorders are explored within the most recent diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5, 2013).
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and 350, or instructor permission.
Offered: Spring, Fall, Summer
Credit: 3 -
PSY 454 - Trauma and Self-Care: Compassion Fatigue
This course is designed for students who wish to learn of methods used to work with and coach professionals and volunteers working with the traumatized. These practitioners are especially vulnerable to developing compassion fatigue or other negative consequences of their work. This course is designed to guide students in the theoretical background preparation needed to be in a position (once further qualified) to treat those practitioners requiring counseling and therapy who already have compassion fatigue and related problems. The course will focus specifically on the assessment and treatment of work-related Acute Stress Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, clinical depression, substance abuse, and profound burnout in the context of the transformation toward wellness. This course will not train students to do the counseling.
Prerequisite: PSY 290, and PSY 350 or CPS 310; or instructor permission.
Offered: Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 455 - Trauma and the Military: Focus on Combat Stress
This course focuses on the effects of trauma that are specific to men and women who have served in the military. General information about military-related traumatic experiences, as well as information specific to veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is provided. Topics will include historical and contemporary perspectives on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma, and treatment modalities such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. A course on trauma and the military with a focus on combat trauma will be important to inform students on the nature of combat-related trauma and interventions for military veterans with PTSD.
Prerequisite: PSY 290, PSY 350 or CPS 310 or instructor permission
Offered: Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 463 - Cognitive Neuroscience Seminar
Cognitive Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary exploration of the relationship between the brain and cognitive processes. Through the review of current research in cognitive neuroscience and case studies of patients with neurological damage, the brain mechanisms underlying cognition will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on the higher cognitive processes such as pattern recognition, memory, language, and consciousness.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and PSY 305 and either PSY 303 or 403; or instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 465 - Neurobehavioral Toxicology
This course will cover basic issues in developmental and behavioral toxicology, examining environmental toxicants that act primarily on the nervous system. We will examine how developmental and behavioral effects are studied, and explore hypothesized and established neural and behavioral mechanisms of action. Both human and animal behavior will be compared, and the validity of those comparisons discussed. Finally how the field impacts public policy decisions will be examined from the standpoint of making policy decisions and communicating hazard and risk to the public.
Note: Course may be repeated for a total of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and either PSY 303 or 403.
Offered: Not on a regular basis.
Credit: 3 -
PSY 471 - Advanced Statistics in Psychological Science
Building on the foundation of statistical analyses students have learned from PSY 280, Analysis of Psychological Data, students will strengthen and enhance their knowledge about those statistical analyses, as well as extend their repertoire to more complex statistical models.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 or instructor permission.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 472 - Advanced Research Methods in Psychological Science
This course will introduce students to a variety of laboratory-based research methods used in the psychological sciences by providing hands-on experiences as a primary method of instruction.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and (PSY 303 OR PSY 305), or instructor permission.
Offered: Fall
Credit: 3 -
PSY 475H - History and Current Systems in Psychology
Traces psychology from its roots in philosophy and biology, through the period of schools (e.g., structuralism, behaviorism, Gestalt) into the multifaceted discipline of the current era. Selected contemporary approaches to psychology will be compared and evaluated both in historical context and from a more functional, problem-solving point of view. Explores the conceptual and epistemological problems associated with the nature of psychology, such as the following: the scientific status of certain psychological theories, e.g., the Freudian theory of personality; the issue of mind versus brain; and the reduction of psychological concepts to those of physics.
Note: This course is co-taught with PHL 496 Joint Seminar in Philosophy-Psychology. Students may not take both courses for credit.
Prerequisite: Psychology Honors Program and senior standing.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 480 - Advanced Topics in Research Methods: Advanced Psychological Statistics
Topics include multiple regression, analysis of variance, factor analysis, and some multivariate techniques. Use of computerized statistical packages to plan, execute, and interpret complex analyses.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 or instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 485 - Prevention Science & Practice
This course provides a foundation in prevention science and practice as it relates to psychology. Students will learn how psychologists develop, examine, and implement systematic practices to reduce unhealthy/maladaptive behavior and to promote healthy/adaptive behavior. Students will also participate in an off-campus practicum to learn about prevention science first-hand.
Note: Course may be repeated for a total of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 and instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis.
Credit: 3 -
PSY 490 - Research Seminar
An experience in a student conducted research project supervised by a faculty member. Activities will include either field studies or laboratory experiments.
Prerequisite: PSY 290 or instructor permission
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 1 to 3 -
PSY 490H - Capstone Honors Research Seminar
This course provides the student with the opportunity to execute a specialized research project started in PSY 290 or a 400-level depth course under the guidance of a member of the psychology department joined by two committee members. The committee must consist of at least one full-time, tenured or tenure-track, SUNY Oswego Psychology Department faculty member. A copy of the final paper (APA style) must be submitted for approval to the student’s committee, and must be filed in Department files.
Prerequisites: PSY 280 and PSY 290.
Note: Course may be repeated once for credit.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 491 - Capstone Laboratory Research
The laboratory research capstone in psychology provides students with a culminating experience in psychology integrating both an applied practical experience in the laboratory conducting research under the supervision of a faculty mentor and a writing component in the form of a senior thesis.
Prerequisite: Senior standing; all core courses; and instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 496 - Capstone Senior Thesis in Psychology
This capstone is offered as a seminar style course that provides instruction and mentoring on the capstone thesis, analysis of the current articles on a broad area of psychology (according to the instructor’s expertise and student proposals), and strengthening of writing through peer-feedback. A formal presentation at the end of the term is required.
Prerequisite: Senior standing, all core courses, all breadth courses, and at least one of two depth courses taken in sequential order with a minimum grade of C-before moving on to the next course, and instructor permission.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3 -
PSY 497 - Practicum in Teaching
Students will receive supervised experience teaching introductory psychology. Requirements include attending the supervisor’s lectures, teaching a one-period discussion section, holding office hours to meet with students, and participating in a weekly seminar addressing teaching skills and methods. Students will also assist in grading papers and constructing test questions. Students will be evaluated on their teaching performance and log of teaching activities.
Note: Advisement recommendation: Minimum GPA of 3.0
Prerequisite: Instructor permission and upper division standing.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 3 -
PSY 498 - Capstone Internship in Psychology
The internship capstone in psychology provides students with a culminating experience in psychology integrating both an applied practical experience in the field and a writing component in the form of a senior thesis.
Note: Variable credit zero to 12, not repeatable. Registration is facilitated through the EXCEL Office and is offered as needed.
Prerequisite: 2.5 GPA, senior standing, and instructor permission.
Offered: Fall, Spring
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PSY 499 - Independent Study
Individual study in the field of psychology under the direct supervision of a department faculty member.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and instructor permission.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit: 1 to 3
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