| PSY 121. | Introduction to Psychology (NS-1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | $12 | |
| MTH 099 | ||
| Survey of major areas of psychology: learning, perception and cognition, human development, individual differences, social psychology and abnormal psychology. Laboratory. | ||
| PSY *200. | Animal Social Behavior (NS-1) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 or BIO 122 and Permission | ||
| Introduction to the ethological approach: aggression, courtship, cooperation, social structure and means of communication in a variety of species. Includes laboratory and field experience in observation and recording of behavior. | ||
| PSY *201. | Physiological Psychology (NS-1) | |
| 4 credits | $10 | |
| PSY 121 | ||
| Study of physiological processes and structures underlying behavior and development. Laboratory techniques for investigation of electrical and chemical brain activity. | ||
| PSY *204. | Sensation and Perception (NS-1) | |
 |
4 credits | $5 |
| PSY 121 | ||
| Study of sensory processes and their relationship to human perception. Concentrates on vision and audition with attention to recent theoretical approaches to perception. Laboratory. | ||
| PSY *212. | Personality I (NS-1) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 | ||
| Comparison of major conceptual and research strategies in study of personality: psychoanalytic tradition, trait and social learning theories, and humanistic, cognitive and biological approaches. Introduction to psychological testing and journal literature. | ||
| PSY *220. | Statistics (NS-3) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121, MTH 112 or Permission | ||
| Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, and factorial analysis of variance. Appropriate for both life and social sciences. | ||
| PSY *225. | Research Methods | |
|
4 credits | $5 |
| PSY 121 and 220 | ||
| Development of skills in conduct and assessment of experimental and field research and of sensitivity to ethical and social aspects of scientific inquiry. For students in psychology, education and business. | ||
| PSY *236. | Social Psychology (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 and SOA 101 | ||
| Consideration of current theory and research on person perception, social influence, attitude formation, intergroup relations, altruism and aggression. Emphasis on ethical and social issues in conduct and application of social psychological research. | ||
| PSY *240. | Behavior Modification: Applied Psychology (NS-1) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 | ||
| Application of psychological principles to human concerns including teaching, child care, stress management, study skills, self-control and persuasion. | ||
| PSY *245. | Human Sexuality | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 | ||
| Examination of variety and origins of human sexuality from physiological, evolutionary and social-learning perspectives. | ||
| PSY *260. | Psychology of Aging | |
| 2 credits | ||
| PSY 121 | ||
| Examination of current psychological theory and research concerning physical changes, cognition, personality and psychopathology in the later years of life. | ||
| PSY *275. | Psychological Testing and Measurement | |
| 2 credits | ||
| PSY 121 | ||
| Consideration of principles involved in constructions, use and evaluation of tests of ability and personality. Application to such issues as personnel selection, sex differences and therapeutic practice. Emphasis on actual clinical data, ethical and value issues in test construction and use. | ||
| PSY *280. | Topics in Psychology | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| PSY 121; others as indicated | ||
| Exploration of areas of mutual interest to instructor and students. Topics include depression, stress and coping, clinical interviewing and counseling, psychological problems of childhood, and neurological disorders. May be taken more than once for credit. | ||
| PSY *305. | Motivation and Learning | |
|
4 credits | |
| PSY 201 or 204; 220, 225 or Permission | ||
| In-depth study of theoretical background and current research on motivation and learning among human and non-human species. | ||
| PSY *310. | Cognition | |
| 4 credits | ||
| 3 courses in PSY or Permission | ||
| Consideration of the psychology of thinking: input, processing, storage and retrieval of information. Also explores categorization, concept formation, mental structure, language, reasoning, and problem solving. | ||
| PSY *312. | Personality II | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 and 212 | ||
| In-depth examination of personality theory and of major controversial issues in the contemporary literature. | ||
| PSY *314. | Abnormal Psychology | |
 |
4 credits | |
| PSY 121 and 212 | ||
| Examination of characteristics, causes and treatment of such disorders as depression, schizophrenia and stress-related illness. Discussion of social and ethical issues. Application of material to actual case histories. | ||
| PSY *315. | Introduction to Survey Research | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 and either PSY 220 or MTH 116 | ||
| Introduction to sampling strategies, questionnaire construction, interviewing technique, coding of data and the analysis, interpretation and presentation of results. Emphasis on ethical and political considerations in conduct and application of survey research. | ||
| PSY *331. | Developmental Psychology | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 and 212 | ||
| Consideration of current theoretical perspectives and research on attachment, language acquisition, cognitive and moral development. Attention to role of ideological and philosophical commitments in study of development. | ||
| PSY *339. | History and Systems | |
| 2 credits | ||
| PSY 121, 3 courses in PSY and Junior Standing | ||
| Critical consideration of conceptual issues in psychology. Examination of role of internal and external contexts in its conduct and development. | ||
| PSY *385. | Practicum | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| PSY 121 | ||
| Participation in community institutions, agencies, schools and businesses combined with individual faculty supervision to allow students to apply concepts and locate literature relevant to their own experiences. | ||
| PSY *390. | Clinical Field Experience | |
| 4 credits | ||
| PSY 121, 212, 240 or 280, and 314 or Permission | ||
| Participation in programs in hospitals, agencies, schools, businesses or the judicial system. Faculty and on-site professionals provide intensive supervision. Students improve abilities to apply concepts, principles and techniques and reflect on significant conceptual, ethical and personal aspects of the experience in written papers and oral discussions. | ||
| PSY *399. | Directed Reading/Research | |
|
1-4 credits | |
| Permission | ||
| Either (1) an individually-designed program of reading on a topic not covered by formal courses or (2) research experience on a faculty-directed project. | ||
| PSY *499. | Independent Study | |
|
2-4 credits | |
| Permission | ||
| Planned program of reading in preparation for Senior Thesis. | ||
| PSY *500. | Senior Thesis | |
|
2-4 credits | |
| PSY 499, Senior Standing and Permission | ||
| Development and conduct of original, independent, empirical investigation. Required for departmental honors. | ||
Courses
Since 2003, twenty-three Alma College students have won prestigious national fellowships, scholarships and awards, including 13 Fulbright fellowships and multiple Udall, Truman, Marshall and Gates-Cambridge scholarships.
Graduate Profile
James Woolcock
Graduation: 1975
Major: Psychology
At Alma College, James Woolcock not only learned the tools he needed for a 30-year career in psychology but also realized the importance of a liberal arts education.
“In addition to the wonderful staff in the Psychology Department, I owe a good deal of my professional success to two men: Dr. Ron Massanari and Dr. M.J.J. Smith,” the 1975 graduate says. “They taught me to think critically and, most importantly, to write. Those two intellectual skills are the hallmarks of a liberal arts education.”