Psychology
Psychology (PSYC) Professors: Owen R. Floody, Eugenia P. Gerdes, Andrea R. Halpern, T. Joel Wade (Chair) Associate Professors: Chris J. Boyatzis, Kimberly A. Daubman, David W. Evans, William F. Flack Jr., Peter G. Judge, Kevin P. Myers, John T. Ptacek, Arthur G. Shapiro Scientific psychology analyzes the complex interactions between environmental and biological bases of behavior to study human and animal behavior. Students are trained in scientific methods and different theoretical perspectives in a variety of areas of psychology: physiological psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, cognition, learning, child and adult development, social psychology, personality, health psychology, abnormal psychology, and animal behavior. In short, psychology analyzes the complex interactions between environmental and biological bases of behavior. Through acquiring a better understanding of behavior and scientific methods, psychology majors are well prepared to enter many fields. A major in psychology can lead to graduate study and a career in many areas of psychology, from experimental to clinical/counseling work, and psychology majors also pursue education and careers in law and medicine as well as work in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. A major in psychology consists of nine course credits: • PSYC 100 General Psychology • PSYC 215 Psychological Statistics or MATH 216 Statistics • Five 200-level courses. At least one course must come from each of the A, B, and C clusters. No more than one course from cluster C and one course from cluster D may count toward the major. Cluster A
PSYC 203 Psychology of Learning
PSYC 204 Human Cognition
PSYC 250 Physiological Psychology
PSYC 252 Sensation and Perception
PSYC 266 Animal Behavior Cluster B
PSYC 207 Developmental Psychology
PSYC 209 Social Psychology
PSYC 210 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 212 Psychology of Emotion
PSYC 228 Personality Psychology Cluster C
PSYC 290 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Physiological Psychology
PSYC 291 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 292 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Sensation and Perception
PSYC 293 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Learning
PSYC 294 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Human Cognition
PSYC 295 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Emotion
PSYC 296 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Animal Behavior
PSYC 297 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Developmental Psychology
PSYC 298 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Personality
PSYC 299 Applied Research Methods Seminar in Social Psychology Cluster D
PSYC 232 Psychology of Women
PSYC 233 Black Psychology
PSYC 234 Sport Psychology
Or additional psychology courses with departmental approval. • Two courses above the 200 level, at least one of which must be taken at Bucknell. Majors may use an independent research course (PSYC 329, PSYC 360, or one of the corresponding Capstones on behavioral research) to satisfy one of these requirements.
• Majors should complete PSYC 215 by the end of the sophomore year. All 200-level requirements, including the research methods seminar, should be completed by the end of the junior year. The optimal scheduling of these courses should be determined in consultation with a member of the department, and is especially important for students who enter the major late, hope to study abroad, or have strong preferences among alternative courses.
The department strongly encourages students to engage in independent research, done in close collaboration with a faculty member. Seniors, if academically eligible, often conduct senior honors projects and many others conduct independent studies. Many psychology majors study abroad for a semester and courses taken abroad usually transfer. Two minors are offered in psychology. The cognitive and perceptual sciences minor can be completed in one of two ways: 1) For students who take PSYC 100, the minor consists of PSYC 100, Statistics (PSYC 215 or equivalent), PSYC 204, PSYC 252, PSYC 292 or 294, and PSYC 318 or 352; 2) For students who do not take PSYC 100, the minor consists of Statistics (PSYC 215 or equivalent), PSYC 204, PSYC 252, PSYC 292 or 294, PSYC 318 and PSYC 352. With the approval of the department chair, a research project in cognition or perception (PSYC 329, PSYC 360, or one of the corresponding Capstones on behavior research) could be substituted for either PSYC 318 or PSYC 352 for those students who do not take PSYC 100. The neuropsychology minor requires six courses: PSYC 100, PSYC 204, PSYC 215 or equivalent, PSYC 250, PSYC 349, and one of PSYC 210, PSYC 212, PSYC 252, PSYC 305, PSYC 309, PSYC 318, PSYC 339, PSYC 343, or PSYC 352. With the approval of the department chair, independent research in neuropsychology (PSYC 329, PSYC 360, or one of the corresponding Capstones on behavior research) may be used to satisfy this last requirement. A program for honors in psychology must include PSYC 360 or the corresponding Capstone on behavioral research. Nonmajors are encouraged to discuss sequences of courses appropriate to their academic goals with any member of the department. 100. General Psychology (I and II; 3, 2)
A survey of concepts, principles, and theories of an empirical science of behavior. 203. Learning (I and II; 3, 0)
The study of basic mechanisms of associative learning in motivated behavior, especially Pavlovian and operant conditioning in the behaviors of various species. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or ANBE 266 or permission of the instructor. 204. Human Cognition (I and II; 3, 0)
A survey of the theories and methods employed in studying human mental abilities. Issues include attention, memory, language, problem solving, and decision making. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor. 207. Developmental Psychology (I and II; 3, 0)
Study of stages, sequences, and processes in normal child development, prenatal through childhood. Emphasis on cognitive, social, emotional development. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor. 209. Social Psychology (I and II; 3, 0)
Theories of social influence and social interaction, their empirical foundations and implications for the individual and society. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor. 210. Abnormal Psychology (I and II; 3, 1)
An introduction to psychological disorders and the major theories proposed to account for them. Includes a practicum in a psychiatric facility. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor. 212. Emotion (I; 3, 0)
An introduction to theory and research in the psychology of emotion. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor. 215. Psychological Statistics (I and II; 3, 1)
An introduction to basic statistical analyses in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or ANBE 266 or permission of the instructor. 228. Personality Psychology (I and II; 3, 0)
Evaluation of theory and research on personality, including consideration of classic theories and their applications in current research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of the instructor. 231. Community Organizations in Northern Ireland (S; 3, 0)
Case studies of local organizations, community situations, or social movements in Northern Ireland. This is the service-learning course in the Bucknell in Northern Ireland program. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as EDUC 331 and/or SOCI 331. 232. Psychology of Women (I or II; 3, 0)
Considers experiences of girls and women, gender differences, attitudes toward women, and issues of particular concern to women such as domestic violence, body image, and sexual assault. 233. Black Psychology (I or II; 3, 0)
Black self-concept, the black family and self-awareness, ‘‘black English,’’ skin color and physical attractiveness standards, black self-esteem, black views on prejudice and discrimination. 234. Introduction to Sport Psychology (S; 3, 0)
Considers the individual difference factors influencing athletic performance (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, and emotion). Also considers psychological processes operating in group (e.g., cohesion, leadership, aggression, and audience effects). 250. Physiological Psychology (I and II; 3, 0)
Biological bases of behavior and their relationship to motivation, learning, and perception. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or BIOL 206 or ANBE 266 or permission of the instructor. 252. Sensation and Perception (I and II; 3, 0)
Anatomy and functions of the sensory systems: vision, audition, kinesthesis, vestibular sensation, taste and smell, with emphasis on theory and abnormalities of the human sensory systems. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor. 266. Animal Behavior (I; 3, 0)
A survey of important theories, issues, and empirical techniques in the interdisciplinary field of animal behavior, emphasizing both proximate and ultimate explanations for behavior. Crosslisted as ANBE 266/BIOL 266. 290. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Physiological Psychology (I or II; 0, 3)
Laboratory research to accompany PSYC 250 Physiological Psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 250. 291. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Abnormal Psychology (I and II; 0, 3)
Laboratory and/or field research to accompany PSYC 210 Abnormal Psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 210. 292. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Sensation and Perception (I and II; 0, 3)
Laboratory and/or field research to accompany PSYC 252 Sensation and Perception. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 252. 293. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Learning (I and II; 0, 3)
Laboratory and/or field research to accompany PSYC 203 Learning. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 203. 294. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Human Cognition (I and II; 0, 3)
Laboratory to accompany PSYC 204 Human Cognition. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 204. 295. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Emotion (I and II; 0, 3)
Laboratory-based research on the psychosocial causes, characteristics, and consequences of human emotion. Prerequisite: PSYC 215. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 212. 296. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Animal Behavior (I or II; 0, 3)
Laboratory and/or field research to accompany PSYC 266 Animal Behavior. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 266. Crosslisted as ANBE 296. 297. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Developmental Psychology (I and II; 0, 3)
Students conduct observational research of children’s behavior at Sunflower Child Care Center near campus. Prerequisite: PSYC 215. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 207. 298. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Personality (I and II; 0, 3)|
Laboratory, field, or applied research to accompany PSYC 228 Personality Psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 228. 299. Applied Reseach Methods Seminar in Social Psychology (I and II; 0, 3)
Laboratory and/or field research to accompany PSYC 209 Social Psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 and prerequisite or corequisite PSYC 209. 301. History of Psychology (II; 3, 0)
A history of scholarly ideas about thought, feelings, and behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. 304. Advanced Developmental Psychology (I or II; 3, 0)
Analysis of selected topics in human development, such as gender issues, cognitive development, parenting and sibling relations, or religious and spiritual development. Prerequisite: PSYC 207 or permission of the instructor. 305. Developmental Psychopathology (I or II; 3, 0)
Readings and discussion address the behavioral phenotypes (cognitive, social, linguistic) of a variety of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in childhood in the context of theories and process of typical development. Basic genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders also are discussed. Prerequisites: NEUR 248 or PSYC 210 and PSYC 207. Crosslisted as NEUR 305. 306. Advanced Abnormal Psychology (I or II; 3, 0)
Analysis of specific topics in the fields of psychopathology and/or clinical psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 210 or permission of the instructor. 307. Culture and Child Development (I or II; 3, 0)
Study of culture-specific and universal processes of child development in diverse societies. Cultural issues in family, education, government, religion, labor, war, hunger. Prerequisite: PSYC 207 or permission of the instructor. 309. Appetite and Eating Behavior (I or II; 3, 0)
Advanced seminar considering psychological factors involved in appetite, food preferences, and food intake. Prerequisite: PSYC 203. 316. Advanced Social Psychology (I or II; 3, 0)
Consideration of experimental and theoretical issues in social psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 209 or 228 or permission of the instructor. 317. Comparative Animal Cognition (I or II; 3, 0)
Advanced seminar in issues of nature/nurture, learning, development, and adaptation, in behaviors such as foraging, mating, and communication in several species. Prerequisite: PSYC/ANBE 266 or PSYC 203. Crosslisted as ANBE 317. 318. Cognitive Aging (I or II; 3, 0)
Seminar discussing the development and changes in cognition in senior citizens. Topics include memory, language, attention, and decision-making. Prerequisite: PSYC 252 or PSYC 204 or permission of the instructor. 319. Topics in Psychology (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Occasional seminars on selected topics of current interest in psychology. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 324. Analysis of Psychological Data (I or II; 3, 0)
A survey of advanced statistical techniques with emphasis on analysis and interpretation of experimental and correlational data. Prerequisite: PSYC 215 or equivalent and permission of the instructor. 325. Advanced Personality Theory (I or II; 3, 0)
Consideration of current issues in personality psychology. Possible topics include: persons and situations, personality and health, and personality and relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 228 or permission of the instructor. 329. Undergraduate Research (I or II; S; R; 0, 3) Half to full course.
Research or other independent study on any aspect of psychology. Research topics may be posed by students or faculty. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 330. Sectarian Conflict in Northern Ireland (S; 3, 0)
Psychological and social aspects of the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. This is the seminar course in the Bucknell in Northern Ireland program. Prerequisites: PSYC 207 or PSYC 209 or PSYC 210 or PSYC 228 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as SOCI 330. 339. Psychology of Music (I or II; 3, 0)
Seminar examining how musicians and non-musicians comprehend, remember, perform, and respond to music, including developmental aspects. Some background in music is required. Prerequisites: PSYC 204 or PSYC 252 and permission of the instructor. 343. Neural Plasticity (I; 3, 0)
Brain structure and function, emphasizing cellular and molecular approaches to neural development, plasticity and degeneration. Prerequisites: PSYC 250 or BIOL 205 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as BIOL 343. 349. Human Neuropsychology (I or II; 3, 0)
Brain mechanisms of language, memory, and other processes as revealed by studies of human brain activity or pathology. Prerequisite: PSYC 204 or 250 or 252 or permission of the instructor. 352. Advanced Perception (I or II; 3, 0)
Theories of and research on sensory and perceptual processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 204 or 250 or 252 or permission of the instructor. 360. Honors Thesis (I and II; R)
Prerequisite: permission of the department. 369. Psychology of Beauty and Attraction ( I or II; 3, 0)
Examination of research on beauty and attraction from an evolutionary perspective. Prerequisites: PSYC 209 and permission of the instructor. 370. Primate Behavior and Ecology (I; 3, 3*)
Introduction to research on prosimians, monkeys, and apes with emphasis on the evolutionary origin of diversity, habitat use, social structure, social behavior, and cognitive abilities. Prerequisites: BIOL 122 or 208, or ANBE/BIOL/PSYC 266, and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE/BIOL 370. 373. Psychology of Race and Gender (I or II; 3, 0)
Critical analysis of major theories. Emphasis on experimental research findings in the areas of racism, discrimination, gender difference, sexual violence, etc. Prerequisites: PSYC 209 and permission of the instructor.
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