Psychology Courses

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology

An introduction to the scientific study of how biological, mental, and environmental factors influence behavior and experience. The laboratory provides hands-on application of course content.

PSYC 201 Cognitive Psychology

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major areas of cognitive psychology. These areas include: attention, higher-order perception, problem solving, decision making, knowledge representation, and memory. At the end of the course, students have a solid understanding of the methodology used by cognitive psychologists as well as an understanding of the important theoretical issues surrounding the study of the human brain as an information processing system.

PSYC 202 Conditioning and Learning

An examination of the processes by which behavior changes as organisms interact with their environment. Emphasis is on the principles and theories underlying classical and operant conditioning. Observational learning is also addressed.

PSYC 203 Developmental Psychology

An examination and discussion of theories and research related to physical, cognitive, psychological and social development across the lifespan with focus on the prenatal period, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.

PSYC 205 Social Psychology

A broad survey of the field of social psychology, including such topics as attitude change, interpersonal attraction, social cognition and aggression. Emphasis throughout is on the understanding of social phenomena from an empirical, primarily experimental, viewpoint.

PSYC 206 Adolescent Development

This course is an examination of emerging adolescent development, both historically and in contemporary society. It is designed to focus on the physical, psycho-social and intellectual dimensions of early adolescent development.

PSYC 207 Theories of Personality

This course provides a broad overview of historical, contemporary, and scientific theories of personality psychology to foster a more sophisticated appreciation of what makes people think, feel, and behave in certain ways. Such topics include research methods devoted to studying personality, personality judgment, historical and current paradigms of personality, genetic and environmental influences of personality, and cultural differences in personality.

PSYC 234 Political Psychology

This course examines the intersection of psychology and politics. Political scientists draw heavily on psychological theories to explain political phenomena. Topics covered in this course include but are not limited to political leadership and personality theories, the formation and structure of political attitudes, the behavior of citizens particularly voting behavior, the psychology of group interactions, and the psychology of foreign policy, war, peace, and terrorism. While the research explored draws heavily on psychological theories, no prior study of psychology is required for this course.

PSYC 240 Neuroscience I

This course begins by exploring the neuron and its unique cellular processes; neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuroanatomy, and neuroplasticity will be covered. We will then attempt to understand selected homeostatic (e.g., eating), cognitive (e.g., sensation/perception, learning/memory), and emotional processes (e.g., reward, stress, and depression) at and across integrated levels of analysis (genetic, physiological, chemical, anatomical, and systems).

PSYC 240T Neuroscience Tutorial

A 0.5-credit tutorial offered concurrently with PSYC 240 for students who have not completed the lower level biology and chemistry courses.

PSYC 248 Teaching Assistant 1/2 or 1

PSYC 263 Mind-Body Interventions

The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to mind-body interventions. Some of the specific topics covered include hypnosis/hypnotherapy and mindfulness/meditation, among others. The course will focus on research on these interventions, including their efficacy for certain mental and physical health outcomes, and the mechanisms underlying their effectiveness. The course will also include an experiential learning component where students will engage in some mind-body interventions or measures and reflect on their experiences, and a research component where students will be expected to write a research study proposal to test the efficacy of a mind-body intervention of their choosing for an outcome of their choosing.

PSYC 264 Sports Psychology and Performance

This course offers a foundational exploration of psychological principles as they apply to sport, exercise, and performance. Students will examine topics such as motivation, confidence, goal setting, focus, team cohesion, and anxiety management, with an emphasis on how these mental skills influence athletic performance and well-being. The course also explores the psychological aspects of injury, burnout, and recovery, as well as cultural and developmental considerations. Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and hands-on training, students will gain insight into the mental strategies used by athletes, coaches, and sport psychologists to optimize performance. This course is ideal for students pursuing careers in psychology, coaching, kinesiology, or athletic training.

PSYC 265 Psychological Assessment

Psychological assessment is the method used to formally measure traits, feelings, and abilities to help explain behavior and guide decisions. For instance, IQ and achievement tests help identify learning disorders, neuropsychological tests can uncover memory problems following brain injury, and aptitude tests can reveal strengths and interests. In this course, you will be introduced to commonly used psychological tests (IQ, achievement, personality, psychopathology, neuropsychological, career aptitude), basic psychometrics (test properties), test development procedures, and test interpretation. This course will require some knowledge of statistics and quantitative methods.

PSYC 267 Organizational Behavior

This course is a study of group dynamics within the context of work organizations. Topics include decision-making, conformity, leadership, communication, organizational culture, workplace diversity, and job satisfaction.

PSYC 270 Psychology and Film

This course is an introduction to psychology and film. We will study this topic from a number of perspectives: the psychology of making movies, the effect of film on the audience, and the representation of psychological topics in film. The focus of the course will be on watching and discussing films, as well as on reading and writing about psychological aspects of film.

PSYC 271 Human Sexuality

An analysis and discussion of information and misinformation concerning human sexual anatomy and physiology, evolutionary foundations of sexuality and attitudes towards sexuality, sexuality research, sexual response and techniques of arousal, emotional health, contraception, STIs, and issues related to diversity. Student participation and presentation are a major part of the course.

PSYC 273 Psychological Foundations of Education

An examination of human learning from a variety of perspectives. Learning is viewed as a process that occurs formally in settings such as schools, as well as informally in daily human experience. Where appropriate, topics in human development are related to theories of learning. In addition to class work, students work in local classrooms for a minimum of 25 hours. In 2017/18 this course will be taught at Lombard Middle School located at 1220 E Knox Street in Galesburg. The 25 hours and the course will be completed between Knox periods 3s and 5s. Advisor note: public transportation is available for students without transportation. If a student has reliable transportation they may still register for a 6th period class.

PSYC 276 Behavioral Pharmacology

This course will discuss how psychoactive drugs, both those used clinically and those used recreationally, affect our nervous system and hence our behavior and mental processes. While the focus will be on neural mechanisms of action, from the cellular/molecular to the systems level, we will also consider addiction, other clinical issues and legal/social issues surrounding drug use.

PSYC 277 Psychopathology

Psychopathology is the study of psychological disorder. In this class, we will study contemporary perspectives on the development, maintenance, and treatment of the major classes of disorder, including anxiety, mood disorders and suicide, schizophrenia and psychosis, trauma/PTSD, eating disorders, dissociation, personality disorders, and disorders that affect children and older adults. Students will read and write about case studies, and will engage in experiential exercises related to these diagnostic areas.

PSYC 278 Stereotypes and Prejudice

This course is an introduction to the psychological literature on stereotypes and prejudice. We study general concepts and theories, as well as examine stereotypes and prejudice directed at particular groups. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation and discussion of this material.

PSYC 279 Health Psychology

The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to health psychology. Primary influence is placed on the mental, emotional, and behavioral contributions to physical health, disease, and illness. Some of the specific concepts and topics covered include a biopsychosocial perspective on physical health, disease, and illness; stress; pain; and theories of health behavior.

PSYC 281 Research Methods and Statistics I

This course is an introduction to statistics in psychological research. Topics and statistics covered include the logic of hypothesis testing, central tendency and variability, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, and chi-square. Emphasis throughout the course is on the relationship between the design of the study, the type of statistical analysis conducted with the data generated, basic conceptual understanding of the statistical analyses, and how to do the statistical analyses. Students will also become proficient in the use of SPSS statistical software.

PSYC 281S Supplemental Instruction in Research Methods and Statistics I (PSYC 281) 1/2

PSYC 281S is exclusively for students who are simultaneously enrolled in PSYC 281. Course content will be determined by the difficulties that students encounter in the primary course.

PSYC 282 Research Methods and Statistics II

This course teaches students to think and communicate as scientists do. It is designed primarily for psychology majors to help them understand how to: (a) construct an argument; (b) find and apply evidence in support of an argument; (c) design an appropriate method to test one's hypothesis; (d) gather, statistically analyze, and interpret relevant data; (e) understand the implications and limits of that data; and (f) effectively communicate this information both orally and in writing.

PSYC 295 Special Topics 1/2 or 1

Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Psychology not covered in the usual curriculum.

PSYC 300B Clinical Psychology Term: Theories & Methods of Psychotherapy

See description of PSYC 367.

PSYC 300C Clinical Psychology Term: Internship in Psychology 1/2 or 1

See description for PSYC 355.

PSYC 300D Psychological Assessment

See the description for PSYC 265.

PSYC 300G Clinical Psychology Term: Mind-Body Interventions

See description for PSYC 263.

PSYC 312 Animal Behavior

This course examines the mechanisms and functions of behavior. Topics include the neural basis and organization of behavior, behavioral development, behavioral genetics, the causation of behavior, the evolution of behavior, behavioral ecology and sociobiology.

PSYC 348 Teaching Assistant 1/2 or 1

PSYC 355 Internship in Psychology 1/2 or 1

Internships in psychology are designed to give students practical, applied experience in a field of psychology related to their career interests. These internships are student-initiated and in most cases the internship site is identified by the student rather than the supervising faculty member. Part of the internship experience requires the student to produce written work that is evaluated by the Knox faculty.

PSYC 360 - PSYC 361 Research Experience in Psychology 1/2

A two-term experience in which students, with the aid of a faculty member, conduct an empirical study regarding some question in psychology. This process includes reviewing the literature, generating hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting results in both oral and written forms.

PSYC 364 Behavioral Neuroscience

Advanced seminar style course examining the role of the nervous system in the control of behavior and mental processes. While the course features a systems approach, cellular and molecular processes will also be discussed. Topics emphasize affective neuroscience and include behavioral endocrinology. Labs include stereotaxic, pharmacological, and/or behavioral work with animals and neurophysiological and psychophysiological work with humans.

PSYC 366 Language and Memory

This course provides an overview of how human memory operates through a systematic analysis of when and why memory fails. Through an exploration of the situations that govern memory failures, we will come to a better understanding of exactly how memory operates. Additionally, definitions of memory are examined through the interaction of memory and other cognitive processes like language. Topics covered include eye-witness testimony, memory and aging, amnesia, language and memory, bilingualism, and memory in the classroom.

PSYC 367 Theories & Methods of Psychotherapy

This course provides an overview of theoretical and applied aspects of mental health intervention. Topics include a review of the major theories and methods of psychotherapy, basic clinical skills (e.g., questioning, listening, empathy), the client-therapist relationship, multicultural competence, and professional ethics. Students will engage in experiential activities and personal reflection.

PSYC 369 Evolution and Human Behavior

This course provides evolutionary perspectives on topics such as language, development, cognition, mating behavior, family relationships, aggression, and altruism. It also provides a quick survey of the basic principles of evolution, human evolution, and primate ecology and behavior.

PSYC 371 History and Systems of Psychology

This course examines the growth of psychology as an experimental science and as a product of the cultural history of the Western world. There will be particular emphasis on events between the 1850s and 1970s.

PSYC 376 Behavioral Pharmacology

Advanced version of PSYC 276. Credit may not be earned for both PSYC 276 and PSYC 376.

PSYC 377 Cognition and Aging

This course provides an overview of how human cognition changes throughout adulthood. Cognitive processes discussed include autobiographical memory, decision-making, and language. Central to these processes will be the question of what it means to age gracefully. Students will work together to collect and analyze data from older adults in the Knox and greater Galesburg communities.

PSYC 395 Special Topics 1/2 or 1

Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Psychology not covered in the usual curriculum.

PSYC 400 Advanced Studies 1/2 or 1

See College Honors Program.