47 courses with the subject PSY, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PSY 100Introduction to Psychology –3
This course provides students with an introduction to the field of psychology. Topics covered include an overview of the field of psychology, methods of psychological research, biological foundations of human behavior, sensation and perception, basic principles of learning, memory, intelligence, developmental psychology, personality theories, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy, and social behavior. Tel-Education Course Number PSY 1203 Introduction to General Psychology
PSY 170Understanding and Using APA Editorial Style –1
This course will introduce students to APA editorial style for social science writing. PSY 170 is a pre-requisite for Research and Statistical Methods I (PSY 211) and must be taken prior to or concurrently with this course.
In this course we will follow the biopsychosocial model of health and wellness, which is now the established model in medical education. While disease prevention, health-related research and rehabilitation issues are discussed, the main focus of the course is on exploring the mind-body connections from an empirical perspective. This course will also examine the latest literature in the area of disease-prone and disease-resistant personality.
An exploration of the historic connections between Psychology and Religion which are understood as foundational to both disciplines in Western thought. Students explore the work of William James, Carl Jung and other theorists and apply their understanding of religious phenomena and experience to both patterns of praxis and thought. The class probes the role of mysticism, prayer and meditation as manifestations of religion that can be best understood through the application of psychology. Cross-listed as REL 204 Psychology of Religion.
Positive Psychology examines empirically informed perspectives on what leads to happiness and well-being. This course provides an overview of the empirical research and its applications in the field of Positive Psychology. Some of the topics include positive emotions, happiness, optimism, positive relationships, optimal performance, gratitude, and mindfulness.
From the moment we are conceived, to the day we die, we go through the dual processes of change and stability. Most of our life changes and stages are due to our common biological and psychological heritage as human beings and are modified by context and experience. In our course, we will address physical, emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive influences on development from conception to death.
This is the first course in a two-course sequence introducing students to the scientific field of research and data analysis. Students will gain an understanding of the numerous considerations in carrying out social science research and learn about statistics and the use of computers so that they can understand, evaluate, and execute lab and field research. The information and skills learned in these two courses act as a foundation for higher-level courses. Topics include qualitative and quantitative research methods, validity and ethical considerations, literature searches, and composing APA-style documents. The SPSS computer package will be introduced to compute descriptive and inferential statistics. For declared psychology or crimin
This is the first course in a two-course sequence introducing students to the scientific field of research and data analysis. Students will gain an understanding of the numerous considerations in carrying out social science research and learn about statistics and the use of computers so that they can understand, evaluate, and execute lab and field research. The information and skills learned in these two courses act as a foundation for higher-level courses. Topics include qualitative and quantitative research methods, validity and ethical considerations, literature searches, and composing APA-style documents. The SPSS computer package will be introduced to compute descriptive and inferential statistics. For declared psychology or crimin
The goal of this course is the study of the nervous system and other biological mechanisms mediating behavior. Students will learn about the biological processes that are involved in behaviors and how to study them. Topics range from the structure and function of neurons and brain structures, to how the nervous system regulates sleep, hunger, and emotion, as well as learning, memory, attention, and nervous system disorders.
Students may take many different career paths within psychology and related disciplines upon graduation. In this course, students explore their interests, and learn more about under-graduate and graduate degree options, and advanced degree options. Students focus on personal and professional development including selling oneself in a resume and interview, preparing for admission to graduate school, and other related topics. This course should be taken in the sophomore or junior year.
Did you know you have access to five tools to help you understand the world around you, tools that are so important they make up an essential part of the scientific process? In this course, you will learn how your brain uses information from the senses (including vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) to help you perceive, understand, and navigate through the environment. We will examine the stimulus, the receptor, the neural activity, and related complex perception and behavior for each sense. This course fulfills a 3 credit SCI requirement for the traditional and SAGE Psychology majors and minors.
This course examines the theory, research, and practice of women and men in the workplace. Topics include: the history of women at work; nontraditional occupations and roles; gender differences in communication, leadership, and work styles; relevant legal, economical, and political issues; work-life balance and career dilemmas, and personal planning, promotion, and growth strategies.
This course is an introduction to the field of sport psychology. The American Psychological Association (Division 47) defines sport (and exercise) psychology as the scientific study of the psychological factors associated with participation and performance in sport, exercise, and other types of physical activity. In this course, we will explore how social and psychological variables influence participation and performance in sport and physical activity.
This course examines the interpersonal skills necessary in the helping relationships process. Topics covered will include developing and maintaining trust, self-disclosure, expressing feelings, verbal and nonverbal communication, helpful listening and responding skills, empathy, and conflict resolution. These skills are at the core of effective performance in the human service professions such as counseling, medical care, teaching, social work, plus various other careers in which working with people is central, such as management, public relations, and personnel work.
Working with others is an important skill needed by everyone. This course provides an overview of various teams and groups in a social and work context. Discussion includes: the evolution and development of teams, the emergence of member roles and leaders, decision-making and problem-solving techniques, communication processes, power and conflict issues, management of diversity, and teambuilding strategies. Many experiential exercises will be used to demonstrate concepts and enhance learning.
Have you ever wondered what your cat is thinking as she watches birds outside the window? Or why that persistent bee always seems to find its way over to you while you’re outside on a nice day eating lunch? While scientists are careful to avoid inappropriate anthropomorphism (the attribution of human motivation to animal behavior), researchers have learned much about the way animals find cognitive solutions to problems, in ways that are remarkably similar to humans and others that are quite distinct to their species. Experimental evidence and real-world observation suggest that some animals understand the passage of time, can reason and strategize, and use concepts, among other things. In this course, we will discuss the evolution of co
This course introduces students to the area of “Human Factors”, which applies knowledge of human behavior, abilities, and attributes to the design of tools, equipment, and large-scale systems (e.g., cars, kitchens) for human use. Psychologists in this growing area aim to solve “real-world” problems by improving the usability, efficiency, comfort, and safety of various products. Assignments provide hands-on analysis and discussion for design improvement.
PSY 237Addictions: A Biopsychosocial Perspective –3
This course explores the nature of addiction in its various forms. Video case studies, professional interviews, as well as video documentaries are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on biological, psychological, as well as social factors that influence the development, maintenance, and treatment of addictions.
Have you ever wondered why you do certain things, even when they seem like they are not in your own best interests? Ever experience a rush of emotion that energizes everything you do? This course will help you understand motivation and emotion in yourself and others, from evolutionary, physiological, developmental, learning and cognitive, and social and personality perspectives. Theories will be illustrated by a careful examination of the empirical work in motivation and emotion, and the application of motivational strategies to everyday life.
Dreams have played a significant role in human civilization. Nearly every culture in the world has a certain perspective on the meaning and significance of dreams. The discipline of psychology has produced some of the most comprehensive theories about the nature of dreams. Indeed, dreaming as a state of consciousness has been the focus of scientific psychology for over one hundred years. This course is an in-depth exploration of the nature of dreams. We will begin with a historical and cultural exploration of dreams and then turn our attention to their psychophysiology. We will also review psychoanalytic and analytic perspectives on dreams. During the last half of the course, we will delve into the psychobiology of nightmares, dreams an
Did you know that over 50% of deaths in the country are due to maladaptive behaviors—behaviors that contribute to medical complications? Therefore, by simply changing certain behaviors we can make a significant change in mortality rates. This course (PSY 251) is an introduction to the growing and exciting field of health psychology, which is the study of the role of behavior in disease prevention, and how to improve the outcome of various interventions. The study of theories of behavior change will be central to our discussions in this course. We will explore the contribution of psychological principles to the understanding, prevention and treatment of a wide range of medical and psychophysiological disorders. Throughout the course, we
Depending upon student interest, this seminar course at the 200 level covers topics, problems and/or methods not ordinarily included in regularly scheduled courses.
Many internships are available for students in the psychology program, any time of the year, in the Lehigh Valley, or near home. The internship program is a practical supplement to classroom education under the supervision of a faculty supervisor, on-site supervisor and the Director of Career development. It is a valuable way to “try out” a field or position that a student may think he/she might be interested in, and get involved in its daily activities. Internships may lead to employment opportunities or help make career decisions. Students may receive 3-6 credits for each individual internship and can accumulate up to 12 internship credits during the course of their college career. The program is open to all traditional and SAGE stude NOTE: PSY 270 does NOT count towards the Psychology major or Psychology minor as Psychology elective credits.
This course provides a comprehensive analysis of individual, interpersonal, and group behavior in the workplace. Its purpose is to provide an understanding of how organizations can be managed more effectively and at the same time enhance the quality of an employee’s work life. Topics include: emotions, work attitudes and values, motivation, power and politics, leadership, decision-making, communication, group effectiveness and conflict, and organizational change and development.
Anxiety is a complex construct that has played a key role in the development of several theories and systems of psychology. This course explores the many dimensions of this construct through the lens of theoretical perspectives such as psychoanalysis, behaviorism, existentialism, humanism, psychophysiology, and cognitive psychology. The course will make a deliberate distinction between healthy and pathological states of anxiety. Additionally, students will gain knowledge about the differences and similarities between the experience of fear and anxiety with emphasis on the ontological nature of the latter.
PSY 304Stress, Disease and Psychophysiological Interventions –3
The focus of this course is twofold. During the first half of the course, we will discuss the psychobiology of stress and the deleterious effects of exposure to prolonged stress. The second half of the course will focus on specific stress-related conditions, their etiology, and their treatment from a psychophysiological perspective. Students will have access to the psychophysiology laboratory where they can conduct basic experiments, exploring the mind-body interactions.
This course provides an in-depth analysis of mental health disorders. Students will be introduced to the various theories of psychopathology from a biopsychosocial perspective, as presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . The disorders will be discussed in terms of their presenting symptoms, etiology, and assessment, particularly from theoretical, empirical, and clinical perspectives. Strongly Recommended: Junior Standing.
The broad definition of forensic psychology emphasizes the application of science and practice in other areas of psychology (e.g., industrial and organizational psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology) to legal issues and the legal system. This course provides an overview of the field, which includes: police and investigative psychology, legal psychology, and criminal psychology. Topics that will be discussed are, for example, the court system and judicial process, psychological assessment and risk assessment for public safety, profiling, interviewing and interrogation, competency to stand trial, expert testimony, eyewitness evidence, child custody evaluations and civil litigation, and the development of criminal behaviors a
This course explores criminal behavior, its motivation, and environmental influences, as well as approaches to profiling and how it is applied to help solve crimes. The history, theories, and investigative techniques of profiling offenders will be discussed, using a blend of social science, as well as psychological and legal research. The course includes legal case excerpts to demonstrate the role of the profiler (investigator), and their integral relationship with evidence, theories of criminal behavior and the court system.
This course introduces students to the principles of psychological assessment and how they are applied to a variety of settings in areas such as educational, clinical, health, forensic, and employment settings. Students will examine basic concepts in psychometrics, including reliability, validity, standardization, test development, item analysis, and ethical, legal and professional issues in the testing field.
PSY 314The Psychology of Stereotypes and Prejudice –3
This course will examine stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination through the lens of psychology. Specifically, we will examine the phenomena and processes associated with one’s beliefs about members of social groups (stereotypes), attitudes and evaluative responses toward group members (prejudice), and behaviors toward members of a social group based on their group status (discrimination). Also, we will study how these issues impact the experiences of social group members. We will begin with introductory/historical background on these concepts and progress through discussions of the key experimental studies and the major theoretical perspectives that have sought to explain stereotyping and prejudice, and the ways in which psychologi
This course introduces students to the skills necessary for working with children, adolescents and their families. Students will be introduced to various counseling theories and counseling skills for individual, group, and family therapies and learn how various media and activities such as play therapy, art, storytelling and puppets are used in therapy.
What is psychotherapy and how does it bring about meaningful changes in behavior? Can such changes be measured? This course is an in-depth examination of the theoretical foundation of major approaches to psychotherapy and the empirical studies that support their effectiveness. We will pay particular attention to psychoanalytic psychotherapies, client centered therapy, feminist therapy, cognitive therapy, existential therapy, rational-emotive therapy, behavior therapy, and multi-model therapy.
This course is a broad introduction to basic theories and principles of learning, including habituation, motivation, reinforcement, stimulus control, and discrimination, with emphasis on data derived from animal behavior. Laboratory experiences use live rats as well as a few assignments using a virtual animal. This course includes three hours of in-class lecture per week, and students also complete weekly lab assignments (roughly one hour per week) as scheduled with the instructor. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and PSY 212 and junior standing, or by permission of instructor.
Ever wish you could break an annoying habit, or help someone else with theirs? Are you interested in a career helping others overcome maladaptive behaviors? PSY 326 Principles of Behavior Modification explores the processes of creating and changing behaviors (in others or in oneself) using a blend of applied practical approaches with traditional learning theory. Over the semester, you will learn how to apply associative conditioning procedures established through a history of theoretical and empirical work in learning behavior management and change. This includes the formation of new behaviors, the alteration or elimination of existing unwanted behaviors, self-regulation, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Special attention will be gi
By using a case study approach, you will be provided with guidance for ethical conduct in the science and practice of psychology and criminal justice. You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of issues, including professional competence, confidentiality, client rights, animal and human research, informed consent, integrity and respect, as well as other topics. Students gain knowledge and skills necessary for ethical decision-making and ethical behavior. In addition, you will learn about federal mandates (e.g., HIPAA), and other legal and professional guidelines that apply in situations commonly faced by clinicians, researchers, officers of the law and other professionals. Prerequisite: Junior standing. This course fulfills the
An introduction to the field of cross-cultural psychology. Readings will be selected to demonstrate how psychologists are examining the many ways in which behavior, thoughts, and feelings are influenced by an individual’s culture. Emphasis will be placed on the methods by which psychologists study cultural differences with respect to development, cognition, gender, and social behavior.
People generally take for granted the complexity of humans’ cognitive abilities. For instance, we are capable of recognizing people we bump into on the street, remembering shared experiences from the past, engaging in a deep and meaningful conversation, and making decisions regarding future plans, and all of this can occur without much conscious awareness of the cognitive processes operating “behind the scenes.” But HOW is it that we recognize faces, store and retrieve memories, communicate, and make decisions, in what appears to be an effortless manner? In this class, we will examine research and real-life experiences that illustrate the complexity of human cognition. Topics include: perception (e.g., how do we recognize objects and fa
PSY 339Existential Psychology and the Search for Meaning –3
Explores the contributions of existentialism to the field of clinical psychology. Central to existentialism are concepts such as freedom, responsibility, anxiety, suffering, and search for meaning. These and other existential concepts will be explored through close examination of the works of authors such as Kierkegaard, Kafka, Tolstoy, Nietzsche, Frankl, Yalom, and May.
A study of major schools and systems of psychology, their historical and philosophical foundations and the people associated with the evolution of the field of psychology. This course is intended to provide an in-depth understanding of the issues that have been important to psychology and an understanding of the discipline as it exists today.
In this course, we will examine selected personality theories that explore human behavior and personality development. The course includes representatives of the psychoanalytic, psychodynamics, trait, humanistic, and existential orientations. Strongly Recommended: Junior Standing.
Have you ever heard someone make a blanket statement such as “I could NEVER hurt someone,” or “I will ALWAYS help someone who needs assistance?” Do you think these statements are accurate; do you believe people really KNOW what they are and are not capable of? Research in Social Psychology suggests that the situations we find ourselves in often play a much stronger role in determining our actions than does our personality or our perception of who we are as people. In this class, we will examine research and real life experiences that illustrate the importance of situational influences on behavior. Topics include: self-concept (e.g., how do other people influence how we see ourselves) person perception (e.g., how do we explain other peop
Depending upon student interest, this seminar course at the 300 level covers topics, problems and/or methods not ordinarily included in regularly scheduled courses.
Taken in the spring semester of the senior year, this capstone course for psychology majors integrates the knowledge students have learned in the various subfields of psychology; all graduating majors must register. This course includes current psychology topics, application of the field, and preparation for future careers. Required: Senior Standing. This course is only available in the Spring. The class is 100% online with the exception of a live Departmental Assessment session that is required. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in PSY 211 , and PSY170/171 Understanding APA Editorial Style.
Students have the opportunity to initiate and complete a research project in one of several areas predetermined by the course instructor. Grounded in the psychological literature, students will design a novel empirical investigation based on work being done in the faculty mentor’s lab/areas of research interest. Under faculty supervision, the student will be responsible for developing all stimulus materials and measures and getting approval to carry out their research through the Cedar Crest College Institutional Review Board (IRB). Students will submit an APA-formatted research proposal at the conclusion of the fall semester and will share their proposal with the college community at a poster session. Prerequisites: A grade of B or bet
This course is a continuation of a year-long research project started in the fall semester (PSY 365). Students will carry out their investigation, collecting, and analyzing their data. Students will submit an APA-formatted research manuscript at the conclusion of the semester. Students are also required to present their research results at the annual College Capstone Research Day at the end of the spring semester. Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in PSY 365 is required in order for a student to continue on in PSY 366.
This is an advanced seminar in Health Psychology in which we will delve deeper into the relationship between health and behavior. The latest theoretical developments in Health Psychology as well as empirical findings in behavioral interventions for a variety of medical disorders will be the focus of this seminar. Some of the topics include: models of behavior change, classical conditioning in health and disease, social contributors to healthy living, behavioral cardiology, psychological interventions in cancer, chronic pain, behavior and HIV, and methods of modifying maladaptive behaviors, and palliative care. Students in this seminar will be required to give class presentations on a variety of topics related to Health Psychology. A fin
