Psychology Course Descriptions
'09-'10

W1001x or y. The Science of Psychology
Fall 2009. Sec. 1: 3 pts. P. Lindemann TR 1:10-2:25 PM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall
Fall 2009. Sec. 2: 3 pts. K. Taylor TR 9:10-10:25 AM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall
Spr 2010. Sec. 1: 3 pts. P. Lindemann TR 10:35-11:50 AM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall
Spr 2010. Sec. 2: 3 pts. B. Rakitin MW 6:10-7:25 PM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall

Enrollment may be limited. Attendance at the first two class periods is mandatory. Broad survey of psychological science including: sensation and perception; learning, memory, intelligence, language, and cognition; emotions and motivation; development, personality, health and illness, and social behavior. Discusses relations between the brain, behavior, and experience. Emphasizes science as a process of discovering both new ideas and new empirical results.
[Download Lindemann's syllabus] [Download Taylor's syllabus] [Download Rakitin's syllabus]

S1001D. The Science of Psychology
4 pts. R. Canbeyli MTWR 10:45-12:50 PM. Room 614 Sch. Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

Introduction to the science of human behavior. Topics include history of psychology, brain function and development, sleep and dreams, sensation and perception, learning and memory, theories of development, language and cognition, research methods, emotion, mental illness, and therapy.
[Download syllabus]

W1010x or y. Mind, Brain, & Behavior
Fall 2009. 3 pts. D. Shohamy MW 2:40-3:55 PM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall
Spr 2010. 3 pts. C. Wiedenmayer TR 6:10-7:25 PM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall

An introduction to the biological approach to the experimental study of behavior. Includes consideration of the types of biological data relevant to psychology, as well as the assumptions and logic permitting the interpretation of biological data in psychological terms.
[Download Tayor's syllabus] [View Wiedenmayer's syllabus] [View Shohamy's syllabus]

S1010D. Mind, Brain, & Behavior
3 pts. K. Taylor MW 5:30-8:40 PM. Room 614 Sch. Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

An introduction to the biological approach to the experimental study of behavior. Includes consideration of the types of biological data relevant to psychology, as well as the assumptions and logic permitting the interpretation of biological data in psychological terms. [Download syllabus]

W1420x. Experimental Psychology: Human Behavior
Fall 2009: 4 pts. P. Lindemann M 4:10-6 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission. A prior or concurrent statistics course (PSYC W1610 or the equivalent) is highly recommended. Corequisite: PSYC 1421. Attendance at the first class is essential.
An introduction to the techniques of research employed in the study of human behavior. Students gain experience in the conduct of research, including design of simple experiments, observation and measurement techniques, and the analysis of behavioral data. Fee: $70. [Download course information]

W1421x. Experimental Psychology: Human Behavior Lab
Fall 2009: 0 pts. Room 200B or 200C Schermerhorn Hall

Required lab section for W1420y. Limited enrollment in each section; Priorty given to majors. Register for one of the following:
Sec.1 M 6:10-8 PM 200C; Sec. 2 M 6:10-8 PM 200B;
Sec. 3 W 6:10-8 PM 200C; Sec. 4 M 8:10-10 PM 200B

W1440/1441. Experimental Psychology: Learning & Motivation
2009-10: Not offered. 4 pts.

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course. Corequisite: PSYC W1441. Limited enrollment in each section. Priorty given to majors. Attendance at the first class meeting is essential. Laboratory course examining fundamental mechanisms of learning. Students train rats to perform, and observe their behavior, under various environmental situations. Fee: $70.

W1450y. Experimental Psychology: Social Cognition and Emotion
Spr 2010: 4 pts. K. Ochsner M 4:10 - 6 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission. A prior or concurrent statistics course (PSYC W1610 or the equivalent) is highly recommended. Corequisite: PSYC 1451. Attendance at the first class is essential. Majors have priority. Fee $70.
An introduction to research methods employed in the study of human social cognition and emotion. Students gain experience in the design and conduct of research, including ethical issues, observation and measurement techniques, interpretation of data, and preparation of written and oral reports. [Download syllabus]

W1451y. Experimental Psychology: Social Cognition and Emotion (Lab) :
Spr 2010: 0 pts. Room 200B Schermerhorn Hall
Required Lab for W1450. Limited enrollment in each section. Register for one of the following:
Sec. 1 M 6:10-8 PM; Sec. 2 T 6:10-8 PM; Sec. 3 T 4:10-6 PM; Sec. 4 tba

W1455. Experimental Psychology: Social and Personality
2009-10: Not offered. 4 pts. N. Bolger

Prerequisite: Any introductory psychology course. Pre- or Corequisite: PSYC W1610 or the equivalent. Corequisite: PSYC W1456. Fee: $70.
Methodology and procedures of personality and social psychological research and exercises in data analysis and research design. Statistical concepts such as reliability and validity, methods of constructing personality measures, merits and limitations of correlational and experimental research designs, and empirical evaluation of theories. Student teams conduct research projects. [Download preliminary course information]

W1456. Experimental Psychology: Social and Personality (Lab)
2009-10: Not offered. 0 pts.

Required Lab section for PSYC W1455. Limited enrollment in each section.

S1480D. Experimental Psychology: Perception & Attention (lecture and lab)
4 pts. B. Rakitin MTWR 9:00-12:10 PM. Room 608 Sch MW & 200B TR.
Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

Prerequisite: Psychology W1001 or W1010, or the instructor's permission.
Introduction to significant phenomena and theoretical approaches to problems in perception and attention. Laboratory experiments and demonstrations of practical and theoretical importance in visual perception. Fee: $70. [Download syllabus]

W1490/1491. Experimental Psychology: Thinking & Decision Making
2009-10: Not offered. 4 pts.

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission. Fee: $70 Corequisite: PSYC W1491. Attendance at the first class is essential. Complement to, rather than substitute for, PSYC 2235. Introduces research methods employed in the study of the cognitive and social determinants of thinking and decision making. Students gain experience in the conduct of research, including design of simple experiments, individual and group preference elicitation techniques, and the analysis of behavioral data. Lab Required [Download syllabus]

W1610x. Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Scientists
Fall 2009: 4 pts. T. Wager TR 1:10 - 2:25 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall.

Corequisite: PSYC 1611x. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 1001 or 1010. Recommended preparation: one course in behavioral science and knowledge of high school algebra. (Majors have priority).
An introduction to statistics that concentrates on problems from the behavioral sciences. Fee $70. [View Wager's fall 2005 syllabus] [Download Wager's fall 2007 syllabus] [Download Scholer's syllabus]

W1611x. Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Scientists (Lab)
Fall 2009: 0 pts. Room 200B Schermerhorn Hall

Required lab section for W1610. Register for one of the following:
Sec.1 R 4:10-6 PM; Sec. 2 R 6:10-8 PM; Sec. 3 F 10:10-12 PM [if needed]; Sec. 4 F 12:10-2 PM [if needed]

S1610Q. Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Scientists
4 pts. M.Crisafi MTWR 10:45-12:50 PM. Room 200B Sch. Summer Term II: July 6 - August 14, 2009

Prerequisite: PSYC 1001 or 1010 or the equivalent. Fee $70. Recommended preparation: one course in behavioral science and knowledge of high school algebra.
An introduction to statistics that concentrates on problems from the behavioral sciences. Lab Required. [Download syllabus]

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W2210. Cognition: Basic Processes
2009-10: Not offered. 3 pts.

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission.
An introduction to basic concepts in cognitive psychology. Topics include theories and phenomena in areas such as attention, memory, concepts and categories, language, reasoning, decision making, and consciousness. [Download related syllabus]

W2215y. Cognition: Mind and Brain
Spr 2010 : 3 pts. E. Smith MW 10:35-11:50 AM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC 1001 or 1010 (recommended) or the instructor's permission.
How mental activities--particularly human cognitive processes--are implemented in the brain, with some emphasis on methods and findings of neuroscience. Topics include long term and working memory, attention and executive processes, concepts and categorization, decision making, and language. [Download syllabus] [Download course evaluation comments]

W2220. Cognition: Memory & Stress
2009-10 Not offered: 3 pts. J. Metcalfe

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission. Attendance at the first class period is mandatory. Memory, attention, and stress in human cognition. [Download syllabus]

W2225x. Attention and Perception
Fall 2009 : 3 pts. H. Lau TR 6:10-7:25 PM. Room 614 Schemerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission.
Introduction to the theories and mechanisms of attentional selection in perceptual processes. Topics include classical theories of selective attention, modern neurocognitive models, clinical impairments of attention, and the relationship between attention and time. [View syllabus]

W2230. Perception & Sensory Processes
2009-10 Not offered: 3 pts. L. Matin

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010, or the instructor's permission.
Fundamental phenomena and mechanisms of visual and auditory perception are described and related to underlying neural processes, to developmental processes, and to sensorimotor function.
[Download syllabus]

S2230D. Perception & Sensory Processes
3 pts. B. Rakitin Room MW 9-12:10 PM. Room 200B Sch. Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010, or the instructor's permission.
Fundamental phenomena and mechanisms of visual and auditory perception are described and related to underlying neural processes, to developmental processes, and to sensorimotor function. [Note: This is the lecture-only portion of PSYC S1480D] [Download syllabus]

W2235x. Thinking & Decision Making
Fall 2009: 3 pts. D. Krantz TR 10:35-11:50 AM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: an introductory course in psychology.
Models of judgment and decision making in both certain and uncertain or risky situations, illustrating the interplay of top-down (theory-driven) and bottom-up (data-driven) processes in creating knowledge. Focus is on how individuals do and should makedecisions, with some extensions to group decision making and social dilemmas. [Download Weber's syllabus] [View Krantz's syllabus]

W2240. Human Communication
2009-10 Not offered: 3 pts. R. Krauss

Prerequisite: one course in psychology or linguistics, or the instructor's permission.
Human communication (verbal and nonverbal) from a social-psychological perspective. Topics include models of communication; speech production and perception; the encoding and comprehension of communicative intentions; perspective taking and the social situation of meaning; the communication of affect; and language and cognitive processes. [View syllabus]

W2250y. Evolution of Cognition
Spr 2010: 3 pts. H. Terrace TR 10:35-11:50 AM. Room 614 or 200C Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission. A systematic review of different forms of cognition as viewed in the context of the theory of evolution. Specific topics include the application of the theory of evolution to behavior, associative learning, biological constraints on learning, methods for studying the cognitive abilities of animals, levels of representation, ecological influences on cognition, and evidence of consciousness in animals. [Download syllabus]

W2280y. Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Spr 2010: 3 pts. L. Putnam TR 1:10-2:25 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the equivalent. Enrollment may be limited. Attendance at the first two class periods is mandatory.
Introduction to the scientific study of human development, with an emphasis on psychobiological processes underlying perceptual, cognitive, and emotional development. [View syllabus]

W2420. Animal Behavior
2009-10: Not offered. 3 pts. S. Woolley

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or a college-level biology course or instructor permission.
Introduction to behavioral systems, evolution of behavioral traits, and analysis of behavior. Topics include reproductive and social behavior, mating systems, competition, cooperation, communication, learning, development and the interplay of genes and environment. [Download syllabus]

W2450y. Behavioral Neuroscience
Spr 2010: 3 pts. K. Taylor MW 9:10 - 10:25 AM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010. Examines the principles governing neuronal activity, the role of neurotransmitter systems in memory and motivational processes, the presumed brain dysfunctions that give rise to schizophrenia and depression, and philosophical issues regarding the relationship between brain activity and subjective experience. [Download syllabus]

S2450Q. Behavioral Neuroscience
3pts. R. Canbeyli MW 5:30-8:40 PM. Room 200B Sch. Summer Term II: July 6 - August 14, 2009

Recommended preparation: a course in psychology and high school physics, chemistry, and biology.
An introduction to the analysis of psychological issues by anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological methods. Topics include neurons, neurotransmitters, neural circuits, human neuroanatomy, vision, motor control, learning, feeding, drinking, sex, and development. [Download syllabus]

W2460x. Drugs and Behavior
Fall 2009: 3 pts. C. Hart MW 9:10 - 10:25 AM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the equivalent. The effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior. [View syllabus]

S2460D. Drugs and Behavior
3pts. E. McCaskill TR 5:30-8:40 PM. Room 614 Sch. Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

Prerequisite: PSYC W1001 or W1010 or the equivalent. The effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior. [Download related syllabus]

W2480. The Developing Brain
2009-10: Not offered 3 pts. F. Champagne

Prerequisite: Psychology W1001 or W1010 or the instructor's permission.
Brain development across the life span, with emphasis on fetal and postnatal periods. How the environment shapes brain development and hence adult patterns of behavior. [Download syllabus]

W2610x. Introduction to Personality
Fall 2009: 3 pts. W. Mischel MW 10:35 - 11:50 AM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course.
A survey of the important methods, findings, and theories in the field of personality research. [Download syllabus]

W2620y. Abnormal Behavior
Spr 2010: 3 pts. C. Monk MW 1:10-2:25 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course.
An examination of definitions, theories, and treatments of abnormal behavior. [Download syllabus]

S2620Q. Abnormal Behavior
3 pts. E. McCaskill TR 5:30-8:40 PM. 614 Sch. Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course.
An examination of definitions, theories, and treatments of abnormal behavior. [Download syllabus]

W2630x. Social Psychology
Fall 2009: 3 pts. T. Higgins TR 2:40-3:55 PM. Room 501 Schermerhorn Hall

Surveys important methods, findings, and theories in the study of social influences on behavior. Emphasizes different perspectives on the relation between individuals and society. [Download syllabus]

S2630D. Social Psychology
3 pts. P. Arora TR 1:00-4:10 PM. 614 Sch. Summer Term I: May 26- July 3, 2009

Surveys important methods, findings, and theories in the study of social influences on behavior. Emphasizes different perspectives on the relation between individuals and society.

W2640y. Introduction to Social Cognition
Spr 2010 : 3 pts. B. Sparrow TR 2:40-3:55 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course or instructor's permission.
An introduction to basic concepts in social cognition. Topics include attribution theory (how we explain our own and other's behavior), social categories and schema (social perception and stereotyping), the social self (the development and maintenance of a self-concept), attention and
consciousness, person memory, affect and cognition, and social inference, among others. [Download syllabus]

W2650x. Introduction to Cultural Psychology
Fall 2009: 3 pts. V. Purdie-Vaughns MW 1:10-2:25 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall.

Prerequisite: none, some basic knowledge of social psychology is desirable.
A comprehensive examination of how culture and diversity shape psychological processes. The class will explore psychological and political underpinnings of culture and diversity, emphasizing social psychological approaches. Topics include culture and social cognition, group and identity formation, psychology of multiculturalism, stereotyping, predjudice, and gender. Applications to real-world phenomena discussed. [Download syllabus]

W2680x. Social & Personality Development
Fall 2009: 3 pts. S. E. Lutz MW 6:10-7:25 PM. Room 614 Schermerhorn Hall

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course.
Exploration of social, emotional, and moral development in children and adolescents, and consideration of the interactive influence of biology, culture, and social context on development. Particular attention to cultural context and current research, as well as interdisciplinary insights. [Download syllabus]

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