Psychology

Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of human cognition and behavior. The courses in the department are designed to acquaint students with psychological theory and the findings of psychological researchers; familiarize students with the terminology and principles of cognition and behavior; provide education in the techniques of psychological investigation with an emphasis on empirical research; study ways in which psychological principles apply to practical situations; and relate the findings of psychology to biblical Christianity. Psychology department courses interface with numerous other Bethel majors, including business, education, nursing, biology, sociocultural studies, biblical and theological studies, and many others. A Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology is offered through the Department of Psychology and is administered through the Graduate School.

The required internship is an opportunity to gain experience in a professionally supervised setting. Students’ participation in retirement facilities, hospitals, correctional facilities, drug and alcohol treatment centers, human resources departments, and a variety of other sites help refine career goals and graduate study plans and offer opportunities to integrate classroom learning with experience.

Courses

PSY100 • Introduction to Psychology (fall, spring) 3 credits

Methods, theories, and principal findings of psychological investigation.

PSY105N • Personal Wholeness in Relating to Self, Others, and God (fall, spring) 3 credits

Nature and process of growth in persons. Personal wholeness in relationship with self, others, and God is explored from various spiritual and psychological perspectives. Emphasis is placed on personal application of course material to promote greater self-awareness and ability to live out healthy choices regarding areas explored in course.

PSY203 • Lifespan Development (fall, spring) 3 credits

Physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral, and spiritual development from conception to death. Includes a consistent focus on individual differences. Prerequisite: PSY100. Students may not receive credit for PSY203 if they receive credit for PSY206 or PSY211.

PSY206 • Child and Adolescent Development (fall) 3 credits

Interacting processes of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, moral, and spiritual development from conception through adolescence. Includes observations of children. Prerequisite: PSY100. Students may not receive credit for both PSY206 and PSY203.

PSY211 • Adult Development and Aging (spring) 3 credits

Interacting processes of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, moral, and spiritual development and change from early adulthood until death. Prerequisite: PSY100. Students may not receive credit for both PSY211 and PSY203.

PSY215 • Social Psychology (fall, interim, spring) 3 credits

Behavior and experience of individuals and groups in relation to other individuals and groups. Theory, method, and findings in areas such as conformity, persuasion, social cognition, attraction, altruism, aggression, prejudice, group behavior, and applied topics. Prerequisite: PSY100.

PSY230M • Introduction to Statistical Methods and Experimental Design (fall, spring) 4 credits

Descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics, plus experimental design. Parametric and nonparametric statistical techniques are taught with emphasis on designing and conducting two-group experiments and analyzing the data. Students may not receive credit for both PSY230M and MAT131M.

PSY300 • Abnormal Psychology (fall, spring) 3 credits

Classification, causes, symptoms, and treatment of various forms of psychopathology. Analysis of Christian and secular perspectives of psychopathology and a survey of some major issues in the field of mental health. Prerequisite: PSY100.

PSY304 • Introduction to Forensic Psychology (fall, odd # yrs) 3 credits

Provides students the opportunity to explore psychological and social processes in the legal, judicial, and criminal investigation systems. Emphasis is placed upon students developing the capacity to evaluate relevant research critically in order to better appreciate both the value and the limitations of the findings. Secondary emphasis is placed upon theory development and application in forensic psychology. Includes a section on the psychology of terrorism. Prerequisites: An introductory social sciences course (PSY100, SOC101, or ANT200U); a quantitative research course in the social sciences (PSY230M or SCS350); or consent of instructor.

PSY305 • Personality (fall, spring) 3 credits

Personality theories understood as the worldview of individuals living in certain times and places. Both classical Western theories and non-Western views. Prerequisite: PSY100.

PSY308G • Cross-Cultural Psychology (interim, spring) 3 credits

Behavior and experience related to cultural differences. Theory, method, and findings in areas of cognition, social psychology, and applied concerns. Specific people groups may be emphasized. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.

PSY310 • Addiction and Recovery (interim) 3 credits

Psychological, physiological, and causal aspects of addiction, with emphasis on understanding the experience of persons with addiction. Addictions studied include drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, and the internet. Also covers family issues related to addiction, models of recovery, and treatment options. Integration of Christianity with this topic throughout the course. Prerequisite: PSY100.

PSY313G • Families in Cross-Cultural Perspective (fall) 3 credits

Contemporary, historical, and cross-cultural, predominantly non-Western perspective on a variety of family systems and the people living in them. Explores values and assumptions underlying these systems, roles, intergenerational relationships, identity formation, and developmental tasks. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course. (Carries cross credit in family studies.)

PSY315 • History of Psychology (fall) 3 credits

Historical roots of contemporary psychology. Focus is on the influence of historical trends, people, and events on the evolution of psychological questions, constructs, methods, and issues from the early Greeks to the present. Prerequisites: PSY100; GES130 or GES145, 146; junior or senior standing.

PSY317 • Political Psychology (fall, odd # yrs) 3 credits

Political psychology is concerned with the causes, dynamics, and consequences of human thinking and action in the context of politics. This field survey covers the psychology of decision-making, political attitude formation, public opinion, personality and emotions, intergroup relations, ideology, and the role of mass media in politics. Prerequisite: one political science course. (Carries cross-credit in political science.)

PSY320Z • European Pioneers in Psychology (occasionally interim) 3 credits

A study-abroad experience that explores prominent European figures in the history of psychology within the context of the major historical currents and schools. Study of the cultural, philosophical, intellectual, and spiritual roots of psychological theory—especially in connection with our host countries. Site and museum visits, and encounters with local professional and academic psychologists. Prerequisites: PSY100; GES130 or GES145, 146; junior or senior standing; permission of instructors; timely completion of application process.

PSY322 • Animal Behavior (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits

Behavior from primitive invertebrates to advanced mammals, highlighting trends in behavior systems. Natural setting studies in the ethology tradition, comparative psychology studies, and biosociological principles with their implications for human social systems. Prerequisite: One course in biology or PSY100. (Carries cross-credit in biological sciences.)

PSY323 • Motivation and Emotion (occasionally) 4 credits

How do biological, environmental, cognitive, emotional, and personal systems interact to initiate and direct human behavior? How do experimental psychologists study emotional and motivational systems? Topics covered include hunger and eating, love and sexual behavior, arousal and peak performance, aggression, emotional stress and health, negative and positive emotions, curiosity, creativity, and self-esteem. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY230M.

PSY325G • Psychology of Religion (spring) 3 credits

Topics of central importance within many world religions (e.g., wisdom, love) are examined through various psychological theories and empirical findings. Major emphasis on developing the capacity to understand religious behavior and experience from the psychological and religious perspectives studied in the course, regardless of the extent to which one agrees or disagrees with a particular viewpoint. Prerequisites: PSY100; GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.

PSY328 • Student Development and the Resident Assistant (fall) 3 credits

Designed to aid resident assistants in their understanding of student development. Developmental and leadership theories, behavioral patterns, interpersonal skills development, analysis of cases, educational and social programming, current issues, and dynamics at work in resident college students. Prerequisite: Current resident assistant position.

PSY330 • Disabilities and Giftedness (fall) 4 credits

Development of exceptional people from a lifespan perspective. Cognitive, physical, emotional, and sociocultural variables relevant to mental retardation; giftedness; learning disabilities; physical, sensory, and communication disabilities; emotional disturbance; and multiple disabilities. Critical analysis of education and management programs. Literature review, research, and student contact with a number of exceptionalities. Prerequisites: EDU240, PSY203, PSY206, or PSY211; junior standing.

PSY335 • Tests and Measurement (spring) 4 credits

Methods of assessing human behavior and the nature and significance of individual differences. Includes basic psychometric theory, principles of test construction, theory and utilization of current standardized tests of intelligence, achievement, and personality. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY230M.

PSY340 • Physiological Psychology (fall) 4 credits

Physiological and neuroanatomical mechanisms underlying behavior; sensory mechanisms, wakefulness, and attention processes; brain mechanisms of aggression, fear, pain, thirst, reproductive behavior, learning, and discrimination processes. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY230M.

PSY345 • Conditioning and Learning (interim) 4 credits

Basic procedures of classical and operant conditioning, theories of learning, applications of behavioral conditioning principles to selected problems in human learning. Includes laboratory experience. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY230M.

PSY350 • Cognitive Psychology (spring) 4 credits

Psychological theory and research concerning thinking, memory, reasoning, language, and problem solving. Includes laboratory experience. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY230M.

PSY355 • Research Principles and Laboratory (fall, spring) 4 credits

Research methods in psychology in the context of designing independent research. Standard research designs (experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental) are evaluated in terms of threats to internal and external validity. Factorial designs, analysis of variance, and regression models are introduced. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY230M.

PSY399• Topics in Psychology (occasionally) 3 credits

Contemporary concerns in psychology not covered in the current formal course offerings of the department. Prerequisite: PSY100.

PSY400 • Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy (fall, spring) 4 credits

Introduction and analysis of major therapy systems from Christian and secular perspectives, basic counseling techniques, and current ethical issues facing the counseling professions. Designed for students planning graduate study in human services. Prerequisites: PSY100; PSY300 or PSY305.

PSY440 • Sensation and Perception (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits

A study of how the brain receives and interprets information from the environment. The biological operation of each of the senses is covered, as well as how the action of sense organs is translated into meaningful perceptions. Prerequisites: PSY100; at least one of the following: PSY340, BIO101D, BIO103D, BIO109D, BIO113D.

PSY481 • Internship in Psychology (fall, spring) 3-4 credits

A directed experience relevant to psychology in an off-campus setting. Prerequisite: Consent of supervising instructor.

PSY493 • Psychology Internship and Seminar (fall, spring) 4 credits

A professionally supervised, applied learning experience in the work world. The senior internship includes a seminar component in which students meet regularly on campus with the Bethel faculty supervisor. This structured classroom experience will facilitate students’ processing of their internship experiences and offer a forum for discussion of internship-related issues. Prerequisites: Psychology major; senior standing; and minimum 2.25 GPA in psychology courses, 2.0 cumulative.

PSY498 • Research (fall, spring) 2-4 credits

Work with a psychology faculty member on an empirical research project. Emphasis on the use of research methodology, techniques, and psychological theory. The work may be spread over two semesters. Graded on a S/U basis. Prerequisites: Major in psychology; invitation of supervising faculty member; PSY230M.

PSY499 • Senior Seminar (fall, spring) 3 credits

Foundational issues in psychology and the interface of psychology, Christianity, and other disciplines. Includes an in-depth individual writing project. Prerequisites: Major in psychology; senior standing.

Programs

In this section, semester credit hours will be shown after the course number and description.

Major in Psychology (B.A.)

PSY100	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSY230M*	Introduction to Statistical Methods and Experimental Design	4
PSY355	Research Principles and Laboratory	4
PSY493	Psychology Internship and Seminar	4
PSY499	Senior Seminar	3
Choose from	Developmental Psychology courses:	3
PSY203	Lifespan Development
PSY206	Child and Adolescent Development
PSY211	Adult Development and Aging
Choose from	History of Psychology courses:	3
PSY315	History of Psychology
PSY320Z	European Pioneers in Psychology
Choose from	Socio-cultural Bases of Behavior courses:	3
PSY215	Social Psychology
PSY308G*	Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSY313G*	Families in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Choose from	Abnormal or Personality courses:	3
PSY300	Abnormal Psychology
PSY305	Personality
Choose from	Experimental Psychology courses:	8
PSY322	Animal Behavior
PSY323	Motivation and Emotion
PSY335	Tests and Measurement
PSY340	Physiological Psychology
PSY345	Conditioning and Learning
PSY350	Cognitive Psychology
PSY440	Sensation and Perception
One 4-Credit	Elective: Choose from any of the above 4-credit Experimental Psychology courses or the following:	4
PSY330	Disabilities and Giftedness
PSY400	Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy
One 3- or 4-Credit	Elective: Choose from any 3- or 4-credit courses above or the following:	3-4
PSY304	Introduction to Forensic Psychology
PSY310	Addiction and Recovery
PSY317	Political Psychology
PSY325G	Psychology of Religion
	Total	45-46
General Education		51-52
Electives		24-26
	TOTAL	122

* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.

Note: No student may take more than eight credits in any combination of PSY498 Research, PSY481 Internship in Psychology, or Directed Study in Psychology.

Minor in Psychology

PSY100	Introduction to Psychology	3
Choose from:		3
PSY203	Lifespan Development
PSY206	Child and Adolescent Development
PSY211	Adult Development and Aging
Choose from:		4
PSY323	Motivation and Emotion
PSY330	Disabilities and Giftedness
PSY335	Tests and Measurement
PSY340	Physiological Psychology
PSY345	Conditioning and Learning
PSY350	Cognitive Psychology
PSY400	Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy
PSY440	Sensation and Perception
Electives from	200-level or above psychology courses, excluding PSY328, PSY481, PSY498, and PSY499	9
	TOTAL	19