Psychology Course Descriptions
For further information regarding the description of courses,
see the University of Nebraska Undergraduate Bulletin or contact
the instructor.
100.Career Planning for Psychology Majors (1 cr) P/N only. Students
should take this course as early in their studies as possible,
even if they have not taken PSYC 181. This course does not apply
to the psychology major.
Survey of careers frequently sought by psychology majors, and recommendations
for course work and experience for attaining students' career
goals. Includes departmental, college, and university resources
of value to students' educational and career objectives, and
preparation for graduate study in psychology and related fields.
[ES]181. Introduction to Psychology (4 cr)
Introduction to concepts and research in the areas of personality,
attitudes, emotion, learning, memory, perception, and physiological
bases of behavior. While the course is a prerequisite for all
other psychology courses, the content is presented in a manner
appropriate for students planning to take only a minimum of courses
in psychology.
[ES] 181H. Honors: Introduction to Psychology (4 cr) Prereq:
Good standing in the University Honors Program or by invitation.
Equivalent to PSYC 181 for purposes of prerequisites for other
psychology courses.
Serves as both an introduction to the field for those desiring
only one psychology course, and as a stepping-stone to more advanced
psychology courses. Introduction to concepts and research in the
areas of personality, attitudes, emotion, learning, memory, perception,
and physiological bases of behavior.
[ES][IS] 216. Introduction to Psychology and Philosophy (PHIL
216) (3 cr) For course description, see PHIL 216.
222. Psychological Aspects of Alcohol (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or 6 hrs of sociology or anthropology, or permission. This course is also appropriate for individuals working in the alcohol fields.
Introduction to the historical, social psychological, and physiological
aspects of alcohol use and abuse. Alcoholism definitions and typologies
examined and theoretical approaches to the development of this
disorder discussed including constitutional, psychological, and
sociological conceptualizations,treatment, prevention, and intervention procedures used to cope
with the problem of alcoholism.
233. Aggression (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or equivalent.
Aggressive behavior from biological, developmental, social, and
psychological perspectives.
[ES] 261.Conflict and Conflict Resolution (ANTH, POLS, SOCI 261) (3
cr) For course description, see POLS 261.
[ES][IS] 263. Introduction to Cognitive Processes (3 cr)
Prereq: PSYC 181.
Introduction to the psychological processes involved in pattern recognition, memory,
human learning, problem solving, language development, verbal communication,
and decision making, as viewed from an information processing standpoint.
[ES][IS] 268. Learning and Motivation (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or equivalent.
Introduction to processes of instrumental and classical conditioning in animals and
humans, and to theories of and research on motivation.
[ES] 270. Evolution, Behavior and Society (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181, BIOS 101 and 101L, or equivalent.
Application of modern evolutionary theory to contemporary societal problems. Understanding
human behaviors such as aggression, parenting and social systems, the
role of evolutionary thought in medicine, and evolutionary approaches
to cognition and intelligence.
[ES] 287. The Psychology of Personality (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or equivalent.
Introduction to factors influencing personality and its development; the dynamics of
personality adjustment.
[ES][IS] 288. The Psychology of Social Behavior (3 cr)
Prereq: PSYC 181 or equivalent.
Social factors influencing the values, attitudes, and behavior of the individual, including
language, propaganda leadership, and group identifications.
[ES] 289. Developmental Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or equivalent. Not open to students with credit in EDPS 261.
Developmental approaches to human behavior from conception to senescence. Theories,
methods, and results of research.
296. Practicum in Keller Plan Instruction I (3-4 cr) Prereq: Completion of PSYC 181 taught via the Keller Plan (PSI) with an grade of A or A+; and permission of Keller Plan instructor. P/N is not allowed.
General psychology in the context of a self-paced course. Working one-to-one with students
in an introductory psychology course.
297. Experiential Learning in Psychology I (1-24 cr) Prereq: Sophomore or junior standing; prior arrangement with and permission of individual faculty member. P/N only.
Experience within a psychological perspective in a variety of off-campus settings.
298. Special Topics in Psychology (1-3 cr) Prereq: Permission.
299. Independent Study in Psychology (1-24 cr) Prereq: Sophomore or junior standing;
prior arrangement with and permission of individual faculty member. Psychological
research or reading.
[ES] 310.Psychology of Immigration (ETHN 310) (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or permission.
Examines psychological theory and research on the topic of immigration. Includes
the impact of immigration on individual development (e.g., socialization,
identity formation, acculturation) and family functioning (e.g., intergenerational
relations, gender roles), especially as exemplified by the experiences
of Latinos from diverse national backgrounds.
[IS] 350. Research Methods and Data Analysis (4 cr) Lec, lab. Prereq: 10 credit hrs in psychology, including PSYC 181; and high school algebra or equivalent. Laboratory required.
Introduction to the basic methods employed in behavioral and psychological research
and the statistical techniques required for describing and interpreting
research results. Includes: philosophy of science, communication of research
results, overviews of common research strategies (e.g., naturalistic research,
surveys, experimental/quasi-experimental designs)measurement scales, and some elementary statistics. Practical experience
with data collection and descriptive statistics.
360. Psychology of Language (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 or equivalent; PSYC 263 and 350.
Introduction to one of the most important human behaviors, language, from the viewpoint
of the psychologist.
[ES] 373. Biopsychology (BIOS 373) (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 181 and BIOS 101/101L or their equivalents.
Critical introduction into methods and concepts useful in analyzing the biological
basis of animal behavior. Topics surveyed are the physiological, genetic,
developmental, and environmental mechanisms controlling behavior in various
species of animals including humans.
380. Abnormal Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: 6 hrs psychology including one of the following: PSYC 287, 288, 289, 350, or 351.
Etiology and development of abnormal behavior, including the constitutional, cultural,
and experimental factors; the psychological aspects of the psychoses and
neuroses.
394. Seminar in Behavioral Biology (BIOS 394) (1 cr) Prereq: PSYC/BIOS
373 and permission. May be repeated for credit under different topics.
Critical reading and discussion of literature on topics dealing with the
biological bases of behavior
.
396. Practicum in Keller Plan Instruction (3-4 cr) Prereq: At least
6 hrs of PSYC 296 and permission of Keller Plan instructor. P/N is not
allowed. Advanced practicum for students having completed PSYC 296.
399H. Honors Course (1-4 cr) Prereq: For candidates for degrees
with distinction, with high distinction, and with highest distinction
in the College of Arts and Sciences.
401. Psychology and Law (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hours psychology. Survey of the relationships between psychology and the law, legal system and legal process. Issues in research, theory, and practice considered.
[ES][IS] 421/821. Psychology of Gender (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology
or permission.
Theory and research on the role of gender in human behavior and attitudes. Diverse theoretical positions on the development of gender and the biological, social, and cultural bases that influence the relationship between gender and a variety of areas of human experience (e.g., intelligence and achievement, emotion, relationships, sexuality, physical fitness, stress and coping).,br>
[IS] 425/825. Psychology of Racism (ETHN 425) (3 cr) Prereq:
For psychology majors: PSYC 350. For non-psychology majors: any research
methods course.
Major terms and issues in psychology that pertain to race and racism in the United
States. General principles of the psychology of racism that are universal.
Psychology of the major racial minority groups in the United States examined
through their unique cultures, histories, traditions, and collective identities.
Research methods for the psychology of racism reviewed as a basis for interpreting research results.
[IS] 440/840. Perspectives in Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs
psychology.
Currently important fundamental issues in psychology considered within a framework
of their philosophical foundations and historical perspectives.
445/845. Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: 12
hrs psychology including one 200-level Group 2 course.
Psychology ss it applies to the workplace. Includes: selection tests, job analysis,
performance appraisal, worker motivation, job satisfaction, leadership,
and organizational theory.
[IS] 450. Advanced Research Methods and Analysis (4 cr) Prereq:
PSYC 350 with a grade of 'C' or better.
Experimental research techniques and statistical analyses used in psychology. History
of research methods and introduction to multivariate research methods.
Theory and practice of research procedures, data analyses, and research
report writing for single-factor and factorial research design. Perform,
analyze, and report on an individual research project.
[IS] 451/851. Psychological Measurement and Prediction (4 cr) Lec
3, lab 3. Prereq: 12 hrs psychology or permission.A course in elementary statistics is highly recommended.
Theoretical issues and practical problems related to measurement and prediction in
psychology. Interpretation of mentaltest statistics.
456. Developmental Biopsychology (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 289 or equivalent,
and PSYC/BIOS 373.
Age-related behavioral changes in humans and other animals using genetic, neural, hormonal, and evolutionary concepts and data. Behavioral systems, such as sexual and parental behaviors, aggression, communication, social affiliation, and cognition.
[IS] 460/860. Human Memory (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology, including
PSYC 350.
Issues in human memory within the context of cognitive psychology: attention; short and long term memory; retrieval processes; semantic memory; how long-term memory is involved in comprehension and knowledge; how emotion affects memory; and the major research paradigms used in the study of memory.
[IS] 461/861. Learning Processes (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including PSYC 268.
Theoretical evaluation of studies of learning, thinking, and perception.
[IS] 462/862. Motivation and Emotion (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including PSYC 350.
Major problems and methods involved in the study of motivation and emotion including theoretical considerations.
[IS] 463/863. Perception (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology, including
one 200-level Group 1 course.
Analysis and comparison of approaches to the study of current problems in human perception and information processing. Psychophysical judgment, signal detection theory, perception of form and space, and the role of imagery in perception.
464. Psychoneuropharmacology (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 268 or 373.
Understanding behavioral and psychological phenomena using pharmacological
tools. Topics from neurobiology of receptor functioning to the concerted
actions of neural mechanisms that are believed to produce such phenomena
as fear and anxiety, substance abuse, and neurological disorders.
465/865. Behavioral Neuroscience (BIOS 419/819) (2-3
cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology or 12 hrs biological sciences, including
PSYC 373 or BIOS 373.
Relationship of physiological variables to behavior, an introduction to laboratory techniques in neuropsychology.
470. Science and Parapsychology (3 cr) Prereq: PSYC 350.
Application of advanced scientific research methods and standard psychological concepts from physiological, sensoryperceptual, learning, social, and abnormal psychology to provide naturalistic explanations of experiences and events which have been labeled "paranormal". Includes psychic powers (extra-sensory perception, clairvoyance), dowsing, astrology, hypnosis, ghosts, reincarnation, UFO sightings, and UFO abductions.
471/871. Human Sexuality and Society (EDPS, FACS, SOCI 471/871) (3
cr) Prereq: Junior standing and 12 hrs in one of the departments in which
the course is listed. Open to advanced students planning careers in the
professions in which knowledge of human behavior and society is important
(e.g., helping professions, medicine, law, ministry, education, etc.).
Interdisciplinary approach to the study of human sexuality in terms of the psychological, social, cultural, anthropological, legal, historical, and physical characteristics of individual sexuality and sex in society.
472/872. Transpersonal Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology.
Transpersonal psychology perspective including biological, social, psychological and spiritual aspects in a holistic conception of human nature. Integrates the psychology of Christian Mysticism, Buddhist meditation, and Eastern wisdom with Western scientific personality theory.
483/883. Psychology of Social Behavior (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including one 200-level Group 2 course.
Major problems,methods, and findings in the study of individual behavior as it is influenced by the social environment. Includes psycholinguistics, subhuman social behavior, culture and personality leadership, and morale.
485/885. Theories of Personality (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including one 200-level Group 2 course.
Detailed comparative study of the classic and modern theories of personality from the point of view of conflicts in the philosophies of science and images of man implied in the various theories.
[IS] 486/886. Clinical Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including one 200-level Group 2 course.
Fundamental procedures in clinical practice, a critical evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
488/888. Community Psychology (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including one 200-level Group 2 course.
Examines the phenomena and perspectives typically included under the rubric community psychology, e.g., community mental health, crisis intervention, and social change interventions.
489/889. Child Behavior and Development (3 cr) Prereq: 12 hrs psychology,
including one 200-level Group 2 course.
Current issues in theory and research in developmental psychology examined (e.g., emotional development, the changing American family, the preschool years, social understanding), along with methods of research in these and other areas.
490. Laboratory in Child Psychology (1 cr) Prereq: Parallel enrollment
in PSYC 489.
Demonstrations and exercises in child psychology in laboratory or community settings.
496. Practicum in Keller Plan Instruction III (3-4 cr) Prereq:
At least 6 hrs of PSYC 296 and permission of Keller Plan instructor. P/N
is not allowed.
For students who wish to work one-to-one with the students in PSYC 296 and 396 in the context of a Keller Plan Introductory Psychology course.
497. Experiential Learning in Psychology II (1-24 cr) Prereq: Junior
standing; prior arrangement with and permission of individual faculty
member. P/N only. Experience within a psychological perspective in a variety
of off-campus settings.
498. Special Topics in Psychology (1-24 cr) Prereq: Variable, including
permission.
499. Independent Study in Psychology II (1-24 cr) Prereq: Junior
standing; prior arrangement with and permission of individual faculty
member.
Psychological research or reading.
899. Masters Thesis (6-10 cr)
