Psychology Courses

A PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
The basic methods and points of view in the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include biological bases of behavior, personality organization, intelligence, motivation, emotions, learning, and social relations. For psychology majors completing their major requirements as outlined in this bulletin or subsequent editions, A PSY 101 is restricted to A-E grading after matriculation at Albany. Only one of A PSY 101, 102, or T PSY 102 may be taken for credit.

A PSY 102 Advanced Introduction to Psychology (4)
Same topics as A PSY 101, but topics are covered in greater detail. Three class periods and one discussion-laboratory section per week. This course is intended for students who have more than average interest in psychology and who are considering becoming psychology majors. Only one of A PSY 101, 102, or T PSY 102 may be taken for credit.

T PSY 102 (formerly A PSY 102H) Advanced Introduction to Psychology (4)
T PSY 102 is the Honors College version of A PSY 102; only one of A PSY 101, 102, or T PSY 102 may be taken for credit. Open to Honors College students only.

A PSY 203 Psychology of Child Development (3)
The genesis of various behavior forms; social, emotional, and intellectual development in contemporary society; the relationship between childhood experience and personality development. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 210 Statistical Methods in Psychology (3)
Methods of analyzing quantitative data in psychology and the behavioral sciences. The relation of each of the various methods to the design of experiments. For psychology majors completing their major requirements as outlined in this bulletin or subsequent editions, A PSY 210 is restricted to A-E grading after matriculation at Albany. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 211 Experimental Psychology (3)
Topics of psychological research, with emphasis on the manipulation and control of variables, reducing error variance, internal and external validity, the elimination of confounding factors, and social-psychological aspects of experiments. Discussion includes selected topics in the philosophy of science, logical inference, hypothesis testing, theory construction, and ethics. For psychology majors completing their major requirements as outlined in this bulletin or subsequent editions, A PSY 211 is restricted to A-E grading after matriculation at Albany. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and 210.

A PSY 214 Introduction to Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience (3)
An introduction to basic nervous system function and its control of behavior. Examination of the contribution of the field of neuroscience to understanding both normal and abnormal behavior. Topics will include anatomical, neurochemical, physiological, developmental, and endocrine aspects of neurobehavioral function. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 270 Social Psychology (3)
The relation between the individual and the group, the influence of culture and of institutions on human personality, the nature and types of leadership, factors in the development of social attitudes, the psychology of mass movements and of social decisions. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 297/297W/297Y/297Z Directed Study in Psychology (3)
Provides an opportunity for a sophomore to work on a project under the supervision of a faculty member. Open to majors and nonmajors. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 3 credits in independent study courses (A PSY 297, 397, or 497) may be applied to major credit, but may not be used to satisfy the 300-or-above requirement. Applicant must present a statement which defines the research, lists resources, provides method(s) of evaluating student, and bears the approval by signature of the faculty supervisor. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and permission of instructor. S/U graded.

A PSY 301 (= A LIN 301 & A PHI 301) Introduction to Cognitive Science (3)
Cognitive science investigates the nature of the human mind and cuts across several disciplines (e.g., psychology, computer science, philosophy, linguistics). This course examines the approaches these disciplines use to promote our understanding of various mental phenomena (e.g., perceiving, reasoning, production and comprehension of language, memory). Only one version of A PSY 301 may be taken for credit. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A PSY 310/310Z History of Psychology (3)
A critical analysis of basic writings which have contributed to the historical development of psychology as a science. Only one version of A PSY 310 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 314 Advanced Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience (3)
The role of physiological mechanisms in behavioral processes. Detailed examination of the involvement of biological systems in feeding and drinking, sexual behavior, sleep and arousal, learning and memory, psychopathology and psychopharmacology. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 214 or permission of instructor.

A PSY 327 Personality (3)
Biological and social determinants of personality and its development; methods of studying personality; the various systems of psychology and their interpretations of personality structure. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 328 Social Cognition (3)
Introduction to the cognitive processes governing how we think about and make judgments about the self, other people and social situations, and how other people and social situations influence how we think. Reviews classic and current research on causal attribution, social schemata, person perception, and other social inference mechanisms. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and 270. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A PSY 329/329Z Health Psychology (3)
Survey of psychological theory and research in the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the improvement of health care delivery. Topics include health-enhancing and health-compromising behaviors, stress and coping, patient-provider communication, pain management, and psychosocial aspects of specific illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and AIDS. Only one version of A PSY 329 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 333/333Z Childhood Behavior Disorders (3)
Survey of the behavior disorders of childhood, including conduct disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, and other childhood problems that are of concern to those who work with children. Only one version of A PSY 333 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and 203.

A PSY 338/338Z Abnormal Psychology (3)
Survey of the behavior disorders, including the psychoses, psychoneuroses, mental deficiencies, and other forms of psychopathology. Only one version of A PSY 338 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101, and 203 or 327.

A PSY 339Z Psychological Disorders: Psychopathology and Psychotherapy (3)
Advanced course in psychopathology and behavior change reviewing principle psychological disorders in terms of diagnosis, assessment, and treatment with new specific therapies, both drug and psychological. This will be a writing-intensive course where students will participate in a self-change process, writing up the results. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 338 and permission of instructor. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A PSY 340/340Z The Psychology of Human Sexuality (3)
In-depth coverage of research and theory on: biological and social causes of sex differences in behavior, attraction and love, marriage and alternatives, sexual behavior, personality variables relating to sexual responsiveness, sexual dysfunction, sexual deviations, effects of erotica, and birth control. Only one version of A PSY 340 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 341/341Z Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
Survey of theory, research, and applications in major topical areas of industrial/organizational psychology. Topics include work motivation, job satisfaction, performance appraisal, leadership, personnel selection, training and development, communication, psychological testing, and organization development. Only one version may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101; 210 or equivalent statistics course approved by the instructor, or permission of instructor.

A PSY 365 Psychology and Language (3)
Introduction to problems of linguistic behavior; psychological aspects of phonology, syntax, and semantics; theoretical interpretations of language behavior; relationship of language to cognitive processes; study of communication. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and permission of instructor.

A PSY 368 The Self (3)
Reviews classic theories and current issues regarding the psychology of self and identity. Topics include the nature and structure of the self-concept and self-esteem, sources of self-knowledge, self-regulation, public and private motives of the self, and cognitive, motivational and emotional effects of the structure and content of the self. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and 270. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A PSY 380/380Z Learning (3)
Analysis of basic problems in learning. Consideration of data resulting from human and animal experimentation. Only one version of A PSY 380 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 210 and 211; or permission of instructor.

A PSY 381/381Z Memory and Cognition (3)
Examination of both basic and complex information processing skills of humans. Topics include sensory memory, selective attention, pattern recognition, coding processes, short-term and long-term memory performance, theories of recognition and recall, and theories of semantic memory. Only one version of A PSY 381 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101, 210, and 211.

A PSY 382/382Y Sensation and Perception (3)
Consideration of biological and psychophysical aspects of sensory systems and the processes by which organisms process sensory information and organize their perceptual worlds. Human perception will be stressed. Only one version of A PSY 382 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 211 or permission of instructor.

A PSY 384 Motivation (3)
Will explore current human motivation theories and research, focusing on the social, cognitive, and emotional processes that initiate, energize, and direct behavior. Topics will include: the structure and function of goals, examining reasons for engaging in activities, and the application of theories and research findings to various life domains. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101, 210, 211, and 270.

A PSY 385 Evolutionary Psychology (3)
Review of the genetic, ecological, and adaptive correlates of behavior. Topics include the comparative development of higher mental processes, aggression, anti-predator behaviors, biological constraints on learning, and behavior genetics, with emphasis on animal behavior and evolution as a model for understanding human behavior. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101.

A PSY 387 Behavior Genetics (3)
Examination of the role which heredity plays in individual differences in behavior, and the mechanisms by which these influences operate. Emphasis on the role of genetics in development of the organism and its behavior. Prerequisite(s): 9 credits in psychology including A PSY 101 and 210; or permission of instructor.

A PSY 388 Introduction to Psychopharmacology (3)
Overview of the principles of psycho-pharmacology as relevant to drug use; the biological, neurochemical and physiological mechanisms underlying the actions of drugs; psychiatric medications and their therapeutic actions and associated toxicities; and the history, consequences, and complexity of drug use and abuse. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 214.

A PSY 389/389Z Addictive and Compulsive Behaviors (3)
This course will provide an overview of alcohol, drug use, and gambling as examples of addictive behaviors. Students will learn about historical and contemporary societal attitudes toward these behaviors and come to appreciate that “addiction” is a multifaceted concept entailing psychological, biological, family, and societal variables. We will compare and contrast prominent theoretical models of the development of addictive behaviors, evaluate research-based findings on prevention and treatment, and examine controversial legal and societal issues surrounding substance abuse and compulsive gambling. Only one version of A PSY 389 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101; A PSY 210; A PSY 211; junior or senior standing; psychology major.

A PSY 397/397W/397Y/397Z Directed Research in Psychology (3)
Provides the opportunity for a junior to work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Open to majors and nonmajors. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 3 credits in independent study courses (A PSY 297, 397, or 497) may be applied to major credit, but may not be used to satisfy the 300-or-above requirement. Each applicant must present a statement of the intended project which clearly defines the problem and/or topic, lists resources for the project, provides the basis of student evaluation, and bears the approval by signature of the faculty adviser. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 210 and 211, and permission of instructor. S/U graded.

A PSY 399 Honors Seminar (3)
Seminar specifically designed for students admitted to the department’s honors program. The course involves discussion of design problems in a particular psychological context, outlining ways in which psychological science progresses, from the generation of hypotheses to the interpretation of information gathered and design and analysis. Discussion will also follow a written evaluation, against a number of explicit desiderata, of a paper presented by a member of the group, or one from the literature, or one from a member of the faculty. Ethical issues will also be considered, specifically those that arise from performance of research using human subjects. Prerequisite(s): admission to the department’s honors program.

A PSY 414/414Z Human Neuropsychology (3)
Evaluation of the functions of the human brain. Basic brain-behavior relationships are examined from both brain-impaired populations and non-patient groups. Only one version of A PSY 414 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 314 or permission of instructor. May not be offered in 2009-2010.

A PSY 450/450Z Selected Topics in Psychology (3)
Selected topics from the current literature bearing on issues that define the specified fields. Specific areas to be announced at time of offering. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 210 and 211, and permission of instructor.

A PSY 490 (= A BIO 490) Topics in Neuroscience (3)
This course is designed as the capstone course for the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor. It is expected that Minors will take this course in the fall of their senior year. This course will be team taught by Neuroscience faculty from Biology and Psychology and will cover current topics in neuroscience research, engaging students in the original research literature and providing information about graduate education and careers in neuroscience. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.

A PSY 497W/497Z Independent Study and Research (3—6)
Survey of the research literature and/or conduct of a research project on a selected methodological, theoretical, or applied problem. Each student must have a faculty adviser. Open to majors and nonmajors. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of 3 credits in independent study courses (A PSY 297, 397, or 497) may be applied to major credit, but may not be used to satisfy the 300-or-above requirement. Each applicant must present a statement of the intended project which clearly defines the problem and/or topic, lists resources for the project, provides the basis of student evaluation, and bears the approval by signature of the faculty adviser. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 101 and 12 additional credits in psychology and permission of instructor; statement of the intended project and a study plan; A PSY 210 and 211 recommended. S/U graded.

A PSY 499/499Z Honors Project in Psychology (3)
The design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, and write-up of a research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Open to Honors Program students only. Each applicant must present a full proposal of the intended project. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite(s): A PSY 399 and permission of Honors Program director.