Skip over navigation

George Mason University

Psychology

Landing-image

Courses and Syllabi

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.

Select a semester:

Choose a level to see the sections of Psychology scheduled for Spring 2012.

Close All | Open All

Undergraduate

100-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 100: 3 Credits

Basic Concepts in Psychology

Introduces psychology as scientific discipline. Examines concepts and methods in learning, motivation, development, personality, and measurement. Read More »

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

200-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 211: 3 Credits

Developmental Psychology

Review of major developmental theories including perspectives of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Read More »

6 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 231: 3 Credits

Social Psychology

Study of human behavior development in a social matrix, including such topics as socialization, cultural behavior, group norms, and attitude formation. Read More »

6 Sections Currently Scheduled »

300-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 300: 4 Credits

Statistics in Psychology

Descriptive and inferential statistics in design, analysis, and interpretation of psychological research with practical application using computers in laboratory. Read More »

15 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 301: 3 Credits

Research Methods in Psychology

General research design in psychology, with an emphasis on experimental design and control. Topics include use of human participants in research, reliability and validity, observational methods, and survey and longitudinal designs. Read More »

18 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 304: 4 Credits

Principles of Learning

Principles of animal learning, including such topics as classical and operant conditioning, discrimination learning, and animal cognition. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 309: 4 Credits

Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing

Principles of perception, including topics such as psychophysics, perceptual organization, perceptual learning, and perceptual constancies. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 313: 3 Credits

Child Development

Study of human psychological development from conception to adolescence including such topics as genetic factors, emotional and intellectual growth, and environmental influences. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 314: 3 Credits

Adolescent Development

Study of the biological and cultural changes accompanying adolescence, including the effect of these changes on emotional, intellectual, and social development. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 317: 3 Credits

Cognitive Psychology

An in-depth overview of important topics in cognitive psychology, including memory, attention, pattern recognition, problem solving, reasoning, and psycholinguistics. Read More »

6 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 320: 4 Credits

Psychological Tests and Measurements

Examination and application of principles underlying the theory, interpretation, and administration of psychological tests, including a study of tests of intelligence, achievement, and ability. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 321: 3 Credits

Counseling Psychology

Review of the theories and methods in psychological counseling. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 322: 3-5 Credits

Behavior Modification

Examination of experimental principles of human and animal learning within theoretical framework of applied behavior analysis, including design, implementation, and evaluation of operant intervention programs across a wide variety of human situations. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 324: 3 Credits

Personality Theory

Introduction to classical and contemporary theories of personality, and comparative evaluation of major theories in terms of relevant studies. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 325: 3 Credits

Abnormal Psychology

Study of development of abnormal behavior patterns, including such topics as methods of diagnosis and prevention of serious mental disorders such as psychosomatic disorders, psychoses, character disorders, and mental retardation. Read More »

6 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 326: 3 Credits

Therapeutic Communication Skills

Introduction to understanding and use of basic therapeutic communication skills used in clinical and counseling psychology. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 327: 3 Credits

Psychology in the Community

Individual placements in applied psychology settings. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 328: 1 Credits

Psychology in the Community Laboratory

Consists of a one-hour service learning component linked to selected psychology courses. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 333: 3 Credits

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Examination of application of psychological principles and methods to problems commonly encountered in business and industry. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 362: 3 Credits

Psychology of Women

Behavior and attitudes of women; influence of chromosomes and hormones on behavior, influence of culture on sex role differentiation, and theories of sex role development. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 372: 3 Credits

Physiological Psychology

Survey of neuroscience, including basic neuroanatomy, neural and synaptic transmission, neural mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal behavior, and biological mechanisms of drug action. Read More »

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 373: 1 Credits

Physiological Psychology Laboratory

Functional anatomy and physiology of the brain, including dissection of brain and eye, and a demonstration and practice in research methods for studying physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Read More »

7 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 375: 3 Credits

Brain and Sensory Processes

First half of comprehensive survey of neuroscience, including basic neuroanatomy, neural and synaptic transmission, neural mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal behavior, and biological mechanisms of drug action. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 376: 3 Credits

Brain and Behavior

Second half of a comprehensive survey of neuroscience, including neural mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal behavior. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 379: 3 Credits

Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology

A review of important landmarks in cross-cultural research, showing how this research impacts psychology as a discipline. Emphasizes an empirical approach to cross-cultural study and includes topics such as theoretical and empirical developments in cross-cultural psychology, development of coherent schema's to guide cross-cultural research and interventions, comparison of psychology's goals and assumptions in Western and other cultures, and integration of course materials into educational and career goals of students. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

400-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 405: 3 Credits

Mystery, Madness, and Murder

Multidisciplinary approach to taboo topics that fascinate and frighten us. Instructors from disciplines across the arts and sciences bring expertise and diverse perspectives to provocative issues such as cannibalism and serial murder. Students learn to think critically and objectively while examining use in myth, literature, and popular culture. Read More »

5 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 406: 3 Credits

Psychology of Communication

An examination of the behavior of communicating across species and sensory modalities, with an emphasis on the evolutionary basis for the various communication strategies used by animals and humans. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 414: 3 Credits

Behavior Disorders of Childhood

Review of the theories, methods, and research dealing with emotional and behavioral disorders of children. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 415: 3 Credits

Psychological Factors in Aging

Examination of the sensory, perceptual, intellectual, and personality changes that occur in older people. Common adjustment problems as well as more serious adjustment difficulties are discussed. Applications of various personality theories of aging. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 418: 3 Credits

Death, Dying, and Grieving

Advanced survey of processes of grieving and their relationship to death and dying. Topics include ways of dying, effects of death on loved ones, and care for the terminally ill. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 460: 1-4 Credits

Independent Study in Psychology

Advanced research methods in psychology in context of individual student projects or assisting with research on faculty projects; individual sections by arrangement with faculty. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 461: 1-3 Credits

Special Topics

Selected topics reflecting interest in specialized areas. Read More »

9 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 465: 3 Credits

History and Systems in Psychology

Historical background and major theoretical systems in modern psychology. Approaches include behaviorism, cognitive/information processing approaches, and psychodynamic theories. Read More »

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 466: 3 Credits

Psychology of Intimate Relationships

Advanced survey of theories and research related to intimate relationships, including romantic relationships and those among family members and friends. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 472: 3 Credits

Current Topics in Brain and Behavior

Rotating topics. Physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Selected topics include neuronal bases of learning and memory, Alzheimer's disease, and biological bases of addiction. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 490: 3 Credits

Psychology Honors I

Review of topics and issues in psychology, including historical overview, theory and supporting data, and influences on behavior. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 492: 3 Credits

Psychology Honors III

Completion of final honors project or thesis. Students must complete project or thesis, and present oral defense to committee and poster to class. Students also expected to prepare proposal to present project or thesis at regional or national conference, or prepare manuscript for publication in appropriate journal. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

Topics in PSYC

PSYC 461: 1-3 Credits

Special Topics

Selected topics reflecting interest in specialized areas. Read More »

9 Sections Currently Scheduled »

Graduate

500-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 518: 3 Credits

Death, Dying, and Grieving

Advanced survey of processes of grieving and their relationship to death and dying. Topics include ways of dying, effects of death on loved ones, and care for the terminally ill. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 531: 3 Credits

Mammalian Neurobiology

Functional anatomy of brains of mammals, with emphasis on regional and systems neuroanatomy of humans. Anatomy correlated with material from clinical neurology where possible. Laboratory component includes brain dissections and clinical correlations. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

  • Section 001 — Ann B. Butler, Ph. D. — 09:30 AM to 11:20 AM T — Krasnow Institute 229
  • 201 Lab for Lecture 001 — Ann B. Butler, Ph. D. — 09:00 AM to 11:40 AM R — Krasnow Institute 128

PSYC 561: 3 Credits

Behavioral Biology of Substance Abuse

Overview of biological effects of substance abuse, and biological mechanisms underlying addiction. Topics include alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs; genetics of addiction; and neural systems underlying addiction and withdrawal. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 591: 1-3 Credits

Professional Seminar

See area coordinator for requirements for section in each track. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 592: 1-6 Credits

Special Topics

Special topics reflecting interests in specialized areas. Read More »

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

600-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 612: 4 Credits

Advanced Statistics

Open only to degree students. Integrates basic psychological statistics with overview of research methodology including experimental, quasi-experimental, field approaches, and measurement issues from advanced perspective. Lab work includes use of computer packages for data handling and analyses. Read More »

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 614: 3 Credits

The Psychology of Aging

Review of the experimental literature in psychology of aging, including intellectual functioning, personality and adjustment, minor and major adjustment problems, and role changes in later life. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 615: 3 Credits

Language Development

Seminar covering theory and research on acquisition of language, including biological and environmental influences and constraints; research methods; role of parents; individual and cultural differences; links between language and other domains of development including cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional; language and the brain; animal language; bilingualism; and atypical language development. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 617: 3 Credits

Child Psychopathology

Intensive survey of major types of psychopathological disturbances of infancy and childhood. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

  • Section 002 — Dawna M Thompson — 12:00 PM to 02:40 PM W

PSYC 619: 3 Credits

Applied Behavior Analysis: Principles, Procedures, and Philosophy

Focuses on basic principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis; identification of factors that contribute to behavioral problems and improved performance; and procedures that can be used to minimize behavioral problems, improve performance, teach new behaviors, and increase probability of behaviors occurring under appropriate circumstances. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 630: 3 Credits

Developmental Disabilities

Lectures, seminars discuss state-of-the-art and evidence-based information about developmental disabilities across life span with emphasis on mental retardation. Includes epidemiology, etiology, diagnoses, risk factors, treatment, supports, and prevention of developmental disabilities. Pertinent philosophical, ethical, and legal issues concerning this special-needs population will be discussed. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 633: 3 Credits

Evaluative Research in Psychology

Examines research techniques specifically designed to evaluate human effectiveness of organizations and mental health programs. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 638: 3 Credits

Training: Psychological Contributions to Theory, Design, and Evaluation

Focuses on applying learning principles derived from psychological research in development of training models and techniques of skill acquisition. Discusses research designs and empirical results appropriate to training evaluation. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 644: 3 Credits

Methods for Social Research

Examines issues in basic and applied social science methodology including internal validity, causal generalization, and construct validity. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 645: 3 Credits

Research Methods in Human Factors and Applied Cognition

Hands-on approach to selected current or classical human factors/applied cognition research methods; exact methods announced in advance. Potential methods include cognitive task analysis, usability evaluation methods, critical incident analysis, reliability analysis, workload measures, verbal protocol analysis, and engineering models of human performance. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 646: 3 Credits

Issues and Methods in Longitudinal Developmental Research

Examines techniques for measuring developmental change across lifespan. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 648: 3 Credits

Developmental Psychopathology

In-depth look at emerging discipline of developmental psychopathology. Discusses specific disorders and contexts to illustrate how knowledge of normal development, deviant development, and maladaptive behavior illuminates principles underlying adaptive functioning. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 669: 3 Credits

Social and Emotional Development

Surveys theory and research relevant to development of social relationships, emotional expressiveness and regulation, aggressive and altruistic behaviors, sex roles, and morality. Emphasizes influences on such development, including parents, other adults, peers, siblings, and broader culture. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

700-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 703: 3 Credits

Social Bases of Behavior

Surveys social influences on behavior, including group processes, person perception, and attitude formation. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 710: 4 Credits

Psychological Assessment

Study of major instruments used in clinical assessment and nature, problems, and predictive value; administration and scoring of major techniques for evaluation of personality; and principles of interpretation of these procedures. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 730: 1-6 Credits

Practicum in Applied Psychology

Practical experience in organizational setting as assigned. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 734: 3 Credits

Seminar in Human Factors and Applied Cognition

Emphasizes current research and application of human factors, ergonomics, applied cognition, and applied perception. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 741: 3 Credits

Psychology of Work Motivation

Examines psychological literature of need, cognitive, and reinforcement theories of motivation; organizational attachment (commitment, absenteeism, and turnover); job design and quality of work issues. Emphasizes methodological and psychometric issues in interpreting and evaluating work-motivation research. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 750: 1 Credits

School Psychology Practicum I

Practical experience in school psychology. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 751: 2 Credits

School Psychology Assessment Practicum II

Practical experience in school psychology. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 754: 3 Credits

Quantitative Methods III: Psychological Applications of Regression Techniques

Reviews psychological applications of regression techniques in variety of contexts including experimental, field, and survey settings. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 757: 3 Credits

Advanced Topics in Statistical Analysis

Focuses on noncognitive individual differences that predict performance. Published work discussed in seminar format with emphasis on conceptual development, methodological adequacy, and new directions. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 768: 3 Credits

Advanced Topics in Cognitive Science

Emphasizes current research in cognitive science. Topics may include computational cognitive models, nature of expertise, diagrammatic reasoning, display-based problem solving, visual attention, decision making, goal-based versus event-based cognition, and situated action. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 790: 3-6 Credits

School Psychology Internship

Supervised field experience of one school year. Advanced school psychology student functions as full-time staff member in school system. Student completes paper on practical research project involving alternative school psychology role in school system. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

800-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 811: 4 Credits

Psychological Assessment II

Second of required two-course sequence that provides comprehensive coverage of principles, strategies, and techniques of psychological assessment. Emphasizes empirically supported methods. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 822: 3 Credits

Scientific Foundations of Clinical Psychology I

First of required two-course sequence that provides comprehensive coverage of major psychological problems, including review of empirically supported interventions. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 850: 1 Credits

Teaching Practicum in Psychology

Workshop in effective teaching of selected undergraduate psychology courses. Required of and designed to guide graduate teaching assistants assigned to teach undergraduate course (not a lab) for first time. Topics include course planning, syllabus development, lecture resources, effective lecturing skills, use of audio visuals, leading of classroom discussion, construction and grading of exams, student writing, instructional technology, and handling of student questions and problems. Individual critiques of teaching. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 861: 3 Credits

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth

Teaches the selection, evaluation, and application of empirically supported interventions for children and adolescents with a focus on cognitive-behavioral interventions.  Instruction in evidence based assessments, cognitive-behavioral case conceptualization, outcome evaluation, and consultation.  Supervision of cognitive-behavioral therapy with youth. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 862: 3 Credits

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults

Teaches the principles of cognitive-behavioral theory, conceptualization and psychotherapy techniques for psychological problems with adults.  Supervision of cognitive-behavioral therapy with adults. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 881: 1-3 Credits

Practicum in Clinical Psychology

Supervised clinical work in a professional psychological services setting. Usually includes practice in psychological assessment and clinical interventions, but can also include supervision, consultation, and program evaluation. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 890: 1-3 Credits

Seminar in Professional Psychology

Each section limited to students in one concentration of MA or PhD program. See area coordinator for requirements for section in each track. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 892: 1-6 Credits

Special Topics in Psychology

Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in psychology. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

900-Level Courses in PSYC

PSYC 998: 1-6 Credits

Doctoral Dissertation Proposal

Work on research proposal that forms basis for doctoral dissertation. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 999: 1-9 Credits

Doctoral Dissertation

Research on approved dissertation topic under direction of dissertation committee. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

Topics in PSYC

PSYC 592: 1-6 Credits

Special Topics

Special topics reflecting interests in specialized areas. Read More »

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PSYC 678: 1-6 Credits

Topics in School Psychology (not currently offered)

Selected topics reflecting specialized area of school psychology.

PSYC 734: 3 Credits

Seminar in Human Factors and Applied Cognition

Emphasizes current research and application of human factors, ergonomics, applied cognition, and applied perception. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PSYC 737: 3 Credits

Psychology of Human-Technology Interaction (not currently offered)

Emphasizes current research and development in human-computer interaction, cognitive systems engineering, cognitive ergonomics, and cognitive engineering.

PSYC 757: 3 Credits

Advanced Topics in Statistical Analysis

Focuses on noncognitive individual differences that predict performance. Published work discussed in seminar format with emphasis on conceptual development, methodological adequacy, and new directions. Read More »

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PSYC 892: 1-6 Credits

Special Topics in Psychology

Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in psychology. Read More »

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

Close All | Open All