Courses and Syllabi
For course syllabi from before 2011, please see our syllabus archive.
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.
Psychology Fall 2021
Undergraduate
100-Level Courses in PSYC
Introduces psychology as scientific discipline. Examines concepts and methods in learning, motivation, development, personality, and measurement. Limited to three attempts.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
200-Level Courses in PSYC
Review of major developmental theories including perspectives of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Limited to three attempts.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Study of human behavior development in a social matrix, including such topics as socialization, cultural behavior, group norms, and attitude formation. Limited to three attempts.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
300-Level Courses in PSYC
Descriptive and inferential statistics in design, analysis, and interpretation of psychological research with practical application using computers in laboratory. Notes: Students are strongly encouraged to take PSYC 301 concurrently. Limited to three attempts.
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18 Sections Currently Scheduled »
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. Notes: Students are strongly encouraged to take PSYC 300 concurrently. Laboratory work will include designing and running research studies and writing manuscripts using appropriate style and format. Limited to three attempts.
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18 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Principles of animal learning, including such topics as classical and operant conditioning, discrimination learning, and animal cognition. Notes: Laboratory projects require working with computer simulations. Limited to three attempts.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Principles of perception, including topics such as psychophysics, perceptual organization, perceptual learning, and perceptual constancies. Notes: Laboratory projects demonstrate and investigate perceptual phenomena. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Enables students to apply psychological principles to the learning process in the classroom context. Examines the theoretical and applied aspects of learning, motivation, human development, personality, assessment, and evaluation in educational settings. Corresponding implications for effective teaching will be discussed. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Study of human psychological development from conception to adolescence including such topics as genetic factors, emotional and intellectual growth, and environmental influences. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Study of the biological and cultural changes accompanying adolescence, including the effect of these changes on emotional, intellectual, and social development. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
An in-depth overview of important topics in cognitive psychology, including memory, attention, pattern recognition, problem solving, reasoning, and psycholinguistics. Limited to three attempts.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Examination and application of principles underlying the theory, interpretation, and administration of psychological tests, including a study of tests of intelligence, achievement, and ability. This course may count for both the Applied Psychology and Experimental Psychology lab requirements or for both the Applied Psychology and Technical Writing requirements. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Examines evidence-based psychological assessment and psychotherapy techniques to understand, prevent, and treat psychological distress and dysfunction and promote well-being. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Introduction to classical and contemporary theories of personality, and comparative evaluation of major theories in terms of relevant studies. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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 intellectual disability. Limited to three attempts.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Introduction to understanding and use of basic therapeutic communication skills used in clinical and counseling psychology. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Individual placements in applied psychology settings. Notes: A maximum of 6 credits of PSYC 327, 328, 421, and 422 can be applied to the psychology major. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Consists of a one-hour service learning component linked to selected psychology courses. Notes: A maximum of 6 credits of PSYC 327, 328, 421, and 422 can be applied to the psychology major. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examination of application of psychological principles and methods to problems commonly encountered in business and industry. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Creativity and innovation take place in many domains such business, science and the arts. Learn the distinction between creativity and innovation. Apply findings from the scientific literature about the antecedents of creativity and innovation including emotions, cognition, individual differences, and social contexts. Experiment with ways to enhance your creativity and skills for innovation. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Reviews history and current practice of optimal product and system design as a function of psychology. Includes a brief history of human factors psychology, a review of human memory and attentional systems as they relate to product and system design, and an introduction to current methods used to analyze and redesign products and systems for optimal human interaction. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Survey of neuroscience, including basic neuroanatomy, neural and synaptic transmission, neural mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal behavior, and biological mechanisms of drug action. Students may earn credit for PSYC 372 and either PSYC 375 or PSYC 376, but they may not earn credit for all three. Limited to three attempts.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
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. Limited to three attempts.
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8 Sections Currently Scheduled »
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. Notes: Students may earn credit for 372 and either 375 or 376, but they may not earn credit for all three. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Second half of a comprehensive survey of neuroscience, including neural mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal behavior. Notes: Students may earn credit for 372 and either 375 or 376, but they may not earn credit for all three. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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 schemas 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. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Explores the differing, yet varied facets of the field of forensic psychology including landmark legal cases relevant to psychology, potential careers in forensic psychology, police psychology, expert testimony, forensic psychological assessment, psychopathy, homeland security, ethics, correctional psychology, and issues in working in the juvenile justice system. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Examines the frequent intersection of individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness and the criminal justice system. Includes case studies that demonstrate possible judicial, therapeutic, correctional, and post-adjudication outcomes. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Explores short-term and long-term psychological effects of crime on victims through interviews with survivors of childhood abduction, elder abuse, intimate partner violence, and child abuse, among others. Evaluates roles and responsibilities of mental professionals and law enforcement when interacting with crime victims. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Emphasizes development and readiness for a profession in the social sciences through self-assessment and professional skill acquisition. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
400-Level Courses in PSYC
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. Limited to three attempts.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Evaluates and applies scientific research on psychological exercises to increase one's cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical health. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Review of the theories, methods, and research dealing with emotional and behavioral disorders of children. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examination of the sensory, perceptual, intellectual, personality, health, and familial changes that occur as people age and adjust into their later years. Common and more serious adjustment difficulties and developments are discussed with attention to impacts on the individual and the family. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
This course will examine and interpret the latest research in social, personality, and clinical psychology on well-being, character strengths, and personal growth. Emphasis will be placed on the ways in which scientists generate hypotheses regarding the nature of positive psychological traits and processes and the methods by which these ideas are tested. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Equivalent to PSYC 518.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Gain professional experience in a clinical setting. This course takes place at the GMU Center for Psychological Services, a mental health training center that serves the community. Enrolled students provide reception room service to clients at the center, learning aspects of the center administration and acquiring relevant skills in the field. This course may count for both Applied Psychology and Professional Development requirements. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Overview and critique of training methods used in industry from viewpoint of psychological theory, including simulations, on-the-job training, supervisory/leadership skills training, computer-assisted instruction, and programmed texts. Principles of needs analysis, program development, and program evaluation are discussed within framework of industrial psychology. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Considers the psychological factors and structural and functional neurological differences that influence criminal behaviors including murder, sexual assault, fraud, intimate partner violence, and arson. The predictive and explanatory abilities of neuroimaging with respect to the criminal acts in question, as well as the role of neuroimaging in the judicial system, will also be explored. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Selected topics reflecting interest in specialized areas. Notes: Topic announced in advance. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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11 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Introduces advanced statistics, research methodologies, statistics packages, computing and information technology, and library technology appropriate for psychological research and pedagogy. Notes: Students required to complete proposal in preparation for admission to Psychology Honors III. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics in PSYC
Selected topics reflecting interest in specialized areas. Notes: Topic announced in advance. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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11 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Graduate
500-Level Courses in PSYC
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. Equivalent to PSYC 418.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Application of cognitive theory to understand and predict interactions among human cognition, artifact, and task. Discusses recent research and case studies that emphasize empirical research, analytical modeling techniques, systems design, and development of tools and methods. May not be repeated for credit.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Examines concepts of psychological measurement with emphasis on predictor test and criterion development. Discusses reliability, validity, and specialized techniques to develop tests of ability, interest, and personality. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines neuronal mechanisms involved in learning and memory, in animals ranging from invertebrates to humans. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Survey of theory and the research on development of perception, memory, concepts, problem solving, intelligence, and academic skills in children. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Special topics reflecting interests in specialized areas. Notes: Topic announced in advance. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
600-Level Courses in PSYC
Integrates basic psychological statistics and measurement issues from advanced perspective. Lab work includes using computer packages for data handling and analyses. May not be repeated for credit.
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9 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Intensive survey of historical and current issues in major areas of industrial and organizational psychology. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Skills-oriented course enabling students to construct instruments and perform functions critical to both researchers and practitioners in industrial/organizational psychology. Focuses on conducting job analysis interviews, developing and scoring task inventories, using critical incident and KSAO methods, and constructing performance appraisal and selection instruments. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines techniques for measuring developmental change across lifespan. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Presents comprehensive overview of current theoretical and empirical approaches to personality. Emphasizes areas of special relevance to clinical, developmental, and industrial/ organizational psychology. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Provides an overview of the neural basis of human mental functions. Uses neuroimaging (PET, fMRI, ERPs, TMS, etc.), computational, and information-processing methods to examine functions such as attention, memory, language, emotion, and decision making. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
700-Level Courses in PSYC
Surveys theories and research regarding lifespan development and personality formation. Notes: Open only to degree students. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Rotating topics such as leadership theories and management development, and performance appraisal. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Supervised experience working in applied, school, or agency settings. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
800-Level Courses in PSYC
First of required two-course sequence that provides comprehensive coverage of principles, strategies, and techniques of psychological assessment. Emphasizes empirically supported methods. Notes: Open to clinical psychology PhD students, or other students with permission of instructor. May not be repeated for credit.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Offers advanced graduate students in health service psychology a foundation in supervision, consultation, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
First of required two-course sequence that provides comprehensive coverage of major psychological problems, including review of empirically supported interventions. Notes: Open to clinical psychology PhD students, or other students with permission of instructor. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
In all of their roles, clinical psychologists have the potential to engage with diverse populations thoughtfully, ethically, intentionally, and in a way that promotes justice. This class equips students with the foundational knowledge, awareness and skills to reach this goal. The class builds awareness of the ways in which social identity influences our perceptions, interactions, and professional endeavors, and introduces students to the ways in which psychology has both perpetuated oppression and interrupted injustice in its distant and recent history. Students end the semester with training goals for growing their capacity to engage with our diverse society thoughtfully and intentionally. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Teaches the principles of cognitive-behavioral theory, conceptualization and psychotherapy techniques for psychological problems with adults. Supervision of cognitive-behavioral therapy with adults. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 21 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Individual placements in psychological assessment or psychotherapy service settings. Notes: Open only to clinical psychology PhD students in the third year or more of training. May be repeated within the degree.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Each section limited to students in one concentration of MA or PhD program. See area coordinator for requirements for section in each track. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 3 credits.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in psychology. Notes: Open only to PhD students. Content varies. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 17 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics in PSYC
Special topics reflecting interests in specialized areas. Notes: Topic announced in advance. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in psychology. Notes: Open only to PhD students. Content varies. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 17 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
