Return to Psychology and Counseling | Courses Index

[1] Courses in Psychology (PSYC)

1300 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY A UCA core course satisfying three hours of the Inquiry and Analysis requirement as a social science elective. Survey and introductory course in psychology to acquaint the student with psychology as a behavioral science. A required course for majors and minors. Lecture. Fall, spring, summer. [ ACTS: PSYC1103 ]

2330 PSYCHOLOGICAL STATISTICS Introductory descriptive and inferential statistics. A required course for majors. No credit will be awarded in more than one introductory statistics course. Lecture/laboratory; computer work required. Fall, spring, summer.

2360 COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY The course will examine the study of behavior from an evolutionary perspective as it applies to both animals and humans. We will examine behavioral biodiversity and similarity across species. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Offered once a year.

2370 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Continuation of theoretical points of view related to development across the lifespan. Category III elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, spring, summer. [ ACTS: PSYC2103 ]

3305 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY A comprehensive introduction to the field of health psychology. Both theoretical and applied aspects of the work of the health psychologist will be reviewed. Category IV elective. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 or consent of instructor. On demand.

3306 POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY The scientific study of optimal functioning, which aims to discover and promote factors that allow individuals, communities, and societies to thrive and flourish. The course will examine human behavior that is effective, valuable, and positively contributes to human development. This course takes a holistic and general systems theory perspective. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. On Demand.

3310 PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY This course explores the use of physiological recordings as an aid to understanding human behavior and mental processes. Category II elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. On demand.

3325 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Survey of human mental processes such as thinking, memory, language, attention, and problem-solving. Human cognition will be studied from multiple perspectives: psychology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, human learning, and computer technology. Category II elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, spring, summer.

3330 SENSATION AND PERCEPTION Study of the sensory processes and related perceptual phenomena. Category II elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, summer.

3331 PSYCHOLOGY OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY Survey of psychological principles applicable to business and industry settings. Category IV elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. On demand.

3332 RESEARCH METHODS Scientific methodology and report writing as applied to major problem areas in behavioral research. A required course for majors. Lecture/laboratory; computer work required. Prerequisites: PSYC 1300 and 2330. Fall, spring, summer.

3333 MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY This course reviews the field of Multicultural Psychology and emphasizes the development of critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and cultural self-awareness. Major topic areas include: worldviews, immigration and acculturation, stereotypes and prejudice, racism, privilege, cultural identity and development, and multicultural competence. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Availability will range from once per semester (maximum) to once every academic year (minimum).

3340 RESEARCH METHODS LABORATORY Application of scientific methods to behavioral research questions. A required course for majors. Lecture/laboratory; computer work required. Prerequisite: PSYC 3332. Fall, spring, summer.

3345 EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY This course will examine the mechanisms of the human mind from the perspective of evolutionary psychology. Beginning with a brief historical review of key themes in psychology and evolutionary biology, the course then proceeds to substantive topics, including problems of survival, long-term mating, sexuality, parenting, kinship, cooperation, aggression and warfare, conflict between the sexes, status, prestige, and social dominance. The final portion of the course will conclude by proposing a unified theory that integrates the different branches of psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. On demand.

3350 PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN Survey and analysis of theory, research, and special topics that pertain to the psychological experience of women through the life-span. Focus on integrating psychology of women into traditional approaches to the study of human behavior. Category IV elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: Six hours of psychology. Summer.

3351 PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING Basic theories and principles of learning. Category II elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, summer.

3360 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Survey of theory and research on how people perceive, influence, and relate to others. Category III elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, spring, summer.

3370 SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY Study of the psychological factors that influence and are influenced by performance and participation in sports, exercise, and physical activity. Category IV elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Spring, summer.

3455 COMPARATIVE PRIMATOLOGY Primatology is the study of the biology, behavior, and evolution of prosimians, monkeys, and apes. We will specifically investigate the evolution of social systems, social behavior, cognitive abilities, and culture in primates. Prosimians, monkeys, and apes live in a variety of social systems, within which we can examine issues such as reproductive strategies, the behavioral diversity within and between their social units, and aspects of intelligence and culture. This can be achieved through comparisons of different populations of the same species and comparisons between different closely related species. Particularly intriguing are the differences between apes and humans concerning fundamental social-cognitive processes including communication, cooperation, social interaction, conflict resolution behaviors, and social learning. Research in the course will use a descriptive, comparative approach referred to as naturalistic observation. The core of this course will be in observation of primates at the Little Rock Zoo; student attendance and participation is mandatory for successful completion of the course. Prequisite: PSYC 3332. On demand.

4180 INDEPENDENT READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY Readings selected by the student under the direction of the major provessor from special areas and topics in psychology. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chairperson. On demand.

4182 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY Development of a research proposal and the execution of the study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chairperson. On demand.

4280 INDEPENDENT READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY Readings selected by the student under the direction of the major provessor from special areas and topics in psychology. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chairperson. On demand.

4282 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY Development of a research proposal and the execution of the study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chairperson. On demand.

4300 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY Study of the major ideas of important personality theorists and their theoretical contributions to the science of personality. Category III elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, spring, summer.

4305 JUDGMENT AND DECISION-MAKING Judgment and Decision-Making presents a survey of current research in psychology, evolutionary theory, and economics on the factors that influence human choice behavior. Course participants will learn the major theories and current research in decision-making and how to avoid common decision-making errors. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. On demand.

4320 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY Survey of behavior disorders, ranging from the mild to the severe. The etiology, treatment, and prognosis of the various maladaptive behavior patterns are examined. Category III elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, spring, summer.

4325 PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY Techniques of investigation in physiological psychology. Structure and function of all nerves, muscles, and endocrine glands. Investigation of physiological basis for behavior. Category II elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. Fall, spring, summer.

4340 HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY Study of philosophical and scientific antecedents of contemporary psychology. A required course for majors. Lecture. Prerequisite: Graduating senior psychology major. Fall, spring, summer.

4351 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION The nature of a variety of behavior modification techniques which have proved useful in such diverse areas as mental retardation, abnormal behavior, education, and social behavior and their application to specific forms of behavior. Category IV elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 3351. On demand.

4352 ADULT PSYCHOLOGY Survey of psychological aspects of the adult’s role in contemporary society in relation to self-image, family, and vocation. A consideration of adulthood as developmental as applied to the physical, mental, emotional, and social being. Category III elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 1300. On demand.

4353 PRACTICUM IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION Supervised, practical experience in behavior management programs. Category IV elective. Lecture. Prerequisites: PSYC 3351, 4351, and consent of instructor. On demand.

4377 STUDY ABROAD IN PSYCHOLOGY Psychology is a discipline with roots across the world so that many psychological topics can benefit from cross-cultural investigations. One example of a course that could benefit from study abroad would focus on the artistic technique of linear perspective, invented in Florence, Italy in the early 15th century. The art and science of the Italian Renaissance encouraged a move from the middle ages in which life on Earth was widely seen as a brief interlude preparing for an eternity in the afterlife to the Renaissance ideal that the individual and the surrounding world were worthy of our attention and admiration. Offered each summer I session.

4380 INDEPENDENT READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY Readings selected by the student under the direction of the major professor from special areas and topics of psychology. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and chair. On demand.

4382 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY Development of a research proposal and the execution of the study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Category IV elective. Prerequisite: PSYC 3332, consent of instructor and chairperson. On demand.

4390 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS Theory and construction of tests, with concern for test selection and use. Category IV elective. Lecture. Prerequisite: PSYC 2330. Summer, on demand.