Major
Psychology
The program in Psychology is offered through the Division of Social Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. Psychology attempts to give meaning to human behavior and mental processes. The field is multifaceted, addressing topics as diverse as human physiology, interpersonal relationships, emotions, motivations, group dynamics, learning, and mental disorders. The psychology program at the University of Pikeville bridges the chasm between humanistic and scientific inquiries. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore such fascinating topics as personality, lifespan development, psychopathology, sleep, gender, emotion, social psychology, learning and cognition, memory, and research methodology.
Degrees
Courses
PSY-110: General Psychology
Credits 3Introduces the field of psychology by examining fundamental issues in the field from various perspectives, some of which can be resolved by moving beyond the old antitheses. For instance, the classic argument over nature versus nurture is resolved by Albert Bandura's notion of reciprocal determinism. Topics include learning, scientific method, measurement, personality, mental disorders, memory, dreams, language, cognition, behavior, and consciousness. This course fulfills the Personal Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
PSY-215: Lifespan Development
Credits 3This course uses an integrative approach to study the lifespan. It focuses on the major developmental theories, as well as their views of maturation in the physical, social, emotional and intellectual realms. The interrelatedness of various aspects of development from conception through death is emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 110. This course fulfills the Personal Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
PSY-300: Experimental Psychology
Credits 3Introduction to design, methods, and theory in psychological research. Includes examination of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Students will conduct studies involving laboratory and field techniques. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and Pre- or Corequisite MTH 200 or SSC 285.
PSY-310: Psychology of Learning
Credits 3Survey of the seemingly contradictory approaches to understanding human learning - beginning with classical behavioral principles involved in classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning, followed by the transition to cognitve theories involved in verbal learning, schemas, and memory, and ending with current models attempting to integrate behavioral and cognitive schools of thought toward a fuller understanding of human learning. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
PSY-315: Social Psychology
Credits 3Examines the scientific study of how one's thoughts, feelings, and behavior are influenced by the social context. Students explore a range of contemporary topics such as attitudes, cognitions, self-concept, prejudice, interpersonal perception, persuasion, relationships, aggression, conformity, and obedience. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or SOC 119.
PSY-322: Sport Psychology
Credits 3This course will focus on the psychological factors related to motivation, participation, and exercise adherence in sports venues. Students will explore how psychological and social variables influence participation and performance in sport and physical activity, and how participation in sport and physical activity affect the psychological well-being of the individual. Prerequisite: PSY 110 and junior standing.
PSY-323: Abnormal Psychology
Credits 3Examines mental disorders in terms of their etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Introduces students to the major diagnostic categories of mental disorders from mild neuroses to severe psychoses. Shows how each theoretical perspective and its attendant classification system can blind as well as clarify the phenomenon being investigated. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
PSY-340: Psychology of Sleep
Credits 3This course will discuss the fundamental principles of sleep and sleep disorders and the application of these principles to your own sleep and the sleep of others. Prerequisite: PSY 110
PSY-345: Adolescent Psychology
Credits 3This course examines the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that occur during adolescence. Topics include identity development, family and peer relationships, sexuality, mental health, and cultural influences. Emphasis is placed on contemporary issues as well as techniques of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: PSY 110.
PSY-360: Emotion, Stress, and Health
Credits 3This course investigates how social influences (i.e., race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status) impact psychological and physical health, as well as the systemic factors that affect these influences (e.g., racism,sexism, classism). Topics include the stress responses, psychopharmacology, resilience, and the effects of intersectional identities on health. Prerequisites: PSY 110.
PSY-375: Psychology of Gender
Credits 3This course is an exploration of gender as a central organizing feature of human behavior and an overall picture of gender from a psychological perspective. We will examine various theoretical models of male and female development from a psychological perspective. Prerequisite: PSY 110. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.
PSY-380: Techniques of Psychology
Credits 3This course explores practical techniques used in therapeutic settings, focusing on both classic and modern approaches to helping individuals process and resolve personal issues. Students will learn and practice a range of evidence-based and experiential techniques, such as the empty chair technique, family sculpting, and genograms. Instruction will include hands-on activities, role-playing, demonstrations, and reflections to foster skill development and therapeutic awareness. Emphasis will be placed on APA ethical application and cultural sensitivity. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and Sophomore standing.
PSY-390: Special Topics
Credits 3A study of a selected topic of special interest. The topic may differ each time the course is offered and may be proposed by either the instructor or students. Topics may include psychology in film, in law, of Appalachia, human motivation, transition to the World of Academia or Employment, etc. This course may be taken for credit any number of times, provided that a different topic is studied each time. Prerequisites: PSY 110.
PSY-405: Physiological & Biological Psychology
Credits 3This course is an introduction to the physiological, neurophysiological, chemical, and genetic bases of human behavior. The study of anatomy, neuroanatomy, and physiology will show the relevance of sensory and motor activity on emotion, mental health, motivation, and learning. The student will learn to regard human behavior from a biological point of view. The course emphasizes basic concepts, current research, and psychopharmacological implications. Prerequisites: Junior Standing, PSY 110 and 3 hours of Biology or Biomedical Sciences.
PSY-440: Psychology of Personality
Credits 3We shall explore how theories of personality evolved over the course of the last century by delving deeply into the personalities of the theorists. The philosophical and cultural assumptions implicit in both theorist and theory will be explicated as a function of creative illness responding to the Zeitgeist. Prerequisite: Fifteen (15) hours of Psychology or Social Work.
PSY-455: History and Systems of Psychology
Credits 3Delineates the philosophical, cultural, and historical factors contributing to particular theories and systems in the field of psychology. Attempts to discern what factors are responsible for the modern perspectives. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and Junior standing.
PSY-457: Cognitive Psychology
Credits 3The theoretical issues, methods of research, neurological foundations, and findings in studying attention, perception, memory, problem solving, decision making, expertise, language and intelligence will be explored and utilized. This course focuses on writing psychological research and will include laboratories. Prerequisites: PSY 110 and ENG 112 or WRI 118.
PSY-494: Directed Research in Psychology
Credits 1 3Directed investigation in the field of Psychology through the application of research techniques leading to a research project and/or paper. This course may be repeated for a total of six credit hours. Only 3 hours may count toward the psychology major or minor. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
PSY-497: Psychology Internship
Credits 1 6This is a supervised experiential learning course. It is intended to enhance the classroom experience. Prerequisites: Three (3) hours of psychology and the consent of the Instructor, Division Chair, and Dean. It may be repeated for up to 9 hours of credit. Only 3 hours may count toward the psychology major or minor.
PSY-499: Directed Individual Study in Psychology
Credits 1 3Independent investigation in selected fields of psychology. Reports and conferences based on these studies. Open to students who are majoring in psychology and have completed at least fifteen hours in the field. Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of the Instructor, the Division Chair, and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
PSY-ELC: Psychology 200-400 Elective
Credits 6Please plan credits to fulfill a total of 6 hours of electives from Communication at 300-400 levels. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.
PSY-ELEC: Psychology Electives
Credits 12Please plan credits to fulfill a total of 12 hours of electives from Psychology at 300-400 levels. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.
PSY-ELECSW: Psychology Or Social Work Elective
Credits 12Please plan credits to fulfill a total of 6 hours of electives from Psychology or Social Work at 300-400 levels. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.
PSY-OR: Psychology Either/Or
Credits 3Please plan to take PSY 323 or PSY 440. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.
PSY-REQ: Psychology Requirement
Credits 12Plan to take either PSY 115 Lifespan Development or SW 315 Human Behavior in the Social Environment . Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.