Psychology

Certificate Program in Early Childhood Development

Introduction to Psychology
Empirical and theoretical approaches to the basic physiological, cognitive, and social mechanisms underlying behavior. Topics include: learning and conditioning; sensation and perception; memory, thinking, and language; psychological development; social processes; personality and psychopathology.
BPS1530.20 / 4 credits
Elizabeth Scafidi
Tues. & Thurs., 1:00–4:35 p.m.
Session II: June 10–July 24
Social Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1039

Behavioral Statistics
An introduction to data analysis, with coverage of both descriptive and inferential statistics, and an introduction to probability. Class discussions focus on the use of sample, sampling, and population distributions as they are employed in hypothesis testing. Inferential tests include t-tests, ANOVAs, chi square, regression and nonparametric tests. The problem session is required.
Note: At Purchase College, this course is intended to fulfill the statistics requirement for psychology majors. It also fulfills (a) the statistics requirement for economics and sociology majors, and (b) the methodology requirement for students majoring in media, society, and the arts.
BPS2320.60 (Intensive) / 4 credits
David Frost
Mon.–Fri., 1:00–3:20 p.m.
Session III: June 9–27
Library, Rm. 0001
Behavioral Statistics Problem Session
BPS2320.15 (Intensive) / 0 credit
Mon.–Fri., 3:40–4:40 p.m.
Session III: June 9–27
Library, Rm. 1004D

CANCELLED 5/22/08: Drugs and Behavior
Examines the effects of a wide range of psychotropic drugs on behavior, including drugs used clinically to treat mental disorders and drugs of abuse (including alcohol). The biological basis of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, and other issues related to drug addiction, are also covered. Knowledge of basic biology or psychology is helpful, but not required.
BPS2350.20 / 4 credits
William Knack
Mon. & Wed., 9:00 a.m.–12:35 p.m.
Session II: June 9–July 23
Social Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1006

Child Development
A broad survey of human development from conception through childhood. Topics include: prenatal development and birth; cognition; language; parent-child interaction; peer relations; moral development; and sex role development.
Note: BPS 2650 may serve as a prerequisite for upper-level developmental psychology courses. Credit will not be given for both BPS 2650 and BPS 3350/ Developmental Psychology.
BPS2650.60 (Intensive) / 4 credits
Peggy De Cooke
Mon.–Fri., 1:00–4:35 p.m.
Session I: May 19–June 6
Natural Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1059

Abnormal Psychology
Explores the diagnosis, phenomenology, and scientific and clinical understandings of a wide range of mental disorders. Current research is reviewed to explore the underlying mechanisms of the disorders under discussion. Diagnosis is approached from the perspective of the most recent DSM. At various points, psychodynamic, behaviorist, humanist, and neuroscientific viewpoints of psychopathology are represented.
BPS3100.20 / 4 credits
Donna Hart
Tues. & Thurs., 9:00 a.m.–12:35 p.m.
Session II: June 10–July 24
Social Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1001

CANCELLED 5/22/08: Sports Psychology
A critical examination of the psychological variables that affect athletes and their performance, with emphasis on the social-emotional, cognitive, and developmental aspects of sports participation. The impact of social-psychological conditions on athletes is explored from historical, conceptual, and practical perspectives. Topics include: understanding the nature of competition; women in sports; team vs. individual participation; coping with anxiety and maintaining self-esteem; imagery and intervention strategies; children’s participation in sports.
Prerequisite: BPS 1530 or equivalent
BPS3130.20 / 4 credits
Jessyca Arthur
Tues. & Thurs., 6:30–10:05 p.m.
Session II: June 10–July 24
Natural Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1059

Developmental Psychology
A study of human development from infancy through childhood, with particular emphasis on social interaction, cognition, language, play, and representational activity. Because of their interchangeability, credit is not given for both BPS 3350 and PSY 2650/Child Development (offered by the School of Natural and Social Sciences).
BPS3350.20 / 4 credits
Kenneth Mann
Tues. & Thurs., 6:30–10:05 p.m.
Session II: June 10–July 24
Humanities Bldg., Rm. 2073

Advanced Psychology of Communication
This course focuses on understanding communication in relationships (interpersonal) and within the mind (intrapsychic: thinking, alone time, analyzing, understanding the external world and how one communicates internally). Topics include communication styles and communication in the intimate relationship, within the family, and at the workplace. Also offered as CSS 3369.
BPS3369.45 / 4 credits
Kenneth Mann
Tues. & Thurs., 1:00–4:35 p.m.
Session II: June 10–July 24
Social Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1038

CANCELLED 5/22/08: Counseling and Psychotherapy
A study of the basic theories and their applications in counseling and psychotherapy. Theories studied include: behavior therapy; drug therapy; interpersonal psychotherapy; psychoanalysis; group, art, movement, and the “newer” therapies. Variations on the above as applied to different clinical populations are emphasized, as are issues of research and ethics in counseling and psychotherapeutic practice.
BPS3730.20 / 4 credits
William Knack
Mon. & Wed., 1:00–4:35 p.m.
Session II: June 9–July 23
Social Sciences Bldg., Rm. 1039

Psychology of Personality
The study of how diverse psychological systems combine to form a coherent, unique individual. Three competing traditions are discussed: the observationist approach (studying people in depth through careful observation); the psychometric approach (personality and intelligence testing); and the experimental approach (manipulating one set of psychological systems to see how others respond).
Prerequisite: BPS 1530 or equivalent
BPS3760.20 / 4 credits
Gretchen Barnable
Mon. & Wed., 6:30–10:05 p.m.
Session II: June 9–July 23
Natural Sciences Bldg., Rm. 3001

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Posted Feb. 20, 2008