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Chair of Psychology
Dr. Stephen Maret
(973) 618-3438

 

Psychology Course Descriptions

PS 111 Re-entry Seminar for Adults (3)
Available to adults who have earned fewer than 30 credits. This course will provide students with information about themselves as persons and learners. In addition to improving college level skills, students will be able to identify and clarify their individual goals.

PS 150 General Psychology I (3)
An introduction to the main theories, methods, and principles of psychology. This course is a social sciences Liberal Arts core requirement for all students who wish to become Psychology majors and is required for further study in the field. Topics will include a brief history of psychology, critical thinking, careers in psychology, basic research and statistics, human development, personality, psychopathology, motivation, emotions and stress, and basic principles of learning.

PS 189 Total Student Development (1)
Provides students with the skills to identify and make use of their college and community resources through weekly goal-oriented sessions conducted by an academic advisor. Required for all freshmen.

PS 201 Human Growth and Development (3)
Discusses physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Genetic, environmental, and socio-cultural influences are considered.

PS 207 General Psychology II (3)
This course continues the examination of the main theories, methods, and principles of psychology begun in PS 150. This course is required for further study in the field. Topics will include advanced research methods & statistics, an introduction to writing papers in American Psychological Association (APA) format, the literature review process, neuroscience and biopsychology, sensation and perception, advanced learning principles, memory and cognition, intelligence and psychological testing, and social psychology. Prerequisite: PS 150.

PS 208 Psychological Statistics (3)
Introduces statistical methods as applied to the social sciences. Topics include frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, sampling errors, chi-square, and ANOVA. Prerequisite: MA 112.

PS 209 Prenatal and Infant Psychology (3)
This course examines physiological, social, psychological, and cognitive development from conception until the end of the second year of life. Topics include genetic and chromosomal factors, pregnancy, birth, temperament, sensorimotor intelligence, attachment, emotions, language, personality development, and family and community interaction.

PS 210 Child Psychopathology (3)
Explores patterns and possible causes of emotional and behavioral problems in children. The course also examines treatment methods used with children and effective parenting styles.

PS 211 Child Psychology (3)
This course examines physiological, social, psychological, and cognitive development from age three until the beginning of adolescence. Topics include brain, motor, emotional, personality, cognitive, and language development, gender roles, play, divorce, child maltreatment, and family and community interaction.

PS 215 Human Sexuality (3)
Examines the physical, social and psychological aspects of the sexual experience. The student learns how sexuality relates to reproduction, intimacy, attraction, values, the life cycle, and inhibitions and dysfunctions. Current issues in pregnancy, birth control, and sexual preference are discussed.

PS 216 Adolescent Psychology (3)
This course examines physiological, social, psychological, and cognitive development from the beginning to the end of adolescence. Topics include puberty and sexual development, identity, peer interaction, drug and alcohol use and abuse, suicide, and family and community interaction.

AT/PS 230 Introduction to Art Therapy (3)
This course offers an introduction to the art therapy profession. Students will learn about the interface of art and therapy, as well as basic theory and application. Students will participate in experiential art exercises which will provide exposure to the use of the creative process of communicating through art.

PS 232 Psychology of Personality (3)
Studies major theoretical approaches to personality structure and dynamics, the disorganization of the personality, and problems involved in personality assessment. Theorists studied include: Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, May, Maslow, Rogers and Skinner.

PS 235 Psychology of Women (3)
Discusses the psychological effects of changing roles for women and for men. Includes current research and theories on women, men and androgyny and a psychological interpretation of masculine and feminine identity in myth.

EN/PS 241 Introduction to Poetry Therapy (3)
Introduces the principles, goals and techniques of poetry in its therapeutic applications. Involves students in experimental writing exercises which promote the creative process in achieving personal growth and well-being. No background in poetry necessary. May be taken for credit in either English or Psychology.

AT/PS 260 Historical Development of Art Therapy (3)
The course will focus on the origins of the field of art therapy as well as the wide variety of theoretical frameworks applicable to the field. Classes will consist of a combination of both didactic and experiential teaching methods. Prerequisite: PS 230.

PS 261 Interpersonal Relations (3)
Provides an experiential seminar in group dynamics and interpersonal effectiveness. Sensitivity training techniques will be used to illustrate and to discuss skills in communication, listening, and confrontation in social and business situations. The aim is to foster win/win situations. Group interaction exercises and discussions will be used to enhance these skills.

PS 288 Career Planning (1)
Explores the role of the individual in choosing a career path. Examines personal values, interests and skills; uses a vocational inventory. Studies resume writing, job search and interview preparation.

PS 289 Peer Advisor (3)
In weekly training sessions, peer advisors are instructed in communication, helping and self-awareness skills, group pressures and human development sequences in order to provide peer advisors with knowledge necessary to promote productive personal growth in the students with whom they work. Weekly group sessions or meetings with freshmen enable peer advisors to work with acquired skills as they conduct sessions designed to provide freshmen with the opportunity and means for setting and reaching personal life goals. Acceptance by T.S.D. Director is required.

PS 304 Biopsychology (3)
An overview of the physiological processes relating to human behavior. Topics include the central nervous system, neurotransmitter and neurohormonal functioning, the biological basis for emotions, perception, motivation and brain disorders. Prerequisites: PS 150 and 207.

PS 306 Psychology of Adulthood (3)
Explores developmental changes in early, middle and late adulthood. Topics include marriage and family relationships, physical changes, and mental and emotional growth and well-being.

PS 309 Psychopathology (3)
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Prerequisite: PS 232.

PS 310 Career Counseling (3)
Introduces students to the field of vocational counseling. Examines theories of career development, explores counselor interviewing skills, and presents assessment instruments and strategies. Topics include life-span career development and career counseling with special populations such as adults in transition and individuals with disabilities.

PS 312 Applied Behavior Analysis (3)
Course applies principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to children and adults in school, home and business settings. Topics and activities include goal setting, reinforcement procedures, schedules of reinforcement, stimulus control, shaping, behavioral objectives, observation and recording, and designing token economies for behavioral change. Prerequisites: PS 150 and 207.

PS 313 Counseling Psychology (3)
Examines counseling theories and the counseling relationship. The course also includes family and group counseling and career counseling. Prerequisite: PS 309.

PS/SO 314 Social Psychology (3)
Examines socio-cultural, group and interpersonal influences on behavior. Topics include attitudes, communication, persuasion, mind control, social learning, psychic trauma, aggression, altruism, attraction, prejudice and applications of psychology to the courts.

PS 318 Cross-Cultural Counseling (3)
Examines cross-cultural influences on understanding the causes, definition and treatment of psychological disorders. Course emphasizes racial/cultural identity development, world views, needs and communication styles of culturally different clients and counselors, and the use of culturally different treatment methods.

PS 319 Psychological Testing (3)
Examines the theory, development and applications of psychological, educational and occupational tests. Includes intelligence, achievement and ability tests and projective and objective personality tests. Considers theoretical concepts such as the reliability and validity of tests.

PS 321 Human Motivation (3)
Explores current theories and research in motivation; needs for approval and achievement, affiliation, love, and affection; self-preservation, self-actualization, aggression and assertiveness.

PS 322 Educational Psychology (3)
Examines areas of psychology relevant to the educational process. Topics include: theories of instruction, teaching and learning styles, classroom management and motivation, individual differences and the exceptional child.

PS 323 Sensation and Perception (3)
Examines the processes underlying how we experience (sense) and interpret (perceive) the world around us. Emphasis will be placed on the function and structure of the various sensory systems and their corresponding processing centers in the brain. Prerequisites: PS 150 and PS 207.

PS 324 Forensic Psychology (3)
Considers the ethical and legal responsibilities of the psychologist. The course also examines the role of the psychologist in the courts. Topics include the insanity defense, patients’ rights, eyewitness testimony, criminal investigation and factors in jury decisions.

PS 325 Philosophical and Historical Trends in Psychology (3)
Discusses historical and contemporary issues in psychology. Course involves seminar presentations on selected topics. Prerequisite: PS 309.

PS 326 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Examines the cognitive processes broadly referred to as “thinking.” Emphasis will be placed on a discussion of memory models, consciousness, attention, language, concept learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and neural networks. Classical theories and experiments in these areas will be reviewed. Prerequisites: PS 150 and PS 207.

PS 330 Psychology of Addiction (3)
Examines the physical, psychological and social aspects of drug dependence and of other addictive behaviors such as eating disorders and gambling. The course also discusses family dynamics, dual disorders, treatment and prevention, and relapse and recovery issues.

PS 335 Health Psychology (3)
Provides an introduction to the biological, psychological, and social factors that interact to influence physical health and illness. The course examines research on the application of psychological models to the maintenance of health and to the prevention and treatment of illness. Topics include lifestyle choices and health; stress and stress management; pain and pain management; psychoneuroimmunology; chronic illness; adherence to medical treatment recommendations; and alternative medicine.

PS 336 Positive Psychology (3)
Examines the variables and processes critical to understanding and achieving personal success and fulfillment. Included will be a discussion of the concepts of “flow,” optimism, virtue, gratitude, meaning, and emotional intelligence. Course will also examine how concepts in positive psychology can inform interventions in areas such as family and parenting, friendships and romance, recreation and leisure, school, work, and service. Prerequisites: PS 150 and PS 207

AT/PS 340 Current Trends in Art Therapy (3)
The emphasis of this course will be on less conventional applications of art therapy as well as an introduction to other creative art therapies. Guest lecturers will lead workshops on a variety of topics. Prerequisite: PS 260.

AT/PS 360 Clinical Art Therapy (3)
Explores the use of art expression as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Studies the application of art therapy to children, adults, and groups. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of the interplay of diagnosis, therapeutic process and art therapy techniques. Field placement is required. Students participate in art therapy activities in class. Prerequisites: PS 260 and PS 309.

PS 370 Organizational Behavior (3)
Explores designing organizational structures, inter-group conflict, motivation, leadership, group processes, organizational change and personnel selection. Prerequisite: BU 330.

PS 402 Experimental Psychology (3)
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects. Prerequisite: PS 208.

PS 406 Clinical Psychology (3)
Examines the basic features of the psychotherapeutic process, the clinical assessment of psychosocial disorders and the functions of a clinical psychologist. Course also covers crisis intervention, community psychology and forensic psychology. Prerequisite: PS 309.

PS 410 Special Topics Seminar (3)
This course will cover various current topics in psychology and will be conducted as a seminar. Prerequisites: PS 208 and PS 325.

AT/PS 430 Art Therapy Practicum (3)
Provides students with direct experience in the field of art therapy. Students are advised to select populations of interest for field placements. Prerequisites: PS 340 and PS 360.

PS 479 Cooperative Education (3)
Provides qualified students with a period of supervised, paid work experience. The course provides for the application of classroom learning to work experiences.

PS 489 Field Internship (3)
Provides qualified students with the opportunity to acquire supervised field experience.

PS 499 Independent Study (3)
Involves a directed research project on a Psychology topic which is not covered extensively in the course offerings. Student will work under the guidance of a faculty member. By permission of instructor.