Psyc 001-001

Introduction to Experimental Psychology

Andrew Shatte'

Exploration of the major topics in psychology, including how we receive and interpret information from the world, learning and motivation, the interaction between brain and behavior, development, personality (both normal and abnormal), and the social aspects of our behavior.  The major controversies in psychology provide the binding themes in the course, such as nature versus nurture and theories about the relationship between mind and body.  We will examine some of the ‘grand’ questions that psychologists have posed and investigated – what forces shape our behavior, who do we love and why, what is prejudice and who conforms, and do we think and behave rationally.  These issues are examined at several levels of explanation, from neurotransmitter functioning, through conditioning, and the influence of the group.  We will delve into the history of psychology, from the Greeks through to the neuropsychological and pharmaceutical revolutions of today.
 

Psyc 001-002

Introduction to Experimental Psychology

Andrew Shatte'

Exploration of the major topics in psychology, including how we receive and interpret information from the world, learning and motivation, the interaction between brain and behavior, development, personality (both normal and abnormal), and the social aspects of our behavior.  The major controversies in psychology provide the binding themes in the course, such as nature versus nurture and theories about the relationship between mind and body.  We will examine some of the ‘grand’ questions that psychologists have posed and investigated – what forces shape our behavior, who do we love and why, what is prejudice and who conforms, and do we think and behave rationally.  These issues are examined at several levels of explanation, from neurotransmitter functioning, through conditioning, and the influence of the group.  We will delve into the history of psychology, from the Greeks through to the neuropsychological and pharmaceutical revolutions of today.
 

Psyc 001-301 (GH)

Introduction to Experimental Psychology

Marci Pelchat

Approaches to the understanding of the mind and behavior of  humans and animals.  Emphasis in the text is on the current state of knowledge and in the lectures on the process of discovery and critical thinking.  Topics covered include explaining behavior and mind, the scientific approach, brain and behavior, learning, sensation and perception, memory, thinking, appetite, interpersonal interaction and cultural influences on behavior and mind.  NOTE:  This General Honor's course meets an extra hour (4 hours total) each week because it includes an in-class "lab."  NOTE:  If you are not a Benjamin  Franklin Scholar, permission is required by General Honors Office, Suite 190 Logan Hall, 898-6066.

This course seeks to understand what activates and arouses the behavior of animals.  Why is it that animals are attracted to particular stimuli some of the time but are repelled by the same stimuli at other times?  Examples from a variety of motivated behaviors will be discussed including feeding, sexual, thirst and sodium appetite, and food aversion and food preference behaviors.  Students consider the specifics of experiments and read original scientific papers.  Because the neural bases of these behaviors are a principal focus, students having had Psychology 109 are well prepared to take this course.
 

Psyc 133-401

Brain, Behavior and Evolution

Jud Crawford

Cross-listed with BIBB 233

This course will provide an introduction to the experimental analysis of natural animal behavior, and its neurobiological basis.  Behavior is examined in an evolutionary and ecological context, questions are focused on the neural  processes that allow animals to carry out critical tasks such as locating prey and finding mates.  The course is comparative and an effort is made to identify common principles in sensory processing and brain function.  Recomended:  Psyc109/Bibb109 or Biol 101/102.
 

Psyc151-001

Cognitive

John Trueswell

Analysis of mental processes in adult humans: Attention, Pattern recognition, Imagery, Memory, Action, and Language. Mental architecture. Decomposition of reaction-time and accuracy data. Computer demos of classic experiments.
 

Psyc 160-001

Personality

David Williams

The major facts and theories of personality psychology will be explored, beginning with an examination of the basis of human traits in language and evolution and moving to a consideration of the theories that emphasize cognition (Kelly), unconscious process (Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney), awareness (Rogers, Maslow), and behavior (Skinner, Miller, Bandura).  The course will emphasize the interplay of subjective and objective influences on the way we behave, and will trace the origin of key concepts to the work of psychotherapists as well as behavioral scientists.  Active engagement with the fundamental concepts of personality psychology will be fostered by a series of theoretically structured web-based interactions among course participants.
 

Psyc 162-001

Abnormal

Dean Cruess

The concepts of normality, abnormality, and psychopathology; symptom syndromes; theory and research in psychopathology and psychotherapy.
 

Psyc 170-001

Social

Melanie Green

An overview of theories and research across the range of social behavior from intra-individual to the group level including the effects of culture, social environment, and groups on social interaction.
 

Psyc 172-001

Biocultural

Francisco Gil-White

This course will present human psychology and behavior as viewed by  cultural psychologists on the one hand, and by evolutionary psychologists on the other. The presuppositions of each approach will be deeply examined in order to separate tendentious disciplinary controversy from useful contributions that each side makes to an understanding of human behavior. Students will be challenged to construct a synthetic view of human behavior that causally articulates---rather than merely meshes---these two approaches in order to achieve a better understanding of the causes of human behavior, the distribution of ideas in social systems, and their historical trajectories.
 

Bibb 370-001

Drugs, Brain and Mind

Laura Peoples

The course will begin with a review of basic concepts in pharmacology including: routes of drug administration, drug metabolism, the dose response curve, tolerance and sensitization.  Following a brief overview of cellular foundations of neuropharmacology (cell biology, synaptic and receptor function) and CNS organization, the course will focus on three general topics.  First, we will consider the use of pharmacological and neurobiological research techniques to identify and characterize neurochemical systems in the brain, including localization of the chemicals in brain, typing of receptors and contribution to normal and abnormal behavior.  Second, we will consider various classes of drugs used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders including, among others, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.  Third, we will consider mechanism mediating the mind-altering, addictive and neurotoxic effects of abused drugs.  Bibb 109, 269 recommended. NOTE:  Pending cross-listing as a Psychology course, Bibb 370-301 may be counted towrds the Psychology major as an odd-numbered 100-level psychology course.
 

Psyc 431-401

Animal Cognition

Dorothy Cheney

Cross-listed with BIOL 432

Comparative cognition, with special emphasis on social behavior. Prerequisite:  Psychology 131 or 133.
 

Psyc 441-401 (GH)

Genetics, Evolution and Behavior

Frank Norman

Cross-listed with BIBB 441

Genetic and environmental components of I.Q., personality, and psychopathology.  Evolutionary psychology; basic evolutionary theory; evolution of altruistic, cooperative, and competitive behavior.  The course develops and makes extensive use of elementary mathematical and statistical models. NOTE: If you are not a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, you must obtain permission to enroll.  Email requests to norman@psych.
 

Psyc 462-001

Developmental Psychopathology

Katherine Dahlsgaard

This lecture course will examine the symptomotology, theories of etiology, and approaches to treatment of psychopathological disorders occuring in childhood and adolescence.  Disorders include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, eating disorders, conduct disorders, and childhood  schizophrenia.  Essentially, abnormal psychology for kids.  Prerequisites:  Psychology 160, 162, 164 or 170 or permission of the instructor.

Psyc 211-301

Special Topics in Perception

Virginia Richards

Human Factor Psychology.  Review of the theories and methods applied to the study of the interaction between humans and machines.  Emphasis is on human factors psychology. Topics include virtual reality and human-computer interactions.  Prerequisites:  Psychology 111 is recommended or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 260-301

Special Topics in Personality

Gregg Henriques

A broad view of the evolution of complexity and the major divisions in science (physical, biological, psychological, and social) will be used to provide a framework for understanding how the science of psychology exists in relationship to the other sciences. This new view makes it possi ble to develop a more unified approach to personality theory. In particular, we will use this new conception to construct a model of human behavior that attempts to integrate the central insights of B.F. Skinner and Sigmund Freud. We will then use this model to examine personality psychology more broadly. We will also extend our inquiry to some clinical conditions, with a particular focus on the personality disorders.   Prerequisites: Psychology 160, 164 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 262-301

Special Topics in Abnormal

David Sarwer

Body Image, Psychopathology, and Treatment. Body image is an important component of how people feel about themselves. Body image dissatisfaction has become increasingly prevalent in the last several decades and is thought to play an important role in several psychological conditions, ranging from low self-esteem to eating disorders, obesity, social anxiety, sexual problems, and body dysmorphic disorder. This course will explore body image theories, research, and clinical applications. It will begin by covering the theories of body image, focusing on developmental and sociocultural influences and include a discussion of current assessment methods. The course will then move to a discussion of body image dissatisfaction and the relationship of body image dissatisfaction to other forms of psychopathology. Drawing from clinical examples, the course will conclude with a review of treatment models for body image dissatisfaction and its related conditions. Prerequisites: Psychology 162 or permission of the instructor. (This course meets in the 10th Floor Conference Room, Penn Tower Hotel, Division of Plastic Surgery, Medical School.)
 

Psyc 262-302

Special Topics in Abnormal

Martin Seligman

Positive Psychology will discuss the converse of the disease model:  what is know about positive human traits such as optimism, courage, flow, interpersonal skill, and future mindedness.  Prerequisite: Psychology 162. (First class will meet January 15, 2002.)
 
 
 
 
 

Psyc 262-303

Special Topics in Abnormal

Karen Reivich

Resilience: What is it? Why does it matter? Can it be learned? In this seminar we will explore the psychology of resilience. We will read literature about the processes that allow children to thrive despite serious threats to adaptation or development. In particular, we will focus on the intrapersonal factors (such as optimism and emotion regulation), family factors (such as parenting style), and community factors (such as the effectiveness of schools) that promote resilience. Students will learn a cognitive approach to building resilience that is based on the central principles of cognitive therapy. Students will read journal articles, poetry, fiction, as well chapters from a book-in-progress that is being co-authored by Dr. Reivich. Prerequisite:  Psychology 162 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 270-301

Special Topics in Social

John Sabini

The Social Emotions.  In this course we will examine some of the research literature in Psychology devoted to the social emotions.  Covered by this rubric are:  Shame, Embarrassment, Guilt, Jealousy, Envy, Romantic Love, Other Kinds of Love, Regret, Pride, Anger, and so on.  Prerequisite:  Psychology 170 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 270-302   **CANCELLED**

Special Topics in Social

Henry Gleitman

Psychology of Drama.  The study of psychological processes that underlie the creation and appreciation of drama and related art forms with special emphasis on issues of the nature of  artistic structure, emotion, the "as if" experience, and the psychology of humor. The course is appropriate for students in Theater Arts as well as Psychology, and is open to students who are either Psychology majors (preferably juniors and seniors) or students with serious interest and experience in theatrical production and/or dramatic literature.  Prerequisites : In either case, Psychology 001 is a minimum prerequisite with one more courses such as Psychology 164 or Psychology 170 is highly desirable.  Instructor Permission required.
 

Psyc 270-303

S/T Social

Maury Silver

Ordinary People and Evil.  How is it possible that a torturer could feel that he had a clear conscience?  That an Eichmann could lament to his Jewish interrogator that he had been passed over for promotion because others took credit for his accomplishments?  How is it possible to feel righteous about lynching or murder or rape?  Social psychologists, sociologists, and historians have tried to come up with some answers to these questions.  We shall examine their analyses and descriptions and investigate the psychology and sociology of evil committed by ordinary people in this past century.  We will start with a sociopsychological background and an analysis of some aspects of the Holocaust.  We will then cover topics such as Autogenocide in Cambodia; Vengeance in Bosnia and Rwanda;  Utopia, Communism and Evil; Psychopathology as opposed to "ordinary" evil, etc. Students will choose among the topics to be covered. Prerequisite:  Psychology 170.  Instructor Permission required.   (Contact the instructor [stivelsilv@aol.com] "why you are interested in taking this seminar" .)
 

Psyc 270-304

S/T Social

Jason Weeden

Reproductive Decisions.  The course will provide an evolutionary and ecological perspective on human sex and fertility, addressing questions such as:  Why do some people begin having sex before others?  Why do some people use birth control and others do not?   Why do some people begin having children in their teens and others in their 30s?  Why do some men "take responsibility" for their partners' children and others avoid it?  Why do some people have many children and others few?  Why do some people want to regulate people's reproductive decisions and others do not?

Psyc 311-301

Research Experience in Perception

Ben Backus

In the first part of the course, class will meet as a whole to conduct preselected experiment(s) in visual perception.  This will serve as the basis for a short report from each student.  In the second part of the course, students will work in small groups to formulate, conduct, and write up projects on their own.  Students will serve as observers in each others' experiments.  Use of the Matlab programming language will be taught and required in the course.  Prerequisite: Psychology 111 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 321-301

Research Experience in Learning

Robert Rescorla

Students will conduct research in elementary learning processes.  Initially the class will meet as a whole to conduct some present experiments which provide an initial basis for a short report.  Then students will work in small groups to formulate, conduct, and write up projects on their own.  Prerequisite:  Psychology 121 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 362-301

Research Experience in Abnormal

Melissa Hunt

(This is a continuation of Psyc 362-301 taught Fall 2001 and is therefore only available to students who were enrolled in that course.)

Junior and Senior psychology majors only: Are you interested in expanding our understanding of anxiety and affective disorders?  If you'd like to work hard for nine months, qualify for honors and have a publishable paper at the end of the year, this may be the course for you.  Offering more support and structure than an independent study, this course will still allow you to make an original contribution to one of several research areas, including phobias, depression, life stress, panic during pregnancy or PMS. By Instructor permission only.
 

Psyc 364-301

Research Experience in Theory of Persons

David Williams

People exist in both public and private worlds. The methodologies by which psychologists explore these worlds are quite different. This seminar will compare and contrast data from representative methodologies, using concepts that theoretically intersect. In particular, we will compare data provided by tests and inventories derived from humanistic personality theory with data developed from a tutorial program that uses Skinnerian principles of behavioral analysis to teach the concepts of humanistic personality theory on an individualized basis. Throughout the semester, members of the class will provide the data, and privacy will be fully respected. Prerequisite: Psychology 160, 164 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 370-301

Research Experience in Social

John Sabini/Melanie Green

(This is a continuation of Psyc 370-301 taught Fall 2001 and is therefore only available to students who were enrolled in that course.)

In this two (2) semester course students alone, or in small groups, will, in consultation with the instructors, design, carry out, and write up original research in social psychology. Some topics of that research are likely to be: embarrassment, envy, person perception, regret, and human sexual behavior. Other possible topics include the persuasive impact of narratives, the effects of labeling a communication as fact or fiction, and the relationship between media use (Internet, television) and individuals' social relationships and civic participation. But other topics might be considered as well. Prerequisite: Psychology 170 or permission of the instructors.
 

Psyc 370-302

Research Experience in Social

Kathy Mason

This seminar will focus on observational methods of studying social psychological phenomena.  Readings and class discussions will be focused on acquiring knowledge and skills relevant to conducting observational studies.  Individually or in groups, students will refine a research question, design an observational study, collect and analyze the data, and report the results in both a research paper and an oral report. Prerequisites:  Statistics and Psychology 170, 172 or permission of the instructor.
 

Psyc 386-301

Research Experience in Developmental

Christine Massey

Children's Thinking and Learning.  Students will complete research projects on selected topics related to children's cognitive development in educational  Settings. Working with children in local elementary school classrooms, students will work in small groups to design, collect, and analyze data using observational and interview methods. Some controlled experimental designs will be possible, analyzing the effects of specific curricular interventions on children's conceptual Development. In addition to class time, participants must have some regular time available for data collection during public school hours.  By Instructor permission only.  Contact instructor at massey@linc.cis.upenn.edu for an appointment to review course requirements and scheduling and to obtain permission.