The Department of Psychology

313 Life Science Bldg. • Box 19528 • 817-272-2281 • www.uta.edu/psychology

Academic Advising: 320 Life Science Bldg. • 817-272-3238

The Department of Psychology offers two programs of study leading to the bachelor's degree. It also offers courses of interest to the academic community.

The Bachelor of Science degree in psychology is intended for those students who wish to pursue graduate work in fields requiring more mathematics and sciences. This program is also suitable for premedical and predental students. These students should meet the requirements of the corresponding professional schools.*

The Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology is for those students who wish to obtain a broad liberal arts education with a concentration in psychology or for those who wish to teach psychology in secondary schools. Students interested in teaching certification should see the School of Education section of this catalog.

Courses in psychology may also be included in an area of concentration for the Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies.

The Department of Psychology also offers the following courses of general interest to the academic community. These courses have no prerequisites.

1315. Introduction to Psychology
2317. Basic Concepts in Human Sexuality
3301. Psychology of Human Relations

3303. Drugs and Behavior

Restrictions: Psychology courses, except those cross-listed with biology, cannot be used to fulfill any of the science requirements.

* Premedical and predental students should take BIOL 1441, 2451, 1442, 3452; CHEM 1301, 1302, 1284, 2181, 2321, 2182, 2322; PHYS 1441, 1442.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours from English or a foreign language.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.**

History

Six hours of American history, or three hours of American history and three hours of Texas history.

Computer Literacy*

PSYC 2351 or three hours from CSE 1301, BUSA 2303, GEOL 1491, or any equivalent course. Alternatively, the requirement may be met by taking a departmental computer literacy examination.

Oral Communication Competency

PSYC 4155, SPCH 1301, SPCH 2305, SPCH 3302 or equivalent courses approved by the Undergraduate Advisor.

Foreign Language*

Six hours from the Cultural Studies List posted outside the Psychology Department Office and in the Handbook for Psychology Majors or levels III and IV of a foreign language.

Mathematics*

1325 and 1426, plus three hours above the freshman level.

Political Science

2311 and 2312 or any six hours meeting the legislative requirement.

Fine Arts and Philosophy

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, philosophy, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours of designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics.**

Other Natural Science

A total of 15 hours including two of the following sequences, or one of these sequences plus an additional seven hours in the same discipline: BIOL 1441 and 1442, or CHEM 1301, 1302, and 1284, or GEOL 1435 and 1436, or PHYS 1443 and 1444, or PHYS 1441 and 1442

Major

35 hours to include 1315 or equivalent; 2441; 2442; one four-hour lab/lecture from each of the Groups I, II, and III; one three-hour lecture course from each of the Groups I, II, III; (4355 may be substituted for one of the lectures in Groups I, II, III).

Lab/Lectures (four hours) I. 3315 + 3144.

II. 3326 + 3146; 3420, 4322 + 3142.

III. 3431, 4334 + 3145.

Lectures (three hours) I. 3310, 3311, 3312, 3313, 3314,3315, 3316, 3317, 3318, 4310.

II. 3326, 3328, 4322, 4325, 4327, 4329.

III. 4332, 4333, 4334, 4337,4338, 4339.

Minor

18 hours, including six hours of 3000/4000-level courses.

Electives***

Sufficient hours to complete the total required for the degree.

Total

128 hours, of which at least 36 must be 3000/4000 level, plus exercise and sport activities (EXSA), ROTC, or marching band as required.

* Prerequisites may add hours to the total required for the degree.

** Psychology majors may not use psychology courses to meet this requirement.

*** A science minor releases 15 additional hours for electives.

Suggested Course Distribution

First Two Years: PSYC 1315, 2441, 2442; ENGL 1301, 1302, 3 hours literature; Political Science, 6 hours; American History, 6 hours; Foreign Language or substitute, 6 hours; Mathematics, 10 hours; Natural Science, 8 hours; Minor and Electives, 3 hours; Computer Literacy, 3 hours; EXSA or ROTC or Marching Band.

Second Two Years: Psychology, 24 hours at 3000/4000 level, 4155; Liberal Arts Elective, 3 hours; Social/Cultural Studies, 3 hours; Fine Arts/Philosophy, 3 hours; Natural Science, 8 hours; Minor and Electives, 24 hours.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours from English or a foreign language.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.**

Foreign Language

14 hours in a single foreign language or eight hours in a language plus six hours from one area cluster (see substitution list in introductory information for the College of Science).

History

Six hours of American history, or three hours of American history and three hours of Texas history.

Computer Literacy*

PSYC 2351 or three hours from CSE 1301, BUSA 2303, GEOL 1491, or any equivalent course. Alternatively, the requirement may be met by taking a departmental computer literacy examination.

Oral Communication Competency

PSYC 4155, SPCH 1301, SPCH 2305, SPCH 3302 or equivalent courses approved by the Undergraduate Advisor.

Mathematics*

Six hours: 1302 or 1315, and 1303 or 1316 or 3316; or 1324 and 1325.

Political Science

2311 and 2312 or any six hours meeting the legislative requirement.

Fine Arts and Philosophy

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, philosophy, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours of designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics.**

Natural Science

Eight hours from one of BIOL 1333, 1334, 1282; CHEM 1445 and 1446; GEOL 1435 and 1436; PHYS 1401 and 1402, or any sequence listed in Other Science in the Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, plus three hours in Science or approved Social Science or other designated courses.**

Major

31 hours to include 1315 or equivalent; 2441; 2442; two four-hour lab/lecture courses; one three-hour lecture course from each of the Groups I, II, III; (4355 may be substituted for one of the lectures in Groups I, II, III). For the definition of Groups I, II, III, see the Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.

Minor

18 hours including six hours of 3000/4000-level courses.

Electives

Sufficient hours to complete the total required for the degree.

Total

120 hours, of which at least 36 must be 3000/4000 level, plus exercise and sport activities (EXSA), ROTC, or marching band as required.

* Prerequisites may add hours to the total required for the degree.

** Psychology majors may not use psychology courses to meet this requirement.

Suggested Course Distribution

First Two Years: PSYC 1315, 2441, 2442; ENGL 1301, 1302, 3 hours literature; Political Science, 6 hours; American History, 6 hours; Foreign Language, 8 hours; Mathematics, 6 hours; Natural Science, 8 hours; Minor, 3 hours; Computer Literacy, 3 hours; EXSA or ROTC or Marching Band.

Second Two Years: Psychology, 20 hours at 3000/4000 level, 4155; Liberal Arts Elective, 3 hours; Foreign Language or substitutes, 6 hours; Social/Cultural Studies, 3 hours; Fine Arts/Philosophy, 3 hours; Natural Science, 3 hours; Minor and Electives, 21 hours.

Teacher Certification

Psychology majors who desire certification for teaching at the secondary level must fulfill the requirements for a second teaching field and complete the certification program as prescribed in the School of Education section of this catalog.

Students majoring in other subjects who select psychology as a second teaching field should complete the Psychology Teaching Field. Interested students should refer to the School of Education section of this catalog for teacher certification requirements.

Acceptance Requirements for a Major in Psychology

In addition to requirements specified for all potential majors within the College of Science, those planning to major in Psychology must successfully complete a course in college algebra or higher and PSYC 2441 before they will be admitted as Psychology majors. Students must fulfill this requirement by the time they complete 45 hours in residence.

Multiple Majors

To qualify psychology as part of a multiple major, it is only necessary to complete the requirements for a B.S. major or a B.A. major in psychology, plus the requirements for another major. The specified requirements in another major B.A. or B.S. field will stand in lieu of a minor. Both majors must be either B.A. or B.S. The diploma and transcript will reflect both majors.

Distinguished Scholars in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a Distinguished Scholars program in psychology. This program is intended to provide students with the opportunity for intellectual and professional development that will take them beyond the requirements of the basic BA or BS degrees. Thus, the program serves to promote and acknowledge the special achievements of participating students.

Admission is by faculty invitation. To qualify, the student must have completed 30 hours in residence at UT Arlington, including 10 hours in psychology, with demonstrated academic excellence. Students participating in the Distinguished Scholars program will complete the requirements for a BA or BS degree in psychology, plus PSYC 4361 and 4398.

Psychology Course Numbering

The Department of Psychology has numbered its advanced (3000/4000 level) courses so that the third digit of the course number gives its distribution cluster. If the third digit of the course number is 1, 2, or 3, it indicates a Group I, II, or III course, respectively.

Department of Psychology Faculty

Chair

Professors

Associate Professors

Assistant Professors

Lecturer

Adjunct Professor

Psychology (PSYC)

Prefix and number in parenthesis following the U.T. Arlington course number and title is the Common Course Number designation.

1315. INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit (PSYC 2301). The fundamental methods and content of scientific psychology. Concentration on the understanding of basic principles.

2310. BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND MODIFICATION (3-0) 3 hours credit (PSYC 2320). Behavioral control techniques for remediation and prevention of problem behaviors and for optimization of normal behaviors in real life settings. Contrasting therapeutic approaches, the ethics of behavior control, and the impact of behaviorism on 20th century society. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315 or permission of the instructor.

2317. BASIC CONCEPTS IN HUMAN SEXUALITY (3-0) 3 hours credit (PSYC 2306). The physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of human sexuality. Also offered as BIOL 2317 and HEED 2317; credit will be granted for only one of these three courses. Students seeking Certification in Health must enroll in HEED 2317. Students seeking credit toward the science requirement must enroll in BIOL 2317.

2351. COMPUTER LITERACY FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3-0) 3 hours credit. Exposure to contemporary PC microcomputers. Topics include: computer architecture, operating systems, ASCII editors, word processors, spreadsheets, graphics, data bases, presentation graphics, programming languages, statistical programming, using library resources, networking, the Internet, e-mail, ftp, and Telnet. Prerequisite PSYC 2441.

2441. PSYCHOLOGICAL STATISTICS (3-2) 4 hours credit. Scientific sampling, measures of central tendency and dispersion, time series, reliability and validity, testing of hypotheses, and linear correlation. Major emphasis on statistical inference and interpretation. Prerequisite: MATH 1302 or equivalent.

2442. EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (3-2) 4 hours credit. Theoretical and practical problems of research methodology and techniques of reporting research. Prerequisites: PSYC 1315, 2441. $5 lab fee.

Admission to Upper-Level Laboratory Courses: To enroll in the upper-level laboratory courses, (PSYC 3142, 3144, 3145, 3146, and 3420, 3431), the student must have a grade point average of 2.0 in PSYC 2441 and 2442 or equivalent courses.

3142. LABORATORY IN PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY (0-3) 1 hour credit. Research methodologies employed in the study of the biological bases of behavior. Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in PSYC 4322. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442. $10 lab fee.

3144. SOCIAL PROCESSES LABORATORY (0-3) 1 hour credit. Laboratory study and field research of social behavior and critical evaluation of methodologies. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442, and PSYC 3315 or concurrent registration. $10 lab fee.

3145. COGNITIVE PROCESSES LABORATORY (0-3) 1 hour credit. Laboratory study of cognitive processes and critical evaluation of methodologies. Prerequisites: concurrent registration in, or prior completion of, PSYC 4334 and completion of computer literacy requirement. $5 lab fee.

3146. LABORATORY IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (0-3) 1 hour credit. An introduction to methods in animal behavior used in field, semi-natural, and laboratory settings. In order to enroll, students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in PSYC 3326. Prerequisite PSYC 2442. $20 lab fee.

3301. PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Topics of conflict resolution, interpersonal relations, psychological aspects of criminology and law, influence and attitude change. Prerequisite: junior standing.

3303. DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR (3-0) 3 hours credit. Psychoactive agents, their therapeutic uses, and social abuses. Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, narcotics, hallucinogens, stimulants, and tranquilizers. Also listed as HEED 3303 and BIOL 3303; credit will be granted only once under present and former numbers. Students seeking Certification in Health Education must enroll in HEED 3303.

3306. PSYCHOLOGY OF CREATIVITY AND CREATIVE THINKING (3-0) 3 hours credit. Research and theory relevant to the traits, attitudes, and abilities which are related to creative functioning with emphasis on the conceptual-cognitive components of creative formation and problem solving. Methods of stimulating creative behavior in individuals and in groups. Relevant research findings provide the substance of the course. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3310. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Human development and growth from conception through old age, concerned with the physical, behavioral, and social aspects. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3311. ADULTHOOD AND AGING (3-0) 3 hours credit. Developmental changes in major psychological processes and abilities are related to health, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle. Emphasis is on models of psychobiological changes with age and current empirical knowledge having implications for the preservation of intellectual function, mental health, and physical condition. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3312. INFANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD (3-0) 3 hours credit. A survey of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development from conception through early childhood. Prominent developmental theories, and how they attempt to describe and explain developmental changes, will be discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3313. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN (3-0) 3 hours credit. Roles, abilities, and personality characteristics of women in our society are compared with those of men. Empirically-measured traits and environmental conditions associated with women are studied with regard to biological and social causation. The relationship between gender roles and biological sex are studied with regard to normal and abnormal characteristics. This course is of interest to both men and women. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3314. PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The major theories, assessment methods, and research in the field of personality. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3315. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The theories and research dealing with individual behavior in the social environment. Social influence processes, interpersonal attraction, group behavior, aggression, conformity, and attitude formation and change. PSYC 3144 is an optional laboratory which, when added to PSYC 3315, satisfies a portion of the laboratory requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3316. ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The effect of the social, physical, and ecological features of the environment on human behavior. The effects of crowding, noise, architecture, urban design, and climate. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3317. INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The student is introduced to psychodiagnostic procedures and the basic approaches of counseling and psychotherapy. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3318. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Major forms of psychopathology. Classification, etiology, and treatment of major disorders. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3320. BEHAVIOR AND MOTIVATION (3-0) 3 hours credit. Theory and research involving relation of motivation and emotion to learning theory, social behavior, personality, and development. Prerequisites: PSYC 1315.

3326. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (3-0) 3 hours credit. Research and theory comparing behavior at various phyletic levels. Also listed as BIOL 3326. Credit will be granted for only one of these courses. PSYC 3146 is an optional laboratory, which, when taken concurrently with or after completion of PSYC 3326, satisfies a portion of the laboratory requirement in Psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

3328. BEHAVIORAL ENDOCRINOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The effects of hormones on behavior and the physiological mechanisms which mediate these effects. Principles of brain-hormone interaction, sexual and aggressive behavior, parental care, ingestion, activity, motivation, learning and memory, behavioral disorders, environmental, and experiential influences on hormone production. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315, or BIOL 4315.

3420. EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR (3-3) 4 hours credit. A laboratory course examining basic principles of behavior control and analysis with single animals and automated testing apparatus. Emphasis is placed on individualized, self-paced instruction and creative experimentation. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442. $20 lab fee.

3431. SENSORY AND PERCEPTUAL PROCESSES (3-3) 4 hours credit. Major phenomena in sensation, perception, and human performance. Laboratory experiments in signal detection, visual masking, memory search, absolute judgments, reaction time, pattern recognition, and division of attention. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442 and completion of computer literacy requirement.

4155. ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN PSYCHOLOGY (1-0) 1 hour credit. Study and practice of effective oral communication skills in psychology. Students will gain experience in developing effective oral communication techniques by learning to evaluate, prepare, and make oral presentations based on selected topics in psychology. This course will satisfy the Oral Communication Competency requirement in Psychology. Graded by pass/fail only. Prerequisite: Completion of PSYC 3315 and 3144 or PSYC 3326 and 3146 or 3420 or PSYC 4322 and 3142 or PSYC 3431 or PSYC 4334 and 3145.

4310. APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (3-0) 3 hours credit. A systematic review of techniques for dealing with human problems using the methodology of behaviorism. Developmental disabilities, personal adjustment, social learning, human competence, political control, and economic and ecological problem-solving. Prerequisites: PSYC 1315 and junior standing.

4322. PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. A comprehensive survey of physiological processes and structures underlying human and animal behavior. PSYC 3142 is an optional laboratory which, when taken concurrently with or after completion of PSYC 4332, satisfies a portion of the laboratory requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 1315.

4325. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The biological basis of behavioral development. A survey of the influences of maternal factors, genes, hormones, teratogens, early nutrition, and environmental change upon the maturation of the central nervous system. Basic concepts such as critical periods, the organization of behavioral systems, neural plasticity, and the ontogeny of consciousness. Prerequisite: PSYC 3310 or 4322, or BIOL 3346.

4327. BEHAVIORAL GENETICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Genetic influences on behavioral phenotypes. Research strategies, quantitative methods, and pharmacogenetic approaches to the brain; sociality and altruism; the personality, emotionality and intelligence; psychopathology; chromosomal abnormalities; forensic implications of genetic counseling. Prerequisite: PSYC 2441 or BIOL 3315.

4329. ANIMAL LEARNING AND COGNITION (3-0) 3 hours credit. A comprehensive survey of psychological, biological, and ethological perspectives on learning, memory, and cognition in animals. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442.

4332. THEORIES OF HUMAN LEARNING AND MEMORY (3-0) 3 hours credit. A comprehensive survey of theories and research concerning basic learning and memory processes and their application to a variety of areas, e.g., eyewitness memory, false memory syndrome, autobiographical memory, memory decline in aging. Theoretical and background perspectives include associative mechanism, information processing approaches, and neurophysiological bases for encoding, storage, and retrieval. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442.

4333. COGNITIVE SCIENCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (3-0) 3 hours credit. Research and theory on the organization of the mind and of cognitive processes, drawing on ideas from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, and computer science. Applications of computer modeling techniques to the simulation of cognitive processes will be explored. Prerequisites: PSYC 3431 or 4334 and computer literacy, or permission of the instructor.

4334. COGNITIVE PROCESSES (3-0) 3 hours credit. Current theory and research in cognitive processes such as memory, information processing, concept formation, and problem solving. Prerequisite: PSYC 2442.

4337. PSYCHOLOGY OF TESTING (3-0) 3 hours credit. The student will become familiar with a wide variety of group and individual tests. Statistical interpretation will be emphasized in terms of validity, reliability, objectivity, item analysis, correlation, and other pertinent criteria. Prerequisites: PSYC 1315 and 2441 and completion of computer literacy requirement.

4338. COGNITIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Theory and research on the relationship between the brain and human cognition. Normal functioning and comparisons between normal and disordered states (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, amnesia, localized brain injury, age changes). Prerequisite: PSYC 3431, 4332, or 4334.

4339. PSYCHOLOGY OF JUDGMENT AND CHOICE (3-0) 3 hours credit. Research and theory on the errors of intuitive judgment and how formal decision methods improve choices. Prerequisite: PSYC 2441.

4355. THE HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The evolution of psychology as a science, up to and including contemporary developments. Prerequisite: nine hours of psychology.

4359. SELECTED TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Topics pertinent to the field of psychology. Topic, format, and prerequisites to be determined by the instructor. May be repeated for credit as different topics are offered.

Individual Study Courses

3351. PRACTICUM IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR 3 hours credit. Students receive supervised experience in the application of behavior modification procedures to real-life problems. Practicum students serve as volunteer staff, working off-campus in a community setting. Provides an opportunity to develop skills in setting behavior objectives, analyzing contingencies of reinforcement, and designing, writing, and implementing practical behavior change programs. Prerequisites: PSYC 2310, 3440, or equivalent, plus permission of instructor.

4398. HONORS THESIS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Students may take this course only at the invitation of the department. Consists of a research project of a type and level which would be publishable in one of the psychological journals. Particular emphasis is placed on independent work by the student. $15 lab fee.

4161, 4261, 4361. READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY (Variable credit from 1 to 3 semester hours as arranged). Topics arranged on an individual basis. Performance may be assessed by oral exam, written test, or review paper as arranged. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

4181, 4281, 4381. RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY (Variable credit 1 to 3 semester hours as arranged). Research problems arranged on an individual basis, to be conducted by the student, and written in publishable journal format. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. $5 lab fee for 4181; $10 lab fee for 4281; $15 lab fee for 4381.