Psychology (B.A.)
Description
The study of psychology emphasizes the behavior and experience of the individual. Psychology investigates the effects on the individual of other individuals, groups, the environment, and the world of sensation and perception. This investigation can be undertaken from a number of different perspectives: physiological, sociocultural, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and psychoanalytic. Psychology thus interfaces with fields such as sociology, economics, political science, education, biology, and philosophy. In summary, psychology contributes to an understanding of how people behave, think, interact, and make sense of the world around them.
The goals of the Psychology Program are to prepare students to continue on to graduate training in psychology or related fields (such as counseling or social work); to enable students to apply psychological theory and research to everyday experience; and to provide students with the skills to devise, execute, analyze, and write reports of psychological studies. In accordance with the overall goals of Trinity, the Psychology Program strives to heighten student awareness of the diversity of human behavior and experience, notably with respect to gender, ethnicity, and age, as well as to teach and instill an ethical approach to the study of human behavior and cognition.
The psychology major, offered in the School of Professional Studies and The College of Arts and Sciences, supports the human relations major in both Schools.
Program Learning Goals
- Knowledge Base in Psychology
- Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
- Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World
- Communication
- Professional Development
Program Learning Outcomes
- Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
- Describe applications of psychology
- Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- Demonstrate psychology information literacy
- Interpret, design and conduct basic psychological research
- Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
- Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes
- Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
- Develop meaningful professional direction in life after graduation
Major Requirements
In addition to completing the required core and elective courses, all psychology majors must take the following foundation courses (32 credits) and the select courses in either the general OR open clusters (12 credits)
Foundation Courses (32 credits)
All major courses require a grade of C- or above:
ALL of the following courses:
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
PSYC 241 Physiological PsychologyExamines the structure and function of the nervous system as related to behavior and experience. Physiological correlates of psychological phenomena are emphasized. Formerly PSY 322 Physiological Psychology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101. BIOL 101 and BIOL 114 are recommended.
PSYC 301 Experimental Psychology: Research Methods IIntroduces students to research methods in various areas of psychology through active involvement in field and laboratory research, data analysis and interpretation, and written presentation of results. Computer technologies are integrated throughout the course for literature reviews, experimental simulations, and statistical analysis of data. Formerly PSY 388 Experimental Psychology: Research Methods.
4 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and MATH 110; Junior status (56 completed credits); Psychology and Human Relations majors only
PSYC 302 Applied Psychology: Research Methods IIApproaches the application of psychology in a specific sub-discipline, such as developmental, social, or clinical. Emphasizes critical thinking, methodology, and analysis: utilizes field observations, lab experiments, and statistical software in preparation and presentation of a research project.
Replaces PSY 311 Experimental Social Psychology and PSYC 331 Experimental Developmental Psychology.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 110, MATH 210, PSYC 301, Junior Status OR SSC 350 Interdisciplinary Research MethodsThis course introduces students to research methods used in a variety of social science and interdisciplinary studies. It is designed for undergraduate students in sociology, political science, international affairs, and other disciplines. Topics of emphasis include crafting research questions, hypothesis formation, quantitative and qualitative research techniques, data collection, and initial/basic data analysis. As part of the course, students will complete a number of mini-projects to practice these skills. (Formerly SSC 250)
PSYC 490 PracticumProvides students with practical experience in the field of psychology. By arrangement with psychology faculty, practica may concentrate in areas such as developmental, clinical, experimental, and social psychology. Formerly PSY 500 Practicum.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Psychology and Human Relations majors only; second semester junior status (at least 75 total credits earned) or higher OR SOCY 491 InternshipProvides field experience in a variety of human relations settings - social services, research agencies, public entities, non-profits ? allowing integration and application of social science theory to practice.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
PSYC 499 Senior Seminar in PsychologyExplores major issues in both the history of psychology and current research. Students are exposed to both classic works in psychology and recent theories. Stuednts are prepared to take the Comprehensive Examination in Psychology; which comprises 25% of the grade in this course. Formerly PSY 480 Senior Seminar in Psychology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Psychology or human relations majors; senior status (88 completed credits) preferred
ONE additional psychology course (PSYC 200 level) or higher elective.
BOTH of the following statistics courses:
MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsThis course presents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, graphical representations of data, normal probability distributions and the Central Limit Theorem, linear correlation and regression and probability theory. This course also offers an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 102, MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course.
MATH 210 Statistical InferenceApplies the principles of inference to the social sciences. Topics include confidence intervals, inference for distributions, one and two-sample t-test, z-test, F-test, chi-square test, linear regression analysis and comparing two proportions. Use of statistical software is an integral part of the course. Formerly MAT 210 Statistical Inference.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 110 with a grade of "C" or better
FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster
ONE social science:
SSC 207 Writing for the Social SciencesOffered in a seminar format, the course equips students with the skills necessary to write papers for social science courses. The course covers the process of writing for the social sciences and develops technical skills in researching and writing a variety of paper types. Specific topics include proposal writing, library research skills, internet research skills, critical thinking and writing, organization, outlines, drafts and documentation.
3 credits
General Education Requirements: Capstone Seminar
Co-requisite Courses (6 credits)
The below courses are counted towards the general education core:
PHIL 245 Ethics IIntroduces the student to social ethics and the concepts of person and community by examining the moral traditions that inform our understanding of the individual. The course traces the focus of ethics from a concern about what kind of person to be to the more modern and narrow concern in how to act in both the public and private domains, acknowledging the ways in which our cultural and historical practices help shape our vision. Formerly PHI 212 The Moral Dimension: Persons and Community.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Values and Beliefs Area
Core Area III: Ethics and Moral Reasoning
BIOL 101 Introduction to BiologyExplores various aspects of biology from cell structure to metabolism, diversity and ecology. The course consists of two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Recommended for non-science majors. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 101 Introduction to Biology.
4 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area II
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry OR BIOL 111 General Biology IPresents a comprehensive base in biology, intended for majors, and is the first of a two-course sequence. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 151 General Biology I.
4 credits
Prerequisite: MATH 102 (It is strongly suggested that MATH 123 is taken as a co-requisite if it has not already been taken)
FLC Area IV
General Education Requirements: Knowledge and Inquiry
All psychology majors choose ONE of the following clusters to complete.
General Cluster Courses (12 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
PSYC 211 Social PsychologyStudies the individual interacting in a social context. Theories of attitude formation and change, social perception, and small group behavior are examined, as well as current theories, research, and methodology. Formerly PSY 255 Social Psychology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
PSYC 221 PsychopathologySurveys different perspectives on personality and behavior disorders. Emphasis is on theories of normal personality development and on the continuum between normality and abnormality, classification of abnormal behavior, and therapeutic methods of bringing about behavior change. Formerly PSY 258, PSY 259, and PSYC 221 - Personality and Psychopathology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
PSYC 231 Child PsychologyReviews theories of development and contemporary research regarding current social issues concerning children. Focuses on the developmental period from conception through middle childhood; topics include cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensorimotor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
PSYC 200 level or higher elective
Open Cluster Courses (12 credits)
Select four (4) 200 level or higher Psychology courses.
Program Policies
Advanced Placement:
Credit for PSYC 101 is granted for a score of a 4 or 5 on the AP examination. These credits may count toward the major and the core curriculum.
CLEP Policy:
CLEP examination scores will not be accepted as qualifying for psychology credits or requirements.
Grades in Major Courses:
A minimum of a 2.0 (“C”) cumulative GPA average must be earned in the required courses for the major. A grade of C- may be counted toward fulfilling the requirements, at the discretion of the program faculty, if the overall average in the required courses is at least a 2.0. This policy applies to the required Psychology classes, including the co-requisites in Mathematics (MATH 110, MATH 210), but not in Biology and Philosophy.
Pass/No Pass:
No major courses may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. MATH 110 and MATH 210 may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis. However, required related courses (Biology and Philosophy) may be taken pass/no pass.
Senior Assessment:
All students are required to take PSYC 499. This course prepares students in the School of Professional Studies for graduate level work and entry level employment.
TELL Policy:
Psychology faculty review TELL portfolios and will accept up to nine credits toward the major.
Transfer Credits:
The following courses must be taken at Trinity:
- One of the three Experimental Psychology courses
- PSYC 301 Experimental Psychology: Research Methods IIntroduces students to research methods in various areas of psychology through active involvement in field and laboratory research, data analysis and interpretation, and written presentation of results. Computer technologies are integrated throughout the course for literature reviews, experimental simulations, and statistical analysis of data. Formerly PSY 388 Experimental Psychology: Research Methods.
4 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and MATH 110; Junior status (56 completed credits); Psychology and Human Relations majors only
- SSC 350 Interdisciplinary Research MethodsThis course introduces students to research methods used in a variety of social science and interdisciplinary studies. It is designed for undergraduate students in sociology, political science, international affairs, and other disciplines. Topics of emphasis include crafting research questions, hypothesis formation, quantitative and qualitative research techniques, data collection, and initial/basic data analysis. As part of the course, students will complete a number of mini-projects to practice these skills. (Formerly SSC 250)
- PSYC 499 Senior Seminar in PsychologyExplores major issues in both the history of psychology and current research. Students are exposed to both classic works in psychology and recent theories. Stuednts are prepared to take the Comprehensive Examination in Psychology; which comprises 25% of the grade in this course. Formerly PSY 480 Senior Seminar in Psychology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Psychology or human relations majors; senior status (88 completed credits) preferred
- At least three psychology electives
All other psychology courses, as well as the Biology and Philosophy requirements, may be accepted as transfer courses toward the psychology major.
[department-courses dept=PSYC]