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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Psychology
  5. Psychology Handbook

Psychology Course Descriptions

These are courses that are taught regularly or periodically at Penn State Altoona. Ask the department chair about specific, future course offerings.


Courses

PSYCH 100 (GS): Introductory Psychology (3)

Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications.

PSYCH 212 (GS): Introduction to Developmental Psychology (3)

Developmental principles; physical growth; linguistic, intellectual, emotional, and social development from infancy to maturity.

PSYCH 221 (GS): Introduction to Social Psychology (3)

Research and theory on topics including interpersonal attraction, aggression, helping, attitudes, attribution, cooperation, competition, and groups, from a psychological perspective.

PSYCH 238 (GS): Introduction to Personality Psychology (3)

Past and recent conceptualizations of key issues and root ideas of personality psychology.

PSYCH 243 (GS): Introduction to Well-being and Positive Psychology (3)

Applying psychological knowledge to develop and maintain effective personal adjustment and well-being and positive social relations.

PSYCH 256 (GS): Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)

Introduction to study of such higher mental processes as thinking and reasoning, imagery, concept formation, problem-solving, and skilled performance.

PSYCH 260 (BB H 203): Neurological Bases of Human Behavior (3)

An introduction to biopsychology, emphasizing the structure and function of the human brain.

PSYCH 261 (GS): Introduction to Psychology of Learning (3)

A general survey of the learning area, including animal and human experiments, with the applicability of learning principles being discussed.

PSYCH 269: Evolutionary Psychology (3)

Survey of evolutionary perspectives in current psychological research.

PSYCH 270: Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (3)

Overview of assessment, causes, and treatments of psychological disorders.

PSYCH 295: Field Experience in Psychology (3)

First exposure in a Psychology-related professional setting. Prerequisite: PSYCH 100 and PSYCH 212 or PSYCH 270, depending on the proposed experience. Offered at student request and with faculty permission.

PSYCH 301W: Basic Research Methods in Psychology (4)

Introduction to methods of psychological research, with special attention to hypothesis formation and testing, threats to validity, and data presentation.

PSYCH 415: Topics in Developmental Psychology (3)

Various topics offered.

PSYCH 416 (HD FS 445): Development Throughout Adulthood (3)

Processes of development and change of behavior from early adulthood through old age, emphasizing theory, method, and empirical research.

PSYCH 420: Advanced Social Psychology (3)

In depth study of selected research areas in human social behavior.

PSYCH 438: Personality Theory (3)

Personality theories and their application to social and personality development and personality dynamics.

PSYCH 439: History and Systems of Psychology (3)

Historical antecedents to scientific psychology; development of contemporary psychological theories and research areas from the formal establishment of psychology.

PSYCH 441: Health Psychology (3)

Overview of the field with an emphasis on how psychological research contributes to an understanding of health and behavior.

PSYCH 445: Forensic Psychology (3)

Relations between psychological theory and research and the law, legal processes, and social policy.

PSYCH 452: Learning and Memory (3)

General survey of learning and memory processes as revealed in experimental work with animals and humans.

PSYCH 456: Advanced Cognitive Psychology (3)

In depth study of complex mental processes: thinking, problem-solving, imagery, symbolic behavior, information-processing, attention, artificial intelligence, and language.

PSYCH 461: Advanced Conditioning and Learning (3)

An examination of basic learning processes that have been determined within the context of classical, instrumental, and operant learning situations.

PSYCH 470: Abnormal Psychology (3)

Causes, dynamics, symptoms, and treatment of neuroses, psychoses, personality disorders, and other psychological disorders of adulthood.

PSYCH 475: Psychology of Fear and Stress (3)

Description and evaluation of major trends in research on stress and fear in humans and other animals.

PSYCH 481: Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3)

Diagnostic procedures, treatment approaches, occupational settings, and ethical considerations relevant to the profession of the clinical psychologist.

PSYCH 490: Senior Seminar in Psychology (3)

Capstone experience for senior psychology majors; review of current research literature; topics vary.

PSYCH 493: Senior Thesis (3)

Supervised senior thesis research in psychology. Offered at student request and with faculty permission.

PSYCH 494: Research Projects (1-12)

Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis. Offered at student request and with faculty permission.

PSYCH 495: Internship (1-18)

Supervised off-campus, non-group instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required. Offered at student request and with faculty permission.

PSYCH 496: Independent Studies (1-18)

Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses. Offered at student request and with faculty permission.

Next: Postgraduate Career Planning

Psychology

  • Request Information about Psychology
  • Degree Requirements
  • Suggested Academic Plans
  • Psychology Handbook
    • Careers in Psychology
    • Major Requirements
    • Majors Check Sheets
    • Suggested Academic Plans
    • Capstone Requirements
    • Psychology Minor
    • Psychology at Altoona vs. University Park
    • Psychology Field Experience
    • Psychology Course Descriptions
    • Postgraduate Career Planning
    • Psychology Student Organizations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Psychology Faculty
  • Psychology Capstone
    • Psychology Capstone Application
    • Capstone Syllabus (PSYCH 495)
  • Psychology Field Experience
    • Field Experience Application
    • Field Experience Syllabus (PSYCH 295)
  • Minor in Psychology
  • Information for Prospective Internship Host Sites and Supervisors
  • Objectives and Outcomes
  • Psychology Faculty and Staff
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Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

Find Out More

See Also

  • Health Professions
  • Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences
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Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
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    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
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    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
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    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
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    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • The Help Tool
  • Research & Engagement
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    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
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