Psychology Courses

100-Level Courses

PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology
Concepts, issues, and methods of psychology. Processes of sensation/perception, motivation/emotion, learning/memory, cognition. Research in developmental, personality, social, abnormal, and biological psychology. Research participation required. It is recommended that students satisfy the ELM requirement before enrolling.

PSYC 110 - Critical Thinking in Psychology
Models and strategies of critical thinking. Training in inductive and deductive reasoning techniques; strategies for self-regulation of thinking. Formal and informal fallacies; social, cognitive, and emotional factors that aid and interfere with critical thinking and reasoning.

PSYC 133 - Introduction to Aging Studies
Multidisciplinary overview of: characteristics, strengths and problems of older persons; diversity in aging process involving gender, race, ethnicity, subculture; services to older adults; gerontology as an academic discipline and a field of practice. (AGNG 133, SOCI 133, PUBH 133, HUSR 133 and PSYC 133 are the same course.)

200-Level Courses

PSYC 201 - Introduction to Statistics in Psychology
Multidisciplinary overview of: characteristics, strengths and problems of older persons; diversity in aging process involving gender, race, ethnicity, subculture; services to older adults; gerontology as an academic discipline and a field of practice. (AGNG 133, SOCI 133, PUBH 133, HUSR 133 and PSYC 133 are the same course.)

PSYC 202 - Research Methods in Psychology
Multidisciplinary overview of: characteristics, strengths and problems of older persons; diversity in aging process involving gender, race, ethnicity, subculture; services to older adults; gerontology as an academic discipline and a field of practice. (AGNG 133, SOCI 133, PUBH 133, HUSR 133 and PSYC 133 are the same course.)

300-Level Courses

PSYC 300 - Intermediate Research Methods and Statistics
General introduction to the use of computers in psychology. Selection and use of application programs in research, statistics and testing will be emphasized.

Prerequisites: completion of G.E. Category B.4; PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202.

PSYC 302 - Learning and Memory
Theory and research on habituation, classical and operant conditioning, verbal learning, concept learning, and sensory, short-term and long-term memory. Encoding, storage, retrieval and forgetting information.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202.

PSYC 302L - Laboratory in Learning and Memory (2 units)
Laboratory course to accompany PSYC 302. Apply research methods to the study of topics in learning and memory. Design, conduct, analyze and interpret empirical research. Written research reports required. (4 hours of laboratory)

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300. Pre- or corequisite: PSYC 302.

PSYC 303 - Sensation and Perception 
Anatomical, neuroscientific and behavioral aspects of sensation and perception, mainly in humans. Covers all five senses: vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202; all passed with a “C” (2.0) or better.

PSYC 303L - Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (2 units)
Laboratory course to accompany PSYC 303. Conduct, analyze and interpret empirical research in the context of existing theories and findings in the areas of sensation and perception. Written research reports required. (4 hours of laboratory).

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300. Pre- or corequisite: PSYC 303.

PSYC 304 - Comparative Animal Behavior
Human behavior in comparison with other animal species within an evolutionary context, including behavior genetics, sensory systems, development, communications, parental behavior, mating strategies, aggression and social organizations.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202; all passed with a “C” (2.0) or better.

PSYC 304L - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Behavior (2 units)
Laboratory course to accompany PSYC 304. Laboratory and field studies in animal behavior. Design, conduct, analyze and interpret empirical research. Requires written research reports and field trips to local zoos. (4 hours of laboratory).

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300. Pre-or corequisite: PSYC 304.

PSYC 305 - Cognitive Psychology
Overview of current theories and research in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and cognitive science. Perception and attention, imagery, memory, language, creativity, problem solving, reasoning and decision making.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202.

PSYC 305L - Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (2 units)
Laboratory course to accompany PSYC 305. Apply theoretical and experimental principles and findings in cognitive psychology. Design, conduct, analyze, interpret and present empirical research. Requires written research reports. (4 hours of laboratory)

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300. Pre- or corequisite: PSYC 305.

PSYC 306 - Biopsychology 
Biopsychology, including anatomy of the nervous system, neural activity, neurotransmitters, the synapse, sensory and motor systems, biological motives for eating, drinking, sexual reproduction and sleep, neurology of brain damage and mental illnesses, and drug effects/addiction in the brain.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202.

PSYC 306L - Laboratory in Biopsychology (2 units)
Laboratory course to accompany PSYC 306. The mammalian brain. Design, conduct, analyze and interpret empirical research in biopsychology. Requires written research reports. (4 hours of laboratory).

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300. Pre- or corequisite: PSYC 306.

PSYC 310 - Psychology of Gender 
Psychological research, theories and issues related to a variety of gender identities, with an emphasis on a socio-cultural understanding of gender and how it relates to lived experiences. Particular attention to the intersection of gender with other diverse identities.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 311 - Educational Psychology
Applying psychological research and theory to educational processes, including learning, motivation, individual differences, teaching methods and evaluation. Recommended for those interested in teaching careers.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 312 - The Psychology of Human Sexual Behavior
Topics in human sexual behavior integrating biological, social, clinical and developmental aspects of sexuality. Surveys and statistics of sexual behavior, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual variations, causes and treatment of sexual dysfunctions. Legal, moral and social issues.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 317 - Psychology and Law 
Impact of social scientific evidence on the legal system. Theory, research and case studies related to issues on the death penalty, memory as evidence, police interrogations and false confessions, jury decision-making, pretrial publicity, detecting deception and the insanity defense.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 318 - Political Psychology 
Psychological processes underlying political phenomena. Topics include ideological differences, the role of personality, emotions, cognitive styles, group identities, race/gender/class, political leadership and the media in influencing people’s political behavior. (PSYC 318 and POSC 318 are the same course).

Prerequisite: PSYC 101

PSYC 321 - Psychology of Religion
A survey of classical and contemporary empirical psychological research investigating religious beliefs, experiences and practices. Topics include religious behavior across the lifespan; the social psychology of religious organizations; and religious connections to morality, coping, and psychopathology. (RLST 321 and PSYC 321 are the same course).

Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

PSYC 322 - Black Psychology 
Uses psychological principles and practices to guide students’ comprehension of life as an African American. Introduction to a holistic perspective that expands ways of conceptualizing psychology from an African American world view. (AFAM 322 and PSYC 322 are the same course.)

Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

PSYC 324 - Cultural Psychology
Overview of cultural psychology with emphasis on research methods. How culture influences our thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and how we, in turn, influence culture. Topics include identities, motivations, cognitions, emotions, relationships and health.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 325 - The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination
Psychological theory of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. Discussions, assignments, and exams on theoretical constructs based on race, gender, sexual orientation, etc., and in different settings (e.g. education, healthcare, and law).

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 331 - Personality Psychology
Traditional and contemporary approaches to research, theory and assessment techniques in the area of personality.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 341 - Psychological Disorders
Symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of psychological disorders/psychiatric illnesses; for example, anxiety, mood, psychotic disorders and related topics.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 346 - Asian American Psychology
Major issues in the Asian American community from a psychosocial perspective, including ethnic identity development, generational conflicts, the “model minority” myth, interracial relationships, attitudes toward mental health services and alternative healing/therapeutic approaches. (ASAM 346 and PSYC 346 are the same course.)

Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1.

PSYC 351 - Social Psychology
How the social world affects our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Thinking about, influencing, and relating to others. Social perception/cognition, attitudes and attitude change, attraction, prejudice, aggression, helping behavior, conformity, and group processes.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 361 - Developmental Psychology
Theories, methods and research findings regarding physical, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial human development across the lifespan. Perception, learning, identity, morality, language and related topics.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 362 - Psychology of Aging
Processes of human aging, emphasizing late adulthood. Physical, intellectual, cognitive, personal, social and psychological development throughout adulthood, vocational and family changes, retirement and death.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 371 - Evolutionary Psychology
Making sense of human thought, emotion and behavior by careful consideration of human evolutionary history. Coverage of a broad range of topics, including disgust, fear, cooperation, conflict, morality, mate preferences, parenting, prejudice and discrimination, anger, aggression and psychopathologies.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

PSYC 391 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Human behavior in the workplace. Traditional and current psychological principles applied to industrial, organizational and business settings. Selection, placement, performance evaluations, training, work motivation, job satisfaction, environmental influences, leadership, group (team) processes, work stress, organizational communication, organizational development.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

400-Level Courses

PSYC 408 - History of Psychology
Development of psychology from classical Greek philosophy to contemporary psychological science. Major philosophical traditions (nativism, rationalism, empiricism, associationism) and enduring issues, including nature vs. nurture, free will vs. determinism, and material vs. non-material sources of human behavior.

Prerequisites: PSYC 302, PSYC 303, PSYC 304, PSYC 305 or PSYC 306; additional upper-division course in psychology.

PSYC 410 - History of Psychopathology
Historical examination of the interpretation, assessment and treatment of psychopathology from antiquity to the present. Issues addressed include the context in which normality and psychopathology were defined, with particular attention to how society responded to those afflicted.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PSYC 341; or graduate standing.
400-level Undergraduate Course available for Graduate Credit

PSYC 414 - Cognitive Neuroscience
Human cognitive behavior as a brain-based activity: Methodology of Cognitive Neuroscience, functional neuroanatomy and their relationships to perception, attention, memory, emotion, language and consciousness.

Prerequisites: PSYC 302 or PSYC 305; PSYC 306; or graduate standing.

PSYC 415 - Cognitive Processes
Advanced treatment of theory and research in cognitive science in such topics as attention, perception, memory, knowledge representation, language, reasoning, problem solving and consciousness.

Prerequisite: PSYC 302, PSYC 303 or PSYC 305 with a “C” (2.0) or better.

PSYC 417 - Psycholinguistics
Theory and research on the psychological processes that make possible language acquisition and written language; speech production; and language acquisition. (PSYC 417 and LING 417 are the same course.)

Prerequisite: six units upper-division PSYC or LING courses; or graduate standing.

PSYC 421 - Psychology of Immigration
Psychological theory and research on the topic of immigration. Impact of immigration on individual development and family functioning in immigrants from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Prerequisite: three upper division courses in Psychology.

PSYC 431 - Traditional Theories of Personality
Traditional theories of personality, including psychoanalytic, humanistic-existential, behavioral, trait and social interaction approaches.

Prerequisite: PSYC 331 or graduate standing.

PSYC 432 - Evolutionary Theories of Personality
Scientific theory and empirical research in contemporary personality science. Selected topics include psychometric assessment, the person-situation debate, trait theory, social-cognitive theory, evolutionary theory, personality disorders and sex differences in personality.

Prerequisite: PSYC 331 with ”C” (2.0) or better; or graduate standing.

PSYC 445 - The Psychology of Dying, Death and Bereavement
Psychological overview of aspects of dying, death and bereavement. Attitudes toward death; understanding and caring for terminally ill patients; funeral rituals, burial, mourning and grief counseling; suicide and euthanasia.

Prerequisite: PSYC 101; completion of one upper-division Psychology course.

PSYC 456 - Psychological Study of LGBTQ Experiences
Introduces the scientific study of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Identity development and disclosure, social and gender roles, stigma, minority stress, normative privilege, same-sex relationships, and parenting.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101; three upper-division psychology courses.

PSYC 461 - Psychological Testing and Assessment
Assessing intelligence, aptitude, interest and personality. Theory, construction, evaluation, interpretation and uses of psychological tests.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300; senior standing.

PSYC 464 - Advanced Developmental Psychology
Analyzes and evaluates research on and major theories of development across the life-span. Emphasizes multiple forces that influence development, including biological (genetic, evolutionary) factors, historical factors (e.g., Flynn effect, internet, social media) and social/cultural factors.

Prerequisites: PSYC 202 or CAS 301; CAS 312 or PSYC 361; or graduate standing.

PSYC 465 - Advanced Psychological Statistics
General linear model, regression, analysis of variance techniques and applications to research design and evaluation of data.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 202, PSYC 300.

PSYC 466 - Computer Applications for Psychological Research
Psychological research computer applications focusing on topics such as web page development, data analysis, graphing, data bases and online experimentation and data collection.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 300; or graduate standing.

PSYC 467 - Multivariate Statistics for Psychology
Multivariate analysis of variance, profile analysis, discriminate analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling, introduction to structural equations and hierarchical linear models, and applications to psychological research.

Prerequisite: PSYC 465.

PSYC 473 - Sleep, Dreams, and Behavior
Role of sleep and dreams in controlling awake behavior. Historical views/theories, the neurobiology of sleep and dreams, sleep-wake schedules, sleep disorders, and their relationships to cognitive, personality and psychopathology.

Prerequisites: PSYC 306, PSYC 331, PSYC 341.

PSYC 474 - Health Psychology
Role of psychology in prediction, prevention and treatment of medical disorders, including stress and illness, psycho-neuro-immunology, psychological aspects of chronic illnesses, behavioral medicine, physician-patient dynamics.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101, three upper-division psychology courses; or graduate standing.

PSYC 475 - Psychopharmacology
Basic neurophysiological principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that underlie the effects of drugs on experience and behavior. Recreational drugs and abused drugs that can contribute to psychological disorders. Psychological, medical and social implications of pharmacotherapy.

Prerequisite: PSYC 306 or graduate standing.

PSYC 480M - MARC Proseminar (1 unit)
Intended to increase the contact of MARC Fellows with minority scientists of national repute who will present seminars. Fellows will read and discuss relevant primary literature, attend the seminars, and meet with speakers before and after the seminars. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units. Requires selection as a MARC Fellow. (BIOL 480M, CHEM 480M and PSYC 480M are the same course.)

PSYC 481 - Survey of Clinical Psychology
Methods, diagnosis, therapeutic techniques, research, educational requirements, professional requirements, ethics, graduate school preparation, choosing graduate programs.

Prerequisite: PSYC 341.

PSYC 494 - Teaching of Psychology (1-3 units)
Experience in communicating research, theory, and applications of psychology, with emphasis on individual tutoring. Section 1 (Undergraduate Course Assistantship) includes additional aspects of course instruction; Section 2 (Peer Mentors) includes various outreach services. May be repeated for credit (not for major or minor) towards graduation for a maximum of 6 units.

Prerequisite: Psychology major.
*Department Consent Required*

PSYC 495 - Field Placement in Psychology
Supervised experience in which psychological principles or methods are applied in a fieldwork setting. Mandatory class meetings to discuss and write about experiences of integrating psychological theory with practice. Required of majors.

Prerequisites: nine units of 300-level psychology courses at CSUF by course registration; 2.0 GPA in psychology courses.

PSYC 499 - Independent Research (1-3 units)
Study plan must be approved by university census date. Individual empirical research or library investigation under the supervision of a faculty member. No more than three units of credit toward the major. May be repeated for credit toward graduation. Requires consent of Instructor.

Pre- or corequisite: PSYC 300.

500-Level Courses

PSYC 500 - Issues and Perspectives in Psychological Research
Current theoretical, professional and methodological issues in psychology.

Prerequisite: M.A. Psychology graduate standing.

PSYC 501 - Professional and Legal Issues
Introduction to methodological, ethical and legal issues in the field of Clinical Psychology.

Prerequisite: M.S. Clinical Psychology graduate standing.

PSYC 502 - Career and Lifestyle Development
Survey of career and lifestyle development throughout the lifespan. Major theories and strategies in career counseling. Integrating knowledge of career development with the practice of counseling. (COUN 502 and PSYC 502 are the same course).

Pre- or corequisite: COUN 500.

PSYC 510 - Research Design
Principles and methods of planning and carrying out systematic psychological research, interdependence of research design and statistical evaluation of results. Practice in formulating testable hypotheses.

Prerequisites: PSYC 201, PSYC 465 with a “B-” (2.7) or better; or graduate standing.
Department Consent Required

PSYC 520T - Seminar: Advanced Topics in Psychological Research
Content of seminar may vary each semester. A topic is selected for in-depth study from one or more specialty areas within the field of psychology. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 units.

Prerequisite: Psychology graduate standing.
Department Consent Required

PSYC 535 - Addictions Counseling
Etiology and treatment of addictive behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, gambling). Biological, psychological and systemic factors. Current approaches to assessment, intervention, prevention programs and relapse prevention, including Motivational Interviewing. Role of co-occurring disorders. Using community resources to help client and client’s family. (COUN 535 and PSYC 535 are the same course).

Prerequisites: COUN 500, COUN 511A; or COUN 500, COUN 511B; or PSYC 501, PSYC 545.

PSYC 538 - Crisis and Traumatic Stress: Theory, Research, and Intervention
Overview of the crisis and traumatic stress fields, with an emphasis on intervention. History of the fields, the effects of exposure to traumatic stress, and approaches to assessing and ameliorating maladaptive outcomes.

Prerequisite: Psychology graduate standing.
Department Consent Required

PSYC 545 - Advanced Psychopathology
In-depth study of diagnosis, etiology theories, research and prevention of adult and child psychopathology.

Prerequisite: M.S. Clinical Psychology graduate standing.

PSYC 547 - Theories of Psychological Intervention
Psychology (Clinical) program. In-depth coverage of psychotherapy. Principle theoretical approaches covered are: psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral/ cognitive behavioral.

Prerequisite: M.S. Clinical Psychology graduate standing.

PSYC 548 - Psychotherapy Techniques
Psychology (Clinical) program. Skills course in conducting diagnostic interviews and basic therapeutic techniques. Role playing and video feedback. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory)

Prerequisites: PSYC 501, PSYC 545, PSYC 547 all with a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better.

PSYC 549 - Marriage, Family and Child Therapy
Psychology (Clinical) program. Marriage, family and child therapy: theory, techniques and research.

Prerequisite: M.S. Clinical Psychology graduate standing.

PSYC 550 - Group Psychotherapy
Role of interpersonal learning and communication in the behavior change and skill development in group psychotherapy. Lecture, discussion, role plays and videos will focus on psychoeducational groups in an ethical and diversity-sensitive framework.

Prerequisite: M.S. Clinical Psychology graduate standing.

PSYC 560 - Child and Adolescent Treatment
Psychology (Clinical) program. Specific therapy techniques, including behavioral, and general approaches to the treatment of children and adolescents.

Prerequisites: PSYC 501, PSYC 545, PSYC 547 all with a “B-” (2.7) or better.

PSYC 561 - Clinical Psychology Assessment
Psychology (Clinical) program. Theory, administration, scoring and interpretation of measures of intelligence and objective personality inventories.

Prerequisites: PSYC 461 with a “B-” (2.7) or better; or graduate standing in clinical psychology.

PSYC 562 - Intimate Partner and Couples Counseling
Treating intimate partners and couples, including overview of current theories, assessment, goal-setting, interventions, ethical issues and diversity issues. Assessing and treating intimate partner violence. Sexual dysfunctions and sex therapy. (COUN 562 and PSYC 562 are the same course)

Prerequisite: COUN 527A or COUN 527B.

PSYC 569 - Cross-Cultural Psychology
Cross-cultural issues as they apply to clinical psychology, specifically psychotherapy. Practical, research and theoretical issues.

Prerequisites: PSYC 501, PSYC 545, PSYC 547 all with a “B-” (2.7) or better.

PSYC 594A - Fieldwork
Psychology (Clinical) program. Supervised clinical work in mental health agencies. (Minimum of 12 hours field experience per week.) Must be taken for a letter grade. (Course may be repeated by third-year students. Repetition will not count toward study plan units and should be taken CR/NC.)

Prerequisites: PSYC 548, PSYC 560 all with a “B-” (2.7) or better.

PSYC 594B - Fieldwork
Psychology (Clinical) program. Supervised clinical work in mental health agencies. (Minimum of 12 hours field experience per week.) Must be taken for a letter grade. (Course may be repeated by third-year students. Repetition will not count toward study plan units and should be taken CR/NC.)

Prerequisite: PSYC 594A with a “B-” (2.7) or better.
Department Consent Required

PSYC 598 - Thesis Research (3-6 units)
Supervised individual major research project, written as a thesis and presented and defended successfully to a faculty thesis committee. Consent of thesis adviser required.

Department Consent Required

PSYC 599 - Independent Graduate Research (1-3 units)
Empirical research in a selected area of psychology. Design, conduct and write with the collaboration of a member of the faculty. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Requires supervising research instructor consent.

Department Consent Required