Minor in Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.  Anywhere you find people, you will find psychology!  Because psychology is such a ubiquitous aspect of daily life, a minor in psychology can help prepare you to interact with others in more meaningful ways, develop a better understanding of yourself, and provide you with a more sophisticated perspective on why people do the things that they do.  ASU's Department of Psychology offers a highly flexible minor that can be tailored to your academic and career goals.  Most classes are offered in both face-to-face and online formats, so you can choose the format that works best for you.  Students who choose to minor in psychology must complete any six classes (18 semester hours) from the list of classes below:




PSY 306 INFERENTIAL STATISTICS  (3)This course teaches the computation and interpretation of commonly used data analysis procedures in the behavioral sciences. Acquiring competence in computer-based statistical software programs is emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 251.

(3) Environmental psychology is the scientific study of human-environment interactions, i.e., how people influence the physical environment (whether natural or man'...made), and how such environments influence thought, emotion, and behavior. Topics include: how green spaces affect us, theory and research about the causes and effects of environmental problems, how people affect the natural environment, and strategies for improving environmental conditions through behavior change.  

PSY 352 THEORIES OF PERSONALITY  (3) The course covers personality theories of historical significance as well as currently accepted theories of personality. Minority and female personality theorists are also included. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 353  ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3) This course introduces students to the symptoms, etiology and treatment of various psychopathologies. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 355 SENSATION & PERCEPTION  (3)This course presents information on the structure and functioning of all sensory modalities with emphasis on the visual system.
PSY 360 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3) This course introduces students to the nature of physiological, social, cognitive and psychological change across the life span. Emphasis is placed on childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 365 LEARNING & BEHAVIOR (3) This course focuses on the development and maintenance of operant and classically-conditioned behavior. Classic animal research and current applications are used to explain a variety of theoretical learning concepts.
PSY 370 CLINCAL PSYCHOLOGY (3) The course introduces counseling techniques and various assessment tools used in clinical practice. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 371 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY  (3)The central focus of this course is on how the individual tends to respond to social stimuli. Within this context, the course investigates the scientific discipline of social psychology that attempts to understand how the thoughts, beliefs and behavior of individuals are influenced by the presence of others.
PSY 372 HISTORY & SYSTEMS  (3) This course traces the history of psychology, beginning with the early Greeks through the development of modern psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 373 HUMAN FACTORS PSYCHOLOGY (3) This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the field of human factors psychology. Human Factors Psychology studies the interaction of humans and systems with the goal of improving ease of interaction, safety, and efficiency.
PSY 374 BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR (3) This course is concerned with the neurological and genetic foundations of behavior. The course includes an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as other physiological systems in the human body. The course includes a review of experimental methods utilized in neuroscience as well as current research in the field. Students also study the effects of drug interactions and their effects on behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 375 INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (3)This course is an introduction to psychological issues in developmental disabilities with a primary focus on mental retardation and autism. Topics include history, definitions, assessment, biological and psychosocial causes, prevention and intervention, treatment, rights and legal issues, and psychopharmacology.
PSY 376 INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)This course applies principles of behavior to problems and situations that are common in work organizations. Emphasis is given to staff management in institutions for the mentally retarded and in industrial settings.
PSY 379 PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION (3) Introduction to the major issues, theories and empirical approaches to the psychology of religion through critical analysis of both classic and modern texts. The course illuminates the role of religion as a powerful meaning system that can affect the lives of individuals in terms of their beliefs, motivations, emotions and behaviors, and can influence their interactions on both interpersonal and intergroup levels.  
PSY 424 GENDER ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY (3) The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the growing literature on gender differences in psychological issues such as communication, social behavior, cognitive functioning, emotional development, etc. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 425 HUMAN SEXUALITY (3)This course presents information about the physiological development, structure and functioning of the human reproduction system, sexual disorders and treatments, sexually transmitted diseases and methods of contraception. Prerequisites: PSY 251, PSY 453.
PSY 427 COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY (3)This course surveys topics in cognitive psychology including perception, memory, attention, knowledge representation, language and concepts, imagery, problem-solving, reasoning and decision making and cognitive development. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 428 MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY (3) This course is an introduction to the field of cross-cultural psychology and provides the student with an in-depth examination of how culture and ethnicity influence human behavior and thought. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 430 APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS  (3) This course is concerned with the various techniques used in the field of behavior analysis. The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with the techniques and theories of behavior modification and how to effectively implement a behavior change program. Prerequisite: PSY 251.
PSY 431 AFRICAN AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY (3) This course examines the psychology of the African American experience.  It includes an overview of African American psychology as an evolving field of study and considers the African American Psychology paradigm as one of the key conceptual frameworks for understanding the psychological experiences of African Americans.  A range of topics will be explored that pertains to the psychological experiences of African Americans such as racism and discrimination, achievement and schooling, kinship and family, racial identity, religion and spirituality, and African American mental health.  Finally, we conclude the course with discussions of current topics, and controversies.
PSY 453 RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (3)This course presents information on methodological issues in psychology, including descriptive research, relational research, between-subject and within-subject experimentation, and factorial designs. Additionally, students will learn to design, conduct and analyze research. Prerequisites: PSY 251, senior standing.


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