Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The courses in the Department of Psychological Sciences are designed to help students learn:
- psychological theory and the findings of psychological research;
- the terminology and principles of cognition, emotion, and behavior;
- the techniques of psychological investigation with an emphasis on empirical research;
- how diverse perspectives enrich our understanding of the human condition
- ways in which psychological principles apply to practical situations and clinical work;
- how to relate the findings of psychology to Christian faith.
Courses interface with other Bethel majors, including business, nursing, biokinetics, philosophy, and many others. The Department of Psychological Sciences also works with the Biological Sciences Department in co-leading the neuroscience major.
The required senior capstone provides an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the work world with an internship of up to 60 hours and possible independent research supervised by a faculty member. The seminar portion of the capstone provides more intensive time to interact with faith/psychology integration issues, refine career goals and graduate study plans, and offers opportunities to integrate classroom learning with experience in a wide variety of fields such as neuroscience, counseling, business, health-related fields, and others.
A January study-abroad course offers students an opportunity to travel with professors to Europe to study the history of psychology.
A Master of Arts in Counseling is offered through the graduate school. Additional courses in trauma studies as well as an Addiction Studies certificate can be obtained through dual enrollment with the College of Adult and Professional Studies. A Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is offered in the Seminary.
PSY 101 • Introduction to Psychology I 2 Credits
Survey of topics from psychological science such as brain and behavior, human development, psychopathology, social psychology, and others.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
PSY 102 • Introduction to Psychology II 2 Credits
Survey of topics from psychological science such as consciousness, sensation perception, conditioning and learning, personality, etc.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
PSY 203 • Lifespan Development 4 Credits
Interactive discussion and learning of physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral, and spiritual development from conception to death. Includes a consistent focus on individual differences.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
PSY 206 • Child and Adolescent Development 2 Credits
Focused exploration of contemporary issues in child and adolescent development.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Occasionally.
PSY 215 • Social Psychology 4 Credits
Behavior and experience of individuals and groups in relation to other individuals and groups. Theory, method, and findings in areas such as conformity, persuasion, social cognition, attraction, altruism, aggression, prejudice, group behavior, and applied topics.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Fall, Spring.
PSY 230M • Introduction to Statistical Methods and Experimental Design 4 Credits
Descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics, plus experimental design. Statistical techniques are taught using a project-based learning approach.
Offered: Fall, January, Spring, Summer. Special Notes: Students may not receive credit for both PSY 230M and BUS 201M, MAT 207M, or AHS 250M.
PSY 300 • Psychopathology 4 Credits
Classification, causes, symptoms, and treatment of various forms of psychopathology. Analysis of medical model of psychopathology in relation to major issues in the field of mental health and to the Christian tradition. Surveys empirical approaches to the study of psycho-pathology.
Prerequisites: PSY 101; Junior standing. Offered: Fall, Spring.
PSY 302 • Sports Psychology 2 Credits
An overview of the principles of psychology related to sport, exercise, and recreational activity for enhanced interactions/performance. Reviews how motivation, goal setting, leadership, and group dynamics interact with sport and recreational activities.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Occasionally.
PSY 303 • Industrial/Organizational Psychology 2 Credits
Examines psychological principles in relation to human behavior in the workplace. Explores topics ranging from selecting employees to improving work-life satisfaction and reducing work-stress.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Occasionally.
PSY 305 • Personality 2 Credits
Examination of traditional and contemporary theories of personality. Explores some non-western and Christian perspectives of the description and development of personality and personhood. Reviews the validity of various measures of personality.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Occasionally spring.
PSY 308G • Cross-Cultural Psychology 4 Credits
Behavior and experience related to cultural differences. Theory, method, and findings in areas of cognition, social psychology, and applied concerns. Specific people groups may be emphasized.
Prerequisites: [GES 130; GES 160 or GES 149]; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or World Cultures (U) course. Offered: Occasionally.
PSY 310 • Addiction and Recovery 4 Credits
Psychological, physiological, and causal aspects of addiction, with emphasis on understanding the experience of persons with addiction. Addictions studied include drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, and the internet. Also covers family issues related to addiction, models of recovery, and treatment options. Integration of Christianity with this topic throughout the course.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: January. Special Notes: This course carries cross-credit with ADST 450.
PSY 316 • Consciousness: Psychology and Philosophy in Dialogue 4 Credits
A team-taught investigation of ancient, medieval, and modern philosophies of consciousness and the historical roots of contemporary psychology. How philosophical and psychological theories of consciousness transcend disciplinary boundaries. Focus on interaction between philosophy and psychology, emphasizing the origins of cognitive science in philosophy of mind and consciousness.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 or One philosophy course. Offered: Spring, odd # years. Special Notes: This course carries cross-credit in philosophy.
PSY 317 • Political Psychology 4 Credits
The causes, dynamics, and consequences of human thinking and action in the context of politics. The psychology of decision making, political attitude formation, public opinion, personality and emotions, intergroup relations, ideology, and the role of mass media in politics.
Offered: Fall, odd # years. Special Notes: This course carries cross-credit in political science.
PSY 320Z • European Pioneers in Psychology 4 Credits
A study-abroad experience exploring both prominent European and diverse figures in the history of psychology within the context of the major historical currents and schools. Explores cultural, philosophical, intellectual, and spiritual roots of psychological theory, especially in connection with host countries. Site and museum visits and encounters with local professional and academic psychologists.
Prerequisites: PSY 101; Junior or senior standing; Consent of instructors; Timely completion of application process. Offered: Occasionally January. 202611
PSY 323 • Motivation and Emotion 4 Credits
How biological, environmental, cognitive, emotional, and personal systems interact to initiate and direct human behavior. How experimental psychologists study emotional and motivational systems.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Fall.
PSY 330 • Disabilities and Giftedness 4 Credits
Focus on the development of individuals with disabilities and giftedness from a lifespan perspective. Cognitive, physical, emotional, and sociocultural variables relevant to developmental delay; giftedness; learning disabilities; physical, sensory, and communication disabilities; emotional disturbance; and multiple disabilities. Critical analysis of psychosocial educational interventions. Service learning with those with disabilities.
Prerequisites: EDU 240/EDU 241, PSY 203 or PSY 206; Junior standing. Offered: Fall, Summer.
PSY 334 • The Science of Happiness 2 Credits
Empirical exploration of what makes people happy with a direct application to modern lives.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Fall.
PSY 335 • Psychological Assessment 4 Credits
Methods of assessing human behavior and the nature and significance of individual differences. Includes basic psychometric theory; principles of test construction; and theory and utilization of current standardized tests of intelligence, achievement, and personality.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and PSY 230M. Offered: Spring.
PSY 336 • Journal Club 1 Credit
Survey of contemporary and classical psychological literature. Journal club format in which topics of the students' choosing are researched, discussed, and methodologies assessed.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and Major in psychological sciences. Offered: Occasionally.
PSY 340 • Physiological Psychology 4 Credits
Physiological and neuroanatomical mechanisms underlying behavior.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and Mathematics (M) course. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 341 is required. Offered: Fall, Spring.
PSY 341 • Physiological Psychology Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying PSY 340.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 340 is required. Offered: Fall, Spring.
PSY 346 • Animal Behavior 3 Credits
Behavior from primitive invertebrates to advanced mammals, highlighting trends in behavior systems. Natural setting studies in the ethology tradition, comparative psychology studies, and biosociological principles with their implications for human social systems.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 or BIO 218 (may be taken concurrently); Junior or senior standing. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 347 is required. Offered: Fall, even # years. Special Notes: This course carries cross-credit in biology.
PSY 347 • Animal Behavior Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory course accompanying PSY 346.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 346 is required. Offered: Fall. Special Notes: This course carries cross-credit in biology.
PSY 348 • Conditioning and Learning 4 Credits
Basic procedures of classical and operant conditioning, theories of learning, and applications of behavioral conditioning principles to selected problems in human learning. Includes laboratory experiences that involve working with animals.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and Mathematics (M) course. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 349 is required. Offered: Fall.
PSY 349 • Conditioning and Learning Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying PSY 348.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 348 is required. Offered: Fall.
PSY 350 • Cognitive Psychology 4 Credits
Psychological theory and research concerning thinking, memory, reasoning, language, and problem solving.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and PSY 230M. Offered: January, Summer.
PSY 355 • Research Principles and Laboratory 4 Credits
Research methods in psychology in the context of designing independent research. Standard research designs (experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental) are evaluated in terms of threats to internal, external, statistical, and construct validity.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and PSY 230M. Offered: Fall, Spring.
PSY 399 • Topics in Psychology 2 Credits
Contemporary concerns in psychology not covered in the current formal course offerings of the department. Student may take this course twice given the varying topics covered.
Prerequisites: PSY 101. Offered: Occasionally.
PSY 400 • Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy 2 Credits
Introduction and analysis of major therapy systems, basic counseling techniques, and current ethical issues facing the counseling professions. Explores Christian implications of the topics. Designed for students planning on graduate study in human services.
Prerequisites: PSY 101; PSY 300. Offered: Fall.
PSY 440 • Sensation and Perception 4 Credits
A study of how the brain receives and interprets information from the environment. The biological operation of each of the senses is covered, as well as how the action of sense organs is translated into meaningful perceptions.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 and Mathematics M-tag course. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 441 is required. Offered: Spring.
PSY 441 • Sensation and Perception Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying PSY 440.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in PSY 440 is required. Offered: Spring.
PSY 493 • Psychology Internship and Seminar 2 Credits
A professionally supervised, applied learning experience in the work world. Includes a seminar component in which students meet regularly with the psychology faculty. Facilitates students’ processing of their internship experiences and offers a forum to discuss internship-related issues and career exploration.
Prerequisites: Major in psychology; Senior standing; Minimum 2.25 GPA in psychology courses. Offered: Fall, Summer.
PSY 498 • Research 2-4 Credits
Students work with a psychology faculty member on an empirical research project. Emphasis on the use of research methodology, techniques, and psychological theory. The work may be spread over two semesters.
Prerequisites: PSY 230M; Major in psychology; Invitation of supervising faculty member. Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
PSY 499 • Senior Seminar 2 Credits
Explores a specific area of research in psychology and the interface of psychology, Christianity, and other disciplines. Includes an integration writing project and assignments related to vocation and career.
Prerequisites: Major in psychology and Senior standing. Offered: Fall, Spring.