UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 1999–2000
 Brigham Young University
Back Psychology

   

Erin D. Bigler, Chair
1001 SWKT, PO Box 25543, (801) 378-4287

College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences Advisement Center
2254 SFLC, PO Box 26797, (801) 378-3541

Admission to Degree Program

All degree programs in the Department of Psychology are open enrollment.

The Discipline

The Department of Psychology offers a program designed to (1) provide knowledge about human behavior, (2) develop skills in the application of such principles, and (3) expand the frontiers of knowledge through student-faculty research and scholarly activity.

Career Opportunities

Psychologists engage in teaching, research, and administration and provide counseling, clinical, or consulting services to individuals and organizations. They are employed in colleges and universities; in public and private schools; in clinics, hospitals, and private practice; in business and industry; and in governmental and private agencies. The study of psychology has particular value for those preparing for parenthood or law and is also of value in supporting other specializations concerned with human behavior.

Most professional positions in psychology require advanced degrees, generally the doctorate, though the bachelor's degree may provide employment in such areas as high school teaching, probation work, junior-level social work, and employment interviewing.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a bachelor's degree a student must fill three groups of requirements: (1) general education requirements; (2) university requirements; and (3) major requirements.

General Education Requirements

Students should contact their college advisement center for information about general education courses that will also fill major requirements.

Languages of Learning

Precollege Math (zero to one course)
(or Math ACT score of at least 22)
0–3.0 hours
First-Year Writing (one course) 3.0
Advanced Writing (one course) 3.0
Advanced Languages/Math/Music
(one to four courses)
3–20.0

Liberal Arts Core

Biological Science (one to two courses) 3–6.0
Physical Science (one to two courses) 3–7.0
American Heritage (one to two courses) 3–6.0
Wellness (one to three courses) 1.5–2.0
Civilization (two courses) 6.0

Arts and Sciences Electives

Arts and Letters (one course) 3.0
Natural Sciences (one course) 3–4.0
Social and Behavioral Sciences (one course) 3.0

Note 1: For a complete list of courses that will fill each GE category, see the General Education section of the current class schedule.

Note 2: Additional information about general education requirements can be found in the General Education section of the current class schedule or this catalog.

Minimum University Requirements

Religion 14.0
Upper-division hours 40.0
Residency 30.0
Hours needed to graduate 120.0

Cumulative GPA must be at least 2.0.

Note: See the Graduation section of this catalog for more information.

Major Requirements

Complete the major requirements listed under one of the following undergraduate degree programs.

Undergraduate Programs and Degrees

BS Psychology
BS Psychology Teaching
Minors Psychology
Psychology Teaching

Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.

Graduate Programs and Degrees

MS Psychology
PhD Psychology
PhD Clinical Psychology

For more information, see the 1999–2000 Graduate Studies Catalog.



BS Psychology (46 hours*)

Major Requirements

  1. At least 22 of the total major credits must be 300-level or above.

  2. No D credit is allowed in major courses.

  3. At least 23 hours of psychology major credit must be taken in residency at BYU.

  4. A maximum of 13 hours may be taken as Independent Study (only 8 of which may count as residence hours).

  5. Complete the following:
    Psych 111.

  6. Select one of the following options:
    Either Psych 301, 302
    Or Psych 305.

  7. Select three of the following core courses:
    Psych 320, 321, 322, 341, 342, 350.

    Note: Only one course may be taken from Psych 320, 321, 322.

  8. Select three of the following core courses:
    Psych 361, 370, 375, 381, 382.

      Note: Behavioral Neurobiology is a two-semester course (Psych 381 and 382). Students may count only one of these courses toward fulfilling a requirement in this area.

  9. Complete the following:
    Psych 378, 490.

  10. Complete one of the following cultural diversity courses:
    Anthr 101, 312
    Soc 323.

  11. Complete one of the following gender issues courses:
    Hist 384
    Psych 306, 308
    Soc 367.
    WS 222.

  12. Complete 6 hours from any psychology course not already taken. No more than 3 hours of 199R, 399R, 3 hours of 390R, and 6 hours of 492R, 495R, or 499R will be counted.

Recommended

  1. To augment the major, courses in other disciplines are recommended that develop skills in analytical thinking, writing, and relevant computer usage. Illustrative courses are:
    Phil 205.
    Engl 315, 316.
    Soc 303R.

  2. A minor is not required, but students may select one minor or a combination of courses depending on their educational and vocational objectives. The same courses cannot count for both the major and the minor. If planning to terminate with a bachelor's degree, students should choose courses that broaden their employment opportunities in such areas as secretarial work, recreation, social work, and various branches of business.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.



BS Psychology Teaching (81-87 hours,* including certification hours)

Major Requirements

  1. A teaching minor is required for certification (approximately 16–21 hours).

  2. At least 22 of the major hours must be upper-division.

  3. No D credit is allowed in the major.

  4. At least 23 hours of psychology major credit must be taken in residency at BYU.

  5. A maximum of 13 hours may be taken as Independent Study (only 8 of which may count as residence hours).

  6. Complete the following:
    Psych 111, 321, 361, 378.

  7. Select one of the following options:
    Either Psych 301, 302
    Or Psych 305.

  8. Select at least one of the following core courses (320 and/or 350 are recommended):
    Psych 320, 341, 342, 350.

  9. Select one of the following core courses:
    Psych 370, 375, 381, 382.

      Note: Behavioral Neurobiology is a two-semester course (Psych 381 and 382). Students choosing to take Behavioral Neurobiology may complete either semester to receive credit toward a psychology teaching major.

  10. Complete the following:
    Psych 490.

  11. Complete one of the following cultural diversity courses:
    Anthr 101, 312
    Soc 323.

  12. Complete one of the following gender issues courses:
    Hist 384
    Psych 306, 308
    Soc 367.
    WS 222.

  13. Complete 6 hours from any psychology course not already taken. No more than 3 hours of 199R, 399R, 3 hours of 390R, and 6 hours of 492R, 495R, or 499R will be counted.

  14. Complete the Professional Education Component (25–26 hours): see the Secondary Education section of this catalog for certification requirements.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.



Minor Psychology (15 hours*)

Minor Requirements

  1. Complete the following:
    Psych 111.

  2. Complete 12 elective hours from remaining undergraduate and 500-level courses; 9 hours must be 300-level or above. A maximum 6 hours of Independent Study credit may count toward a minor.

      Note: Behavioral Neurobiology is a two-semester course (Psych 381 and 382). Students choosing to take Behavioral Neurobiology as part of a psychology minor may complete either course.

  3. No D credit is allowed in the minor.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.



Minor Psychology Teaching (21 hours*)

Minor Requirements

  1. Complete the following:
    Psych 111, 321, 361.

  2. Complete 12 elective hours of psychology (Psych 240, 320, 350 are recommended.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.



Psychology (Psych)

Class Schedule Major Academic Plan (MAP)

Undergraduate Courses

*Designates courses containing valuable content related to the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

111. General Psychology. (3:3:0) Honors and Independent Study also.

Basic course in modern scientific psychology.

170. Understanding and Improving Your Memory. (1:0:0) Independent Study only.

Principles of human learning and memory; study skills and methods for improving memory.

199R. Academic Internship. (1–3:Arr.:Arr. ea.) Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

Practical or applied experience complementing the major; designed to strengthen theoretical and practical base of knowledge.

201. Psychology of Music. (3:3:0)

Application of systematic framework of psychology to analysis of music.

211R. Frontiers in Psychology. (3:3:0 ea.)

Contemporary topics not covered in detail in Psych 111.

220. Human Development: Life Span (3:3:0)

Interaction of psychological, biological, and social influences on behavior and psychological development through the life span.

240. Personal and Social Adjustment. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Concepts of adjustment and application of psychological principles for coping with stress and interpersonal, emotional, and psychosexual difficulties.

270. Improving Mental Skills. (3:3:0)

Studying, rapid reading, remembering, and problem solving.

*301. Psychological Statistics. (4:4:0) Independent Study also. Prerequisite: Math 110 or equivalent.

Descriptive analysis and hypothesis testing applied to psychological research data.

*302. Psychological Research Design and Analysis. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301 or equivalent.

Basic principles of designing, conducting, and reporting psychological investigations.

303. Parenting. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Theories and skills related to quality parent-child relationships.

*305. Psychological Research Methods and Statistics. (7:6:2) Prerequisite: Math 110 or equivalent.

Principles and practice in conducting psychological investigations, including statistical analyses of research data. Can be substituted for Psych 301 and 302 in the major.

306. Sex Roles in the Family and Society. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Biological and social contributions to sex role development, sexual self-concept, and complementarity of sex roles.

308. The Psychology of Women. (3:3:0)

Overview of current theory and research in psychology of women: biological influences, gender learning, sexuality, health, victimization, work, gender sameness and difference.

*320. Developmental Psychology: Childhood. (3:3:0) Independent Study also. Prerequisite: Psych 111 or instructor's consent.

Physical, mental, emotional, and social development of the child.

321. Developmental Psychology: Adolescence. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Development and maturation during adolescence; research methodology.

322. Developmental Psychology: Adulthood. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Stability and change in psychological, physiological, and interpersonal processes through early, middle, and late adulthood.

330. Organizational Psychology. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Personal, interactional, and structural aspects of organizations; motivation, decision making, problem-solving communication, leadership, organizational structure, change. Students taking this class should not take OrgB 321.

336. Personnel Psychology. (3:2:2) Prerequisite: Psych 111.

Employment interviewing techniques; validation of psychological tests and biographical questionnaires; supervised experience in testing, job analysis, interviewing; exposure to current personnel programs.

338. Sport Psychology. (3:3:0)

Application of psychological principles to sporting activities.

*341. Personality. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Individual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion; personality theories and their associated strategies of research, assessments, and personality change.

*342. Abnormal Psychology. (3:3:2) Prerequisite: Psych 111 or instructor's consent.

Dynamics of maladjustment; major psychological disorders and therapeutic procedures. Fieldwork required.

343. Child Psychopathology. (3:3:0)

Mental disorders of childhood.

346. Exceptional Children. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Exceptionalities and their psychological significance; gifted, mentally retarded, and physically and emotionally handicapped children.

348. Clinical Psychology. (3:3:0)

Personality theories, psychopathology, diagnostic interviewing and testing, psychotherapy techniques; research methods. Not a practicum.

*350. (Psych-Soc) Introduction to Social Psychology. (3:3:0) Independent Study also.

Conformity and obedience; socialization, norms, roles; attitudes, leadership, group processes.

353. LDS Perspectives and Psychology. (3:3:0)

Relationships between theories of psychology and LDS thought.

354. Psychology of Religion. (3:3:0)

Classification of religious behavior and experience; source of religious motivation; religion and the growth process.

357. Interpersonal Growth and Group Processes. (3:1:4) Independent Study also.

Effective interpersonal relationships and group functioning.

358. Leadership Development. (3:2:2) Independent Study also.

Principles and practices of successful leadership: decision making, communications, planning, team building, motivation, and interpersonal skills.

359. Environmental Psychology. (3:3:0) Independent Study also. Prerequisite: Psych 111.

Interaction between people and their physical context.

*361. Principles of Learning. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301, 302.

Principles of learning; representative experiments.

*365. Motivation. (3:3:0)

Determinants of motivation, relationship of motives to emotion, thought, personality, and action. Implications for understanding self and others.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES (effective for Fall 1999):
*370. Sensation and Perception. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301, 302; or Neuro 105 for neuroscience majors.

Sensory basis of perception and principles of perceptual organization.

*375. Cognition. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301, 302.

Perceptual organization; information processing; cognitive development; relationships between sensory analysis, perception, memory, learning, language, and problem solving.

376. Psychology, Language, and Culture. (3:3:0)

Principles of linguistics and their implications for cognitive theory; social psychology of language and culture; nonverbal communication.

378. Psychological Testing. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301.

Construction and validation of standardized psychological tests.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES (effective for Fall 1999):
381. Behavioral Neurobiology 1. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301, 302; or Neuro 105 for neuroscience majors.

Basic physiological, anatomical, and chemical foundations of psychology.

ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES (effective for Fall 1999):
382. Behavioral Neurobiology 2. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 301, 302; or Neuro 105 for neuroscience majors.

Continuation of Psych 381.

386R. Behavioral Neurobiology Laboratory. (1–3:Arr.:Arr. ea.) Prerequisite: Psych 381, 382, or concurrent registration and instructor's consent.

390R. Special Topics in Psychology. (1–3:3:0 ea.) Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

399R. Academic Internship. (1–9:Arr.:Arr. ea.) Prerequisite: Psych 111 and department's consent.

490. Historical and Contemporary Issues in Psychology. (3:2:1) Prerequisite: senior standing.

Capstone course for psychology; survey, historical development, and comparative analysis of principal issues in contemporary psychology.

492R. Supervised Instructional or Research Experience. (1–3:0:0 ea.) Prerequisite: instructor's invitation to register.

Course-related instructional activities or laboratory/field research.

495R. Independent Readings. (1–3:Arr.:Arr. ea.) Independent Study also. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

499R. Independent Research. (1–3:0:0 ea.) Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

500-Level Graduate Courses (available to advanced undergraduates)

500R. Research Methods. (3:3:0 ea.)

Intermediate course for first-year graduate psychology students, focusing on methodological tactics rather than statistical skills.

501. Data Analysis in Psychological Research 1. (5:4:2) Prerequisite: Psych 301 or Stat 222; or Stat 221, 223.

Using and interpreting major quantitative methods in psychology; some commonly used computer methods.

502. Data Analysis in Psychological Research 2. (5:4:2) Prerequisite: Psych 501 or instructor's consent.

Analysis of variance and covariance, multiple regression, and experimental design; introduction to multivariate methods.

*510. History and Systems of Psychology. (3:3:0)

Survey of origins and development of modern psychology, including consideration of the schools and theoretical systems.

511. Philosophy of Science for the Social Sciences. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: instructor's consent or admission to PhD program.

Issues in philosophy of science as they apply to social sciences, including methods, epistemology, and construction of knowledge.

NEW COURSE (effective for Fall 1999):
512. Qualitative Research Methods. (3:3:0)

Theories and methods of qualitative research emphasizing philosophical assumptions, question formulation, data gathering, interpretation, and presentation of findings.

520. Advanced Developmental Psychology. (3:3:0)

Major research in developmental psychology, emphasizing theory, content, and methodology.

531. Organizational Psychology. (3:3:0)

Personal and interpersonal aspects of organizational life: goal setting, decision making, problem solving, communication, control, leadership, motivation, and change.

535. Behavior Modification Techniques. (3:2:2)

Practical application of behavior modification to academic discipline; emotional target behaviors of individuals and groups.

540. Personality Theory. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 341 and 5 additional hours in psychology.

Contemporary theories of personality developed within the framework of major psychological systems.

550. Theory and Research in Social Psychology. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych-Soc 350 or instructor's consent.

Current theories and research on interaction with others.

552. Applied Social Psychology. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych-Soc 350; graduate standing or instructor's consent.

Overview of domains in which social psychology theory and research have been applied outside the laboratory.

555. Group Dynamics. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych-Soc 350.

Theories and research on small-group processes and mass behavior.

560. Learning Theory. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 361 and 5 additional hours in psychology.

Critical review of current theories and persistent problems.

565. Motivational Psychology. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 365 or equivalent; graduate standing or instructor's consent.

Theoretical, historical, and empirical overview; recent trends and issues; role of animal studies; methodological problems.

575. Cognitive Processes. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 370, 375, or equivalent; graduate standing or instructor's consent.

Major theoretical and empirical developments. Interaction of sensory, perceptual, learning, and thinking processes.

577. (Psych-CS 535) Human-Computer Interaction. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: graduate or senior standing.

Human/machine interfaces for hardware/software integration. Psychological principles of computer interfacing. Human engineering, ergonomics, and software design principles for user-friendly applications.

583. Biological and Health Psychology. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 381, 382, or equivalent.

In-depth examination of biological bases of behavior from perspective of health and disease.

584. Cognitive Neuroscience. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: graduate standing or instructor's consent.

Critical analysis of neurobiological bases of perception and cognition.

585. Human Neuropsychology. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 381, 382, or instructor's consent.

Critical study of brain-behavior relationships.

586. Hormones and Behavior. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 381, 382.

Neural and endocrine mechanisms underlying behavior.

TITLE CHANGE (effective for Fall 1999):
587. Sensory and Perceptual Processes. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Psych 370, 381, 382; or instructor's consent.

Critical examination of sensory mechanisms and perceptual organization.

592R. Supervised Teaching Experience. (1–3:Arr.:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su

For students receiving supervised teaching experience.

Graduate Courses

For 600- and 700-level courses, see the 1999–2000 BYU Graduate Catalog.



Psychology Faculty

Professors

Ballif-Spanvill, Bonnie (1994) BS, PhD, Brigham Young U., 1962, 1966.

Barlow, Sally H. (1978) BA, MSW, PhD, U. of Utah, 1971, 1973, 1978.

Bednar, Richard L. (1982) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1961, 1963; PhD, U. of Minnesota, 1968.

Bergin, Allen E. (1972) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1956, 1957; PhD, Stanford U., 1960.

Bigler, Erin D. (1990) BS, PhD, Brigham Young U., 1971, 1974.

Bloch, George J. (1989) BA, Brandeis U., 1962; MA, Claremont Graduate School, 1965; PhD, Stanford U., 1968.

Brown, Bruce L. (1968) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1965, 1968; PhD, McGill U., Canada, 1969.

Bunker, Gary L. (1970) BA, MA, Brigham Young U., 1960, 1961; PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1966.

Burlingame, Gary M. (1983) BS, Andrews U., 1978, MS, PhD, U. of Utah, 1981, 1983.

Fleming, Donovan E. (1971) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1956, 1957; PhD, Washington State U., 1962.

Furhiman, Addie (1992) BS, Utah State U., 1956; MA, Brigham Young U., 1965; PhD, U. of Minnesota, 1969.

Higbee, Kenneth L. (1970) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1965, 1966; PhD, Purdue U., 1970.

Jensen, Larry C. (1965) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1960, 1961; PhD, Michigan State U., 1966.

Lambert, Michael J. (1971) BS, MS, PhD, U. of Utah, 1967, 1968, 1971.

Miller, Harold L., Jr. (1975) BS, Arizona State U., 1970; PhD, Harvard U., 1975.

Pedersen, Darhl M. (1962) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1957, 1958; PhD, U. of Illinois, 1962.

Robinson, Paul W. (1969) BS, MS, PhD, Utah State U., 1965, 1967, 1973.

Slife, Brent D. (1994) BA, William Jewell Coll., 1976; MS, PhD, Purdue U., 1977, 1981.

Smith, Kay H. (1961) BA, MA, Brigham Young U., 1957, 1958; PhD, Wayne State U., 1962.

Weight, David G. (1969) BA, MS, Brigham Young U., 1963, 1965; PhD, U. of Washington, 1969.

Williams, Richard N. (1981) BS, Brigham Young U., 1974; MS, PhD, Purdue U., 1978, 1981.

Wood, Larry Eugene (1977) BS, Brigham Young U., 1967; MA, PhD, U. of Iowa, 1970, 1971.

Associate Professors

Carpenter, Bruce N. (1996) BS, Brigham Young U., 1974; MS, PhD, U. of Wisconsin, Madison, 1977, 1980.

Wells, M. Gawain (1972) AS, Dixie Coll., 1964; BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1967, 1968; PhD, Purdue U., 1972.

Associate Clinical Professor

Maughan, Michael L. (1972) BS, MS, EdD, Utah State U., 1966, 1968, 1970.

Assistant Professors

Clayton, Claudia J. (1991) BS, Brigham Young U., 1970; PhD, U. of Utah, 1976; PhD, Brigham Young U., 1991.

Ehlert, Michael B. (1995) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1988, 1990; PhD, U. of New Hampshire, 1995.

Ervin, Gregory (1995) BS, Mercy Coll., 1973; PhD, U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1981.

Gantt, Edwin E. (1998) BS, Brigham Young U., 1992; MS, PhD, Duquesne U., 1994, 1998.

Norton, Elizabeth J. (1994) BS, PhD, Brigham Young U., 1972, 1978.

Ridge, Robert D. (1992) BS, Brigham Young U., 1987; PhD, U. of Minnesota, 1992.

Spackman, Matthew P. (1998) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1994, 1996; PhD, Georgetown U., 1998.

Spangler, Diane (1997) BA, Pomona Coll., 1989; MS, PhD, U. of Oregon, 1991, 1994.

Assistant Clinical Professor

Nielsen, Stevan L. (1988) BS, Brigham Young U., 1976; PhD, U. of Washington, 1984.

Emeriti

Bennion, Robert C. (1961) BA, Brigham Young U., 1956; MA, PhD, Ohio State U., 1959, 1961.

Budge, Harold S. (1960) BS, MS, Utah State U., 1958, 1960; PhD, U. of Utah, 1981.

Cundick, Bert P. (1962) BA, MS, U. of Utah, 1957, 1959; PhD, Ohio State U., 1962.

Daniels, Philip B. (1961) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1954, 1957; PhD, Harvard U., 1962.

Hardy, Kenneth R. (1954) BA, MA, U. of Utah, 1948, 1949; PhD, U. of Michigan, 1954.

Howell, Robert J. (1952) BA, MA, PhD, U. of Utah, 1948, 1949, 1951.

Payne, I. Reed (1964) BS, Brigham Young U., 1956; MS, PhD, Pennsylvania State U., 1958, 1963.

Robinson, Burton W. (1955) BS, MS, Utah State U., 1951, 1951; PhD, Purdue U., 1954.

Stimpson, David V. (1964) BS, MS, Brigham Young U.,1959, 1960; PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1964.

Sullivan, Clyde E. (1981) BA, PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1948, 1958.






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