Psychological Science
The Psychological Science Program, by way of the Psychology Major, seeks excellence in the teaching of psychology. This is done in a research-oriented environment, where undergraduate research is fostered in a way which prepares them for professional careers. A student who graduates from LaGrange College with a major in Psychological Science will be familiar with statistical methods and research design and be able to critique research efforts; be familiar with basic content areas of the discipline (e.g., developmental, social, abnormal, personality, learning, and biological psychology); be familiar with scholarly resources in psychology and the APA style in which professional literature is presented; and recognize the applicability of psychological principles to everyday life. Students will develop skills relevant to a variety of careers and will be prepared to succeed in graduate study.
Learning Objectives
Students in the Psychological Sciences Program should achieve outcomes focused on four different aspects. Upon completion of the degree they should be able to
Knowledge in the Field
1. Demonstrate an understanding of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in all areas of psychological science, as measured by the Psychology-ACAT.
Research
2. Display the skills required to correctly utilize ethical research design and statistical methods to answer experimental questions, using both critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This can be done in a group or individually. The research should conclude with dissemination of results and discussion with other research scholars through conference attendance.
Experiential Learning
3. Participate in internship opportunities, which require you to apply classroom lessons to real-life problems.
4. Increase understanding of different cultures by participating in travel abroad opportunities.
Writing Skills
5. Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and concisely on a variety of psychological topics.
6. Display the skills needed to locate and utilize scholarly resources and meet APA standards of formatting and referencing.
Career Planning
7. Express career interest and complete the necessary steps in their path to ensure a successful career.
Assessment of Learning Objectives
The accomplishment of the Psychological Science objectives by students majoring in Psychology will be demonstrated by (1) obtaining an acceptable score on the Area Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT) in psychology, (2) and the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) given during the student's final semester at LaGrange College, (3) successfully completing a travel courses, completing an internship, attending a professional conference, or presenting an IRB-approved research project, and (4) obtaining graduate school acceptance or entering preferred industry.
Career Options
Psychology is the study of behavior, all types of behavior. Therefore, students who complete the major in Psychology have a wide variety of career options. To aid the students in course selection and career planning, we have created several course pathways that guide students towards the most appropriate courses. These pathways include child life specialist, sport psychology, applied behavior analysis, counseling, social work, clinical psychology, school counseling, business and HR, forensics, and psychological research. These can all be found on our website.
Miscellaneous
No course with a grade below “C-” may be applied toward the major in Psychology. The only exception is PSYC 4550, in which a grade of Pass must be obtained. Additionally, a student must maintain a “C” average (2.0) in the major in order to graduate.
Path to Art Therapy
Art therapy is a career that uses art, the creative process, and resulting artwork to explore a variety of psychological and emotional issues. Students wanting to pursue this path should major in Art and Design in order to complete the number of student credit hours required of most graduate programs. Then they should either minor in Psychological science or pursue a double major. Regardless, students interested in this path should take the following courses:
It would be helpful to also take PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299, as the graduate program will have research requirements.
Path to School Counseling
School Counseling utilizes counseling techniques in school settings. Professionals also have training in planning for college and student success. Students wanting to pursue this path should major in Educational Studies. Then they should either minor in Psychological science or pursue a double major. Regardless, students interested in this path should take the following courses:
It would be helpful to also take PSYC 2298 and PSYC 2299, as the graduate program will have research requirements.
4+1 for Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Focused students seeking to earn degrees a bachelor's degree in psychological sciences and a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in five years (rather than six) may pursue our 4+1 arrangement. Students pursuing this pathway must complete 90+ hours focused on the general education and psychological sciences coursework, within three years. These individuals, if accepted to the CMHC program, may complete the required coursework for that degree over the span of two additional years. Students may earn the B.A. in Psychological Sciences and the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Students may view a five-year progression plan for this pathway.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
B.A. in Psychological Science Minor in Psychological ScienceCourses
This course will teach students effective APA based formatting and referencing techniques. Students will learn how to correctly format a paper, cite references, paraphrase and avoid plagiarism. The information learned in this course will allow students to effectively write utilizing APA format which will be required in upper-level courses.
This course will teach students to effectively write papers in a scientific style. Students will learn how to construct a scientific paper including a literature review, research paper, and poster from the stage of generating an idea through polishing the product for distribution. This will include discussion of writing style, grammar usage, paraphrasing, and other common techniques for writing in the sciences.
A survey of major topics in psychological science, including research methods, basic neuroanatomy, learning, perception, personality and abnormal behavior.
This course will teach students how to utilize statistical software packages to analysis behavioral data. It will cover four broad topics: data entry, descriptive statistics, t-test comparisons, and correlations. Students must have taken either PSYC 2298 or MATH 1114.
Introduction to the measurement of behavior and quantitative methods of data analysis, emphasizing parametric statistics and their application to the behavioral sciences. May be taken simultaneously with PSYC 1101.
A survey of various types of research design, including the strengths and weaknesses of each. The laboratory includes practice in designing and conducting experiments, as well as analysis and reporting of results.
A study of human life beginning with conception. Important developmental phenomena are considered in the light of major theories of development.
Application of psychological principles and research to the teaching/learning process. Major topics include behavioral and cognitive approaches to learning, classroom management, and test construction and interpretation.
A course dealing with behavior as affected by social influences. Major topics include social perception, social communication (verbal and nonverbal), altruism, attitudes, aggression, and prejudice. Also, applied areas such as forensic psychology are considered.
This course involves a multidisciplinary examination of human sexual behavior and intimate relationships. Typical topics considered include male and female sexual response, gender roles, sexual disorders and dysfunctions, gender identity, legal and cross-cultural aspects of human sexuality, sexual orientation, and relationship issues related to sexuality.
A survey of the causes, characteristics, current theories, and treatment of psychological disorders.
An introduction to counseling approaches, methods, and assessment techniques. Emphasis is placed on individual counseling.
Human aging is examined from physiological (e.g., sensory and cardiovascular changes), psychological (e.g., memory and intellectual changes), and sociological (e.g., adjusting to retirement) perspectives. Also, death and disorders associated with aging (such as Alzheimer's Disease) are explored.
A critical study of major personality theories, principles and instruments of assessment, and relevant empirical research.
Drugs and Behavior will evaluate drug use from a psychological perspective and examine the effects of use on the brain and behavior. We will review the major classes of drugs including both legal and illegal drugs, with a focus on drugs used to treat mental disorders. This will include learning the mechanisms of drug action, government regulation of drugs, societal and cultural effects on addiction, and theories of addiction.
A course offered at the sophomore/junior level, focusing on a specialized topic from the field of psychology.
This course continues the content covered in PSYC 2299 with specific attention to the utilization of surveys.
Under supervision of a faculty member, the student develops a project on a topic that is psychological in nature. The emphasis is on analyzing and synthesizing scientific literature, with the goal of producing a literature review and/or research proposal. A successful proposal may lead to data collection and analysis. The result of the project must be discriminated in some professional setting. Credit ranges from 1 to 6 hours.
Sensations and our perception of those sensations are examined using both physiological and psychological approaches. Sensory transduction, anatomy/physiology of sensory systems, and psychophysical measurement techniques are explored along with research advancements in the field.
An information processing analysis of topics in perception, thinking, learning, and memory.
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will be explored and will provide a foundation for examining biological aspects of various behaviors (e.g., sensory processes and sleep). Also, the psychopharmacology of selected drugs and genetic influences on behavior will be considered.
This course will go over the basics of the field of Behavior Analysis. We will answer questions like, “How can you stop a behavior?”, or, “How can I increase the appearance of a behavior?”. We will also investigate data collection and analysis along with completing a class project of actually changing a target behavior. Finally, we will learn about the career field of Applied Behavior Analysis.
A course offered at the junior/senior level, focusing on a specialized topic from the field of psychology.
The purpose of this course is to allow the student to synthesize knowledge about the discipline of psychological science by providing opportunity for practical experience in developing a project. This project might be service-based or research-based. The student will conduct an extensive literature review on the topic before proposing and carrying out a research plan.
The purpose of this course is to allow the student to synthesize knowledge about the discipline of psychological science by providing opportunity for practical experience in developing a project. This project might be service-based or research-based. The student will conduct an extensive literature review on the topic before proposing and carrying out a research plan. This course is constructed as a two-course sequence, with the Spring semester course devoted to dissemination.
Students majoring in Psychology may be eligible to enroll in a psychology internship in an applied setting. This course requires 120 hours of supervised experience (observation, work, etc.) in a local agency or office, selected readings, public presentation, and final portfolio containing essays, weekly journal, and supporting material. The internship must first be discussed with the student’s Psychology advisor one semester prior to beginning the internship. Information from this meeting will then be transferred to the Career Development Center for placement. The application process is unique to each facility. Grading is on a Pass/No Credit basis. Credit ranges from 1-6 hours.
