Courses Offered

For current course offerings, please visit the OU Course Catalog.

PSY 1113-Elements of Psychology.

A survey of the scientific study of human behavior. Emphasis is placed upon scientific method, basic life processes, mechanisms of adaption, individual differences and group behavior. Students have the opportunity to be exposed to the research process either by serving as participants in research experiments or by conducting reviews of research topics. (F, Sp, Su)

PSY 2003-Understanding Statistics.

Prerequisite: 1113 and satisfactory score on the math placement test (equivalent to completion of Math 0123). An introductory applied statistics course which will focus on descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Emphasis will be placed on in-class activities and homework which help the student learn by experience. Topics include measures of central tendency and variability, z-scores, normal distribution, correlation, regression, sampling distributions, hypotheses testing, t-tests and chi-square tests. (F, Sp, Su)

PSY 2113-Research Methods I: Statistics.

Prerequisite: 1113 and satisfactory score on the math placement test (equivalent to completion of Math 0123). An introduction to scientific method in psychological research. Topics include: philosophical issues; hypothesis formulation; experimental design; and data collection, organization and interpretation. (F, Sp, Su)

2403 Introduction to Personality.

Prerequisite: 1113. Processes of personality formation and development. “Normal” and “neurotic” personalities; basic principles of personality development. (F, Sp, Su)

2503 Computing for the Behavioral Sciences.

Students will learn to identify the parts and functions of personal computers. Building on that basic knowledge, such topics as developing and publishing a web page, collecting data from participants through the web, and using the advanced features of Excel for statistical analysis will be covered. Programming languages will include HTML and JavaScript. (F, Sp, Su)

2603 Developmental Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113. Survey of the psychological changes across the life span; the changes in cognitive, social and emotional physiological development from conception to death will be included. (F, Sp, Su)

2910 Special Topics in Psychology.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 1113 or permission. May be repeated once with change of topic; maximum credit six hours. Special topics in psychology requiring a minimal background in psychology. Topics typically will be of an applied nature. (F, Sp, Su)

3003 Advanced Undergraduate Statistics.

Prerequisite: 2113 or equivalent. Review of previous material, SAS, multiple comparisons, two-way ANOVA, power calculations, repeated measures designs, multiple linear regression, general linear model, nonparametric methods. Designed to help students prepare for graduate statistics courses. (Irreg.)

3114 Research Methods II: Applications and Experimental Design.

Prerequisite: 1113 and 2003/2113. Examines how new discoveries are made in psychology through the scientific method. Primary goal is to prepare students to conduct an independent research project to address a theoretical question, analyze and interpret the data, and present the data to others in both written and oral form. Laboratory. (F, Sp, Su)

3203 Cognitive Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113. Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of mental processes. We study how perceptual information enters the mind, how attention is used to select from the incoming information, how knowledge is organized in memory, how new information is added to and retrieved from memory, how current knowledge is transformed and expanded by inductive and deductive reasoning, and how decisions are made. (F, Sp)

3213 Prejudice and the Civil Rights Movement.

Prerequisite: junior standing. A study of the African-American social movement for equal rights, including contemporary events concerning civil rights. Focused around documentary films with supported readings. Emphasis on the study of stereotypes, prejudice, and racism. (F, Sp)

3303 Introduction to Learning and Conditioning.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2113, or permission of instructor. The origin of theory and research in learning, primarily classical and instrumental conditioning. (F)

PSY 3613-Dev Psych: Infancy-Adolescence

Prerequisites: 1113, and 2003/2113. Provides an introduction to themes, theories, and scientific research on cognitive, social, and emotional development from infancy through adolescence. The goal is to explore fundamental psychological questions of how we become who we are, what factors cause children’s development of behavior and mind, and what leads to the diversity of developmental outcomes. 

3703 Social Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113, and 2003/2113. The science of how people think and feel about, relate to, and influence one another. Topics include classic and contemporary research on stereotypes, persuasion, attitude change, emotions, the self-concept, aggression, impression formation, and altruism, among others. (F, Sp, Su)

3753 Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113, and 2003/2113 or permission of instructor. Covers psychological theories and methods addressing issues of critical relevance to the well-being and performance of people and the organizations that employ them. Topics include but are not limited to: employee selection, training, assessment, performance management, work motivation, job attitudes, fairness in the workplace, leadership, work-life balance, work teams/groups, organizational change and others. (F, Sp, Su)

3803 Physiological Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113 or equivalent and Zoology 1114 or equivalent. An introduction to physiological and neurological foundations of behavior. Some emphasis will be placed on contemporary issues and theoretical models. (F, Sp)

3960 Honors Reading.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program, 2003/2113. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Will consist of topics designated by the instructor in keeping with the student's major program. The topics will cover materials not usually presented in the regular courses. (F, Sp, Su)

3970 Honors Seminar.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program, 2003/2113. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. The projects covered will vary. The content will deal with concepts not usually presented in regular coursework. (Irreg.)

3980 Honors Research.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program, 2003/2113. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Will provide an opportunity for the gifted honors candidate to work at a special project in the student's field. (F, Sp, Su)

3990 Independent Study.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: one course in general area to be studied, 2003/2113 or permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit, six hours. Contracted independent study for topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F, Sp, Su)

4023 Psychological Tests and Measurements.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, junior standing. An introduction to the measurement of human behavior. Special reference is given to tests of intelligence, achievement, personality and interest. (Irreg.)

4113 Capstone Survey of Major Fields in Psychology.

Prerequisite: 3114 or permission of instructor, senior standing. Lecture-based course focusing on major areas of psychology. Attempts to instill in the student an understanding of the integration and diversity of the field of psychology. Content and title vary with instructor. (F, Sp)

4143 Capstone Practicum Experience.

Prerequisite: 2403, 3114, 4453, senior standing and permission of instructor. Provides students with the experience of working in an arena involving the practice of psychology. Student is to develop a written description of the experience and the psychological principles applied. (F, Sp) 

4153 Capstone History of Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, 3114 or permission of instructor, and senior standing. Introduction to the origin of modern psychology within science. The origins of psychology will be examined from the ancient Greeks through philosophy, physiology and astronomy. Special emphasis will be placed on the historical trends and the people involved in these. (F) 

4243 Decision Making and Problem Solving.

Prerequisite: 2003/2113. 3203. Review of issues in inductive thinking, deductive reasoning, inference generation, problem solving, insight, expertise, algorithms, and heuristics. The emphasis will be on current research investigations. (Irreg.)

4253 Selected Topics in Cognitive Science.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, 3114; 3203 or permission of instructor. May be repeated with change of content; maximum credit six hours. Seminar focusing on specific issues in cognitive science. Topics include memory representation and retrieval, symbol and referent processing, knowledge structure, expert and novice differences, imagery, etc. (Irreg.)

4263 Psychology and Law.

Prerequisite: 3114. Examines some of the most important points of contact between the fields of psychology and the law, including eyewitness identification, the prison system, juries, and confessions and interrogations. (Irreg.)

4313 Motivation.

Prerequisite: 2003/2113 and 3303. Primary motivational states and learned motivational states (e.g., fear, frustration, anxiety, etc.) will be considered as well as emotion and curiosity. Topics of current interest in both human and animal motivation will also be covered. (Irreg.)

4403 Advanced Personality.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, 2403, 2603 or 3603, 3114 or concurrent enrollment, and junior standing; or permission of instructor. An examination of the major approaches, concepts, issues and research findings in the field of personality. (Irreg.)

4453 Abnormal Psychology.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, and 2403, or permission of instructor. An examination of the major clinical and research findings in the field of abnormal psychology. Topics include studies of conflict, anxiety, neurosis, character disorders, schizophrenia and psychotherapy. (F, Sp)

4510 Applications of Psychology.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 2003/2113, 12 hours of psychology, permission of instructor. May be repeated, undergraduates limited to two enrollments. Individualized field experiences in an area of interest in psychology. (F, Sp)

4533 Introductory Behavior Modification Techniques.

Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113 and junior standing; or permission of instructor. Applications of behavior principles of reinforcement and punishment to various areas of human endeavor are discussed with emphasis on recently reported literature. Some example topics include: behavior modification in self-adjustment; education; industry; or therapy. (F)

4613 Current Topics in Developmental Psychology.

Prerequisite: 2603 or 3603, 2003/2113 or permission of instructor. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit six hours. An advanced seminar dealing with contemporary issues in developmental psychology. Content will vary with the instructor. (Irreg.)

4703 Psychology of Leadership.

Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of instructor. Provide students with an understanding of the psychological principles underlying leadership in government, industry, and society. Review psychological research on leadership and management, examining topics such as leadership skills, leading changes in organization, leader-follower relationships, and leadership tactics. Students will participate in various exercises to analyze leadership strategies and assess their potential strengths and weaknesses as leaders. (Sp)

4733 Selected Topics in Social Psychology.

Prerequisite: 2403 or 2603, 3703, junior standing, or permission of instructor. May be repeated once with change of topic; maximum credit six hours. Content will vary with the instructor. Deals with central topical areas of study in social psychology (i.e., attitudes and social cognition; person perception; groups and group dynamics; or theory construction). (Irreg.)

4793 Psychology of Groups.

Prerequisite: 1113. Provides students with an understanding of the psychological principles underlying group behavior. Topics covered will include group formation and development, cohesion and norms, social influence, power, inter-group relations, stereotyping and prejudice, group decision making, diversity within groups, stigma in the workplace, social identity, leadership in groups, group performance, and staffing organizational groups. (Irreg.)

4823 Developmental Psychobiology.

Prerequisite: 2003/2113, 2603 or 3803; or permission of instructor. Advanced seminar which will include such topics as: prenatal, neural and sensory development and cultural differences in child rearing. Discussion of specific developmental issues from the behavioral and biological levels of analysis. (Irreg.)

4843 Animal Cognition.

Prerequisite: 2003/2113 and Zoology 1114, or permission of instructor. How animals represent space, time, and number; estimate averages, form concepts, make inferences, assess risk, recognize, communicate and deceive. How these processes are implemented in navigation, foraging decisions, predator avoidance, mate localization and selection, and other fitness-related activities. (Sp)

4853 Neurobiology of Memory (Crosslisted with Zoology 4853).

Prerequisite: 3803 or Zoology 3103. Advanced seminar dealing with current research on how the nervous system responds to, and is changed by, experience. Experience is broadly defined and may include learning, maturation and/or pathology.

4910 Instructional Aides.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, and junior standing (or honors students). May be repeated once. Enrollment limited to majors with grade point averages of at least 3.00 and acceptance of an application, or by invitation by faculty member. Designed for students contemplating graduate school to offer experience in all aspects of instruction. Individual assignments of special instructional tasks in psychology. Supervised instructional experience will be part of each enrollment. (F, Sp, Su)

4920 Current Topics in Basic and Applied Psychology.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 1113 and 2113, or 1113 and six hours of other social sciences; or permission of instructor. May be repeated with change of topic; maximum credit nine hours. Content and number of credit hours varies with instructor and section. Focus on current topics in psychology not covered in existing course offerings. Intended for purpose of offering high interest course topics during regular semester, summers and intersession. (F, Sp, Su)

4940 Seminar in Psychology.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 1113, 2003/2113, junior standing, permission. May be repeated once with change of topic; maximum credit six hours. Advanced seminar dealing with contemporary issues and problems in psychology. Content varies with instructor. (F, Sp, Su)

4960 Directed Readings.

1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: good standing in University; permission of instructor and dean. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Designed for upper-division students who need opportunity to study a specific problem in greater depth than formal course content permits. (Irreg.)

4990 Independent Study.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 2003/2113, three courses in general area to be studied, 3114, and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study for topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F, Sp, Su)