This course focuses on the general criteria of scientific theory and studies the various theories proposed to explain the concept of personality and its development. The psychoanalytic, social, behavioral, humanistic, existential, and cognitive approaches with their methodology and research are investigated. Formulation of a personal theory of personality is required. The psychological study of factors that influence human thought. Research methodology and theory are emphasized throughout the discussion of topics including attention, pattern recognition, memory, language, reasoning, and problem solving.
Students perform experiments and write research papers on selected topics.
A review and analysis of the latest findings from the neurosciences pertinent to relationships between behavior and the nervous system, including basic principles of psychopharmacology. Emphasis will be on human behavior, but selected studies of animal behavior will be discussed in so far as they provide useful models of behavior. This course will investigate the interrelatedness of psychology and theology in the study of religious experience and spiritual development. The study of the religious aspects of the person will be approached from various psychological and theological perspectives. Junior status, a 2.0 overall GPA, and permission of the department.