Psychology reflects the study of human behavior. Whether describing, explaining, or predicting this behavior, students come to see that people are the focus of the field. They struggle to comprehend what it means to be caught in the human condition and discover that they can make choices and take responsibility for those choices. They develop empathy with themselves, each other, and the diverse populations who live on this planet.

The program in psychology at Rocky Mountain College educates students in the basic principles, language, and theories of the science of psychology. Students learn to think critically, evaluating the evidence and reasoning upon which explanations of human behavior are based. They collect data, design and conduct studies, interpret and apply research, and discover what that research means in the real world of people. When analysis is completed, they learn to communicate their findings both orally and in writing. Such work prepares them for graduate work in psychology.

Whether using statistics to support experimental research, literary analysis to help explicate a psychological passage in a novel, or cultural history to broaden awareness of their field, students use the liberal arts as grounding for disciplinary knowledge.

Major Learning Outcomes

Psychology
Students who graduate with a major in psychology will be able to:

1. Describe basic psychological theories including personality, learning, cognitive, biological/physiological, social, and psychopathological;
2. Apply the processes of scientific inquiry to questions concerning human behavior;
3. Outline human development in terms of physiological, social, and environmental influences throughout the lifespan;
4. Explain the theories and factors that contribute to psychological dysfunction of individuals and families;

Psychology Education

1. Describe basic psychological theories including personality, learning, cognitive, biological/physiological, social, and psychopathological;
2. Apply the processes of scientific inquiry to questions concerning human behavior;
3. Outline human development in terms of physiological, social, and environmental influences throughout the lifespan;
4. Explain the theories and factors that contribute to psychological dysfunction of individuals and families;

Major in Psychology

A minimum of 31 semester hours in psychology is required, with at least 3 hours in other disciplines, including:
MAT 210: Probability and Statistics
PSY 101: General Psychology
PSY 305: Abnormal Psychology
PSY 312: Behavior Management
PSY 410: Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 431: Psychological Testing and Assessment
PSY 483: Psychological Counseling

Choose one of the following:
PSY 205: Human Development I
PSY 206: Human Development II

Choose one of the following:
PSY 408: Directed Research in Psychology
PSY 450: Internship

Six semester hours of psychology electives (which may include SOC 321 Criminology) are also required. A course in biology and a course in chemistry are recommended.

Note: Students who apply SOC 321: Criminology toward their psychology major or minor requirements may not also apply SOC 321: Criminology to meet sociology major or minor requirements. 

Major in Psychology Education

A minimum of 31 semester hours in psychology is required, with at least 6 hours in other disciplines, including:
MAT 210: Probability and Statistics
PSY 101: General Psychology
PSY 205: Human Development I
PSY 206: Human Development II
PSY 302: Educational Psychology
PSY 305: Abnormal Psychology
PSY 312: Behavior Management
PSY 410: Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 431: Psychological Testing and Assessment
PSY 483: Psychological Counseling
EDC 320: Teaching Content Courses in Secondary Education

Choose one of the following:
PSY 408 Directed Research in Psychology
PSY 450: Internship

In addition, students must complete all of the requirements of the professional education program for secondary teaching (grades 5-12) as described in the “Education” section of the catalog.

Minor Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a minor in psychology will be able to:

1. Apply the processes of scientific inquiry to questions concerning human behavior;
2. Describe psychological theory;
3. Understand human interaction;
4. Understand human growth and development;
5. Have some appreciation of the clinical practice of psychology;
6. Demonstrate basic understanding of the relationship between psychology and society;
7. Demonstrate basic understanding of how the human mind/brain works.

Minor in Psychology

A minimum of 22 semester hours in psychology is required, with at least 6 upper-division credits, plus at least 3 hours in other disciplines, including:
MAT 210: Probability and Statistics
PSY 101: General Psychology
PSY 201: Social Psychology
PSY 410: Research Methods in Psychology

Choose one of the following:
PSY 205: Human Development I
PSY 206: Human Development II

Choose one of the following:
PSY 305: Abnormal Psychology
PSY 483: Psychological Counseling

Choose one of the following:
PSY 315: Community Problems/Contemporary Issues
PSY 330: Psychology and Law
SOC 321: Criminology

Choose one of the following:
PSY 320: Cognitive Psychology
PSY 490: Seminar in Physiological Psychology

Note: Students who apply SOC 321: Criminology toward their psychology major or minor requirements may not also apply SOC 321: Criminology to meet sociology major or minor requirements. 

Minor in Psychology Education

A minimum of 22 semester hours in psychology is required, with at least 6 upper-division credits, plus at least 3 hours in other disciplines, including:
MAT 210: Probability and Statistics
PSY 101: General Psychology
PSY 205: Human Development I
PSY 206: Human Development II
PSY 302: Educational Psychology
PSY 410: Research Methods in Psychology
EDC 320: Teaching Content Courses in Secondary Education
Six semester hours of upper-division psychology electives

PSY 312 and PSY 431 are recommended. In addition, students must complete all of the requirements of the professional education program for secondary teaching (grades 5-12) as described in the “Education” section of the catalog.

EDC 320 – Teaching Content Courses in Secondary Education

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course requires focused study and consultation with a practicing educator in the secondary field of study, blended with traditional coursework and exploration into the methods and materials specific to the content area. Students will also be required to explore the professional organization specific to their field of study. Music education students are exempt from this course.

Prerequisite: EDC 040, admission to the teacher education program; junior or senior standing required

MAT 210 – Probability and Statistics

Semester: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Semester hours: 3

This course provides a non-calculus-based study of discrete probability theory and its statistical applications. Distribution theory and its applications in hypothesis testing and setting confidence intervals are discussed.

Prerequisite: MAT 100 or satisfactory score on a placement exam

PSY 101 – General Psychology

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 3

A survey of the field of psychology investigating such topics as learning, motivation, human development, personality, social psychology, and physiological psychology. In order to make inquiry into any academic discipline, the student must first learn the language and methodology of that discipline; the field of psychology is no exception. Therefore, this course will include the study of major psychological theories, terminology, and investigative methods, as well as limited opportunity to apply those methods.

PSY 104 – First-Year Psychology/Sociology Seminar

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 1

This seminar is intended to provide students with an in-depth orientation to the RMC psychology and/or sociology programs. It is designed to give students a general understanding of program expectations and appreciation of the value of the core educational experience at Rocky Mountain College. Students will explore ways to succeed as psychology and sociology majors, while being exposed to the variety of academic and career opportunities available to graduates with these majors. Students will begin forming professional relationships with psychology and sociology faculty, resulting in a more meaningful college experience.

PSY 201 – Social Psychology

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course will focus on individual effect, behavior, and cognition in social environments. Topics will include conformity and obedience, aggression, prejudice and discrimination, culture, self-esteem, attitudes and persuasion, and attraction and relationships. This course is cross-listed with SOC 201.

PSY 205 – Human Development I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

Students examine a study of human growth from conception to puberty. Physical, cognitive, personality, and social development will be investigated from theoretical and practical perspectives. The student will explore stages of human development through adolescence, be able to apply the major developmental theories, and make better choices as a parent or teacher.

PSY 206 – Human Development II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

Students examine a study of human development from adolescence through the lifespan, which makes use of recent research studies in physical, cognitive, personality, and social development. The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur as people move through the stages of adulthood.

PSY 212 – Family Dynamics

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 3

This course is a study of the main theories of family systems, family patterns, and family-of-origin work. Material studied will be taken from required texts, articles obtained at the library, and class activities. The course will require some knowledge of the therapy models utilized in psychotherapy.

Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 299 – Directed Reading

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 1-3

This course allows a student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

PSY 302 – Educational Psychology

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course is designed to aid the student in continuing to develop an understanding of human behavior, especially as that understanding applies to elementary and secondary classrooms. Emphasis will be on why and how human learning takes place and how that learning relates to schools and teaching situations where the needs of each student must be considered. The course also includes participation in, and the analysis of, interpersonal relations and communication skills. This course is cross listed with EDC 302.

Prerequisite: PSY 205 or PSY 206

PSY 305 – Abnormal Psychology

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course reviews the history of mental illness from a western perspective and surveys the types of research used in the field. The symptoms, causes, and treatment of the major mental disorders are investigated from a variety of theoretical perspectives.

Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 312 – Behavior Management

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

Students review behavior management techniques and therapies. Principles of operant conditioning and classical conditioning are investigated in depth. The student will be able to use behavioral principles appropriately and understand the ethical issues involved.

Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 315 – Community Problems/Contemporary Issues in Psychology

Semester: Fall; Every three years
Semester hours: 3

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore issues facing modern society. Students will read and write essays on a variety of current issues, while exploring their own biases in regard to those issues.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 225

PSY 320 – Cognitive Psychology

Semester: Spring; Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 3

This course will familiarize the student with basic issues and recent advances in the study of the cognitive bases of behavior. Students will be introduced to the scientific study of attention, knowledge representation, memory, problem solving, decision making, learning and expertise, reasoning, and language. Students will learn to understand and critically evaluate theory and research in cognitive psychology, apply recent developments in cognitive psychology to their own work and way of thinking about how the brain processes information, and understand sources of individual differences and diversity in cognitive abilities and processes.

PSY 330 – Psychology and Law

Semester: Fall; Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 3

This course is an introduction to some of the ways in which psychological research, theory, and practice is applied to the legal system and issues of law. Topics covered in this course include why people commit crimes, the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, what it means to be found “not guilty by reason of insanity,” and false and coerced confessions, among others.

Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 342 – Psychology and the Soul

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 3

This course, delivered online, with some face-to-face sessions, is designed as an introduction of faith and psychology concepts and theories through the development of current philosophers and psychologists. The focus is to explore concepts, theories, and research that support the reunification of faith and psychological understanding of thought and behavior. Attention will be given to methods of spiritual and psychosocial review of life development and methods of interviewing. Among authors work to be explored are Frattaroli, Schumacher, Wilber, Vaughan, and Kabat-Zin.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 or PSY 205 or PSY 206

PSY 360 – History of Psychology

Semester: Spring; Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 3

This course provides a detailed study of the important foundation of the science and art of psychology. Students will understand the history of the major fields of clinical psychology, psychometrics, physiological psychology, sensation perception, learning, and motivation.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 and junior standing

PSY 408 – Directed Research in Psychology

Semester: Fall and Spring; As needed
Semester hours: 3

Directed research provides opportunities for advanced students to become familiar with and participate in ongoing research projects under the direction of a faculty member. The student will first read background literature on the content area to be investigated and the experimental methodologies to be used. Procedures involved in conducting psychological research, first learned in PSY 410, will be put to practice. Potential activities include the design of research and the defining of conceptual variables and the gathering, analyzing, and interpretation of data. Finally, students will prepare a paper describing the project, using APA style, and are encouraged to submit proposals to the annual Rocky undergraduate symposium or appropriate regional conference.

Prerequisite: PSY 410 and permission of instructor

PSY 410 – Research Methods in Psychology

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 4

This course is designed to acquaint the student with various methods used in psychological research. The student will learn to evaluate the quality of research, will design and execute various types of research, and will be able to document research using APA guidelines.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 and MAT 210

PSY 431 – Psychological Testing and Assessment

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3

This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of testing and clinical assessment procedures. Emphasis will be on the development and standardization of current psychological tests. The student will become acquainted with the strengths and weaknesses of the major tests in use today.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 and MAT 210

PSY 450 – Internship

Semester: Fall and Spring
Semester hours: 1-12

An applied course in which interviewing techniques, listening skills, observation and assessment procedures, and counseling skills will be reviewed and practiced at a local agency. Observation of the student and feedback on developing skills will be shared throughout the training program. Pass/no pass grading. Contract is required.

Prerequisite: PSY 305 and PSY 483

PSY 483 – Psychological Counseling

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3

Students examine the theories and techniques used in the field of counseling. The course includes the discussion of psychopathologies, cultural diversity, privacy issues, counselor ethics, professionalism, and personality characteristics of both counselor and client as well as the effects of these issues on the counseling process.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 plus six additional semester hours in psychology

PSY 490 – Seminar in Physiological Psychology

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 3

This course provides a study of the anatomical, biochemical, and physiological aspects of human psychology. Students will have a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the human brain and nervous system and will understand the biochemical principles that relate to the human nervous system and the physiology involved in phenomena such as sleep, memory, schizophrenia, and depression.

Prerequisite: PSY 101, one course in biology or one course in chemistry

PSY 499 – Directed Reading

Semester: Offered at discretion of department
Semester hours: 1-3

This course allows a student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

Prerequisite: junior or senior standing

• Barbara Vail, Professor
• Jenny Reichert, Associate Professor
• Casey Bevens, Assistant Professor