Psychology
George Noell, Chair
Suzanne Morrow, Chief Departmental Advisor
Krystall Dunaway, Undergraduate Program Director
The BS in Psychology is designed to provide a knowledge base of current methods, content areas, and theories. It seeks to facilitate the development of intellectual skills and characteristics that enhance the student's lifelong personal and career success. The program begins with a general psychology course and includes courses in quantitative methods and experimental design. Additional coursework is selected from a broad range of available courses. Students are encouraged to pursue breadth across the areas of psychology, particularly when planning for advanced study in psychology. The department does, however, identify sets of courses particularly relevant for students interested in health, clinical, industrial/organizational, or human factors (engineering) psychology.
Psychology Awards
The Alan L. Chaikin Psychology Honors Thesis Award is given each year to a student in the Department of Psychology for the outstanding honors thesis.
The Elizabeth C. Guy Outstanding Psychology Service Award is given each year to the student selected by the faculty who has contributed significant service to the department or field of psychology. Service is primarily defined as participation in departmental, University, community, or professional organizations. However, other qualifications, such as research activity, may be considered. Eligible students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and 18 credits in psychology at Old Dominion University.
The Elizabeth C. Guy Outstanding Psychology Academic Award is given each year to the graduating senior with the highest overall grade point average. To be eligible, a student will have completed a minimum of 60 hours at Old Dominion University by graduation. Further, the student will have completed a minimum of 18 psychology credits at Old Dominion University. In the case where two or more students meet the criteria and have identical GPAs, the student with the highest number of credit hours earned at Old Dominion University will receive the award.
The Michael Greenspan/ODU Psychology Study Abroad Award is given each year to a selected psychology major to study psychology at one of ODU's partner institutions in the United Kingdom. Students interested in this opportunity should contact the ODU Office of Study Abroad.
Advanced Placement
The Department of Psychology offers course credit for PSYC 201S and PSYC 203S through testing procedures or a qualifying score on AP and IB subject examinations. See the equivalency charts on the ODU website at https://www.odu.edu/academics/academic-records/score-analysis/ap-ib. Students may also earn credit for some courses via prior learning assessment options. Interested students should visit the Undergraduate Program office MGB 246 for more information or refer to the section on Prior Learning Assessment Credit Options at the Undergraduate Level in this Catalog.
Courses
Psychology (PSYC)
Student participation in a supervised, undergraduate research experience for which credit will not apply to the degree. Experience must be related to the student's major, minor or career area of interest.
Introduction to the scientific study of psychology, including the methods used to gather and interpret data. The student is introduced to fundamental terms, theories, and concepts dealing with the biological bases of behavior; learning; perception; cognition and intelligence; personality; psychological disorders; human development; and social processes. An emphasis is placed on application of concepts and critical thinking.
A broad contemporary view of the processes of development. The influences of biological and environmental factors in the development of personality and cognitive functioning are explored.
Exploration of available careers in psychology with a bachelor’s degree as well as career options for individuals after graduate school (e.g., master’s degree, PhD, PsyD, etc.). All assignments will be aimed at helping students learn more about available opportunities and develop skills needed to find a job and/or get into graduate school. This course is recommended during the sophomore or junior year.
An application of psychological principles and research to human behavior in work settings. Among the topics covered are personnel selection, training, and evaluation; employee motivation and job satisfaction; and organizational leadership and theory.
The behavior of the individual as affected by other people and groups. Interpersonal attraction, attitude change, group dynamics, and the application of psychology to social problems are among the topics covered.
This course surveys the evolution and future of clinical psychology, covering research, assessment and intervention, and subspecialities.
Course examines how psychological states (e.g., anxiety, stress) influence physical health. The course also examines how physical states (e.g., illness, pain, injury) influence psychological health. Topics include the impact of stress on health and proneness to illness; coping with illness, injury and trauma; and the role of health-enhancing behaviors in maintaining physical health.
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of human-computer interaction. Emphasis is placed on leadership knowledge needed to implement human-centered design practices into an organization's culture.
This course examines and discusses psychological theories and research that focus on human strengths and potential. Factors that contribute to happiness and a fulfilling life are emphasized. Lectures, self-assessments and experiential exercises are used to understand how to cultivate a meaningful life.
The study of crime from a psychological perspective. Topics include theories of criminal behavior, violent and non-violent crime, sexual offenses, insanity, addiction, white collar crime, and other criminal behaviors.
The application of inferential statistical principles to psychological research problems.
An examination of research principles and techniques in psychology. Experimental design and interpretation is stressed. Students learn to locate and read technical articles and to report on research projects in the style of the American Psychological Association. This is a writing intensive course.
A study of the psychological development of the child with physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and educational disabilities.
A survey of the processes of development during adolescence. Covers topics such as the influences of biological, emotional, social, and cognitive factors on personality development and adjustment of the adolescent.
Concepts and theories of sex and gender, including models of how gender roles are developed and maintained, will be examined. Major research findings regarding gender will be reviewed.
An examination of the effects of psychoactive drugs on behavior and the factors involved in drug use. Current research literature is discussed.
The application of psychological principles and research to the development and improvement of personnel subsystems in business and industry. Emphasis is placed on the assessment, selection and training of workers and manager.
The application and evaluation of psychological principles and research relating human behavior to the design of tools, technology, and the work environment.
This course emphasizes the study of human behavior in organizations. Topics include leadership, motivation, group behavior, communications, power and politics, and organization change.
The development of children within their diverse environments is examined. A focus is on the methods used to understand how children experience their world.
The study of adults with emphasis on aging. Current theories and research as well as the characteristics, lifestyles, and activities of adulthood and aging will be discussed.
A study of critical issues in human sexuality; gender and sexual identity, sexual arousal and erotic behavior, relationship development, and sexual dysfunction and deviation disorders.
This course affords students the opportunity to earn course credit for their work in supporting instructors and engaging with their peers in an undergraduate level course. It is designed for motivated and academically inclined students who wish to contribute to the educational environment and gain valuable, practical experience. Students work with instructors to identify appropriate tasks to be completed. 1-3 credits may be earned based on the number of hours involved in direct activities for the assigned class (3 credits = 9 hours per week; 2 credits = 6 hours per week; 1 credit = 3 hours per week). Students must be selected by the instructor. Positions are not guaranteed. Maximum of 6 credit hours allowed between PSYC 365 and PSYC 366.
This course affords students the opportunity to earn course credit for their work in supporting instructors and engaging with their peers in an undergraduate level course. It is designed for motivated and academically inclined students who wish to contribute to the educational environment and gain valuable, practical experience. Students work with instructors to identify appropriate tasks to be completed. 1-3 credits may be earned based on the number of hours involved in direct activities for the assigned class (3 credits = 9 hours per week; 2 credits = 6 hours per week; 1 credit = 3 hours per week). Students must be selected by the instructor. Positions are not guaranteed. Maximum of 6 credit hours allowed between PSYC 365 and PSYC 366.
For ODU psychology majors only. Students engage in academically relevant work-related activities in non-clinical settings. Available for pass/fail grading only. Students should work with the Instructor to identify their placement in the semester prior to enrollment. A maximum of 6 credits of PSYC 368 and/or PSYC 369 can be counted towards the major in Psychology. Pre- or
For ODU psychology majors only. Students engage in academically relevant work activities in clinical settings. Available for pass/fail grading only. Students should work with the Instructor to identify their placement in the semester prior to enrollment. Instructor approval is required prior to registration. A maximum of 6 credits of PSYC 368 and/or PSYC 369 can be counted towards the major in Psychology.
Students doing clinical internships at designated clinical placements must also enroll in this course taught by a faculty member. This seminar addresses the special issues in the areas of safety, confidentiality, and professionalism that arise in clinical settings. Students doing general (non-clinical) internships may also enroll in the course with permission of the Instructor. A maximum of 2 credits of PSYC 371 can be counted towards the major in psychology.
The department offers selected topics that may not be offered on a regular basis.
The department offers selected topics that may not be offered on a regular basis.
A survey of the historical development of modern psychology. The major systems and their influences on contemporary American psychology are studied.
A study of psychopathology, covering various behavior disorders, their descriptions, characteristics, and causation. Methods of therapeutic technique are reviewed.
A study of the structure of personality and the dimensions along which individuals differ. The contributions of major personality theorists and the implications of current research are considered.
An investigation of the ways in which people learn and think. Current models of human memory and cognition are considered in relation to the evidence on human thinking capabilities. The role of language in thought and knowledge acquisition is also explored.
An examination of the history, theory and applications of psychological testing.
An analysis of the processes by which humans obtain information about the environment through the eyes, ears, and other sensory systems.
Course focuses on basic learning principles and processes; classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, discrimination, attention, appetitive and aversive conditioning.
The course covers advanced statistical methods and computer applications that build on knowledge and skills acquired in PSYC 317.
A wide variety of psychological research and theory relevant to human behavior in different cultures is examined and the impact of culture on human behavior is discussed. The course examines cross-cultural research conducted by scholars around the world. In addition to factual knowledge, emphasis is placed on critical thinking and problem solving.
An investigation of the biological bases of behavior including mental illness, motivation, learning, memory and language.
This course examines the issues and perspectives related to the psychological evolution of African Americans in the United States. Particular emphasis is placed on exploring the discipline of psychology from an Afrocentric focus.
For ODU psychology majors only. With psychology faculty supervision, student develops an honors thesis proposal for approval by the Psychology Honors Program committee. See section on Honors Program in Psychology in this Catalog.
For ODU psychology majors only. With psychology faculty supervision, student conducts the supervised honors research and documents it in a thesis for approval by the Psychology Honors Program committee. Student also participates in a required seminar to discuss and present the research. See section on Honors Program in Psychology in this Catalog.
The course may be taken only once. An individualized course in which the student does library research and writes a paper.
The course may be taken only once. An individualized course in which the student does library research and writes a paper.
The entrepreneurship is a course designed to help students enhance their personal and professional development through innovation guided by faculty members and professionals. It offers students an opportunity to integrate disciplinary theory and knowledge through developing a nonprofit program, product, business, or other initiative. The real-world experiences that entrepreneurships provide will help students understand how academic knowledge leads to transformations, innovations, and solutions to different types of problems.
The department offers selected topics that may not be offered regularly. These special topics will appear in the course listing each semester.
The department offers selected topics that may not be offered regularly. These special topics will appear in the course listing each semester.
For ODU psychology majors only. Student and faculty supervisor develop and approve a contract of required research activities for the semester, such as attending research lab meetings, data collection, coding and/or analysis, library research, etc.
For ODU psychology majors only. Student and faculty supervisor develop and approve a contract of required research activities for the semester, such as attending research lab meetings, data collection, coding and/or analysis, library research, etc.