http://www.whitworth.edu/psychology
The Whitworth University Psychology Department is committed to academic rigor and sensitive human service through the promotion of the scientific study of mind and heart. As part of a Christian liberal arts institution, we seek to train and produce responsible, enlightened citizens who think critically and contribute actively to the field of psychology. Following a scientist-practitioner model, the curriculum is designed to develop both breadth and depth of knowledge in core areas of psychology. Students engage in research and practice that encompass foundational and advanced requirements and electives, culminating in dual senior capstone experiences. Students apply their learning as they design their own research projects, critically evaluate scientific information and other claims, and reflect on the integration of psychology with Christian faith and other worldview perspectives. They gain experience working in the community at a practicum placement of their choice, and they have the opportunity to travel to destinations that bring their classroom learning to life. We offer an enduring foundation in the investigation and understanding of human behavior, emotion and mental processes, in an atmosphere that nurtures relationships among people of diverse backgrounds and offers mutual support and friendship among faculty and students.
The learning outcomes of this major prepare students to do the following:
- Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application ability of psychological principles within personal, social and organizational realms.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, skeptical inquiry and scientific methods to solve problems related to behavioral, mental and emotional processes.
- Act ethically, understand how their worldview informs their approach to psychology, and appreciate diversity.
- Demonstrate competence in oral, written and interpersonal communication.
- Implement psychological and personal knowledge, skills and values in vocational pursuits that meet personal goals and societal needs.
Courses
| PY 101 Introductory Psychology | 3 |
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Use of scientific method of examining human,behavior. How to deal objectively with questions,about behavior. Topics include biological,psychology, development, perception, states of,consciousness, learning and memory, motivation and,emotion, disorders and therapy, social psychology,and human diversity. Fall and spring semesters.,Periodically offered on-line during summer,semester. |
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| PY 196 Psychology and Well-Being | 1 |
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Students will explore and practice empirically,based principles of well-being. This includes,exploring how topics such as exercise, sleep,,mindfulness, and stress impact well-being. |
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| PY 200 Psychopathology and Film | 3 |
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Introduction to social issues of psychopathology,using film. Exploration of various symptoms,,disorders, interpersonal dynamics, influences,,treatments and legal and ethical issues.,Prerequisite: PY 101. Jan Term. Periodic offering. |
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| PY 201 Psychological Statistics | 3 |
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Introduction to the process of research and the,basic principles of statistics. Focus on,hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: PY-101. Fall and,spring semesters. |
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| PY 206 Serial Crime in the Pacific Northwest:, Psychopathology, Evil, & Justice | 3 |
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This course introduces the phenomenon of serial,crime as an avenue for exploring definitions and,varieties of psychopathology and its,intersections with criminality. Primary texts,include works of true crime emphasizing key,narratives about pathology, evil, and the meaning,of justice for criminals and their,victims/survivors. A field trip to Seattle-area,locations will assist students in understanding,the context in which serial crime occurs, and,what our societal response to it might be, with,an emphasis on victim advocacy and vocation.,Periodic summer offering. |
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| PY 210 Developmental Psychology | 3 |
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The biological, psychological, social, and,cultural influences on human development from,conception through death. Fall and spring,semester. |
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| PY 211 Lifespan Development | 3 |
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For Continuing Studies Students only. An,examination of developmental psychology,,addressing the biological, psychological, social,,and cultural influences on human development,across the lifespan. |
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| PY 225 Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
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An examination of important concepts in Cognitive,Psychology, including attention, memory, language,,problem solving and decision making, and cognitive,neuroscience. Special consideration will be placed,on important experimental findings and the,applications of cognitive principles in education,,the legal system, counseling, marketing, and other,fields. Prerequisite: PY 101. Spring semesters. |
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| PY 227 Personality and Individual Differences | 3 |
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This course explores historical and current,perspectives on the nature of human personality,,including personality development, assessment, and,change. Other important dimensions along which,humans can vary, such as gender, culture,,intellectual ability, and genetic/biochemical,composition, are also considered. Prerequisite: PY,101. Fall and spring semester. |
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| PY 236 Biological Psychology | 3 |
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An examination of the biological underpinnings of,human thought, feeling and action. Considers,neuronal and hormonal communication, along with,behavioral genetics and evolutionary psychology.,Prerequisite: PY-101. Fall or spring semester. |
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| PY 241 Social Psychology | 3 |
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Examines how an individual's thoughts, feelings,,and behaviors are influenced by the actual,,imagined, or implied presence of others. Trends,and findings of current research and its,limitations. Prerequisite: PY 101. Fall or spring,semester. |
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| PY 301 Research in Psychology | 3 |
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Introduction to conducting psychological,research. Topics include ethics, hypothesis,formation, descriptive research, experimental,design, reliability and validity. Students will,practice skills learned in PY201 through data,collection and analyses. Prerequisite: Take PY,101 and take PY 201 or MA 256. Fall and spring,semesters. |
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| PY 328 Perspectives on Moral,Development | 3 |
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Explores various theoretical perspectives and,research studies regarding the conception and,study of morality and moral development. The,primary questions addressed in the course are: (a),What does it mean for us to think, feel, and act,morally? (b) In what ways do our moral cognitions,,emotions, and behaviors change from childhood to,adulthood? (c) In what ways do our moral,cognitions, emotions, and behaviors remain stable,from childhood to adulthood? (d) How are these,cognitions, emotions, and behaviors conceptualized,and studied by various theoretical perspectives?,(e) How do past and present research inform our,understanding of moral development? |
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| PY 330 Psychology of Poverty and Social Class | 3 |
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Examines how social class affects cognitive,,emotional, and social development; how the more,affluent make attributions of behavior and,circumstances of the poor; and how these,attributions affect helping behavior and,psychological outcomes. Prerequisite: PY 101.,Sophomore level and above. Also listed as CE 330.,Periodic. |
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| PY 335 Exploring Central Nervous System,Disorders | 3 |
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Explores a variety of diseases and disorders of,the brain and central nervous system (CNS).,Current research is placed within the context of,patient symptoms, experiences, and societal,implications. Special focus on current methods,used to study the brain-based mechanisms, novel,treatments strategies, and bigger picture,perspectives for each condition. |
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| PY 336 Drug Use and its Effects | 3 |
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Explores the effects of major categories of drugs,on the brain from a biological and,neuroscience-based perspective. How do these drugs,affect the brain, its structures, and its,neurotransmitters--and what effect does this in,turn have on behavior? This course examines,research on current drugs and the discovery of new,drugs, and considers how this research can inform,treatment strategies and our understanding of,addiction. |
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| PY 337 Books, Brains, & Beliefs | 3 |
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Consider the personal experience, symptoms, and,brain mechanisms associated with 3 mental health,or neurological conditions using memoirs, novels,,and other popular readings. Possible topics,include depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's,disease, developmental conditions, or traumatic,brain injuries. Each condition is studied within,the context of multiple viewpoints and faith-based,perspectives. |
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| PY 340 Love, Altruism and Forgiveness | 3 |
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An examination of why people experience love and,behave altruistically. Topics include the,emotions of love and hate, empathy, forgiveness,,hope, and courage; social categorization; and,self-other relationships. Prerequisite: PY 101.,Jan term. Periodic offering. |
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| PY 341 The Psychology of Love | 3 |
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For Continuing Studies students only. An,examination of how and why people experience love.,Topics include theoretical perspectives on love,,altruism, emotion, love vs. hate, empathy,,forgiveness, hope, courage, self-other,relationships, and more. |
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| PY 345 Forensic Psychology | 3 |
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Examines the relationship between psychology and,the law, police psychology, investigative,psychology, legal psychology, and criminal,psychology. Special consideration will be placed,on how concepts such as developmental, clinical,,cognitive, and social psychology can be applied,and integrated into the legal system.,Prerequisite: PY 101. |
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| PY 350 Psychology and Christian Faith | 3 |
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Explores the integration of psychological research,and Christian faith. Examines potential tensions,and resolutions in integrating psychological and,Christian approaches to understanding development,,maturity, conversion, and counseling.,Prerequisite: three courses in psychology,,including PY 101. Periodic. |
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| PY 353 Psychological Assessment | 3 |
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Provides a survey of fundamental goals and,principles of psychological assessment in both,theoretical and applied contexts, including,identifying the primary constructs assessed by,psychologists. Students will explore theories,,techniques, applications, and limitations of,assessments and sample commonly used,psychological screenings/tests. Includes overview,of psychometric principles: test,reliability/validity, and consideration of,ethical and professional issues. Prerequisites: PY,101 and PY 227. Spring semester. |
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| PY 355 Helping Skills | 3 |
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Learn to use concepts and models of research-based,helping skills. Skills-based and experiential,course format providing first-hand experience in,simulated role-play helping situations.,Prerequisites: PY 101 and PY 227. Fall or spring,semester. |
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| PY 357 Developmental Psychopathology | 3 |
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Explore the developmental psychopathology,perspective and how it is used to understand,selected disorders of childhood. Review of the,description, assessment, epidemiology, etiology,,and treatment of commonly diagnosed behavioral,and,emotional disorders in childhood. Prerequisite:,PY 101 & either PY 210 or PY 358. Fall or spring,semester. |
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| PY 358 Psychopathology | 3 |
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Study of behavior categorized as mental illness,or mental disorder. Introduction to the DSM and,treatment. Pertinent issues in genetic and,neurochemical factors, family interactions, and,other social relationships examined.,Prerequisites: PY 101. Fall and spring semester. |
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| PY 359 Theories of Counseling | 3 |
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Introduction to the field of counseling, including,major theoretical orientations, both historical,and recent: psychoanalytic, behavioral,,humanistic/existential. Prerequisites: PY 101 and,PY 227 (PY 358 recommended). Fall or spring,semesters. |
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| PY 360 Psychology of Consumerism | 3 |
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Explores the effect of consumer culture on the,lives of individuals. Topics include identity,formation, psychological motivations for,materialism and consumption, how consumerism,shapes relationships, and its effect on the,environment. Antidotes such as voluntary,simplicity, gratitude, and mindfulness are also,discussed. Spring semester. |
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| PY 365 Psychology of Emotion | 3 |
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Focuses on the scientific study of emotion,including how and why people express emotions; how,and why people experience emotion (with an,emphasis both on physiology and cognition); the,development of emotion; and the effect culture has,on both the expression and experience of emotion. ,Students are introduced to a variety of research,methods in the field including facial judgment,tasks, psychophysiology, diary studies, and,cross-cultural research methods. Prerequisite: PY,101. Fall or spring semester. |
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| PY 370 Sports Psychology | 3 |
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Exploration of the many facets of sports,psychology from both a theoretical and practical,standpoint. Topics include characteristics of,successful athletes, motivation, regulating,anxiety and stress, aggression, team cohesion,,leadership styles, and coaching youth sports.,Recommended that PY 101 be taken previously. Jan,Term. |
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| PY 376 Health Psychology | 3 |
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The study of biological, psychological, and,sociocultural perspectives influence an,individual's overall health including; behavior,change theory and application, coping and stress,management, psychoneuroimmunology, the impact of,personality and cognitive patterns, vision and,goal development to facilitate health behavior,change. Cross-listed: HS-376. Prerequisite: PY,101. Fall or spring offering. |
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| PY 376H Psychological Trauma and Resilience | 3 |
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Psychological Trauma and Resilience is an,upper-division course designed to explore the,nature of trauma and the various outcomes that,suffering can produce. This course will first,explore, at a micro level, the individual factors,that can either hinder or facilitate emotional,,psychological and spiritual growth before, during,and after great suffering. Students will explore,the various ways humans from a variety of cultures,have interacted with suffering from Old Testament,to current treatments for PTSD and research on,hardiness and Post Traumatic Growth. We then,survey the major conflicts the American Military,has been involved in from the Civil War onward,,comparing and contrasting, at a macro level, the,variables that led to either increased resiliency,and growth, or psychological degradation.,Prerequisite: PY-358. Fall semester. |
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| PY 377 The Nature of Trauma | 3 |
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For Continuing Studies students only. This course,is designed to explore the nature of trauma and,its individual, familial, community, cultural, and,global impacts. Starting with an in-depth,exploration of trauma and its definition, this,course will then explore trauma's prevalence in,American society, how trauma reshapes both body,and brain, and finally will explore various trauma,recovery approaches and treatments. |
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| PY 394 Research Assistantship | 1-3 |
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| PY 400 Senior Pre-Practicum | 1 |
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Serves as preparation for Senior Practicum course.,Topics include exploring student,post-baccalaureate goals and interests, selecting,a practicum site, and preparing for the practicum,experience. Prerequisite: Senior psychology major,or by instructor permission only. Fall semester. |
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| PY 401W Senior Thesis | 3 |
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Final learning/evaluation situation for,psychology majors. Design and carry out,independent research project. Seminar format.,Prerequisite: PY 201 and PY 301. Fall,semester. |
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| PY 402 Senior Practicum | 3 |
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Placement in community agency or organization.,Applications of psychological concepts and,analysis of individual experiences in a seminar,format. Prerequisite: PY-400 and senior,psychology major. By instructor permission only.,Spring semester. |
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| PY 475 Research Colloquium | 1-3 |
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Gain firsthand experience of the process of,researching, critiquing, and writing in a,collaborative small-group format under the,guidance of a psychology faculty member and their,research. Prerequisite: PY 101 and senior,psychology major. Selection by instructor.,Periodic offering. |
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| PY 499H Advanced Senior Thesis | 3 |
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Students will refine their research question and,hypothesis from their original senior research,project, collect and analyze data, complete an,empirical APA-style paper, and present their full,findings. Prerequisite: PY 401W and approval of,instructor. Spring semester. |
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Dean of Arts & Sciences
JOHN PELL
Chair
ALISHA EPPS
Professors
PATRICIA BRUININKSMELISSA ROGERSNOELLE WIERSMA
Associate professors
MARK BAIRDALISHA EPPSJUSTIN MARTIN
Instructor
JOELLE CZIRR
Lecturer
JARED TAWNEY