The Faculty
Susan B. Goldstein
Thomas F. Gross
Jessica Hehman
Celine Ko
Fredric E. Rabinowitz
Catherine Salmon
Francisco Silva
Kathleen Silva
The Major
Bachelor of Arts
Majors must complete a minimum of ten courses in psychology, seven of which must be in residence, a senior capstone, and the psychology exit exam.
Students can declare the major after completion of PSYC 100 (with a minimum grade of 2.7), PSYC 250 (with a minimum grade of 2.0), and one additional psychology course with a combined 2.3 GPA across their Psychology courses. Transfer students are expected to meet the same prerequisites and GPA standards as students in residence.
Learning outcomes for this program may be found at www.redlands.edu/BA-PSYC/learning-outcomes.
Prerequisite Course Requirements
We strongly advise students to complete all their prerequisite courses no later than their junior year. PSYC 100 should ideally be taken in the first year, followed by PSYC 250 and PSYC 300 by the end of year three.
All prerequisite courses must be taken for a numerical grade. Students must earn a minimum grade of 2.7 in PSYC 100 for it to serve as a prerequisite for other PSYC courses. Students must also earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in PSYC 250 and PSYC 300 for these courses to serve as prerequisites for upper-level courses.
Repeating Courses Policy
Students are allowed to repeat a PSYC course only once. Students who want to repeat a course a second time must obtain permission from the Psychology Department Chair. For additional information about repeating courses, see the section in the Catalog about “Repeating Courses.”
Survey of classic and contemporary theory and research in human and animal behavior. Topics include the biopsychological bases of behavior, learning, cognition, motivation, developmental and social processes, and psychological disorders and their treatment.
Introduction to the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in the collection of data and the interpretation of research in psychology and education.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Study of scientific methods in psychology, including descriptive, correlational, and experimental approaches, with emphasis on artifacts, biases, and ethical issues in psychological research.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, or by permission.
This is a graduation requirement for psychology seniors. It is an end of senior year exam to assess knowledge/skills obtained over the degree.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing.
Credit/no credit only.
Survey of major paradigms of personality theories emphasizing different perspectives on the structure, dynamics, functions, and development of the normal personality.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Nature, determinants, and problems associated with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities, Conduct and Behavioral Disorders, Anxiety, and Mood Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Physical Disorders in children.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
This course focuses on the role of culture in human behavior. Attention is given to (1) the conceptual, ethical, and methodological challenges involved in making cross-cultural comparisons, (2) understanding how psychological inquiry is informed by a cultural perspective, and (3) applying psychological principles in order to understand and improve intercultural interaction.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Note: Students who receive credit for this course may not receive credit for PSYC 435 Cross-Cultural Psychology.
Topics of current interest in psychology that fall outside the regular curriculum. Recent offerings have included sports psychology, learning research.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Survey of biological, psychological, and sociocultural issues relevant to the psychology of gender. Emphasis on cultural images of men, women, and children; gender differences and similarities; gender-role socialization; sexuality and reproduction; psychological adjustment; and interpersonal relations.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Survey of normal developmental patterns from infancy to old age and theories of development with emphasis on current literature.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Emphasis on psychological theories and research relevant to education and the identification of solutions to practical problems in various types of educational settings.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Not regularly offered.
Survey of current theories of abnormal behavior with emphasis on the role of the psychologist in diagnosis, research, and treatment, as well as an understanding of the ethical and societal concerns related to psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Survey of the effect of social environment and social interaction upon individuals’ perceptions of themselves and others. Topics include self-perception, interpersonal perception, social influence, (e.g., conformity and persuasion), and social relations (e.g., aggression, altruism, and interpersonal attraction).
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
The evolution of social behavior is the primary focus of this course. The first few weeks will be devoted to the study of evolutionary theory as it applies to behavior. We will cover parental care, parent-offspring conflict, sexual selection, sex differences, sexuality, altruism, and cooperation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
This course consists of an overview of the field of human sexuality, including how we evaluate the claims of sexuality research. If psychology is the study of human behavior, a better understanding of our sexual psychology is important to understanding the factors that shape and motivate behavior.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
This course focuses on psychological theory and research as a mechanism for understanding prejudice and discrimination. The class explores cases based on such dimensions as gender, race/ ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability in order to investigate the causes and consequences of, and interventions for, intergroup prejudice and discrimination.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
In-depth examination of contemporary topics in the field of psychology. Recent offerings have included psychology of criminal behavior and current issues in personality.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
These courses generally have an empirical component involving data collection, analysis, interpretation, and a written report.
The methods and issues involved in cross-cultural psychology. The first half is an exploration of cross-cultural methodology and an examination of the universality of psychological theory. The second half is a focus on how knowledge about cultural differences has been applied to situations of intercultural contact.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Note: Students who receive credit for this course may not receive credit for PSYC 252, Culture and Human Behavior.
A sampling of theoretical approaches throughout the history of psychology emphasizing understanding and evaluating psychological information in its historical context, and the development of an appreciation for the diversity of psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Philosophy, theories, and applications of counseling and psychotherapy. Emphasis on developing basic counseling skills, learning professional ethics and standards, and exploring current theoretical models of counseling and their relation to the needs and trends within society.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and PSYC 344, or by permission.
Presentation of leading psychological, behavioral, and cognitive theories of how animals and humans adapt to changes in their environment.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Examination of theories of cognitive development, as well as changes in sensation, perception, memory, problem solving, and meta-cognitive processes across the life span.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Examination of theoretical structures and processes underlying mental activity. Attention given to phenomena associated with perception, memory, concept formation, problem-solving, and meta-cognition.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Introduction to the construction and use of tests in psychology. Attention given to the meaningfulness and interpretation of test scores; the place of tests in clinical, educational, and industrial settings; and the ethics of evaluation and assessment.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Provides an overview of the field of health psychology. We will cover the history of health psychology, the major theories of the field, and the methods of applying health psychology knowledge to promoting health and preventing diseases. We will be focusing on individual, social, cultural, and economic factors in health.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300.
This course is designed to provide experience in conducting empirical research. This includes all the steps taken by graduate students/ researchers, including successful IRB application, data collection and analysis, and a formal written and oral presentation of the results.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
In-depth examination of contemporary topics in the field of psychology. Recent offerings include child psychopathology, psychology of the sex industry, and nature of human relationships.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Students may select the tenth course from any 3- to 4-credit course in psychology. This may also include the cross-listed courses.
Emphasis on overriding concepts in understanding how the brain works and the experience of scientific inquiry. Focus on experimental methods, functional anatomy, and neurologic disorders, highlighting what is known about the nervous system. For non-biology majors only. Credit cannot be received for both BIOL 104 and BIOL 326.
Offered as needed.
Study of cellular/molecular mechanisms, anatomy, circuitry, and functions of the nervous system. Emphasis on clinical neurology and experimental methods. Includes topics such as the senses, movement, language, emotions, consciousness, and learning. The laboratory includes descriptive and hypothesis testing activities. Credit cannot be received for both BIOL 104 and BIOL 326.
Prerequisites: BIOL 238 or BIOL 239 or PSYC 300.
Offered as needed.
Within the framework of U.S. legislative policy, this course covers issues in workforce management. These include staffing, employment quality, performance management, compensation and benefits, training and development, as well as labor relations and global influences.
Prerequisite: Senior standing, or by permission.
In addition to these ten courses, students must complete at least one semester of:
In-depth examination of contemporary topics in the field of psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing or by permission.
Numeric grade only.
This capstone is designed to give students research experience in preparation for graduate school (including submitting an IRB application, designing/ conducting a research study, data collection/ analysis, and interpreting findings). At the end of the semester, students will create a poster of their research to present at the Senior Capstone Poster Session.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing or by permission.
Credit/no credit only.
Placement with a business, community service agency, or research institute. Faculty and on-site supervision. Students complete a detailed journal on the experience and a presentation to the department faculty. The Community Service requirement can be met through an unpaid field placement at a non-profit agency.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing or by permission.
Credit/no credit only.
Students must complete the psychology exit exam during the last semester before they graduate.
This is a graduation requirement for psychology seniors. It is an end of senior year exam to assess knowledge/skills obtained over the degree.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing.
Credit/no credit only.
The Minor
The minor in psychology consists of a minimum of six courses, four of which must be in residence. It is recommended that students take PSYC 100 first, as it is a prerequisite for most psychology classes. PSYC 250 and PSYC 300 are not required for the minor, however, they are prerequisites for all 400-level courses.
Study Abroad
Students planning to study abroad should contact their advisor early to coordinate this experience with the major program sequence. The department supports and encourages cross-cultural studies.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate in Psychology
Students who receive a score of four or five on the Advanced Placement Exam or a score of five or higher in the International Baccalaureate course may enroll in courses that list PSYC 100 as a prerequisite and will receive 4 credits for PSYC 100.
Departmental Honors
A departmental honors program that involves an exceptional senior project is available for qualified and motivated students. Admission to the program might come by departmental invitation or, should students initiate their own applications, with sponsorship by the psychology faculty. Interested students should consult their advisors for information about application procedures and requirements.
Students who do not meet prerequisites must obtain permission from the instructor prior to enrolling.
Survey of classic and contemporary theory and research in human and animal behavior. Topics include the biopsychological bases of behavior, learning, cognition, motivation, developmental and social processes, and psychological disorders and their treatment.
Practical experience as a research or teaching assistant.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Survey of major paradigms of personality theories emphasizing different perspectives on the structure, dynamics, functions, and development of the normal personality.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Nature, determinants, and problems associated with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities, Conduct and Behavioral Disorders, Anxiety, and Mood Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Physical Disorders in children.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Introduction to the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in the collection of data and the interpretation of research in psychology and education.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
This course focuses on the role of culture in human behavior. Attention is given to (1) the conceptual, ethical, and methodological challenges involved in making cross-cultural comparisons, (2) understanding how psychological inquiry is informed by a cultural perspective, and (3) applying psychological principles in order to understand and improve intercultural interaction.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Note: Students who receive credit for this course may not receive credit for PSYC 435 Cross-Cultural Psychology.
Topics of current interest in psychology that fall outside the regular curriculum. Recent offerings have included sports psychology, learning research.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Study of scientific methods in psychology, including descriptive, correlational, and experimental approaches, with emphasis on artifacts, biases, and ethical issues in psychological research.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, or by permission.
Survey of biological, psychological, and sociocultural issues relevant to the psychology of gender. Emphasis on cultural images of men, women, and children; gender differences and similarities; gender-role socialization; sexuality and reproduction; psychological adjustment; and interpersonal relations.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Survey of normal developmental patterns from infancy to old age and theories of development with emphasis on current literature.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Emphasis on psychological theories and research relevant to education and the identification of solutions to practical problems in various types of educational settings.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Not regularly offered.
Survey of current theories of abnormal behavior with emphasis on the role of the psychologist in diagnosis, research, and treatment, as well as an understanding of the ethical and societal concerns related to psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
Survey of the effect of social environment and social interaction upon individuals’ perceptions of themselves and others. Topics include self-perception, interpersonal perception, social influence, (e.g., conformity and persuasion), and social relations (e.g., aggression, altruism, and interpersonal attraction).
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
The evolution of social behavior is the primary focus of this course. The first few weeks will be devoted to the study of evolutionary theory as it applies to behavior. We will cover parental care, parent-offspring conflict, sexual selection, sex differences, sexuality, altruism, and cooperation.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
This course consists of an overview of the field of human sexuality, including how we evaluate the claims of sexuality research. If psychology is the study of human behavior, a better understanding of our sexual psychology is important to understanding the factors that shape and motivate behavior.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
This course focuses on psychological theory and research as a mechanism for understanding prejudice and discrimination. The class explores cases based on such dimensions as gender, race/ ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability in order to investigate the causes and consequences of, and interventions for, intergroup prejudice and discrimination.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
In-depth examination of contemporary topics in the field of psychology. Recent offerings have included psychology of criminal behavior and current issues in personality.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or by permission.
The methods and issues involved in cross-cultural psychology. The first half is an exploration of cross-cultural methodology and an examination of the universality of psychological theory. The second half is a focus on how knowledge about cultural differences has been applied to situations of intercultural contact.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Note: Students who receive credit for this course may not receive credit for PSYC 252, Culture and Human Behavior.
A sampling of theoretical approaches throughout the history of psychology emphasizing understanding and evaluating psychological information in its historical context, and the development of an appreciation for the diversity of psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Philosophy, theories, and applications of counseling and psychotherapy. Emphasis on developing basic counseling skills, learning professional ethics and standards, and exploring current theoretical models of counseling and their relation to the needs and trends within society.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and PSYC 344, or by permission.
Presentation of leading psychological, behavioral, and cognitive theories of how animals and humans adapt to changes in their environment.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Examination of theories of cognitive development, as well as changes in sensation, perception, memory, problem solving, and meta-cognitive processes across the life span.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Examination of theoretical structures and processes underlying mental activity. Attention given to phenomena associated with perception, memory, concept formation, problem-solving, and meta-cognition.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Introduction to the construction and use of tests in psychology. Attention given to the meaningfulness and interpretation of test scores; the place of tests in clinical, educational, and industrial settings; and the ethics of evaluation and assessment.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
Provides an overview of the field of health psychology. We will cover the history of health psychology, the major theories of the field, and the methods of applying health psychology knowledge to promoting health and preventing diseases. We will be focusing on individual, social, cultural, and economic factors in health.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300.
This course is designed to provide experience in conducting empirical research. This includes all the steps taken by graduate students/ researchers, including successful IRB application, data collection and analysis, and a formal written and oral presentation of the results.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
In-depth examination of contemporary topics in the field of psychology. Recent offerings include child psychopathology, psychology of the sex industry, and nature of human relationships.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, or by permission.
In-depth examination of contemporary topics in the field of psychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing or by permission.
Numeric grade only.
This capstone is designed to give students research experience in preparation for graduate school (including submitting an IRB application, designing/ conducting a research study, data collection/ analysis, and interpreting findings). At the end of the semester, students will create a poster of their research to present at the Senior Capstone Poster Session.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing or by permission.
Credit/no credit only.
Placement with a business, community service agency, or research institute. Faculty and on-site supervision. Students complete a detailed journal on the experience and a presentation to the department faculty. The Community Service requirement can be met through an unpaid field placement at a non-profit agency.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing or by permission.
Credit/no credit only.
This is a graduation requirement for psychology seniors. It is an end of senior year exam to assess knowledge/skills obtained over the degree.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and PSYC 250, and PSYC 300, and senior standing.
Credit/no credit only.
