Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Modern living is complex due to competing desires and obligations: family, career, community and personal needs. Learning how to balance these competing claims on our attention and affections often involves making choices based on core values. This course explores answers to a variety of timeless questions so students can come to a better understanding of themselves, their desires and their obligations. Questions that will be explored may include: What does it mean to live a good life? What is the meaning of life? Does life have a meaning? What does it mean to be ethical and how does one know right from wrong? What makes work meaningful? What does it mean to be happy? What does it mean to be successful? What is the relationship between work, success and happiness? To whom in my life am I responsible, and what do I owe them? Drawing on religion, philosophy and literature, students will examine and critique a diversity of responses to these kinds of questions, reflect on the relevance of these responses in their lives and formulate their own responses to these questions. In keeping with Merrimack College’s Catholic and Augustinian mission, special attention is paid to the Christian tradition and the life and thought of Augustine of Hippo.

As part of the Professional Core in the B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences program, this course emphasizes effective communication (oral and written), critical thinking, ethical judgment and decision-making, effective teamwork, the ability to work independently, initiative, proactive planning, and real-world applications. Credits: 4

Examination of the major issues, theories and findings in the psychological study of positive emotions and experience (Positive Psychology). Emphasis is on the scientific investigation of such topics as the nature of happiness and well-being, psychological flow, savoring, love, optimism, resilience, character strengths and virtues and the meaningful life. Credits: 4

Provides a general overview of the wide-ranging field of psychology. Students will explore major concepts and issues in the study of human thinking, feeling, and acting. These include biological foundations of behavior and experience, how people learn and develop, how individuals perceive the world, individual differences in behavior, social influence and social relations, the difference between normative and non-normative behavior, and approaches to therapy. Credits: 4

Analysis of the varied ways psychologists ask and answer questions about the nature of the psychological processes. Focus will be on research philosophy, and qualitative and quantitative methodology, as they pertain to applied, real-world questions. Credits: 4

Cognition (PSY 3100)
Examines the major empirical and theoretical work on human information processing. Focuses on basic processing including sensory storage, pattern recognition, attention and memory. Also addresses complex cognitive processes, including language, problem-solving and decision-making. Prerequisites: PSY 1000 or PSY 2100. Credits: 4

This course is an introduction to the human nervous system, with emphasis on the structure and function of the human brain. Topics include the function of nerve cells, neural communication, sensory systems, attention, motor control, emotion, learning and memory. Credits: 4

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to abnormal psychology. Students will study psychological dysfunction that is associated with distress or impairment. Topics covered include serious mental illness as well as anxiety, stress, and personality disorders. Content is organized in accordance with the DSM-5 as part of an integrative approach that includes the interaction of biological, developmental, and social factors on the description, etiology, course and treatment of mental disorders. Credits: 4

Explores the development of a typical human being from conception to death. Investigates patterns of change in biology, cognition, personality, social interaction, and relationships that take place throughout the lifespan. Considers several conceptual issues including progression and regression, health and illness, normality and abnormality. Credits: 4

Analyzes current theories and research on culture, race and ethnicity; and explores the ways in which the individual, social relations and culture mutually constitute each other. The course analyzes the rich interconnections between language and culture, and the role of culture in the construction of self and higher-order psychological processes. Students will examine cultural groups within and outside of the United States. Also includes consideration of cultural issues in the interpretation of personal experience and the role of cultural diversity in contemporary society. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Emphasizes the centrality of social context in our psychological processes. Explores how people think about, influence and relate to each other. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Application of psychological principles to the world of work. Emphasizes the organization as a complex social system. Applied topics include the selection, training, and evaluation of personnel. Theoretical issues include motivation, leadership, group dynamics, and organizational structure. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Examines the psychological dynamics of groups, mainly in work settings, including understanding the cohesion and development of groups (e.g., learning, satisfaction, commitment), interpersonal processes and relationships that occur between group members as they work together (e.g., information sharing, competition and conflict, conformity), and motivational factors that influence group performance (e.g., groupthink, social facilitation). Explores past and present empirical research and theory. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Explores the psychology of trauma and human resilience. This course explores the range of posttraumatic reactions to a variety of situations as they affect cognitive, emotional, somatic and interpersonal aspects of functioning. Students will be exposed to an overview of the etiology of and prevailing theories about PTSD. Factors contributing to the resilience to trauma as well as societal, cultural, and historical influences on views of trauma will also be discussed. Credits: 4

Explores psychological disorders that affect children. Topics include depression, autism, suicide, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities. Also investigates treatment modalities and theories of etiology. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4

Introduces classical and contemporary thinking on the concept of “personality’” Explores the contributions of several important theoretical frameworks in personality theory including psychoanalysis, phenomenology, trait theory, and learning. Prerequisite: PSY 1000. Credits: 4