Department of Psychology and Philosophy

This is an archived copy of the 2018-2019 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit catalog.shsu.edu.

About

Interim Chair
James Crosby

Mission

The Department of Psychology and Philosophy supports the Mission Statement of the University and that of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Department is committed to providing a quality educational environment conducive to scholarship and the acquisition of knowledge and applicable skills. We recognize that this ideal requires the effective use of faculty expertise and creativity, a sensitivity to the needs of the university and to the community, and a genuine concern for the abilities and goals of students.

Contact Information
(936) 294-3552
CHSS 390

Website
Department of Psychology and Philosophy

PSYC 5035. Special Problems in Psychology. 1-3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 535); This course allows for in-depth study in individually selected topics not specifically included in the formal course offerings. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair and instructor.

PSYC 5330. Psychopathology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 530); This course examines psychological disorders and involves review, critical evaluation, and integration of current scientific literature regarding diagnosis, phenomenology, and etiology. Issues in the application of the current diagnostic system in clinical practice are discussed.

PSYC 5331. Grad Smnr General Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 531); This course surveys the science of psychology, providing an advanced synthesis of the scientific study of human behavior that includes the biological, perceptual, developmental, and social determinants of behavior, emotion, and cognition.

PSYC 5332. Advanced Social Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 532); This course examines social factors that influence individual behavior. Integrative theoretical perspectives and emerging programs of research within the discipline are given specific consideration. Readings include a variety of original sources.

PSYC 5333. Thry & Rsch In Psychotherapy I. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 533); This course is a comparative analysis of different systems and techniques of psychotherapy. The role of therapist, client, and setting are examined along with ethical principles.

PSYC 5334. Thry & Rsch Psychotherapy II. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 534); This course examines in detail selected advanced systems or techniques of psychotherapy, including group therapy, marital and family therapy, therapy for sexual dysfunction, or others. Content may vary from semester to semester.

PSYC 5336. Advanced Cognitive Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 536); This seminar-style course examines the major psychological issues related to cognition. Topics covered include attentional processes, memory, language, knowledge representations, decision making, problem solving, and cognitive neuroscience. By combining reading assignments in the textbook and current research articles, in-class discussions explore the relationship between empirical evidence and theoretical explanations of cognitive processes. This course includes a specific focus on the practical applications of cognitive theories and research.

PSYC 5338. Consultation In School Psy. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 538); Various methods and techniques of consultation in schools are examined and applied. Best practices according to the National Association of School Psychologists provide the basis for the curriculum. The course has both didactic and field experience components.

PSYC 5339. Advanced School Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 539); This course is designed to acquaint the student with history, theory, delivery models and techniques underlying the practice of school psychology. Various historical and contemporary roles of the school psychologist are examined in addition to a thorough examination of all applicable federal and state laws. There is also a field experience aspect to the course.

PSYC 5360. Adv Physiological Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: 560); This course examines the biological substrates of behavior. Particular attention is given to the effects of psychoactive chemicals.

PSYC 5361. Neuropsychopharmacology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: 561); This course examines the field of behavioral pharmacology: the systematic study of the effects of drugs on behavior and the way in which behavioral principles can help in understanding how drugs work. The focus is on the neurophysiological mechanisms of action of various psychoactive drugs and on the various neurotransmitter systems within the nervous system.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

PSYC 5370. Academic Assmnt & Consultation. 3 Hours.

(Prior SH course id: PSY 570); This course provides school psychology graduate students with the skills to assess the academic skill-sets and functioning of school-age children and adolescents as well as their respective instructional environments. Students in this course develop an increased understanding of the problem-identification and problem-analysis stages of consultation within the context of academic difficulties.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5338.

PSYC 5379. Ethical Practice in Psychology. 3 Hours.

Students acquire knowledge of ethics, standards, laws, state licensing rules and regulations, and historical foundations of the practice of clinical and school psychology. Students examine case material that features ethical conflicts and controversies and practice the processes to resolve ethical dilemmas.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PSYC 5380. Psychology of Diversity. 3 Hours.

Students examine the roles and influences of cultural and individual differences in mental health. Although the field of multicultural psychology covers a vast array of topics, students in this course focus specifically on diversity as it applies to the delivery of clinical services. Appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention approaches to psychological work with various clinical populations will be discussed.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PSYC 5381. Advanced Learning Theory. 3 Hours.

This course examines processes of learning through a critical discussion of current research and theory in the areas of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social and cognitive influences in learning.

PSYC 5382. Adv Industrial/Org Psy I. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 582); This course provides an integration of psychological principles as applied to industrial/organizational milieu. The focus is on the application of research methodology, psychological assessment, and personality theories to the work environment.
Prerequisite: 6 hrs of graduate Psychology coursework.

PSYC 5383. Adv Industrial/Org Psy II. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 583); This course provides an integration of psychological principles as applied to organizational environments. The focus is on the application of research methodology, psychological assessment, and social psychological theory to leadership, employee satisfaction and motivation, behavioral analysis and conflict resolution, and intervention in work related stress.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of graduate Psychology coursework.

PSYC 5385. Advanced Health Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 585); This course explores in depth the theoretical and conceptual foundations of health psychology, the interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors in health, health promotion and prevention, stress and coping with disease and illness, and recovery and rehabilitation to acute, chronic, and terminal illness, including a variety of specific assessment and intervention strategies. A review of the literature and independent research is expected.

PSYC 5387. Advanced Statistics. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 587); This course is an advanced study of the use of statistical methods as tools for inferential hypothesis testing. It includes consideration of data screening, effect sizes, and simple effects tests. It also provides an introduction to multiple regression.
Prerequisite: PSYC 3301 or equivalent.

PSYC 5388. Experimental Design. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 588); This course teaches students skills that will allow them to design their own scholarly research projects. Students are encouraged to understand that research design often requires finding the right balance between advantages and disadvantages of specific methods. Students will become familiar with the current scholarly literature regarding research design and will write an independent research proposal that can serve as a thesis or dissertation proposal.

PSYC 5392. History & Systems Of Psychlogy. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 592); This course examines the philosophical, theoretical, and paradigmatic antecedents of modern psychology. Important early publications, central figures, and major university centers are studied in detail, and students explore and critique the assumptions that inform influential perspectives within psychology today.

PSYC 5394. Psychometrics. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 594); This course covers principles of psychometric theory and applications, including reliability, validity, and test construction. The course emphasizes tests and scales that measure personality and mental health. Limited practicum is required.

PSYC 5395. Assmt Of Intellgnc & Achievmt. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 595); The course provides supervised instruction and practice in the administration, scoring, interpretation, and reporting of results of the Wechsler Scales and other measures of intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, and personality to produce integrated reports.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5394 or equivalent.

PSYC 5396. Assmt-Personlty& Psychoptholgy. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 596); This course provides supervised instruction in the theory, administration, scoring, and interpretation of personality assessment instruments. Two separate sections of this course are offered, one focusing on objective measures (e.g., MMPI-2, PAI) and one focusing on projective measures (e.g., Rorschach).
Prerequisite: PSYC 5330.

PSYC 5397. Adv Developmental Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 597); The course provides an advanced study of growth and development processes throughout the life cycle. Theories and applications of basic research are both examined in detail, and students are expected to delve into one of the major topics--such as multicultural aspects of development, cognitive development, social-emotional factors, and physical development--in depth through critical reading of original research.

PSYC 5398. Advanced Child Assessment. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 598); Students will gain in-depth practical experience in the comprehensive assessment of infants, children, and adolescents. A variety of individual testing instruments will be reviewed, including those used to evaluate cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral and executive functioning. Alternative methods of assessment, such as transdisciplinary play-based assessment, dynamic assessment, and curriculum-based measurement, as well as techniques and instruments specifically designed for the evaluation of Autism and other disabled populations, will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5395.

PSYC 6098. Thesis I. 1-3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 698); This first phase of the Thesis includes a review of the literature, research design, collection of pilot data, and related steps. Students are required to present and defend a research proposal. Variable Credit (1-3).

PSYC 6099. Thesis II. 1-3 Hours.

PSYC 6371. Internship in Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 671); This course is designed to be the culmination of the master's level training in applied psychology. Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply their knowledge.
Prerequisite: 30 hours of graduate coursework.

PSYC 6390. Techniques in Psychotherapy. 3 Hours.

This course includes development of psychotherapy skills and techniques of Motivational Interviewing. Emphasis is on acquisition, mastery, and automaticity of skills and techniques. Co-requisite: PSYC 6391.
Prerequisite: Graduate Admission.

PSYC 6391. Practicum I. 3 Hours.

The practicum experience is designed to provide the graduate student with an opportunity to develop interviewing skills, provide an introduction to psychotherapy, and bring together theory and practice as a developing psychologist. The first practicum course begins with the assumption that the student has had little to no experience in this domain. Ethical issues related to clinical practice are thoroughly explored. Co-requisite: PSYC 6391.

PSYC 6392. Practicum II. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 692); The practicum experience provides students with an opportunity to bring theory and practice together to develop their psychotherapy skills. Students are assigned to practicum sites where they provide therapy to clients with various psychological disorders and problems in living. Ethical issues in treatment are also covered.
Prerequisite: PSYC 6391.

PSYC 6393. Practicum III. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 693); The practicum experience provides students with an opportunity to bring theory and practice together to develop their psychotherapy skills. Students are assigned to practicum sites where they provide therapy to clients with various psychological disorders and problems in living. Ethical issues in treatment are also covered.

PSYC 6394. Practicum In Psychometrics. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 694); This concluding practicum experience is designed to provide the graduate student with an opportunity to further develop and apply skills in administration, scoring, interpreting, and reporting of psychological tests. This practicum is to be taken near the end of a student's educational program, with supervised experience intended to prepare the student for the psychological assessment and diagnostic aspects of internship or initial employment.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5394 and PSYC 5395.

PSYC 6396. Practicum in School Psychology I. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with the theoretical foundation necessary to design and implement intervention programs to promote mental health wellness and resiliency. Students gain direct field experience with the provision of psychological counseling used to assist children. Ethical issues related to intervention and prevention services are explored in depth.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5339.

PSYC 6397. Practicum in School Psychology II. 3 Hours.

As the culminating specialist-level, field-based experience this course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to bring theory and practice together to continue developing those skills required in practice. Students are assigned to school-based practicum sites where they provide a variety of services (e.g., assessment, intervention) under the supervision of both field and university supervisors.
Prerequisite: PSYC 6396.

PSYC 7330. Clinical Psychology Proseminar. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 730); This course introduces students to the field of clinical psychology, to current topics in clinical psychology, and the areas in which clinical psychologists practice and conduct research. The students are also introduced to the research programs and clinical interests of the core faculty in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program. As part of the course, students are expected to begin scholarly work with a faculty member of their choice.

PSYC 7333. Law And Social Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 733); This course applies social psychological theory and research to the legal system. Critical examination of contentious topics such as recovered memories, false confessions, eyewitness adequacy, and death qualification is undertaken through careful study of a wide variety of original sources. The influence of social class in legal settings Is also considered.

PSYC 7335. Law And Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 735); This course explores historical and contemporary applications of the social sciences to the law. Special emphasis is placed on the use of information derived from the science and profession of psychology to shape judicial, legislative, and administrative law.

PSYC 7336. Mental Health Law. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 736); This course explores state and federal constitutional, statutory, and case law regulating mental health professional practice. Topics include: child abuse/neglect reporting laws, civil commitment, confidentiality and privilege, duty to protect third parties from harm, psychiatric hospitalization of inmates, and state licensing requirements.

PSYC 7339. Developmental Psychopathology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 739); This course examines psychological disorders among children and adolescents, as understood through current empirical literature. Drawing from developmental psychology and general systems theory, the course emphasizes the ways in which biological, social, and psychological processes interact in the development of--or resistance to--psychopathology. The course is designed to help students appropriately consider the contextual and developmental influences on child psychopathology when the students review or conduct research. The course also helps clinicians-in-training thoroughly consider developmental and contextual factors when assessing and diagnosing childhood psychopathology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5330 and PSYC 5397.

PSYC 7360. Multicultural Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 760); This course examines the theoretical and methodological foundations of multicultural psychology as applied to clinical psychology. Students review and critique current research in the field and discuss applications of the course content to their practicum training and placements.

PSYC 7362. Ethics In Clinical Practice. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 762); This course studies the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct as well as various specialty guidelines and recommendations and their applications to practice, research, and consultation. The literature on ethics is critically examined and readings include a variety of original sources. Students examine case material that features ethical conflicts and controversies, and students practice processes to resolve ethical dilemmas.

PSYC 7370. Empirically Supported Treatmnt. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 770); This course examines the psychosocial treatments for specific psychological disorders (e.g., depression, panic disorder) that have received substantial empirical support. The course also examines the methodological, practical, and political controversies surrounding the empirically supported treatment movement.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5330 and PSYC 5333.

PSYC 7374. Human Neuropsychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 774); This course examines brain-behavior relationships, including higher cortical functions. Specific consideration is given to the most common neurobehavioral syndromes likely to be confronted in clinical practice, administration of tests that are used to assess neuropsychological functioning, coverage of critical issues in differential diagnoses involving neuropsychological functioning, intervention implications, and scholarly research in clinical neuropsychology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5330 and PSYC 5360 or PSYC 5395.

PSYC 7377. Emotions. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 777); This course examines the intersection of affective and cognitive bases of behavior. It debates the nature of emotion, delineates its components, and examines the roles of emotion in self-control, cognition, well-being, psychopathology, and relationships.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PSYC 7387. Multivariate Statistics - Psy. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 787); This course examines the use of multivariate procedures in psychological research. Students use SPSS to conduct regression, MANOVA, discriminant analysis, and factor analyses on psychological data. Additional advanced procedures are reviewed.

PSYC 7392. Topics In Clinical Psychology. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 792); This course will vary in content depending on the interests of faculty and students. Students will study in-depth selected topics in clinical psychology.

PSYC 8096. Dissertation I. 1-3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 896); Advanced research in Clinical Psychology. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: Consent of Clinical Training Committee.

PSYC 8097. Dissertation II. 1-3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 897); Advanced research in Clinical Psychology. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: Consent of Clinical Training Committee.

PSYC 8098. Dissertation III. 1-3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 898); Advanced research in Clinical Psychology. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: Consent of Clinical Training Committee.

PSYC 8099. Dissertation IV. 1-3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 899); Advanced research in Clinical Psychology. Prerequisites: Consent of Clinical Training Committee. Variable Credit (1-3).

PSYC 8110. Internship I. 1 Hour.

Prerequisites: PSYC 8382 and PSYC 8383.

PSYC 8111. Internship II. 1 Hour.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 891); .
Prerequisite: PSYC 8390 and consent of Clinical Training Committee.

PSYC 8112. Internship III. 1 Hour.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 892);
Prerequisite: PSYC 8390.

PSYC 8360. Forensic Assessment I. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 860); This course examines issues related to conducting assessments for the criminal courts. Students review and critique current research in forensic psychology, as well as developing case law. Emphasis is placed on constructing the written report and on the ethical issues often faced in the forensic forum. This course will include a practicum component in which students perform forensic assessments with the instructor.

PSYC 8361. Forensic Assessment II. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 861); In this course students continue to develop skills in forensic assessment with an emphasis on the civil case Issues (e.g., juvenile evaluations, personal injury, and child custody). Current research in forensic psychology, as well as developing case law, are reviewed. Providing expert testimony in the courtroom will be discussed in detail, and students are required to participate as witnesses defending a case they have completed in a mock trial exercise.
Prerequisite: PSYC 8360.

PSYC 8381. Beginning Doctoral Practicum. 3 Hours.

The course requires treatment observation under a peer supervisor. Students will perform mock interviews under the supervision of the faculty instructor with the assistance of a peer supervisor. Students acquire skills in interviewing, mental status examination, suicide assessment, psychological diagnosis, and treatment planning. Ethical and multicultural issues will be explored in depth.
Prerequisite: PSYC 5330.

PSYC 8382. Doctoral Clinical Practicum I. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: PSY 882); In this practicum, students are assigned to the Psychological Services Center operated by program faculty or a related practicum site. Students attend a group supervision session emphasizing either psychological assessment and integrative report writing or psychotherapy. Students have practicum experiences that allow them to practice assessments or therapy skills under supervision from a licensed psychologist. Students will continue to enroll in this course for three semesters (9 hours).

PSYC 8383. Doctoral Clinical Practicum II. 3 Hours.

(SH Prior Course ID: 883); In this practicum, students who have completed PSYC 8362 are eligible to engage in clinical work either at the Psychological Services Center or at various off-campus clinical practicum sites. Students will continue to enroll in this course for a total of at least 3 semesters (minimum 9 credit hours). Students may register for between 1 and 3 course credits. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: PSYC 8362.

Jeffrey S Anastasi, PHD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Suny At Binghamton; MA, Suny At Binghamton; BA, Suny At Binghamton

Jaime Lynn Anderson, PHD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; MS, Eastern Kentucky University; BA, Univ of Dayton; BA, Univ of Dayton

Marcus T Boccaccini, PHD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; MA, Univ of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; BS, Univ of Santa Clara

Mary A. Conroy, PHD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Houston-Main; MA, Colorado State University; BA, Michigan State University

James William Crosby, PHD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Oklahoma State University; MS, Abilene Christian University; BS, Abilene Christian University

Donna M Desforges, PHD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Texas Christian University; MS, Texas Christian University; BA, Univ of Houston-Main

Marsha J Harman, PHD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Houston-Main; MED, Sam Houston State University; BSED, Univ of Houston-Main

Craig E Henderson, PHD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of North Texas; MA, Hardin Simmons University; BS, Howard Payne University; BS, Howard Payne University

Hillary Anne Langley, PHD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of N Carolina-Chapel Hill; BA, Univ of N Carolina-Chapel Hill

Rowland Spence Miller, PHD, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Florida; MA, Univ of Florida; BA, Cornell University

David V Nelson, PHD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Washington; BS, Arizona State University; BS, Brigham Young University

Ramona M Noland, PHD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Tennessee-Knoxville; BA, Wheeling College

Glenn M Sanford, PHD, Professor of Philosophy and Acting Associate Dean of CHSS, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Duke University; BA, College of Wooster

Jorge G Varela, PHD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; MA, Univ of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; BA, Florida Int'L Univ

Amanda Cristina Venta, PHD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Philosophy, PHD, Univ of Houston-Main; MA, Univ of Houston-Main; BA, Rice University; BA, Rice University