Department of Psychology
Drs. Pitt Derryberry and Steve Wininger, Co-Department Chairs
Gary A. Ransdell Hall, Office 3012
Phone: (270) 745-2695; Fax: (270) 745-6934
Email: Psych@wku.edu
Website: http://www.wku.edu/psychology/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PsychologyatWKU
The Department of Psychology offers courses, programs, and research opportunities that contribute to the professional and pre-professional training of psychology students and at the same time serves other departments where professional training requires knowledge of psychology. Information about the psychology major can be found on the department web site: http://www.wku.edu/psychology.
Faculty
Professor
Pitt Derryberry PhD (Educational Psychology), The University of Alabama, 2001
Lisa C. Duffin PhD (Educational Studies, Educational Psychology), Purdue University Main Campus, 2009
Frederick G. Grieve PhD (Psychology, Clinical Psychology), University of Memphis, 1996
Carl L. Myers PhD (Psychology), Iowa State University, 1995
Steven R. Wininger PhD (Educational Psychology, Sports Psychology), Florida State University, 1998
Qin Zhao PhD (Educational Psychology), University of Florida, 2008
Associate Professor
Sarah E. Bonis PhD (School Psychology), University of Houston, 2017
Thomas J. Gross PhD (Educational Psychology), Oklahoma State University Main Campus, 2013
Jenni L. Redifer PhD (Educational Psychology), University of Florida, 2012
Assistant Professor
Michelle R. Durham PhD (Psychology), North Dakota St University Main Campus, 2020
Sungjin Im PhD (Clinical Psychology), University of Nevada, Reno, 2018
Erin A. Jant PhD (Developmental Psychology), Loyola University New Orleans, 2011
Christopher S. Peters PhD (Psychology), University of Arkansas Main Campus, 2013
Young-Jae Yoon PhD, Loyola University of Chicago, 2020
Pedagogical Associate Professor
Quentin M. Hollis MA (Psychology), Western Kentucky University, 1995
Instructor I
James R. Prather PhD (Experimental Psychology), University of Louisville, 1997
Psychology (PSY)
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 Hours
An introductory course dealing with principles of behavior, scientific methods of psychology, measurement, learning, perception, motivation, development, personality, abnormal behavior, social behavior, intelligence, and other topics. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SB | SB
Equivalent(s): PSYS 100
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 175 University Experience 3 Hours
Transition to university experience. Topics include study skills, library education, exploration of majors and careers, degree programs, campus resources and personal development. Special attention is given to educational requirements, careers and resources in the field of psychology. Note: For beginning college freshmen or transfer students with fewer than 24 semester hours of credit.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Junior, Sophomore or Senior may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
PSY 210 Research Methods in Psychology 3 Hours
Introduction to scientific thinking, research design, and research methods in psychology. Includes the nature of scientific explanations, validity, reliability, measurement scales, the rationale underlying hypothesis testing, critical evaluation of scientific evidence presented in journals and popular media, and how to write research reports.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 with a minimum grade of C or PSYC 100C with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 100 with a minimum grade of C or Psychology with a score of 3)
Corequisite(s): PSY 211
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 211 Research Methods in Psychology Laboratory 1 Hour
Laboratory course to accompany PSY 210. Laboratory exercises involving research design, methodology, data collection, methods of organizing and presenting data, and research report writing.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 with a minimum grade of C or PSYC 100C with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 100 with a minimum grade of C or Psychology with a score of 3)
Corequisite(s): PSY 210
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 220 Introduction to Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3 Hours
A general course in developmental psychology covering the entire life span. Included are a description of growth stages, theories of development, and research methods of development. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code E-SB | SB
Equivalent(s): PSYS 220
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 250 Adjustment and Personal Growth 3 Hours
Individual, social, and cultural determinants of personal growth and healthy life adjustment. Topics include stress and coping, relationships, values, career development, and decision-making. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 290 Supervised Study in Psychology 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Directed readings or research under faculty supervision. Students must make their own arrangements in advance for supervision by a faculty member. May be repeated for a total of up to six hours with no more than three hours counted in the psychology major.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 299 Selected Topics in Psychology (Seminar) 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Study and discussion focusing on various issues in psychology; topics will vary based on faculty and student interest. May be repeated for a total of up to six hours, with no more than three hours counted in the psychology major.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; summer 2022; winter 2023; summer 2023
PSY 310 Educational Psychology: Development and Learning 3 Hours
A required educational psychology course for students seeking teacher certification. Educational psychology is designed to give the student a thorough understanding of the theories and principles of psychology as applied to teaching and learning. The students will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of theories and principles of development, learning, memory, motivation, individual differences, instruction, classroom management, and measurement and evaluation. PSY 310 may not be counted toward the psychology major or minor. Note: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required if the student does not have an ACT of 21 or higher.
Prerequisite(s): ((EDU 250 or MGE 275 or AGED 250 or SMED 101 or SMED 301 or IECE 321 or AMS 329) or permission of instructor)
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 313 Statistics in Psychology 3 Hours
Methods of organizing, describing, and analyzing psychological data.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Equivalent(s): PSYS 313
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 331 Psychology of Learning 3 Hours
Facts and principles of human and animal learning, especially as these have been treated in theories attempting to provide a general framework for understanding what learning is and how it takes place. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 210 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSY 211 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 339 Intelligence and Creativity 3 Hours
A survey of the history, theories, nature, measurement, origins in heredity and environment, contemporary research, social influence, and uses and abuses of the concepts of intelligence and creativity.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSY 340 Sport Psychology 3 Hours
Theory, topics and applications within the field of sport and exercise psychology.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; fall 2023
PSY 346 Foundations of Clinical and Community Behavioral Health 3 Hours
Survey of basic knowledge, skills, and values appropriate for clinical and behavioral health professionals and the agencies, roles and services provided. Field trips to agency sites will be required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 350 Social Psychology 3 Hours
A general introduction to social psychology for majors and non-majors in psychology. The psychology of how people think about and relate to others. Topics include love, altruism, aggression, conformity, behavior in groups, leadership, intergroup conflict, prejudice, and persuasion. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC | SB
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Equivalent(s): PSYS 350
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 355 Issues in Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 Hours
Examines the impact of culture on major principles, theories, and applications of psychology, including social behavior, gender, communication, development and abnormal psychology. Involves interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 371 The Psychology of Sales Behavior 3 Hours
This course includes the psychology of consumer behavior and its implications for sales ethics, psychology of the behavior of sales personnel, the psychology and techniques of the sales process, sales motivation advertising psychology, and the psychology of sales management.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSY 390 Field Experience in Psychology 3-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Field placement sites are approved based on consistency with the student's academic preparation.Practical work experience in a supervised psychology-related work setting with a cooperating psychology or human services agency, private business, or industry. Psychology 390 may be tanken for 3 hours credit at one time. Only three hours will count toward the psychology major or minor. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites. Note: 12 hours in psychology and approval of the department and a 2.5 GPA in Psychology required.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students in Psychology (438) , Psychology (760) or Psychology- Seeking Admission (760P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 412 Psychology of Motivation and Emotion 3 Hours
A study of the principal theories of motivation and emotion. Examination of needs, cognition, and social aspects. Includes a critical review of research and application of these theories to human behavior. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYC 100C or PSYS 100)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023
PSY 422 Adolescent Psychology 3 Hours
Introduction to behavior and development from early adolescence to adulthood, emphasizing a critical review of research and literature. Either PSY 421 or PSY 422, but not both, may be taken to satisfy requirements of the Psychology major or minor. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C or FACS 191)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Equivalent(s): FACS 422
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 432 Psychology of the Gifted and Creative 3 Hours
The course covers identification of gifted children and adults with an emphasis upon the development of educational programs which maximize the development of giftedness. Included will be a critical review of research and literature in the areas of giftedness and creativity. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSY 435 Moral Development and Education 3 Hours
An in-depth study of and reflection upon psychological theories of morality, moral development, moral functioning and current models of moral education and professional identity. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSY 436 Applied Cognitive Psychology 3 Hours
This course will focus on the application of empirical cognitive findings to real-world memory tasks, reasoning, and problem-solving. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 210 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 210 with a minimum grade of C) and (PSY 211 with a minimum grade of C or PSYS 211 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
PSY 440 Abnormal Psychology 3 Hours
Introduction to abnormal psychology emphasizing forms of abnormal behavior, etiology, developmental factors, interpretations, behavioral manifestations and treatment programs. Note: Six hours in psychological science or psychology including one of the prerequisite courses or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYC 100C or PSYS 100 or PSYS 160)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Equivalent(s): PSYS 440
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 441 Psychological Aspects of Alcoholism 3 Hours
Intensive study of theories and research regarding alcoholism; emphasis on application of psychological theories to the treatment of alcoholism and on psychological research regarding alcoholism. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C) and (PSY 440 or PSYS 440)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSY 442 Beginning Skills in Psychological Interviewing 3 Hours
Paraprofessional skills for conducting structured and unstructured interviews in non-therapy settings. Emphasizes skills development in addition to theoretical material. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023
PSY 443 Behavior Modification 3 Hours
Introduction to theory and application of behavioral modification techniques. Emphasizes the use of behavior modification in education, child rearing, clinics, and self-modification. Course activities or assignments may require the individual to disclose personal information.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYC 100C or PSYS 100)
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PSY 445 Introduction to Clinical and School Psychology 3 Hours
Survey of theories, models, and techniques in clinical and school psychology. Includes emphasis on professional ethics for psychologists.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
PSY 470 Psychology and Law 3 Hours
Psychological knowledge that is pertinent to the legal system. Emphasis on how human characteristics and psychological factors influence attitudes, decisions, and behavior throughout the legal process. Note: Permission of instructor may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 472 Advanced Forensic Psychology 3 Hours
The course will cover research findings, court cases, and legal policies related to the evaluation and treatment of individuals in various parts of the legal system. Topics such as eyewitness stress, psychopaths, insanity, competency, and prisoner rehabilitation will be covered in the course.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 210 and PSY 211 and PSY 440 and PSY 470) or permission of instructor
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students in Psychology (760)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PSY 481 History of Psychology 3 Hours
Overview of major historical developments in psychology and related scientific disciplines, such as medicine, neurophysiology, and physics. Emphasizes developments over the past 500 years. History of the scientific study of human/animal behavior, as well as cognitive, perceptual, and mental functioning. Note: Nine hours in psychological science/psychology including the prerequisites or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C or PSY 100 or PSYS 160)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Equivalent(s): PSYS 481
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2021; spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; winter 2022; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 490 Research, Readings or Special Projects in Psychology 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
Advanced students will conduct research and/or readings or projects concerning issues in psychology under the direction of faculty members. Note: Permission of the faculty project supervisor required.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PSY 499 Senior Seminar in Psychology 3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Seminar in which major concepts and issues in psychology are considered. Directed reading, guest lectures, field trips, and/or oral reports by students are utilized. Note: 12 hours in psychology, including PSY 100/PSYS 100 required.
Prerequisite(s): (PSY 100 or PSYS 100 or PSYC 100C)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023