psychology

Mission Statement

The Psychology Department supports the mission of Los Angeles Harbor College and the Behavioral Science Pathway by enabling students to think critically about behavioral and mental processes, to appreciate and respect others, and to educate students for a variety of career choices.  The department offers a curriculum founded in psychological science, designed to help students understand the multiple causes of behavior, meet their needs, and serve the community.  Psychology covers a wide variety of topics that range from understanding how the social environment affects the individual to brain function and its influence in the rest of the body.  Students who transfer into bachelor’s and master’s programs can find employment opportunities in the medical, teaching, counseling, and welfare fields.

Department Academic Goals

  1. To introduce students to the breath of the field

  2. To help students develop the required skills common 

      to all careers in psychology and the behavioral

      sciences.  These skills include the following:

    a.   Writing a competent paper in APA style

    b.   Utilizing and evaluating basic statistical  

          techniques used in psychological research

    c.    Applying the basic principles of sound research

          design and methodology

    d.   Being able to locate, read, and evaluate the

          primary literature in psychology and related

          disciplines

    e.   Being able to competently communicate orally

  3. To develop critical thinking skills

1 - General Psychology I (3) UC:CSU

Lecture 3 hours and 20 minutes per week.

This course presents a basic introduction to the scientific study of human behavior including emotion, motivation, growth & development, learning & memory, personality, intelligence, sensation, perception, social psychology, biology of behavior, abnormal behavior, and mental health. Relevant areas such as dreams, interpersonal communication, sexuality, aging, death, creativity, multi-cultural diversity, and stress are also presented.   Particular attention is given to the application of psychological concepts to the problems people face in contemporary society.   

2 - General Psychology II (3) UC:CSU

Lecture 3 hours and 20 minutes per week.

This course is a study of the physiological basis of human behavior through an understanding of the structure and function of the sensory receptors, the central nervous system, the muscular effectors, the glandular effectors, the physiological aspects of motivation, learning, emotion, memory, and other higher brain functions.

3 - Personality and Social Development (3) CSU

Lecture 3 hours and 20 minutes per week.

This course encourages the attainment of more effective behavior through increased understanding of personality dynamics. Basic techniques for recognizing and dealing with emotions and defenses are studied. The student is invited to explore his or her own feelings and experiences in the light of the fundamental principles of awareness, clarification, integration, and growth of selfhood.

10 - PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY (3) CSU

Note: Satisfies Research Methods for Social Sciences and Psychology.

and inferential statistics, and report results using the American Psychological Association format.  The hands-on approach to this course exposes students to the challenges and skills involved in actively participating on a research team while conducting their own independent research projects. *Course not being offered this semester.

14 - ABNORMAL Psychology (3) UC:CSU

Prerequisite:  Completion of Psychology 001 with a grade of “C” or better.

Lecture 3 hours and 20 minutes per week.

This course considers the major diagnostic, etiologic, and treatment issues for a variety of categories of abnormal behavior and psychological disorders.  The course examines disorders related to anxiety, stress, mood, schizophrenia, eating, substance abuse, memory and organic dysfunctions, and personality.  Social, cultural, legal, and ethical issues of psychopathology are included.

41 - Life-Span Psychology: From Infancy to Old Age (3) UC:CSU

Lecture 3 hours and 20 minutes per week.

This course presents the psychosocial development of the person from the pre-natal period to old age and death.   Emphasis is placed on theories and their application to the behavioral, cognitive, social and biological aspects of human development.    Topics covered in this course include physical development, intelligence, personality, self-concept, and social roles, tasks, changes, and adjustments related to each phase of the life span. 

43 – Psychology: Group Dynamics I CSU

Advisory: English 28/31 or concurrent enrollment in Learning Skills 1 and/or 7.

This is an introduction to the dynamics of group interactions with an emphasis upon the individual’s first hand experience as the group studies itself. Students are evaluated on a credit/no credit basis. *Course not being offered this semester. 

44 – Psychology: Group Dynamics II CSU

Prerequisite: Completion of Psychology 43 with a grade of “C” or better. 

This course covers the role of group processes in changing behavior, as well as the principle modes of counseling and therapy.  Also covered are the principles of verbal and nonverbal communication, modes of learning, key concepts that enhance learning and significant communication. *Course not being offered this semester.        

81 - FIELD WORK I (3) (RPT 1) CSU

Co-requisite: Completion of Psychology 1 or Psychology 43 with a grade of “C” or better.

Lecture 1 hour. Field Work 5 hours per week.

This course is designed to orient the student to the field of Human Services. The primary emphasis is on observations of the application of interpersonal relationship skills in community settings.  This class is intended for students new to Human Services fieldwork.  Basic counseling and communication skills will be taught.

 *Course not being offered this semester.

82 - FIELD WORK II (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Completion of Psychology 81 with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent.

Lecture 1 hour. Field Work 5 hours per week.

This is a continuation of Field Work I in which there will be more student participation, under supervision, at various facilities in the community that offer Human Services.

 *Course not being offered this semester.

83 - FIELD WORK III (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Completion of Psychology 82 with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent.

Lecture 1 hour. Field Work 5 hours per week.

This course is an advanced course in Field Work which is designed to give the student more specialized participation in Human Services.  This class is intended for the advanced student of the generalist option of Human Services.

 *Course not being offered this semester.

84 - FIELDWORK I – DRUG/ALCOHOL (3)

Co-requisite: Psychology 1 and Psychology 43.

This course is designed to orient the student to the field of Human Services, Drug/Alcohol Studies. The primary emphasis is on the observations of the application of interpersonal relationship skills in drug/alcohol treatment and community settings. This class is intended for students new to Human Services field work. Basic counseling and communication skills will be taught.  

 *Course not being offered this semester.

85 - FIELD WORK II: DRUG/ALCOHOL (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Psychology 84 with a satisfactory grade or equivalent.

Lecture 1 hour. Field Work 6 hours per week.

This class is designed to orient the student to the field of Human Services, Drug/Alcohol Studies.  The primary emphasis is on the observations of the application of interpersonal relationship skills in drug/alcohol treatment and community settings.  This class is intended for students new to Human Services field work.  Basic counseling and communication skills will be taught. 

 *Course not being offered this semester.

86 - FIELD WORK III: DRUG/ALCOHOL (3) CSU

Prerequisite: Psychology 85 with a satisfactory grade or equivalent.

Lecture 1 hour. Field Work 6 hours per week.

This course is designed to orient the student to the field of Human Services, Drug/Alcohol Studies.  The primary emphasis is on the observations of the application of interpersonal relationship skills in drug/alcohol treatment and community settings.  This class is intended for students new to Human Services field work.  Basic counseling and communication skills will be taught.

*Course not being offered this semester.

185 - Directed Study Psychology (1) UC*:CSU RPT 2

* UC credit may be granted by petition after transfer.

285 - Directed Study Psychology (2) UC*:CSU

* UC credit may be granted by petition after transfer.

385 - Directed Study Psychology (3) UC*:CSU

By arrangement with instructor.

Conference 1 hour and 5 minutes per week per unit.

Allows students to pursue Directed Study in Psychology on a contract basis under the direction of a supervising instructor.

* UC credit may be granted by petition after transfer.

Credit Limit: A maximum of 3 units in Directed Study may be taken for credit.

Cooperative Work Experience Psychology

Psychology is approved for Cooperative Work Experience Education Credit. See Cooperative Education courses for prerequisites, course descriptions, and credit limits.