Psychology (PSYX) (CPS)

This course examines the nature of psychology as a social and behavioral science. It surveys fundamental areas in behavior including research in psychology, the brain and behavior, learning, human development and socialization, intelligence, personality, health psychology, and social psychology.

This course provides an overview of psychological trauma. The history, etiology, theories, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic stress at different ages across the lifespan will be explored. The course begins with discussion of a range of traumatic events and definitions of trauma symptoms and responses. Next, theoretical frameworks and models useful for understanding traumatic stress reactions are introduced, including developmental psychopathology, cognitive development, neuropsychology, and intergenerational systems theory. In addition, assessment, diagnosis, and the evidence for best intervention practices in treating traumatic stress are examined.