Psychology
18 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
PSYC 102 Psychology for Effective Living
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000
- Formerly
- Psychology 2
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a study of personal development and adjustment in society as well as the psychosocial and cultural influences on childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Emphasis on the application of psychological research and theories to the development of social skills and personal adjustments as well as practical approaches to problems of personal development and social relationships will be examined
PSYC 103 Critical Thinking and Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- English C1000 or English C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Formerly
- Psychology 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course focuses on the development of critical thinking skills related to psychology. In addition to learning basic skills of logic, students will also learn about the logic of the scientific method and the common errors of human cognition that impede critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on the application of critical thinking skills to writing effective arguments, analyzing the writings of others, and understanding contemporary controversies in psychology.
PSYC 103H Honors Critical Thinking and Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- English C1000 or English C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Formerly
- Psychology 3H
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, focuses on the development of critical thinking skills related to psychology. In addition to learning basic skills of logic, students will also learn about the logic of the scientific method and the common errors of human cognition that impede critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on the application of critical thinking skills to writing effective arguments, analyzing the writings of others, and understanding contemporary controversies in psychology. Note: Students may take either Psychology 103 or Psychology 103H. Duplicate credit will not be awarded.
PSYC 107 Physiological Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Formerly
- Psychology 7
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course focuses on physiological factors in human development, behavior, and experience. Fundamental topics include consciousness, language, emotion, memory, and sensation/perception. Clinical topics include Sexual Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury. Studies of both humans and other animals are evaluated and organized by scientific and clinical standards.
PSYC 108 Social Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 8
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course focuses on the scientific study of the psychological processes that occur in and between groups. Emphasis is on individual behavior rather than on group behavior as a whole. Topics include social cognition; social perception; attitudes; prejudice and discrimination; social and group influence; interpersonal attraction and intimate relationships; aggression; and prosocial behavior. Gender and sociocultural issues are also examined.
PSYC 109A Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 101 (now PSYC C1000) or PSYC 101H (now PSYC C1000H) or SOCI 101 or SOCI 101H and MATH 73 or MATH 80 with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
- Formerly
- Psychology 9A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students are taught standard descriptive and inferential statistics for summarizing sample data and estimating population parameters. All aspects of significance testing are emphasized: hypotheses, models, calculations, interpretations, and criticisms. Students are also taught to review scientific articles critically and to write APA-style manuscripts.
PSYC 109B Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 101 (now PSYC C1000) or PSYC 101H (now PSYC C1000H) or SOCI 101 or SOCI 101H and MATH 150 (now STAT C1000) or MATH 150H (now STAT C1000H) or PSYC 109A or SOCI 109A with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
- Formerly
- Psychology 9B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is centered on the philosophy of science in general and the scientific method in particular. Students develop individual research studies with these elements: literature review, hypothesis, design and method, data collection and analysis, and discussion, oral presentation, and manuscript preparation (APA Publication Style).
PSYC 110 African American Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 10
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to the psychological issues related to the African American experience in the United States. The relationship between the African American experience and social perception, social cognition, and identity and attitude formation is emphasized. Individual cognitive styles, personality development, and family structures of African Americans will also be examined.
PSYC 112 Human Sexuality
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 12
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is the scientific study of human sexuality. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of sexuality from a psychological perspective. Topics include the history and the study of human sexuality, the scientific research methods used to study sexuality, the psychobiology of sex, sexual behavior and relationships, and sex as a social and health issue. Gender and sociocultural issues are also addressed.
PSYC 115 Abnormal Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 15
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course focuses on the scientific study of both normal and abnormal experience and behavior. Emphasis is placed on the characterization, treatment, and prevention of psychological disorders ranging from mild to severe forms.
PSYC 116 Lifespan Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 16
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines physical, cognitive and psychosocial development throughout the human lifespan from conception to death. Special emphasis is placed on culture, family relationships, and the interplay of genes and environment. Attention is also devoted to the practical application of research findings to ongoing developmental issues.
PSYC 116H Honors Lifespan Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology 101 or Psychology 101H with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, is a survey of the concepts, theories, and functions of psychosocial development. This course examines physical, cognitive and psychosocial development throughout the human lifespan from conception to death. Special emphasis is placed on culture, family relationships, and the interplay of genes and environment. Attention is also devoted to the practical application of research findings to ongoing developmental issues. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.
PSYC 117 Cultural Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H with a minimum grade of C
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 17
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will examine psychological principles, theory, and research through exploration of cultural differences and similarities, both within and across cultures. Topics may include the interplay between culture and developmental processes, cognition, emotion, communication, gender, personality development, psychopathology, and social behavior.
PSYC 119 LGBTQ+ Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Psychology C1000 or Psychology C1000H AND Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- Psychology 19
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer plus related communities (LGBTQ+) Psychology is an introduction to psychological, social, and cultural aspects of sexual orientation and gender identity. Topics will include historical perspectives on sexual orientation and gender identity; basic research methods used to study gender and sexuality; and applied topics such as identity, relationships, mental and physical health, sexuality, and prejudice and discrimination. Emphasis will be placed on examining these topics from a psychological perspective.
PSYC 125 The Psychology of Gender
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- PSYC 101 (now PSYC C1000) or PSYC 101H (now PSYC C1000H) and ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Formerly
- Psychology 25
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an overview of psychological perspectives and research on gender. Topics will include theoretical perspectives on gender, psychological research methods used to study gender, sex-related differences and comparisons, and the influence of gender in areas such as relationships, communication, health, and work.
PSYC 378 Psychology of Stress, Illness, and Trauma
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course includes advanced critical analysis of the guiding beliefs of stress and illness as they affect the self. It also includes a vital exploration of the human experience in health, disease, and dying from the perspective of the self as a healthcare professional. Topics include contemporary theories and research, behavioral traits and characteristics, and the effect of our biopsychosocial perspectives on personal health, wellness, and disease within healthcare systems.
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A or ENGL C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- PSYC 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. Students focus on theories and concepts of biological, cognitive, developmental, environmental, social, and cultural influences; their applications; and their research foundations. This course is a survey study of human behavior and mental processes with an emphasis on basic theory and research generated by the scientific method.
PSYC C1000H Introduction to Psychology - Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A or ENGL C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- PSYC 101H
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. Students focus on theories and concepts of biological, cognitive, developmental, environmental, social, and cultural influences; their applications; and their research foundations. This is an honors course. This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, is a survey study of human behavior and mental processes with an emphasis on basic theory and research generated by the scientific method. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.