Psychology
11 courses · Golden West College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 110
Formerly: PSYC G100. 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. Deeper explorations into topics like emotion, intelligence, cognition, social psychology, memory, motivation, personality, learning, development, psychobiology, perception, consciousness, psychological disorders, and therapeutic approaches are also covered from both a theoretical approach as well as an applied approach to understand the implications on the individual, group, and larger society. Common Course Number: PSYC C1000.
PSYC G110 Psychology of Adjustment
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 115
This course will study of concepts and principles of personal and social adjustment, with an applied focus on how psychology is used in everyday life. Psychological theories regarding healthy adjustment are explored, including research on stress, coping, personal growth, self-esteem, self-actualization, and healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. Contemporary theories are examined, with an emphasis on how scientists, clinicians, and practitioners study and apply psychology.
PSYC G116 Child Growth and Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CDEV 100
Formerly: PSYC G150 – Child Psychology. This course examines human development from conception through adolescence. Topics include family, culture, parenting, abuse, gender, language development, and education. This course emphasizes an understanding of the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children.
PSYC G118 Life Span Developmental Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 180
Formerly: PSYC G160 – Human Growth and Development. This course examines psychological development across the lifespan, from prenatal development through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging, and dying. Biological and environmental influences on development will be explored, and the psychological research on cognitive, personality, and social development will be examined.
PSYC G130 Critical Thinking in Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 105
This course focuses on the development of critical thinking skills through written argumentation, and analysis of complex issues in the field of psychology. Students will learn about the common fallacies of reasoning, analyzing arguments, questioning opinion versus facts, effective problem solving, and the common errors of human cognition which impede critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on using critical thinking skills to examine contemporary issues involving human behavior, and writing effective logical arguments.
PSYC G140 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- Course taught at the level of intermediate algebra or appropriate math placement.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- MATH 110
This course will explore the use of probability techniques, hypothesis testing, and predictive techniques to facilitate decision-making. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; t-tests; analysis of variance, chi-square tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Applications using data from disciplines including psychology, social sciences, life and health sciences, and education. Enrollment Limitation: ECON G160/STAT C1000/STAT C1000E/SOC G125; students who complete PSYC G140 may not enroll in or receive credit for ECON G160, STAT C1000, STAT C1000E, or SOC G125.
PSYC G165 Principles of Human Sexuality 1
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 130
Formerly: Human Sexuality – Psychological Basis. This course is an introduction to the psychological, sociocultural, emotional, and biological aspects of human sexuality. Topics include gender, love, healthy vs unhealthy relationships, abuse, sexual orientation, pornography, and sexual dysfunction. Students will be encouraged to explore their own sexual values, and interpersonal adjustment, as well as current social norms.
PSYC G250 Psychobiology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 150
This course introduces the biological bases of behavior, and its fundamental role in the neurosciences. How biological factors such as genetics, hormones, neurochemistry, and the brain influence psychological phenomena will be presented. Topics include the biopsychology of psychological disorders, personality, emotions, memory, gender, sexuality, addiction, sleep, and dreams.
PSYC G255 Abnormal Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- PSYC C1000, and ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 120
Formerly: PSYC G158. This course introduces the scientific study of psychopathology and atypical behaviors, broadly defined. Students investigate abnormal behavior from a variety of perspectives including biological, psychological, and sociocultural approaches. An integrative survey of theory and research in abnormal behavior, and intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders are also introduced.
PSYC G260 Social Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 170
This course begins the scientific study of the effects of social influences on human behavior and mental processes. It considers individual human behavior in relation to the social environment. The power of the situation, other individuals, and the social group will be examined. Topics include aggression, prejudice and stereotypes, interpersonal attraction, attitudes and attitude change, conformity, group phenomena, gender roles, cultural norms, person perception, and social cognition.
PSYC G280 Research Methods in Psychology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000, and STAT C1000 or PSYC G140.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PSY 200; 205B
This course provides an introduction to the basic research methods used in social sciences including such topics as research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, and the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of research data. Students will design an experiment as well as collect, analyze, interpret, and report their own data.