Psychology
26 courses · San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PSYC 31 Social and Behavioral Sciences Statistics Support
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- PSYC 258
This course provides additional hands-on experience in basic mathematical and statistical concepts. Students review key terms and definitions and practice foundational skills. This course is intended for students who require additional support to succeed in transfer-level Social and Behavioral Science statistics course.
PSYC 111 Psychological/Social Aspects of Aging, Death, and Dying
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the psychological, physiological and social factors influencing behavior throughout the aging process, including the aspects of death and dying. This course is intended for students majoring in psychology and for all students interested in the psychology of aging.
PSYC 112 Interpersonal Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course explores human behavior in the context of a variety of interpersonal relationships including family, group, personal, and workplace. Both in-person and technology-aided interactions are discussed. Topics include the science of interpersonal relations, dynamics of verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, cultural differences, self-disclosure, trust, group process, and conflict resolution. This course is intended for students with an interest in psychology and interpersonal relations.
PSYC 121 Introduction to Child Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of child growth and development from conception through adolescence. Topics include environmental management and interpersonal relations. This course is designed for psychology and child development majors as well as anyone interested in child psychology.
PSYC 125 Introduction to Behavior Modification
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of behavior modification. Emphasis is placed on applied learning theory as it pertains to life-style issues including exercise, weight and diet, time management, and stress and relaxation. This course is intended for Psychology majors and all students interested in the practical applications of learning theory.
PSYC 133 Psychology of Women
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the psychology of women, the nature of women's lives, and the various roles that women play. Emphasis is placed on an historical, ethnic, and cross-cultural treatment of women in the United States and abroad. Topics include women's sexuality, health, lifespan development, and socio-political status in the world today. This course is intended for psychology and women's studies majors.
PSYC 135 Marriage and Family Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the behaviors related to courtship, engagement, marriage, and family life. Emphasis is placed on the historical, cross-cultural, and social perspectives of families. Topics include interpersonal communication, economic management, and sexuality as they relate to the family. This course is intended for psychology and child development majors as well as all students interested in the psychology of interpersonal communication.
PSYC 137 Human Sexual Behavior
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the psychological, social, and physiological dimensions of human sexual behavior. Emphasis is placed on the diversity of human sexual development and current research. This course is designed for psychology majors and all students interested in human sexual behavior and related issues.
PSYC 155 Introduction to Personality
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a survey of the fundamental personality theories. Emphasis is placed on the personal life experiences of each of the major personality theorists, their research and assessment methods, and applications of their theories. This course is designed for psychology majors and anyone seeking a stronger understanding of psychological theory.
PSYC 161 Introduction to Counseling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an introductory study of the history and complexity of the counseling relationship. Emphasis is placed on the skills required to be an effective counselor. Topics include various counseling approaches and settings as well as related legal and ethical issues. This course is intended for psychology majors and anyone interested in the therapeutic aspects of counseling psychology.
PSYC 166 Introduction to Social Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
Social psychology examines how individuals are influenced by their social environment. Special attention is given to social cognition and perception, self-justification, conformity, group dynamics, prejudice, aggression, prosocial behavior and applied social psychology. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research in social psychology. This course is for anyone who is interested in the subject of social psychology.
PSYC 201 Academic and Career Opportunities in Psychology
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- 30 units of college course work
This course is a study of career options in the field of Psychology. Emphasis is placed on the identification of career-related strengths and interests and information on post-baccalaureate options in psychology and related fields. This course is designed for students interested in majoring in psychology.
PSYC 211 Learning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the basic principles and research in animal and human learning. Topics include scientific versus nonscientific approaches to behavior studies, operant and respondent conditioning, observational and cognitive learning, and motivation as related to self-control. This course is designed for students majoring in psychology or interested in the field.
PSYC 230 Psychology of Lifespan Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the psychological development of humans in all their sociocultural diversity from conception to death. Emphasis is placed on the major theoretical paradigms related to growth and change and the variety of factors that shape similarities and differences in life. This course is intended for students majoring in psychology.
PSYC 245 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a comprehensive survey of recognized patterns of clinical symptoms and psychopathology. Emphasis is placed on the theoretical models as they relate to assessment, diagnoses, etiology, treatment, and prognosis of recognized disorders. Topics also include legal and ethical issues related to clinical psychology. This course is designed for psychology majors and all students interested in clinical psychology.
PSYC 255 Introduction to Psychological Research
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and PSYC 258 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or STAT C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or BIOL 200 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an introduction to scientific methodology in psychology. Emphasis is placed on descriptive, experimental, and applied research. Students use the American Psychological Association writing style for empirical report writing. This course is intended for psychology majors and majors with components of the research process.
PSYC 255L Introduction to Psychological Research Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: PSYC 255 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- PSYC 259 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course introduces students to the basics of statistical software, data collection, entry, and analysis, and report writing. Students actively participate in the research process. This course is intended for psychology and other behavioral science majors and anyone interested in learning about research and applying research skills.
PSYC 258 Behavioral Science Statistics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Successful completion of Intermediate Algebra with a grade of C or better or appropriate placement Milestone M40 or M50 based on California Title 5 regulations. Students with Milestone M30 must enroll in LCOM 258X (PSYC 258 and PSYC 31 Learning Community).
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an introductory study of statistics for the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on acquainting students with the concepts underlying statistical methods and research approaches; basic statistical analyses; and principles. Topics include data collection; descriptive and inferential statistics; sampling distributions; measures of central tendency, dispersion, relative standing, and relationship; probability; prediction; hypothesis evaluation; and tests for treatment effects. This course is intended for students majoring in the behavioral/social sciences or those interested in applied statistics.
PSYC 259 Behavioral Science Statistics Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: PSYC 258 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This laboratory course offers students practice in using statistical analysis software for the behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on data entry, graphing, hypothesis testing and statistical analyses. This course is intended for psychology and other behavioral science majors and anyone interested in using statistical analysis software for research purposes.
PSYC 259R Statistics Laboratory Using R
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: PSYC 258 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This laboratory course offers students practice in performing statistical analysis for the behavioral sciences using the accessible and flexible program R. Emphasis is placed on displaying data, describing data, performing hypothesis tests, and basic programming in R. This course is intended for psychology and other behavioral science majors and anyone interested in using R to perform basic programming and statistical analysis for research purposes.
PSYC 260 Introduction to Physiological Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the biological bases of behavioral and cognitive processes. Emphasis is placed on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as a means for understanding how basic neurological processes impact perception, movement, consciousness, sexual behaviors, ingestive behaviors, emotions, learning, memory, communication, and neurological and psychological disorders. This course is designed for students majoring in psychology and all students interested in physiological psychology.
PSYC 260L Introduction to Physiological Psychology Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: PSYC 260 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is designed to provide an introduction to fundamentals in physiological psychology, including laboratory techniques and practices in neuroscience. An emphasis is placed on identifying basic cellular structures of neurons, learning basic anatomy of the brain, and operating common laboratory equipment. The course also focuses on laboratory safety training, chemical hygiene, improving computer literacy, proper use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a laboratory notebook. This course is intended for all students interested in physiological psychology, as well as experimental psychology, and offers an opportunity to develop knowledge on modernized laboratory facilities and standardized operating procedures.
PSYC 276 Field Work in Psychological Services
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours other
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This supervised field experience course enables the student to be of service to the community while learning about the function of human care services. Emphasis is placed on providing students with the chance to explore the varied career choices in the field of psychology as well as on practical experience with basic helping skills in current social service situations. This course is intended for students who want to work with people in human care services.
PSYC 283 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the theory and research on cognitive processes. Emphasis is placed on perception, attention, learning, memory, language, thought, visual cognition, problem solving, and applications of cognitive psychology. This course is intended for students majoring in psychology and all students interested in cognitive processes.
PSYC 401 Organizational Psychology for the Healthcare Professional
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- PSYC C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course examines the methodology and content of Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology. This is the branch of psychology that examines people in the workplace and all the factors that affect how people behave at work. The concepts include individual, group, and organizational issues that enhance the understanding of the world of healthcare. Research findings involved in the study of how people behave, think about, influence, and interact with each other at work, with an emphasis on factors that affect job performance are also discussed. This course is designed for health information management majors.
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
Part 1 (CCN Identical): 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. Part 2 (Local): This course is designed for students planning to take advanced courses in social and behavioral sciences or anyone interested in learning more about the mind, behavior, and mental health. (Formerly PSYC 101).