De La Salle University - Manila

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology (BS-PSYC)

The Psychology Department offers two undergraduate programs, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The overall aim of the program is to provide the students a balanced and firm foundation in theory and research with a Filipino and Christian orientation. The department envisions its undergraduate students to be responsive to contemporary demands and social concerns of the Philippines.

MAJOR COURSES Experimental Psychology (EXPSYCH/EXPSYLA)
5 units
Experimental Psychology includes 3.0 units of lecture and 2.0 units of laboratory work. The course is designed to familiarize the students with classical experiments in psychology and the basic issues, principles, and skills in experimental methodology. Lectures and class discussion will include the content and conduct of classical experiments and the process and philosophy of experimentation. Six hours per week of laboratory work will be conducted in LaPiS where students will replicate classical experiments utilizing both animal and human subjects and perform an original psychological experiment in a topic of choice. At the end of the course the student is expected to orally defend the experiment in front of a panel and submit a written documentation of the research findings.

Biological Psychology (BIOLPSY/BPSYLAB)
5 units
Biopsychology includes 3.0 units of lecture and 2.0 units of laboratory work. The course is designed to familiarize the students to the biological approach in the study of behavior. Biopsychology combines an interest in behavior and the machinery that makes behavior possible such as the brain, muscles, glands, and other organs. The course will introduce the students to the five divisions of Biopsychology, namely: Physiological Psychology, Psychophysiology, Neuropsychology, Comparative Psychology, and Psychopharmacology; and the different research methodologies used in each field of study. A combination of lectures, film-showing, group-discussions and laboratory exercises will be used as teaching methods. Six hours per week of laboratory work will be conducted in LaPiS where students will perform human brain dissection and animal and human experiments that illustrate the basic principles of Biopsychology. Actual exposure to cases, procedures and apparatuses will be done in coordination with the College of Medicine.

Developmental Psychology (DEVPSYC)
3 units
The course involves a critical study of the concepts and theories of development; and the analysis of emotional, mental, physical and social development from birth to old age. The course will utilize the lifespan approach giving equal emphasis to early and adolescent development, and adult and aging development. Lectures and exercises will provide foundations for a better understanding of developmental needs and tasks at each stage in life, the differential effects of psychological and environmental factors in development, and psychological needs in coping with life transitions.

Psychology of Sensation and Perception (SENSPER)
3 units
This course will familiarize the students with the psychological principles and processes involved in human sensation and perception, and a basic understanding of the mechanisms that make these possible. Lectures and exercises will include the anatomy and physiology of the different mechanisms of human sensation, the principles and processes involved in human perception such as integrating and recognizing complex patterns of sensations, and the behavioral manifestations of disturbances in these mechanisms and processes. The course will include hands-on computer-simulated and laboratory exercises that illustrate the principles of human sensation and perception that will be conducted in LaPiS.

Psychology of Language, Learning and Memory (PSYLEAR)
3 units
This course aims to provide the student with basic understanding of theories and principles in language, learning and memory and the mechanisms that make these possible. The students will be exposed to classical animal and human studies and the different research methodologies utilized to formulate and validate concepts and theories in language, learning and memory. Discussions include the nature, cause, behavioral manifestations and possible interventions in language, learning and memory disorders. Hands-on, computer-simulated exercises that illustrate the basic principles will be conducted in LaPiS.
Pre-requisite: BIOLPSY

Psychological Measurement 1 (PSYCME1/MEASLAB1)
3 units
This course includes 2 units of lecture and 1 unit of laboratory work. This course aims to introduce the students on the history of psychological measurement; psychophysical and scaling methods; basic concepts and principles in testing such as reliability, validity and norming; selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of selected psychological tests; as well as issues and ethical considerations in psychological testing in the Philippine context and applied in the clinical setting. The students will be trained on writing up of profile reports based on psychological test battery results.
Pre-requisites: PSYCPER and SENSPSY

Psychological Measurement 2 -Clinical Assessment (PSYCME2/MEASLAB2)
3 units
This course will introduce the students to the procedures and instruments used in clinical assessment. The students will be introduced to the peculiarities of the assessment process in special populations as preschool children, brain-damaged populations, psychotic patients, mentally and/or physically disabled cases, violent and/or emotionally disturbed cases, and the mentally retarded. Students will be familiarized with different strategies in clinical assessment, namely: assessment interview; cognitive assessment; personality assessment; perceptual, sensory, and sensorimotor assessment; behavioral assessment which includes naturalistic observation, self-monitoring and controlled/systematic observation; and clinical judgment which includes quantitative and subjective approaches. Opportunities for supervised administration and interpretation of procedures and tests to actual cases will be provided and will be conducted in LaPiS. At the end of the course, the student is expected to have acquired the skill of establishing rapport with a client and preparing a case report.
Pre-requisites: PSYCME1/MEASLAB

Theories of Personality (THEOPER)
3 units
This course aims to provide the students with a basic understanding of man’s behavior through a detailed overview of personality theories. The course will include a critical examination of issues and assumptions of personality studies. Through this course, the students will be exposed to different research methodologies employed by different psychologists in formulating or validating personality theories. The course will consider the nature and dynamics of the Filipino personality.

Abnormal Psychology (ABPSYCH)
3 units
The course aims to provide the students with basic understanding on the nature, cause and possible interventions of psychological disorders such as neuroses, psychoses, personality disorders, childhood disorders, mental retardation and neurocognitive impairments. At the end of the course the student is expected to be familiar with the nomenclature and classifications of mental disorders. The students will be introduced to indigenous concepts of abnormality and abnormal behavior. Opportunities for exposure to actual cases will be provided through field trips and visitations of selected government and private mental health institutions.
Pre-requisite: THEOPER

Clinical Psychology (PSYCLIN)
3 units
The course aims to familiarize the students with concepts, theories and research findings and methodologies that form the basis for clinical assessment and intervention in Clinical Psychology. The students will be introduced to clinical process and practice and to the various emerging subspecialties in Clinical Psychology, namely: Community Psychology, Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology, Pediatric and Clinical Child Psychology, and Geriatric and Clinical Adult and Aging Psychology. Students will be trained on the basic principles and skills in clinical case interview and are expected to be able to write a clinical case history. Opportunities for supervised clinical assessment and intervention of actual common cases will be provided as part of the course.
Pre-requisite: ABPSYCH and BIOLPSY & BPSYLAB

Social Psychology (SOCIPSY)
3 units
This course aims to introduce students to the study of group behavior, emotions, motivation and personality dynamics in social learning and perception and cognition in small groups and cultural contexts.

Sikolohiyang Pilipino (FILPSYC)
3 units
This course will be conducted in Filipino and include the study of concepts and methods in the field of culture and psychology that will give meaning to the psychological reality based on the language and world view of the Filipino. The students will be introduced to issues in Sikolohiyang Pilipino as a discipline and as a movement, to indigenous concepts in Sikolohiyang Pilipino, and will be trained on the conduct of indigenous research methods. Part of the coursework will be done on the field where the students will be immersed in a typical Filipino community and utilize indigenous research methods in the investigation of psychological realities related to traditional medicine, clinical ethnopsychology and indigenous methods and concepts of health and illness. Hence, the course will be offered only during the summer session.
Pre-requisite: SOCIPSY

Directed Readings and Research in Psychology (DIRPSY1/DIRPSY2)
2 units per term for a total of 4 units
The course will involve reading of classical, original and important works in selected areas in psychology and/or actual participation in research supervised by a faculty member or a team of faculty members with possible representations from the College of Science and College of Medicine to encourage a multi-disciplinary approach/perspective. At the start of each trimester, a list of faculty members with corresponding research areas and/or topics of interest will be posted. Instruction is individualized and completion will be based on the students’ pace. The student will be allowed to enroll as early as his/her fourth term of majoring and as many times as he/she needs with a minimum of 4.0 total units. Satisfactory completion of the course will be assessed by either a revalida and annotated review of literature (for readings) or oral defense and research output (for research).
Pre-requisite: at least on the second year of majoring

Psychology Cognate Courses (PSYELEC)
3 units
The BS Psychology major of at least a senior standing or in the summer session prior to the last year of majoring should take at least one of the following Psychology Elective courses:

Community Mental Health (COMHEAL)
3 units
Community psychology is an approach to mental health that emphasizes the role of environmental forces in creating and alleviating problems. This course aims to introduce the students to the community mental health perspectives, which are cultural relativity, diversity and ecology. The students will be trained experientially to pay attention to the fit between environments and persons which may or may not be good, to focus on action directed toward the competencies of persons and environments rather than their deficits, and to veer away from single social norms or values but instead look at the promotion of diversity. The students will be exposed to community diagnosis and treatment models rather than individual illness and treatment models. In terms of mental health, approach is on principles of prevention rather than curative. Part of the coursework will be conducted in a community for experiential learning. Hence, the course will only be offered during the summer term.
Pre-requisites: FILPSYC and PSYCLIN

Health Psychology (HEALPSY)
3 units
The course will familiarize students to the various contributions of the field of Psychology to the enhancement of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, the identification of health risk factors, the improvement of the health care system, and the shaping of public opinion with regard to health. Class discussion and student activities will focus on the application of psychological principles to such physical health areas as lowering hypertension, controlling serum cholesterol levels, managing stress, alleviating pain, stopping smoking, moderating other appetitive behaviors, and encouraging regular exercise; identifying the psychological correlates of health, diagnosing and treating certain chronic diseases; and modifying the behavioral factors involved in physical and psychological rehabilitation. Students will be introduced to research methods used in Health Psychology such as Epidemiology. Discussions will focus on the psychological factors of health problems in the Philippines such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, aging, substance abuse, and patient adherence to medical advice. A close look on indigenous health concepts, beliefs and practices will likewise be included.
Pre-requisites: PSYCLIN, BIOLOPZY & BPSYLAB

Environmental Psychology (ENVIPSY)
3 units
Environmental Psychology deals with the study psychological aspects of the relationship of man and his environment. The course will familiarize the students with the historical roots, important theories and concepts, and research methodologies in Environmental Psychology. Discussions will include the Filipino concept of environment such as perception of space, privacy and crowding, and health and stress-inducing milieus. Application of psychological principles in the study and development of different environment sectors in the Philippines such as the house, leisure/relaxation spots, learning environment, work environment, mental health settings and the squatters area will be discussed. The course will likewise introduce the students to the different environmental issues facing the country such as air and noise pollution, conservation of nature, effects of modernization such as zoning and greening, and tourism interventions that are income generating but could cause destruction of the traditional ways of life.
Pre-requisite: PSYCPER and SENSPSY

Practicum in Psychology (PSYPRAC)
3 units
This course allows students who are about to graduate from the BS Psychology program an opportunity to become a part of an environment/situation/team where the psychological principles are at work and the knowledge and skills learned through the program could be utilized, refined, and maybe further enhanced. Fulfillment of the course requires a minimum of 150 hours of satisfactory work in any one or a combination of the following areas:

1. Multi-disciplinary Health Team. To join a health team that may be hospital-based such as in the College of Medicine, institution-based, or community-based, which may be government or non-government organization supported.

2. Clinical Psychology Practice. To act as an apprentice to an experienced clinical psychology practitioner, whether institution-based, independent or community-based, or to assist in a center where clinical psychology is being practiced.

3. Action Projects Related to Psychology. To participate in action projects, whether government or non-government organization supported, that requires application of forensic psychology (child abuse and labor, wife abuse, rape etc.), community psychology (community-based mental health projects), environmental psychology (promotion of environmental consciousness, behavior modification related to environmental concerns, planning of resettlement areas etc.), health psychology (Reach-Out for AIDS and the like, WEDPRO etc.) and other related activities.

4. Human Resource Development Groups. To participate or assist in the activities of human resource development groups, whether industry-based or community based that deal with the psychological aspects of problems, and/or training requirements related to advancement in science and technology and industrialization.

5. Rehabilitation Centers. To participate or assist in the activities directed towards physical, psychological and cognitive rehabilitation of the physically and mentally disadvantaged or marginalized groups.
   Pre-requisite: All major courses