Risk-Taking Behavior

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Coordinator: Dr. Nancy J. Bell, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies (www.depts.ttu.edu/hdfs/risk_behavior.php)

The graduate minor in risk-taking behavior is offered as an interdisciplinary minor at the master’s or doctoral level. The 15-hour minor consists of an introductory course, Seminar in Risk Taking, examining the concept of risk taking from a developmental perspective. Students then choose an additional 12 hours from approved program courses covering substance misuse and vulnerability to chemical dependency, family problems associated with risk taking, deviance, and criminology. At least two of these courses must be outside of the student’s home department.

The minor is administered by the Committee on Adolescent and Young Adult Risk-Taking Behavior. The Committee is composed of faculty in Human Development and Family Studies, Applied and Professional Studies, Psychology, and Sociology. The purpose of the committee is to foster collaborative research on risk taking and to serve as a resource for Texas Tech University and the community.

This minor should be useful for students interested in research on risk-taking behavior or for those planning to work in applied settings with adolescents and young adults or with families. Consult the program coordinator or individual departments for information on course scheduling. In addition to the courses listed below, special topics courses related to risk taking may be included with the approval of the coordinator.

Program Courses

ADRS 6315	Systematic Treatments and Addictions (3:3:0)
HDFS 5341	Socialization Processes and Addiction (3:3:0)
HDFS 6320.	Seminar in Risk Taking (3:3:0)
HDFS 6330.	Family Problems (3:3:0)
HDFS 6371	Practicum in Human Development and Family Studies (3:3:0)
PSY 5382.	Psychopharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs (3:3:0)
SOC 5311	Seminar in Criminology (3:3:0)
SOC 5325	Seminar in Deviant Behavior (3:3:0)