An introduction to some of the major subfields of psychology, such as developmental, personality, clinical, physiological, cognitive, cultural, and social psychology. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives and research methods used by psychologists to study the origins and variations in human behavior.

An introduction to some of the major subfields of psychology, such as developmental, personality, clinical, physiological, cognitive, cultural, and social psychology. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives and research methods used by psychologists to study the origins and variations in human behavior.

An introduction to some of the major subfields of psychology, such as developmental, personality, clinical, physiological, cognitive, cultural, and social psychology. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives and research methods used by psychologists to study the origins and variations in human behavior.

The application of statistical concepts and techniques to the analysis of research data in psychological science. As one of the two prerequisites for the research methods course required for the psychology major, emphasis is placed on hands-on work with realistic data. Students will learn to select, conduct, interpret, visualize, write up, read, and evaluate analyses. The course has an accompanying lab component. Students must register for a lecture and lab at the same time.

Human infants and children are simultaneously the most adept learners, yet the least able to care for themselves. This course will wrestle with understanding how children’s development is shaped by human capacities and by the ways in which family, friends, and the larger community influence the maturational process. Through lectures, discussions, activities, and first-hand observations of children at the Child Study Center, we will examine children’s social, cognitive, emotional, perceptual, physical, and language development and try to understand how they relate to one another from conception (or before!) through early adolescence. Special attention will be given to public policy issues related to education, parenting, and children’s rights in the international community.

A comparison of major ways of conceiving and studying personality, including the work of Freud, Jung, behaviorists, humanists, and social learning theorists. Introduction to major debates and research findings in contemporary personality psychology.

Cognition refers to the processes and systems that enable us to perceive, attend to, represent and understand the world around us, to learn and remember information, to communicate with each other, and to reason and make decisions. This course provides a survey of research and theory in all of these domains.

Humans are remarkable beings. We are capable of creating inspiring works of art and dramatic scientific achievements. However, we also engage in harmful behaviors such as violence and prejudice and suffer from debilitating illnesses such as schizophrenia and dementia. This course explores how the 3 lb. structure in our head influences what we think, feel, and do. The course also explores how what we experience and how we behave can change the brain. The course begins with a basic overview of the structure and function of the nervous system and current techniques for studying the nervous system. The latter part of the course examines the biological underpinnings of several behaviors of interest to psychologists including sleep, stress, emotion, cognition, and mental disorders. Throughout the course, students will gain critical thinking skills through evaluating original empirical research and by considering the advantages and disadvantages of the biological perspective on human behavior.

The Psychology Practicum in Child Development allows students to gain hands-on experience in the field of psychology and acquire course credit through their participation in non-paid teaching internships at the Child Study Center. Students are expected to spend 4-5 hours per week teaching at the Child Study Center, do periodic readings, keep a weekly journal, and attend three, mandatory supervision meetings. Does not count toward the minimum major or minor in psychology.

This course examines theory, research, and practice in three schools of psychotherapy: psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic. Topics to be covered include underlying assumptions of normalcy/pathology, theories of change, methods/techniques, and relationship between therapist and client.

An introduction to research methods appropriate to the study of abnormal psychology. Topics will include affective and personality disorders, substance abuse, and stressful life events. Individual and group projects. Laboratory.

Adolescents are developing socially, cognitively, and civically in their online and offline worlds, transforming how formal and informal learning takes place. Students in this course will digest research findings and reflect on their own experiences about how social technologies (e.g., Instagram, gaming, mobile phones) can influence wellbeing during the tween and teen years. Harnessing personal narratives that appeal to different stakeholders, we will develop timely and accessible strategies to inform adolescents, educators, families, youth workers, and policymakers about the implications of these findings. This interdisciplinary course spanning education, psychology, media studies, and health communication fields  involves transforming research into digestible, brief, non-academic pieces intended for the general public and provides opportunities for students to explore their own interests. Sample assignments include a policy brief, op-ed, e-newsletter, 2 minute podcast, social media messaging campaign, and strategic writing for UX design. Each week, fellow classmates critique each other’s work in a friendly, constructive environment while guest writing coaches and industry professionals provide useful tips to hone each piece to its creative potential.

Why do some people have a keen memory for names or faces, a great sense of direction, or a remarkable ability to do two things at once? And why are some people only average (or even below average) in these areas? We will critically evaluate a broad range of perceptual and cognitive abilities (and disabilities) by drawing upon the fields of cognitive neuroscience, behavioral genetics, development, and human variation. We will address three kinds of questions: What broad combination of nature and nurture, and what specific genes and experiences, contribute to differing abilities? What are the neural and cognitive bases of such abilities? And how can we or should we apply such knowledge to ourselves, our families, our communities, and our countries?

An examination of the use of nonverbal communication in social interactions. Systematic observation of nonverbal behavior, especially facial expression, tone of voice, gestures, personal space, and body movement. Readings include scientific studies and descriptive accounts. Issues include: the communication of emotion; cultural and gender differences; the detection of deception; the impact of nonverbal cues on impression formation; nonverbal communication in specific settings (e.g., counseling, education, interpersonal relationships).

A comparison of major ways of conceiving and studying personality, including the work of Freud, Jung, behaviorists, humanists, and social learning theorists. Introduction to major debates and research findings in contemporary personality psychology.

An introduction to some of the major subfields of psychology, such as developmental, personality, abnormal, clinical, physiological, cognitive, cultural, and social psychology. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives and research methods used by psychologists to study the origins and variations in human behavior.

An introduction to some of the major subfields of psychology, such as developmental, personality, abnormal, clinical, physiological, cognitive, cultural, and social psychology. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives and research methods used by psychologists to study the origins and variations in human behavior.

The application of statistical concepts and techniques to the analysis of research data in psychological science. As one of the two prerequisites for the research methods course required for the psychology major, emphasis is placed on hands-on work with real data. Students will learn to select, conduct, interpret, visualize, write up, read, and evaluate analyses. The course has an accompanying lab component. Students must register for a lecture and lab at the same time.

The application of statistical concepts and techniques to the analysis of research data in psychological science. As one of the two prerequisites for the research methods course required for the psychology major, emphasis is placed on hands-on work with real data. Students will learn to select, conduct, interpret, visualize, write up, read, and evaluate analyses. The course has an accompanying lab component. Students must register for a lecture and lab at the same time.

The application of statistical concepts and techniques to the analysis of research data in psychological science. As one of the two prerequisites for the research methods course required for the psychology major, emphasis is placed on hands-on work with real data. Students will learn to select, conduct, interpret, visualize, write up, read, and evaluate analyses. The course has an accompanying lab component. Students must register for a lecture and lab at the same time.

Human infants and children are simultaneously the most adept learners, yet the least able to care for themselves. This course will wrestle with understanding how children’s development is shaped by human capacities and by the ways in which family, friends, and the larger community influence the maturational process. Through lectures, discussions, activities, and first-hand observations of children at the Child Study Center, we will examine children’s social, cognitive, emotional, perceptual, physical, and language development and try to understand how they relate to one another from conception (or before!) through early adolescence. Special attention will be given to public policy issues related to education, parenting, and children’s rights in the international community.

A comparison of major ways of conceiving and studying personality, including the work of Freud, Jung, behaviorists, humanists, and social learning theorists. Introduction to major debates and research findings in contemporary personality psychology.

Memory is central to our functioning in everyday life and to our sense of identity. We use memory not only to accomplish routine tasks (e.g., to recall where we parked the car, to remember what items we need to pick up from the grocery store), but also to construct a narrative of our lives populated by the experiences and events that define us. Memories can be transient or lasting, and can operate both within and outside of conscious awareness. This course will examine the mechanisms underlying human memory abilities. We will discuss distinctions between different forms of memory including short-term/long-term memory, episodic/semantic memory, and implicit/explicit memory. We will examine the neural basis and development of memory functions, and will consider factors contributing to forgetting and distortion of memories.

Cognition refers to the processes and systems that enable us to perceive, attend to, represent and understand the world around us, to learn and remember information, to communicate with each other, and to reason and make decisions. This course provides a survey of research and theory in all of these domains.

An introduction to research methods appropriate to the study of social psychology. Individual and group projects on selected topics. Laboratory.

An examination of how individuals develop and change over the life course. Particular emphasis on experiences associated with entry into adulthood, middle age, and older adulthood. Topics include: age-related changes in personality, emotion, and cognition; work and relationships (including marriage and parenting); life's transitions (e.g., divorce, menopause, and retirement); influence of culture and history on crafting adult lives. Different models of the life course will be discussed.

Take a step back from your psychology major and learn how to transfer your expertise to the public. This Calderwood Seminar challenges upper-class students in an intimate workshop setting to grow as psychologists and writers. Throughout the semester, students will build a writing portfolio that might include op-eds, book reviews, journal article reviews, coverage of public talks, Wikipedia entries, articles for middle school STEM magazines, and interviews with research psychologists. Classes will include collaborative editing workshops, guest lectures from experts, and activities to build a strong writing foundation. In keeping with the structure of the Calderwood seminar, students choose areas of psychology to study in depth, and weekly deadlines are firm so as to allow classmates time to reflect and comment on each others' work. You have learned how to write for college, now learn how to write for life.