Psychology

A survey of the rich and varied determinants of human behavior, this course examines the biological bases of behavior; the origins of perception, thought, emotion, and language; the components of learning and how people develop over the life span; and the formation of personality, psychological disorders, and forms of psychotherapy. It examines human beings as individuals and within the context of society. No prerequisites.

This course offers a survey of the major topics of cognition: Perception, learning, memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and language. The course will also show how the major findings in these areas of cognition are obtained by research methods of experimental psychology, supplemented by methods of computer science and neuroscience. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 or permission of the instructor.

This course covers the major issues in human development from the prenatal stage to adolescence, introducing the concepts of behavioral, psychoanalytic, and Piagetian developmental theory. Topics include genetic and prenatal influences, early parent/child interaction, cultural differences in child-rearing, the acquisition of language, cognitive and moral development, sex-role development, and social/cultural conditions affecting development. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

Each individual is embedded in a variety of social contexts. This course focuses on the ways in which interactions between people in groups produce change and on how these interchanges affect the individuals involved. Topics include conformity to authority, social influence and persuasion, interpersonal attraction, attitude formation and change, and cooperation and competition. Major research strategies in social psychology are also introduced. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 or permission of the instructor.

History is replete with theories about how the human infant develops adult psychological function. These theories have focused on a range of contributing factors, from inborn biological states or drives to environmental events. This course examines the major theories of personality developed by Erikson, Freud, Jung, Rogers, and Sullivan, as well as more recent theorists in self-psychology and object relations. Readings include both a text and primary sources. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 or permission of the instructor.

This course covers a wide range of topics in human sexuality, beginning with sexual anatomy, physiology, and basic functioning and including gender differentiation and gender roles; menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS); pregnancy and birth; contraception; resolving unwanted pregnancy; sexual attraction and sexual fantasies; sexual dysfunctions, diseases, and disabilities; sexual preference; coercive sexuality; violent pornography; atypical sexual behaviors; and loving sexual interaction. The materials presented in lectures, films, slides, and the texts are quite explicit, and students anticipating discomfort should consult the instructor before registering for the course. Prerequisite: Psychology 100 or permission of the instructor.

Are women’s ways of viewing themselves, others, and the world around them, as well as their ways of interacting with others, different from men’s? This course aims to explore this question by introducing students to the major theorists in the area of women’s psychology. Additional readings will also encourage students to examine the implications of these theories for understanding women’s experiences in a variety of contexts, including: Across the stages of development (childhood, adolescence and adulthood); in education (e.g., differential classroom experiences); as applied to views on mental health and mental illness (e.g., “hysteria” and depression); women as subjects of and participants in scientific research (e.g., is there a “feminist” methodology?), and in interaction with race, ethnicity and culture.

This course is designed to examine both theoretical and applied topics in the psychology of race and ethnicity and especially as it relates to people of color in the U.S. It intends to expose students to a wide range of concepts, modes of inquiry, and theoretical perspectives on race and ethnicity to include the behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, and sociocultural psychologies. It will also consider the psychology of race from a historical view as contrasted with current and future directions in research and practice. Some relevant areas will include: The social construction of race, racial identity development and hybrid identities, psychology of oppression, psychology of success, liberation psychology, acculturative stress and coping, etc. Prerequisite: One social studies class in psychology and/or a course addressing race/ethnicity.

Is stereotyping inevitable? Does prejudice always lead to discrimination? What is dehumanization? This course will highlight the distinct differences yet interrelations between stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Topics to be addressed include the functions/goals served by stereotypes and prejudice (i.e., to make yourself feel better). Also discussed will be stigma, the various types of –isms (i.e., modern racism), and individual differences (i.e., personality influences). Cross-cultural perspectives will be explored. Popular culture, current events, and scholarly articles will be used to demonstrate the numerous concepts we will cover.

This course systematically reviews and discusses the principal forms of psychopathology, with an emphasis on empirical research. The DSM IIIR is the focus for classification and definition of the clinical syndromes. Readings include a text, case study book, and original sources. The course is a seminar and students contribute formal presentations. Prerequisite: Psychology 100; Psychology 206 advised.

Conflicts are inevitable aspects of life; however, the nature, course, and outcome of conflicts depend on situational, cultural, relational, and personality variables. In this course we examine many of these factors—focusing particularly on those that predict when conflicts will emerge, when and why a conflict may escalate or not, and successful negotiation or other resolution. The goal of the course is to integrate readings, discussions, role plays, and other exercises to form a broader understanding of conflict. There are two main goals in this course. The first is that students will become familiar with the literature and research on conflict and negotiation. The second goal, which is more hands-on, is that students acquire greater skills for negotiation and mediation. Prerequisite: At least two 200-level social studies courses or Psychology 203.

This course reviews the major psychological theories of self. The format is discussion-oriented, thus it is assumed that students come with some familiarity of general theories and concepts from personality and/or social psychology so that we can engage in close readings of both classic and “newer” psychological texts on the self. We begin with a brief review of philosophical discourses on the self, and then we discuss in depth the different theoretical and empirical orientations in psychology. Topics include (but are not limited to): Psychoanalytic and neopsychoanalytic theories of self; comparing the “self” vs. the “ego;” self vs. identity; cognitive and behaviorist theories of self-experience; self-esteem and narcissism; and self-related disorders. Theorists will include: Baumeister, Freud, Gergen, Horney, James, Judith Jordan, Mahler, Markus and Kitayama, and Alice Miller, among others. Prerequisites: Psychology 203 or 206.This course is offered when there is sufficient student interest.

This course is designed for students considering advanced study and careers in mental health professions. It provides an overview of the field of clinical psychology focusing on issues relevant to research into and treatment of the psychological disorders. In particular, it covers ethical, conceptual, and methodological issues facing psychologists regarding assessment, diagnosis, forms of psychotherapy, and evaluation of psychological interventions. It stresses both the empirical foundation of clinical psychology, such as research in therapy efficacy studies, and practical experience in interviewing and testing. Additionally it addresses specific concerns and controversies facing psychologists today, including prescription privileges for psychologists, research into recovered memories, ethics and utility of personality and intelligence measurement, and suicide and sexual reorientation interventions. Prerequisite: 206, 302, or permission of the instructor.

How does one develop a racial identity? What do different cultures think about attractiveness, gender, and love? How do different cultures interact in the workplace? What does religion have to do with multiculturalism? These questions, and others like them, will be addressed in this course. Multicultural Psychology is the systematic study of how groups values, beliefs, and practices relate to the way they think and feel. Readings, discussion, and films will be used to illuminate various topics in the field. Overall objectives of this course are for students to learn to appraise and criticize relevant psychological theories while also developing the ability to discover multicultural psychology in daily life. Prerequisites: Sophomore Seminar, PSYC 100, and a 200-level course in psychology, or permission of instructor.

Under these course numbers, juniors and seniors design tutorials to meet their particular interests and programmatic needs. A student should see the prospective tutor to define an area of mutual interest to pursue either individually or in a small group. A student may register for no more than one tutorial in any semester. Recent tutorials have included: Psychopharmacology, Psychology of Language, and Forensic Psychology.