91945

PSY 121

HISTORY, SYSTEMS and people

IN PSYCHOLOGY

Stuart Levine

M . W . .

11:50 am -1:10 pm

RKC 101

SSCI

Over the course of the semester we study theoretical insights and conceptual attempts to understand human behavior. These are traced from the speculations within the Ancient World to current scientific thinking and methods guiding the study of psychology and other social science disciplines. Importantly, because a discipline is also about people who advance it, students are introduced to the lives and times and ideas of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field. Particular attention is given to such figures as James, Pavlov, Freud, Skinner and Asch, to mention just a few. Illumination will also come from a consideration of correspondence between and among pivotal individuals in the field. Critical analyses and integrations are juxtaposed with historical renderings. Upper college students likely will benefit from this course because they already possess the foundational knowledge necessary to draw comparisons and critically evaluate varying points of view. Lower college students likely will use the course to greet the intellectual domains they enter. Class size: 22

91793

PSY 141 A

Intro to Psychological Science

Thomas Hutcheon

. . W . F

11:50 am -1:10 pm

RKC 103

SSCI

How does the mind create the reality we perceive? How do experiences shape the brain, and how do processes in the brain influence thought, emotion and behavior? This course investigates these and similar questions by studying the science of the human mind and behavior. The course covers topics such as memory, perception, development, psychopathology, personality, and social behavior. A focus is on the biological, cognitive, and social/cultural roots that give rise to human experience. Additionally, the course will consider how behavior differs among people, and across situations. Class size: 40

91794

PSY 141 B

Intro to Psychological Science

Thomas Hutcheon

. T . Th .

3:10 pm -4:30 pm

RKC 102

SSCI

See above. Class size: 24

92005

PSY 141 C

Intro to Psychological Science

Farnaz Kaighobadi

. T . Th .

10:10 am -11:30 am

OLIN 204

SSCI

See above. Class size: 24

91408

PSY 203

Statistics for Psychology

Frank Scalzo

Lab A:

Lab B:

. T . Th .

. . W . .

10:10 11:30 am

10:00am-12:00

1:30-3:30 pm

OLINLC 115

HDR 101A

MATC

This course provides an introduction to the concepts and methods of statistics and is aimed at helping the student to gain a fundamental understanding of the tools needed to understand and conduct research in psychology. Topics to be covered include frequency distributions and probability, descriptive statistics, simple correlation and regression, sampling distributions, t-tests and basic and factorial analysis of variance. Non-parametric tests such as Chi-square will also be introduced. The course will focus on the interpretation and communication of statistics, and we will work with the SPSS software package to analyze data. This course is the first of a two-course sequence in statistics and research methods that is required of all prospective psychology majors. The course is ordinarily taken in the first semester of the sophomore year. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychological Science or its equivalent. Class size: 30

92294

PSY 210

Adult ABNORMAL pSYCHOLOGY

Amy Winecoff

. . W . F

1:30 pm -2:50 pm

HEG 308

SSCI

This course is designed to examine various forms of adult psychopathology (i.e., psychological disorders) within the contexts of theoretical conceptualizations, research, and treatment. Etiology and pathogenesis of symptoms (both core and associated), diagnostic classifications, and treatment applications will be addressed. Adult forms of psychopathology that will receive the primary emphasis of study include the anxiety, mood, psychotic, and substance-related disorders. Prerequisites: Introduction to General Psychology or permission of instructor. Class size: 24

92004

PSY 221

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Farnaz Kaighobadi

M . W . .

4:40 pm – 6:00 pm

OLIN 201

SSCI

Cross-listed: Gender & Sexuality Studies To develop is to change. From birth to death, we are constantly changing as we grow – sometimes we gain skills, sometimes we lose them. In this class, we will study the balance of growth and decline across the lifespan, and think carefully about the unique characteristics of people at each life stage. We will explore many changes from infancy through old age, including: cognition, physical maturation, social interaction, gender, language, and cultural influence. Textbook, research articles, and popular writings on the nature of growth and decline at different life stages will be used to facilitate discussion and writing. Class size: 24

91986

PSY 230

COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Thomas Hutcheon

. T . Th .

8:30 am- 9:50 am

OLIN 204

SSCI

Cognitive psychology is the study of mind: how we perceive the world, remember, represent knowledge, acquire new information, become aware of our emotions, make plans, reason, and use language. In this course we examine the empirical foundations that determine our understanding of mind, including classic research designs, recent advances in computational modeling, philosophical perspectives, and changes in cognition throughout the lifespan. The course also considers the neural underpinning of these topics. Class size: 24

92003

PSY 245

EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY

Farnaz Kaighobadi

. T . Th .

11:50 am- 1:10 pm

RKC 115

SSCI

All species are a product of evolution and Homo sapiens is no exception. Nevertheless, the Darwinian revolution that transformed biology a long time ago is only now taking place for the study of humans. Evolutionary psychology is the scientific study of human nature, based on understanding the psychological adaptations that our ancestors evolved in prehistory to cope with the challenges of survival and reproduction. In this course, we will study cognitive and social development from an evolutionary perspective such as the evolution of thought or language. We will also explore how evolutionary theory can be applied to understanding of human preferences and behavior including but not limited to: mate preferences, mating strategies, kin relationships, cooperation, conflict, aggression and warfare. In addition to textbook, we will read research articles to discuss and critic research methods used to test evolutionary psychological hypotheses. Prerequisites: PSY 141 OR a Biology course numbered above 140. Class size: 24

91762

PSY 364

Children with Autism

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

. T . . .

4:40 pm -7:00 pm

OLINLC 120

SSCI

Within the last 25 years, autism has become one of the most widely recognized childhood disorders. Where did it come from? How do we recognize it? What kinds of thinking, and what kinds of behaviors, make these children unique? We will explore the major theories of autism, the predominant diagnostic methods, and a realistic, balanced view of these children’s everyday world. Readings will consist of primary empirical work, augmented by theoretical and popular writing. Prerequisites: PSY 141 in addition to one of the following courses: Developmental Psychology, Child Development, Development & Psychopathology, or Adult Psychopathology. Class size: 12

91416

PSY 367

Automaticity of Social Life

Kristin Lane

. T . . .

10:10 am- 12:30 pm

HDR 101A

SSCI

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain & Behavior The idea that much of mental life occurs without conscious intention, awareness, or control has a long intellectual history in both psychology and philosophy, and has taken root as one of the central tenets of contemporary psychology. In this seminar, we will explore the ways in which large swaths of mental processes and behavior operate outside of conscious awareness. We will begin with the history of these ideas but place a special focus on the empirical research of the past 40 years. After reading work in cognitive psychology that introduces us to foundational concepts such as implicit learning, memory, and perception (i.e., subliminal perception), we will spend the bulk of our time engaging with how these processes unfold in our social worlds (e.g., attitudes, prejudices, emotions, goals, self-esteem, and relationships). We will conclude by considering the implications of this research for notions of free will and individual responsibility. Readings will draw from cognitive, social, and clinical psychology as well as neuroscience and philosophy. Prerequisites: 1. Moderation into Psychology or Cognitive Science plus one of the following courses: Social Psychology, Judgment and Decision Making, Human Memory, Cognitive Psychology; or 2. permission of the instructor. Class size: 12

91763

PSY 368

The Social Brain: Neuroscience OF ATTACHMENT, REJECTION, AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

Amy Winecoff

. T . . .

1:30 pm -3:50 pm

RKC 200

SSCI

Social neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that draws on techniques and concepts from biology, psychology, and evolutionary anthropology to understand the neural bases of social interaction. In this course, we will cover some of the major topics of study in social neuroscience including the evolutionary origin of cooperation, attachment and bonding, social pain, and moral cognition. We will also discuss how the neural mechanisms of social functioning break down in psychiatric conditions (e.g., borderline personality disorder) and antisocial behavior (e.g., psychopathy). Class periods will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and group activities. Participants will also learn to use some of the tools social neuroscientists use to explore the brain. Prerequisite: one of the following: PSY 230, 252, 347, 365, PSY NEU, BIO 204, or permission of instructor. Class size: 12

91760

PSY DEV

Research in Developmental PsyCHOLOGY

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

. . . Th .

2:30 pm -4:30 pm

PRE

N/A

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain & Behavior (2 credits) In this course, students will participate in laboratory research in child developmental psychology. Special emphasis will be placed on 3- to 5-year olds' social cognition, perspective-taking, and memory in the context of games. The majority of time in this course will consist of independent laboratory work and research, and students will work with young children, parents, and members of the community to initiate research protocols in our Preston-based laboratory . There will be a weekly laboratory meeting, readings, assignments, two short papers (a literature review and a summary of your empirical project) and student presentations. Open to first-year, second-year and junior students with consent of the instructor. (This course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.) Class size: 6

91417

PSY SOC

Social Psychology: Advanced Methodology

Kristin Lane

. T . . .

2:30 pm -4:30 pm

PRE 127

N/A

(2 credits)This course provides hands-on experience in the practice of Social Psychology. Students will work individually and in teams on ongoing research projects in the Social Psychology Laboratory. The realm of topics to be studied includes the roots of unconscious bias, the gender disparity in the sciences, and behavior change. Students will participate in all phases of the research process, including developing stimuli, programming studies, conducting experimental sessions, and coding and analyzing research data. Requirements include attendance at weekly lab meetings, two papers, a lab presentation, and other assignments throughout the semester. Enrollment is open to first-, second-, and third-year students with the permission of the instructor. Students are expected to enroll for two consecutive semesters. (This course may be taken for a maximum of eight credits.) Class size: 6