12327

PSY 103 A Intro to Psychological Science

Frank Scalzo

. . W . F

10:10 - 11:30 am

OLINLC 120

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: 22

12328

PSY 103 B Intro to Psychological Science

Barbara Luka

. T . Th .

8:30 -9:50 am

OLIN 202

SSCI

See above. Class size: 22

12330

PSY 204 A Research Methods in Psychology

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii LAB:

M . W . . . T . . .

10:10 - 11:30 am 1:30 -3:30 pm

RKC 103 HDR 101A

SCI

This course is a continuation of Psychology 203. Its objectives are to extend the skills and abilities students acquired in the fall semester, and to provide an introduction to the research methods and data analyses used in the study of psychology. Students will gain an understanding of research methods and design through a combination of readings, lectures, class discussions, and hands-on laboratory experience. Students will work both individually and in groups to design and conduct observational studies, surveys, and experiments. There will be a strong emphasis on learning to present research results in different ways. Ethical issues will be discussed at each stage of the research process, and students will develop their ability to assess research critically. This course has a choice of labs, see above. Class size: 40

12878

PSY 204 B Research Methods in Psychology

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii LAB:

M . W . . . . W . .

10:10 - 11:30 am 1:30 -3:30 pm

RKC 103 HDR 101A

SCI

See above.

12331

PSY 216 Developmental Psychology

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

. T . Th .

8:30 -9:50 am

OLIN 204

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

12342

PSY 230 Neuroscience

Frank Scalzo

. T . Th .

11:50 -1:10 pm

RKC 102

SSCI

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain & Behavior The ability to express thoughts and emotions, and to interact with the environment, is dependent in large part on the function of the nervous system. This course will examine basic concepts and methods in the study of brain, mind and behavior. Topics include the structure and function of the central nervous system, brain development, learning and memory, emotion, sensory and motor systems, the assessment of human brain damage, and clinical disorders such as schizophrenia, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Prerequisite: Introduction to General Psychology, Introduction to Developmental Psychology or Introduction to Biology. Class size: 22

12343

PSY 240 Social Psychology

Kristin Lane

M . W . .

3:10 -4:30 pm

OLIN 202

SSCI

Cross-listed: Gender & Sexuality Studies Social Psychology is the scientific study of human thought, behavior, and feelings in their social contexts. This class will survey many of the processes that influence and are influenced by our interactions with others, such as attitude formation and change, conformity and persuasion. We will also use principles of social psychology to understand the ordinary origins of benevolent (e.g., altruism, helping behavior) and malevolent (e.g., aggression, prejudice) aspects of human behavior. Throughout the course, we will emphasize the influence of culture, race, and gender on the topics addressed. Students should have completed Introduction to Psychology or its equivalent. Class size: 22

12344

PSY 245 Personality

Sarah Ketay

. T . Th .

10:10 - 11:30 am

HEG 102

SSCI

This course focuses on personality as a theoretical and empirical field. We will consider theoretical perspectives and their implications for personality development, psychological adjustment, and everyday behavior. Specific themes include psychodynamic, humanistic, trait, social-cognitive and biological perspectives. We will examine topics such as motivation and cognition, how we relate to others, the stress-depression link, and identity as we consider the biological, cultural and social context of personality. Particular focus will be given to the applications of personality theory to behavior in clinical (focusing on personality disorders) and healthy populations. Research methods and assessment strategies for understanding personality will be explored and critically evaluated. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychological Science or permission of instructor. Class size: 22

12345

PSY 249 History and Systems of Psychology

Stuart Levine

M . W . .

11:50 -1:10 pm

RKC 200

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: 15

12346

PSY 256 Psycholinguistics

Barbara Luka

M . W . .

1:30 -2:50 pm

OLIN 201

SSCI

Cross-listed: Mind, Brain & Behavior Language has been described as “the skill that makes us human” and “the foundation of conscious awareness.” In this course we develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between language and cognition, examining how language is represented, processed, and acquired. Readings integrate topics in psychology, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology, computer science, and neuroscience, examining the following questions: What is the relationship between language as a social construct and the way the brain represents language in a single individual? How do memory and cognition differ for people who speak more than one language? How do we make sense of poetry, verbal performance art, and non-literal language such as metaphoric and sarcastic speech? What do patterns of language in atypical populations, such as people with schizophrenia and aphasia, tell us about language cognition? Work in the course will include activities and small group assignments in addition to readings. Assignments explore theories, experimental approaches, and practical applications for studies of language cognition. This course is open to students with all backgrounds, although Introduction to Psychological Science is recommended.

Class size: 22

12329

PSY 268 Close Relationships

Sarah Ketay

. T . Th .

1:30 -2:50 pm

OLIN 205

SSCI

Cross-listed: Gender & Sexuality Studies This course provides an overview of current theory and research in the field of close relationships, a central aspect of our health and happiness. Taking a social psychological perspective, we will explore topics such as interpersonal attraction, theories of love and relationship development, common problems in relationships (jealousy, loneliness, conflict), and therapeutic interventions. Although this course will primarily focus on romantic relationships, we will also consider the importance of friendships in well-being. The major theories of close relationships will be emphasized, including examinations of evolutionary, attachment, interdependence, and cognitive approaches. Methodological concerns will be discussed within the context of each topic. Prerequisite is permission of instructor. Class size: 22

12332

PSY 365 Sex, Brain & Behavior

Katharine Cammack

M . . . .

4:40 -7:00 pm

OLIN 309

SSCI

Cross-listed: Biology; Gender & Sexuality Studies; Mind, Brain & Behavior Reproduction encompasses a broad range of behaviors that occur across the life cycle of an organism. From sexual differentiation to partner preference to parental care, sex-related behaviors help to shape and drive processes that allow an organism to adapt to its environment. This course will examine research related to sex-related behavior in human and non-human animals and discuss the neural and hormonal mechanisms that regulate these behaviors. Seminars will emphasize evolutionary, neuroendocrinological and social-psychological perspectives and explore topics related to male-female differences and similarities, the development of gender and sexual identity, therapeutic approaches to sexual pathology, and the interface between sex behavior and the law. Readings will consist of primary journal articles and text excerpts. Coursework will include critical reading and analysis, in-class presentations, and a final paper. Prerequisites: PSYCH 103 and at least one of the following courses: Neuroscience (230), Health Psychology (237), Social Neuroscience (223), or Drugs and Behavior (252) or permission of the instructor. Class size: 12

12347

PSY 366 Cultural Psychology

Sarah Ketay

. . W . .

1:30 – 3:50 pm

OLIN 302

SSCI/DIFF

Cultural psychology is the scientific study of the influence of culture on human behavior. This course will examine the interaction of culture and the mind and will explore theoretical developments and methodological limitations in the field of cultural psychology, which has elucidated fundamental differences and commonalities in human thought and behavior. We will consider traditional definitions of culture such as geographic location and expand on this conceptualization to explore the influence of rural versus urban environments and socioeconomic status. Topics include but are not limited to the influence of culture on self, cognition, social relationships, and well-being. The course will have a particular focus on comparing cultures in East Asia, Latin America, Western Europe and parts of North America. Participants will complete a substantial literature review on a topic of their choice within cultural psychology. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Moderation into psychology or permission of instructor. Class size: 12

12348

PSY 367 Automaticity of Social Life

Kristin Lane

M . . . .

10:10 - 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

12333

PSY COG Cognitive Psychology: Advanced Methodology

Barbara Luka

. . . Th .

2:30 -4:30 pm

PRE 111

(2 credits) This course provides opportunities for research experience in studies of language comprehension. The majority of time in this course will consist of independent laboratory research (working with participants, analyzing collected data, reviewing recently published empirical papers, improving academic writing skills). Students will complete a short literature review and develop a research proposal. Independent research projects often span two consecutive semesters. Open to first, second and third year students with consent of the instructor. Class size: 6

12334

PSY DEV Research in Developmental Psychology

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii

. . . Th .

2:30 -4:30 pm

PRE

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: 5

12335

PSY NEU Neuroscience: Advanced Methodology

Frank Scalzo

. T . . .

2:30 -4:30 pm

PRE 101

(2 credits) In this course, students will participate in laboratory research in developmental psychopharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, neuroanatomy and/or neurobehavioral teratology using the zebrafish as an animal model. Within these general fields, specific roles of neurotransmitter systems in normal behavioral development and the neurobehavioral effects of chemical insults during early development will be investigated. The majority of time in this course will consist of independent laboratory work and research. 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