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Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, thought, and feeling. Its subject matter includes biological, cognitive, developmental, and social perspectives on normal and abnormal behavior. The Department of Psychology's curriculum prepares students for graduate work in psychology and for other academic and career goals for which knowledge of psychology and its methods are relevant. Psychology is an appropriate major for students who wish to pursue careers in research and teaching or in the delivery of professional clinical services. Whereas students interested in academic careers in Psychology must eventually obtain a Ph.D. degree, doctoral training is not the only avenue for those drawn to a career in counseling, therapy, social work, and related helping professions. For such students, Psychology is one of several appropriate undergraduate majors. Undergraduates interested in helping professions or careers in applied areas of psychology are encouraged to obtain field experience through Winter Term projects and summer jobs. For up-to-date information on the major, courses and the Department, consult the Psychology web page at www.oberlin.edu/psych/. Advanced Placement. Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology examination will be exempt from the requirement to take Psychology 100-The Study of Behavior--and will receive three credit hours at the 100 level toward requirements and graduation. Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions. Students intending to major in Psychology should complete Psychology 100 in their first year. In order to prepare for laboratory courses as well as other research opportunities, intended majors should plan to finish Research Methods I and II no later than second semester of their sophomore year. Major. A core of basic courses is required of all majors. Beyond this core, individuals have considerable leeway in constructing the major. Students interested in specific applications or sub-disciplines within psychology should consult early with their advisors to plan the most appropriate sequence of courses. Required courses for the major include: 1. PSYC 100-The Study of Behavior 2. PSYC 200-Research Methods I and PSYC 300 Research Methods II 3. NSCI 201-The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience or NSCI 204-Human Neurobiology 4. PSYC 219-Cognitive Psychology or PSYC 220-Cognitive Neuropsychology 5. At least two of the following: PSYC 211-Personality: Theory and Research PSYC 214-Abnormal Psychology PSYC 216-Developmental Psychology PSYC 218-Social Psychology 6. At least two of the following: PSYC 301-Laboratory in Personality/Social Psychology PSYC 302-Developmental Psychology Laboratory PSYC 303-Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology PSYC 305-Human Psychophysiology NSCI 211-Laboratory in Neuroscience; or NSCI 327-Neuropharmacology Laboratory and NSCI-324 Laboratory in Neuroanatomy, which together count as one laboratory toward this requirement. The minimum number of hours for the major is 34. A minimum of 26 hours must be earned in courses numbered 200 through 499, with at least 19 of these 26 hours completed at Oberlin. Up to eight hours of Neuroscience courses from the following list can count toward the major: NSCI 201 or 204, 211, 319, 324, 325, 327, 331, 339, 341, and 525. Note, however, that only NSCI 201 or 204, 211, 324, and 327 count toward the abovementioned 26 hour requirement. With few exceptions, Psychology 100 (or an approved equivalent) is a prerequisite to Psychology courses numbered 200 and above. Any variation in meeting major requirements must be approved in writing by the chair of the Department of Psychology. All majors who plan on graduate training in psychology are encouraged to take additional courses in mathematics, computer science, and the sciences. They should also consider carrying out independent research during their junior and/or senior years. Additionally, majors who plan on graduate training in clinical, counseling, health psychology, or industrial-organizational psychology should obtain field experience in their area during Winter Term or in summer jobs. All majors contemplating graduate training should consult with their advisors and/or other members of the Department early in their major. Minor. The minor in psychology consists of the following: 1. PSYC 100-The Study of Behavior 2. NSCI 201-The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience or NSCI 204-Human Neurobiology 3. PSYC 219-Cognitive Psychology or PSYC 220-Cognitive Neuropsychology 4. At least one of the following: PSYC 211-Personality: Theory and Research PSYC 214-Abnormal Psychology PSYC 216-Developmental Psychology PSYC 218-Social Psychology 5. One of the following: PSYC 200-Research Methods I MATH 100-Elementary Statistics MATH 113-Statistical Methods for the Social and Behavioral Sciences MATH 114-Statistical Methods for the Biological Sciences Honors. Junior psychology majors who have met the basic requirements for honors (i.e., minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major and at least a B average in Research Methods I and II) are contacted by mail and invited to consider Honors in Psychology. During the fall semester, students wishing to pursue honors in Psychology should seek out an interested faculty member to serve as their primary honors adviser. Although not required, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a Private Reading (PSYC 995) during the spring semester of their junior year. As the topic area of the project is clarified, the student assembles an honors committee consisting of three interested faculty members (including the primary adviser). At the end of spring semester, the candidate submits a three to five page proposal to his/her committee. Once the proposal is approved by the committee, the student is formally accepted into the Honors Program. Normally, the student begins data collection early in fall semester of the senior year and gives a progress report to his/her committee at the end of fall semester. If the committee feels that the student is not making satisfactory progress toward completing the honors project, his/her participation in the honors program can be terminated at that time. Occasionally, students meeting the grade criteria for honors who complete Independent Research Problems (PSYC 606) during the first semester of senior year are invited to follow up their work as an honors project during the second semester. In either case, all honors candidates must be enrolled in Honors Research (PSYC 608 or 612, as appropriate) during the spring of their senior year. Shortly after Spring Break, honors students present their research to psychology majors, interested students, and faculty. One week prior to the oral defense, the student submits a written thesis to his/her honors committee. After the oral defense is held, the committee recommends the appropriate level of honors to the Psychology Department. The Department decides on the level of honors to be awarded to each student and submits its recommendation to the Honors at Graduation Committee for final approval. Transfer of Credit. All transfer credit must be approved by the Department chair. Courses taken at other institutions after enrollment at Oberlin should be approved in advance to be sure they will count toward Department requirements. At least 19 of the 26 hours from courses numbered between 200 and 499 must be taken at Oberlin. At least one of the two required laboratory courses must be taken at Oberlin. It is the student's responsibility to make sure proper transfer of credit forms are completed and placed on file in the Office of the Registrar. Winter Term. The Department strongly encourages majors and prospective majors to gain field experience in applied or research psychology during Winter Term. Such experience complements academic study at Oberlin. Early and careful planning improves the quality of Winter Term projects. Because so many school, clinic, and research opportunities are available, Department faculty can usually give only general advice. Students are urged to decide early in the fall semester which experience and location they wish. Then they will have sufficient time to find specific facilities, and inquire directly about possible Winter Term assignments. Once aware of the type and location of desirable facilities, students should talk to faculty who might be appropriate sponsors. In most cases a sponsor will ask that a daily diary or log be kept during the Winter Term. Additional requirements would depend on the placement. Students who remain on campus during Winter Term should engage in substantial independent research under the sponsorship of appropriate Department faculty. Often it is possible to join faculty and senior honors students who are engaged in research projects. In addition, students interested in computer applications may design projects involving computer simulation, computer-assisted instruction, or computer-based experiments. The following list of faculty interests should be a guide in approaching possible sponsors: Mr. Carrier: sensation and perception; computer simulation of behavior; human-computer interface design. Ms. deWinstanley: cognitive psychology; memory; attention; cognitive development. Ms. Frantz: social psychology; conflict resolution; perspective taking; sustainable human behavior. Mr. Friedman: developmental psychology; cognitive development; time concepts in children and adults. Mr. Mayer: social cognition; prejudice; helping behavior; resistance. Mr. Porterfield: psychophysiology, emotion, psychopathology. Mr. Smith: neuropharmacology of learning. Ms. Sutton: women and mental health; psychotherapy and cognitive processes; personality and health. Mr. Tanaka: Visual perception; neuropsychology; computational modeling.
100. The Study of Behavior 4 hours 2NS, 2SS First and Second Semester. The prerequisite course for most advanced courses in the department. A survey of contemporary research and theory in the study of behavior. Topics include social psychology, social perception, behavioral measurement and individual differences, biological bases of behavior, motivation, classical and instrumental conditioning, sensory processes, perception, memory, thinking, language, cognitive and personality development, psychopathology and psychotherapy. Enrollment Limit: 160. Ms. Sutton, Mr. Henderson, Staff 106. Visual Communication 3 hours 3SS First and Second Semester. An introductory psychology course examining visual communication. From the perspective of cognitive and perceptual psychology, the course will address questions such as: How is information effectively presented? What are the principles of good graphic design? Using computer technology, students will learn how to create visual communications (two- and three-dimensional representations of quantitative and qualitative information) and learn how to evaluate their effectiveness. The visual communications will take the form of print publications, web sites, Power Point presentations, videos, animations, or interactive CDs. Their evaluation will include the basics of research design and data analysis. Mr. Carrier 108. Psychobiological Perspectives on the Arts 3 hours 3SS, QPh First and Second Semester. This course examines fundamental biological and psychological processes involved in the experience and creation of art. It adopts the perspective of the natural sciences to address questions such as: What are the biological and behavioral prerequisites for art? How and why did they evolve? How are sensory, perceptual, and cognitive systems organized to acquire and process information about the environment? How are motivational and emotional systems organized to direct and influence artistic behavior? The course examines experimental techniques used to study human and animal behavior, requires the mastery of basic quantitative skills, and culminates in the conduct of an experiment and the analysis of its data. Mr. Carrier 122. Educational Psychology 3 hours 3SS, WR Second Semester. Introduction to principles and issues in educational psychology. Focuses include: pertinent aspects of child development, learning theory, learning in the classroom, educational tests and measurements, and learning styles and creativity. Applications to diverse student populations and students with behavioral difficulties will be explored. Enrollment Limit: 40. Ms. deWinstanley, Mr. Friedman
200. Research Methods I 4 hours 4NS, QPf First and Second Semester. An introduction to measurement, research design and analysis in the behavioral and life sciences. Measurement and design topics include measurement theory, scales of measurement, validity and reliability, experimental and non-experimental designs. Analysis topics include descriptive statistics, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, and statistical inference. Students are expected to become proficient in using SPSS for creating files and performing data analysis. This course is intended for psychology and psychology-related majors and prospective majors. PSYC 300 should be taken in the following semester. Students must register for one of the lab sessions. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 28 (lab sections: 14 each). Ms. Miller, Ms. Frantz 205. Psychology of Close Relationships 3 hours 3SS First Semester. A study of cognitive and motivational factors that influence interpersonal interaction and relationship satisfaction. The course will emphasize processes of understanding, feeling, and communication in love relationships and friendships. It will also examine the content and consequences of expectations that people carry for their close relationships. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 28. Ms. Miller 206. Sensory Processes and Perception 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. Sensory systems evolved so that the organism could acquire information about its environment in order to survive and reproduce. This course explores the structure and function of sensory systems and includes topics such as: sensory receptors; transduction; mapping of sensory magnitude, space and time, movement, and stimulus qualities; the relationship between sensory processes and perceptual experience. Class meetings will be interactive, and used for a variety of exercises, demonstrations, presentations, and other activities. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Mr. Carrier 211. Personality: Theory and Research 3 hours 3SS Second Semester. A survey of historical theory and current research in adult personality. We will examine the conceptual origin and current body of empirical knowledge relevant to personality processes and individual differences. Topics covered will include emotionality, introversion-extraversion, the self system, self-consciousness, self-efficacy, androgyny and gender identity, personality and health, and interpersonal behavior. Personality assessment and sociocultural influences will be considered as well. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 35. Note: Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 210 or 212. Ms. Sutton 214. Abnormal Psychology 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. A survey of the field of adult psychopathology, beginning with conceptual and methodological foundations of the study of disordered behavior, followed by an examination of the major categories of mental disorder. A scientific perspective will be emphasized throughout the course, although a variety of philosophical, sociocultural, and legal controversies will be considered as well. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 35. Mr. Porterfield 216. Developmental Psychology 3 hours 3SS, WR First and Second Semester. Research, issues, and theories of human development. Psychological topic areas, such as cognition, personality, and social behavior, will be related to the different age periods from infancy to adolescence, with a brief consideration of adulthood. The final part of the course will be devoted to social policy concerns and childhood psychopathology. An optional laboratory, PSYC 302, may be taken with or after this course. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Mr. Friedman 218. Social Psychology 3 hours 3SS First and Second Semester. This course surveys major theories and research traditions in social psychology. Topics covered will include interpersonal attraction, stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and helping behavior. Assignments are designed to encourage students to apply the ideas of social psychology to their own and others' behavior. Research methodologies in social psychology will also be covered. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 40. Ms. Frantz, Ms. Harrell 219. Cognitive Psychology 3 hours 3NS First Semester. This course covers a variety of topics that deal with the scientific study of human cognition. Topics may include perception, memory, learning, thinking, problem solving, language, and reasoning. Historical as well as contemporary perspectives will be discussed. An optional laboratory, PSYC 303, may be taken with or after this course. Prerequisite: PSYC 100, PSYC 119, NSCI 201, or NSCI 204. Recommended Preparation: PSYC 200, or MATH 100, 113, or 114. Note: Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 220. Enrollment Limit: 35. Mr. Tanaka 220. Cognitive Neuropsychology 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. This course will examine the connections that link the psychological and the neuropsychological approaches to the study of the mind. The processes of human cognition will be examined with regard to their underlying neural substrates by considering evidence from cognitive psychology experiments, neuroimaging and electrophysiological investigations, and studies of brain-damaged individuals. Main topic areas will include perception and attention, object recognition, memory, problem solving, decision making, and language. Prerequisite: PSYC 100, NSCI 201, or NSCI 204. Recommended Preparation: PSYC 200, or MATH 100, 113, or 114. Note: Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 219. Enrollment Limit: 35. Mr. Tanaka 222. Psychobiology of Emotion 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. A survey of theory and research pertaining to the origins, experience, expression, and influence of the cardinal human emotions. Material will be drawn from a variety of sources, but particular emphasis will be placed on findings from the emerging field of affective neuroscience. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204. PSYC 100 is recommended. Enrollment Limit: 25. Mr. Porterfield 224. Psychology of Gender 3 hours 3SS, CD First Semester. A survey of research and theory regarding gender differences in psychological and social functioning and their origins. Topics will include differences in cognitive abilities, personality, values, and social behavior, with special emphasis on their development in sex-role socialization. Consequences of sex roles for the aspirations and mental health of women and men will also be discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 28. Ms. Miller, Ms. Harrell 230. Health Psychology 3 hours 3SS First Semester. An examination of psychological research relevant to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and illness. Topics will include stress and illness; personality factors and health; psychoimmunology; psychological factors in health maintenance; pain and stress management; health and gender, ethnicity, and race; treatment compliance and communication. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. PSYC 200 or an equivalent is recommended. Enrollment Limit: 36. Ms. Sutton 240. Environmental Psychology 3 hours 3SS, QPh First Semester. A survey course designed to introduce students to the major issues, theories, and research in this interdisciplinary field of study. Topics covered will include how cultural values are related to cultures of consumption, the psychological consequences of living in urban versus rural settings, how self-definitions are related to environmentally relevant behavior, how people cope with environmental problems, and how architectural design impacts psychological well being. Students will also engage in research designed to address several of these topics in an empirical manner. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 15. Mr. Mayer
300. Research Methods II 4 hours 4NS, QPf First and Second Semester. A continuation of PSYC 200, including advanced experimental and correlational designs, quasi-experimental and developmental designs, construction of measuring instruments, classical reliability theory and latent variables. Analysis topics include one-way, factorial and repeated measurement analysis of variance, partial and multiple correlation and regression, and an introduction to multivariate analysis of variance, factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Students are expected to complete complex data analysis projects using advanced SPSS statistical procedures. This course is intended for psychology and psychology-related majors and prospective majors. It should be taken in the semester following PSYC 200. Prerequisites: PSYC 200; or MATH 113 or 114 and consent of instructor. Note: When taken with Ms. Frantz, students must also register for an associated lab section. Ms. Frantz, Mr. Henderson 302. Developmental Psychology Laboratory 1-3 hours 1-3SS First and Second Semester. Experimental and naturalistic methods used to study children from infancy through adolescence. Content areas include infant perception, attachment behavior, intelligence, cognitive development, moral development, and social interaction. Students will collect data, use computer routines to describe related data sets, and prepare laboratory reports. The one-hour section requires the submission of four of the 11 written assignments and participation in each laboratory unit. The two-hour section requires submission of seven of the 11 written assignments and participation in each laboratory unit. Prerequisites: To be taken in conjunction with or subsequent to PSYC 216 and 300. Enrollment Limit: 8 per section. Mr. Friedman 303. Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology 3 hours 3NS, WR First and Second Semester. This lab will introduce students to experimental methods used in cognitive psychology. Students will participate in experiments, collect data, and report research in the style and format of the American Psychological Association. Prerequisites: PSYC 219 or 220 and PSYC 200. Enrollment Limit: 10. Ms. deWinstanley, Mr. Tanaka 305. Human Psychophysiology 3 hours 3NS First Semester. Combination lecture-laboratory introduction to the study of the relation of psychological states and processes to physiological responses. Students will study the form and function of underlying physiological systems and gain laboratory experience with the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of psychophysiological responses including heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, EMG, EEG, and event-related brain potentials. Prerequisites: PSYC 200 and basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel. Enrollment Limit: 12. Mr. Porterfield 314. Psychotherapy: Theory, Practice, and Research 3 hours 3SS First Semester. An examination of theories, assumptions, and clinical procedures associated with the major approaches to individual adult psychotherapy (psychoanalysis, existential analysis, client-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy). The scientific evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness, the role of universal factors in psychotherapy, and ethical and philosophical controversies will also be considered. Prerequisite: PSYC 211 or 212. PSYC 214 is strongly recommended. Enrollment Limit: 25. Ms. Sutton 326. Multivariate Statistics Laboratory 1 hour 1SS Second Semester. First Module. Use of advanced SPSS multivariate statistics to analyze selected data sets in psychology. Prerequisite: PSYC 300. Note: CR/NE grading. Mr. Henderson
401. Research Discussion Group 1 hour 1SS First Semester. The Research Discussion Group serves as a forum for faculty and students to present and discuss research projects conducted in the different sub-areas of psychology (e.g., cognitive, developmental, social, clinical). Meetings provide an opportunity for researchers to receive feedback and for students enrolled in the course to learn about the process of psychological research: how ideas are turned into studies and how studies lead to future research. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 8. Ms. deWinstanley, Ms. Frantz, Mr. Friedman, Ms. Harrell 410. Seminar in Sociocultural Psychology 3 hours 3SS, WR First Semester. This seminar will investigate the meaning of the concept of culture, how cultures differ from one another, and how they impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A social psychological perspective will be emphasized and the implications of sociocultural work for theory and applications in social psychology will be highlighted. Seminar discussions will include issues concerning images of self and beauty, self-worth, impression formation, romantic relationships, and group behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 210 or 218, or consent of instructor. Mr. Mayer 420. Seminar: Explorations in Cognitive Neuroscience 3 hours 3NS, WR First Semester. This seminar will investigate the relationship between the mind and brain from the perspectives of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science. The course will emphasize a neuropsychological approach to cognition which attempts to link mental processes to their neuroanatomical substrates. Seminar discussions will focus on topics such as conscious and unconscious processing, blindsight and visual agnosia, language processing, memory deficits, hemispheric processing, and neural networks. Topics of special interest to students will also be included. This seminar is open to Neuroscience majors. Prerequisite: PSYC 219 or 220, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 10. Mr. Tanaka 430. Seminar in Social Conflict 3 hours 3SS Second Semester. Through an investigation of research and theory from the fields of social, cognitive and political psychology, this course explores the psychological processes that lead to and exacerbate conflict. It also examines biases in perceiving the "other," the role of pride and face-saving, the influence of social identity, and shortcomings in decision-making. We will also explore methods of de-escalating conflict, negotiation as problem-solving, the process of mediation and the role of gender and culture in negotiation. Prerequisite: PSYC 218. Enrollment Limit: 14. Ms. Frantz
500. Teaching Assistant 1 hour 1SS Advanced majors may serve as teaching assistants in a lower-level course by invitation of the faculty member involved. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required. 501. Practicum in Autism 2 hours 1SS Second Semester. In this practicum, students will have an opportunity to work one-to-one with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The practicum will focus on the implementation and assessment of a computer-based program aimed at developing perceptual skills required for recognition of facial expressions and identity. Note: CR/NE grading. Enrollment Limit: 8. 502. Practicum in Community Psychology 2 hours 2SS Second Semester. This course provides a supervised placement in a community social service agency. Students develop an on-going role within the agency and receive supervision from agency personnel. Weekly class meetings will address issues related to working as a therapeutic agent providing direct service. Notes: CR/NE grading. Junior or senior psychology majors. Enrollment Limit: 18. Ms. Sutton 503. Practicum in Educational Psychology 3 hours 3SS First and Second Semester. Students will be trained to implement a program at the elementary school level designed to teach social-emotional skills to young children. Students will spend three hours in an elementary school classroom and one hour in a seminar-type class meeting each week. In addition to class time, students will be responsible for reading the literature on early childhood intervention programs, constructing teaching materials, and making lesson plans. Prerequisite: PSYC 122 or PSYC 216. Consent of instructor required. Note: CR/NE grading. Enrollment Limit: 4. Ms. deWinstanley 504. Research Assistant 1-2 hours 1-2SS Students may serve as research assistants in faculty or Senior Honors research projects by invitation of the faculty sponsor involved. Note: CR/NE grading. Consent of instructor required.
A variety of opportunities for students to pursue independent work are available at all levels in the curriculum. Both laboratory and non-laboratory research courses are available at junior, senior, and Honors levels. Registration for any of the Independent Work courses requires prior approval of the proposed work by the staff member who will supervise it. 604. Problems for Investigation 1-4 hours 1-4SS Designed for the student who wishes to pursue independent work on a topic not usually covered by formal offerings. Normally, a bibliographic or theoretical research paper will be part of the course requirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Consent of instructor required. 606. Independent Research Problems 1-4 hours 1-4SS Students may select an empirical research problem for individual investigation. Prerequisite: PSYC 200 or equivalent. Consent of instructor required. 608. Empirical Honors Research 1-4 hours 1-4SS Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program. Note: Not more than seven hours may be taken in PSYC 608. Consent of chair required. 612. Theoretical or Bibliographic Honors Research 2-4 hours 2-4SS Senior Honors Research. Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program. Note: Not more than six hours may be taken in PSYC 612. Consent of chair required. 995. Private Reading 1-3 hours 1-3SS Independent study of a subject beyond the range of catalog course offerings. Prerequisites: Completion of basic coursework in the selected topic area. Note: Available to junior and senior majors. Consent of instructor required. |
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