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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. Although students interested in academic careers in Psychology must eventually obtain a PhD 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/. Major. A core of basic courses is required of all majors. Beyond these core courses, 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: 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 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. To count toward the Psychology major, all courses, whether required or elective, must be passed with grades of C-/CR/P or better. 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. PSYC 100 (or an approved equivalent) is a prerequisite to most 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. Students intending to major in Psychology should complete PSYC 100 in their first year. In order to prepare for laboratory courses as well as other research opportunities, prospective majors should plan to finish Research Methods I (PSYC 200) and II (PSYC 300) no later than second semester of their sophomore year. 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 courses, which must be passed with grades of C-/CR/P or better: 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 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 Advanced Placement. Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology examination will be exempt from the requirement to take PSYC 100 and will receive three credit hours at the 100 level toward requirements and graduation. 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 200 through 499 and 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 first 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. Honors. Junior psychology majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major and at least a B average in Research Methods I and II are contacted by mail at the end of the first semester and invited to pursue Honors in Psychology. An invitee who wishes to do so should seek out an interested faculty member to serve as his/her primary Honors adviser. Students normally begin their Honors work by taking a Private Reading (PSYC 995) during the spring semester of junior year with the faculty member who will be the primary Honors advisor. This course is intended to result in a research proposal for approval by the prospective Honors committee at the end of the semester. A committee consisting of the primary advisor and at least two other faculty members is assembled by the student. The student then submits a brief (3-5 pages) research proposal to the committee, the approval of which signals his/her formal acceptance into the Honors Program, and work begins during the first semester of the senior year. Prior to registering for the second semester of the senior year, the candidate assembles his/her committee for a progress report. If committee members feel that satisfactory progress is being made, the candidate is permitted to continue participation in the Honors Program. Although this is the normal sequence, students meeting the grade criteria for Honors may begin a project as Independent Research Problems (PSYC 606) during the first semester of senior year. Those who are approved by an Honors committee to do so may follow up their work as an Honors project during the second semester. All Honors candidates must be enrolled in Honors Research (PSYC 608 or 612, as appropriate) during the second semester of their senior year. A schedule of Honors-related activities and deadlines will be distributed early in the spring semester. A written thesis in the form of an APA-style report of the research must be submitted to committee members one week prior to the candidate's oral defense, which typically is held at least one week before the end of classes. The candidate must then defend the research in an oral examination by the committee. During the second half of the spring semester, students are also expected to give a brief talk about the research to interested faculty, students, and others and to present the research in a departmental poster session. Posters from that session will be displayed in the hallways of Severance for the following year. Completion of the project requires that the student submit to the Psychology Department a corrected version of the thesis incorporating any ammendments that were requested by the members of his/her Honors committee. Members of the Psychology Department recommend a level of Honors to be awarded to each student. This recommendation is forwarded to the Committee on Honors at Graduation for final approval.
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. 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, PowerPoint 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? Mr. Carrier 122. Educational Psychology 3 hours 3SS 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; or NSCI 201 or 204. 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. Note: 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, Mr. Mayer 219. Cognitive Psychology 3 hours 3NS First and Second 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, 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. Ms. deWinstanley, Ms. Hanna 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 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; psychoneuroimmunology; 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
300. Research Methods II 4 hours 4NS, QPf First and Second Semester. A continuation of PSYC 200, covering advanced experimental and correlational designs, quasi-reliability theory and latent variables. Analysis topics include factorial and repeated measurement analysis of variance, partial and multiple correlation/regression. Students are expected to complete complex data analysis projects using advanced SPSS statistical procedures. This course is intended for psychology and 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 301. Personality/Social Psychology Laboratory 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. Projects designed to parallel closely the process of professional research in personality and social psychology. Students will conduct their own research in groups, thus gaining experience in the activities common to all psychological research: hypothesis generation; research design; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and report writing. The lab group will also engage in the use of computerized statistical analysis. Prerequisite: PSYC 200. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 211 or PSYC 218. Enrollment Limit: 12. Mr. Mayer 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. Prerequisite: 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. Prerequisite: PSYC 200. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 219 and 300. Enrollment Limit: 10. Ms. deWinstanley, Ms. Hanna 305. Human Psychophysiology 3 hours 3NS Next offered 2005-2006. 314. Psychotherapy: Theory, Practice, and Research 3 hours 3SS Next offered 2005-2006. 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 or P/NP 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. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Enrollment Limit: 8. Ms. deWinstanley, Ms. Frantz, Mr. Friedman, Ms. Hanna 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 211 or 218, or consent of instructor. Mr. Mayer 420. Seminar in Emotion 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. In this seminar, we will explore theory and research pertaining to the origins, experience, expression, and influence of the "basic" human emotions. Discussions will be wide-ranging and material will be drawn from a variety of sources, but particular emphasis will be placed on the burgeoning field of affective neuroscience. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or 204. Enrollment Limit: 10. Mr. Porterfield 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 440. Seminar in Environmental Psychology 3 hours 3SS, QPh Second Semester. An introduction to theory and research in environmental psychology and the emerging area of ecopsychology, with environmentalism and sustainability as overriding themes. Topics include how cultural values relate to cultures of consumption, how self-definitions are related to environmentally-relevant behavior, how people cope with environmental problems, the psychological impact of urban versus rural living, and how architectural design impacts psychological well-being. Students have the option to receive QPh credit by becoming involved in a research project. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Enrollment Limit: 15. Mr. Mayer
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 or P/NP grading. Consent of instructor required. 501. Practicum in Autism 2 hours 2SS First and Second Semester. This class is an opportunity to work one-on-one with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The practicum will focus on the implementation and assessment of a computer-based progam designed to develop preceptual skills required for recognition of facial expressions and identity. A two semester commitment is preferable. Notes: CR/NE or P/NP grading. May be repeated for credit. Enrollment Limit: 15. Ms. Sutton 502. Practicum in Community Psychology 2 hours 2SS Next offered 2005-2006. 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 or P/NP 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 or P/NP grading. Consent of instructor required. 505. Psychology Lecture Series 1 hour 1SS Second Semester. Students attend weekly lectures by Oberlin faculty and outside guest speakers on a variety of topics related to contemporary research in psychological science and the practice of psychology. Some preparatory reading on speaker's topics will be required. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Mr. Henderson 510. Research Practicum: Cognitive Processes in Clinical Disorders 1-2 hours 1-2SS First and Second Semester. A class designed to involve students in the conduct of professional research. Research will address attention and memory processes related to eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. Students will read and discuss original research related to the topic and will be primarily responsible for implementing the experiments. Consent of instructor required. Notes: CR/NE or P/NP grading. May be repeated for credit. Enrollment Limit: 8. Ms. deWinstanley, Ms. Sutton 520. Research Practicum: Advanced Issues in Social and Environmental Psychology 1-2 hours 1-2SS First and Second Semester. A class designed to involve students in the conduct of professional research. Research issues will broadly fall within the areas of social conflict, social/environmental issues, prejudice and discrimination, and perspective taking. Consent of instructor required. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. May be repeated for credit. Ms. Frantz, Mr. Mayer 530. Research Practicum: Psychophysiology of Face Perception 1-2 hours 1-2SS Second Semester. A class designed to involve students in the conduct of professional research. Research will address cognitive and emotional processes involved in human face perception, with an emphasis on physiological dependent measures. Students will master laboratory procedures and collect and process experimental data under the close supervision of the instructor. Some reading of relevant research papers and weekly group meetings devoted to coordinating lab activities and discussing the ongoing research will be required. Consent of instructor required. Notes: CR/NE or P/NP grading. May be repeated for credit. Mr. Porterfield
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 eight 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. Prerequisite: Completion of basic coursework in thse selected topic area. Note: Available to junior and senior majors. Consent of instructor required. |
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