Department of Psychological Science

Linda Jones (chair), Kaci Allen*, Wayne Barnard, Norma Baker Gabhart (professor emerita), Anna Garr*, Lauren Gilbert, Peter Giordano, Mary Harlinger*, Michael Loftin*, Rebecca Lowe*, R. Mansfield*, Patrick Morse, Carole Scherling, Timothy Schoenfeld, Michael Steele*, Lonnie Yandell, Teresa Young*.

*Part-time

Vision:

Our vision is to be one of the premier programs in the nation committed to training undergraduates in the principles and applications of scientific psychology.

Purpose:

The psychology program seeks to provide majors with a strong psychological knowledge base for understanding behavior and mental processes. Majors are equipped with skills to develop a critical understanding of the field of psychology. Majors will learn to appreciate the role of scientific psychology in shaping society through the study of the history of psychology, ethics, values and multicultural perspectives. Majors are given opportunities for professional development in preparation for graduate training, employment in psychology, or employment in non-psychology areas.

Goals:

Psychology majors will:

Develop a strong psychological knowledge base by being exposed to major theoretical perspectives, scientific methodology, and applied areas of study in psychology.
Develop an analytical and objective approach to the study of human behavior by emphasizing laboratory skills, research methods, and statistical methods to collect and analyze data.
Develop critical reasoning skills, problem-solving skills, and quantitative reasoning skills.
Develop adequate language skills to be able to read professional literature, understand research articles, write scientifically, and use appropriate APA style.
Develop effective information-gathering skills as shown by the use of library resources to conduct literature searches by utilizing online data bases and other library reference materials.
Develop computer skills for gathering information, writing papers, analyzing data, and making professional presentations.
Develop an appreciation for the complexity of psychological knowledge and how it relates to historical, ethical, and cultural contexts.
Develop interpersonal skills, interpersonal awareness, group cooperation, and expanded self-efficacy in graduate school and/or career related planning.