Psychological & Brain Sciences 391BE - S- Psychology of Belief

Why do we believe in the views of a political party or leader? How can we better understand vaccine hesitancy or denial of climate change science? What drives extremist or conspiracist beliefs? This course will examine evidence from cognitive, developmental and social psychology to explore the science behind how people form beliefs and evaluate those of others, and why it is that beliefs are often so resistant to change even in the face of disconfirming evidence.

Open to Senior and Junior Psychology majors only. Pre Req: PSYCH 241 Senior status = 87+ credits