An introduction to techniques of personality research and their application to the experimental study of personality. Based on discussions of current research, students design and conduct original research either individually or in teams. Prerequisites: 112 and either 270 or 271 and permission of the instructor.

Topics course: A survey of current psychological research on the factors that contribute to a person's sense of well being. What are the components of happiness? What are the biological, personality, and contextual factors that contribute to that happiness? How does a person's sense of well being influence health, relationships, and other important life outcomes? Prerequisites: 170 or 180.

Research on intergroup relationships and an exploration of theoretical and statistical models used to study mixed interpersonal interactions. Example research projects include examining the consequences of sexual objectification for both women and men, empathetic accuracy in interracial interactions, and gender inequality in household labor. A variety of skills including, but not limited to, literature review, research design, data collection, measurement evaluation, advanced data analysis, and scientific writing will be developed.

Seminar. We examine scientific perspectives on how psychological and social factors influence the development and progression of physical health and illness. Major topics include psychosocial origins of health disparities, relationships and health, emotion and disease, placebo effects, and complementary and alternative medical approaches. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating current research and designing appropriate future studies. Prerequisites: PSY 100 and PSY 202. Enrollment preference is given to those who have completed a health psychology course.

Design and execution of original research on topics related to the physiology of biological rhythms. Health consequences of disruption in biological rhythms are studied. Prerequisites: PSY 202 or NSC 230. Enrollment limited to 12.

Our understanding of how children grow, learn, and think is largely based on studying WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) populations. Findings from just 12% of the global population are being used to inform worldwide policies in education, parenting, and public-health. In this course, we will approach the study of child development from a cross-cultural lens. We will study how cultural norms, research, and power structures impact specific areas of development.

Topics course: The seminar considers contemporary work on the relationship between language and thought, including the recent rise in “Neo-Whorfianism” or cross-cultural work on whether the language we speak influences the way that we think, also the relationship of concepts and linguistic labels, and on the potential role of syntax on conceptions of events. Prerequisites: at least one of PSY/PHI 209, PSY/PHI 213, PHI 236,  PHI 262, or permission of instructor.

A broad consideration of the nature of prejudice, stereotypes and intergroup relations from the perspective of social cognition with emphasis on issues of race and ethnicity. We encounter theories and research concerning the processes of self-and-other categorization, social identity, stereotyping, prejudice and strategies from the reduction of intergroup hostility that these approaches inform. Enrollment limited to 18.

An in-depth examination of controversial issues of concern to the study of the psychology of women and gender. Students are introduced to current psychological theory and empirical research relating to the existence, origins and implications of behavioral similarities and differences associated with gender. We examine the development of gender roles and stereotypes, power within the family, workplace and politics, and women’s mental health and sexuality, paying attention to social context, and intersectional identities. Prerequisites: PSY 100, PSY 202. Enrollment limit of 25 students.