An introduction to research methods in clinical psychology and psychopathology. Includes discussion of current research as well as design and execution of original research in selected areas such as anxiety disorders, PTSD and depression. Prerequisite: PSY 100, PSY 201, PSY 202 and a relevant PSY intermediate colloquium course.

This course provides group instruction and supervision for a variety of mental health practicum placements. Undergraduate students are placed in community settings and have local mentoring by masters level social work students. The seminar includes a thorough examination of community entry and engagement, clinical ethics and relevant obligations. It also includes a review of evidence based interventions and the theories that accompany them. Special focus is given to issues of diversity and inclusion.

Topics course.: This seminar explores the cognitive processes underlying human perception and comprehension of film, the techniques filmmakers use to capitalize on these processes, as well as the general portrayal of cognition by filmmakers. We read and discuss empirical articles and view relevant examples of film. Topics range from change blindness and apparent motion to various depictions of amnesia in 20th-century film. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

In-depth study of anxiety disorders. Course examines research on the phenomenology, etiology and treatment for selected anxiety disorders and clarifies the nature and quantity of evidence supporting the efficacy of current treatments. Attention is devoted to the strengths and weaknesses of different research designs for answering specific questions about psychopathology and psychotherapy. The course highlights landmark studies and documents which treatments have been shown to be most effective for which types of patients. Prerequisites: PSY 100, PSY 202 and PSY 150.

An exploration of the nature of moral psychology. We discuss how reason, emotion, cultural norms and social pressures shape our moral judgments; how brain activity correlates with moral decision-making; and how we can use psychological research on moral intuition to evaluate cultural and political disagreements. Prerequisites: PSY 202. Enrollment limit of 25. (E)

This course examines the effects of drugs on the nervous system and associated changes in mood, cognition and behavior. Legal and illegal recreational drugs are considered, as well as therapeutic agents used to treat psychological illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Focus is on controversial issues such as binge drinking, addiction to prescription medications, the medical and recreational use of marijuana, the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs, medication of children, the power of the pharmaceutical industry and the use of cognitive/performance enhancers.

Introduces students to a variety of methods used in psychological research. All sections of this course cover the basic methodological techniques of contemporary psychology such as observational, experimental and survey methods. Sections differ in the particular content theme used to illustrate these methods. PSY 100 or equivalent is required for PSY 202. We recommended that PSY 201 is taken prior to, or concurrently with, PSY 202. Priority is given to Smith College psychology majors and minors.

Introduces students to a variety of methods used in psychological research. All sections of this course cover the basic methodological techniques of contemporary psychology such as observational, experimental and survey methods. Sections differ in the particular content theme used to illustrate these methods. PSY 100 or equivalent is required for PSY 202. We recommended that PSY 201 is taken prior to, or concurrently with, PSY 202. Priority is given to Smith College psychology majors and minors.

Theory and research on human cognition, from the fields of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Topics include visual perception, attention, knowledge representation, memory, language, problem-solving and consciousness. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

This seminar discusses research on the neurocognitive basis of autism spectrum disorders, considering genetic, neuroscientific, psychological and linguistic factors in their etiology and characterization. Topics include the history of the diagnosis, the incidence of the disorders, cross-cultural conceptions of autism, studies of the underlying neural mechanisms, and the cognition and language of children with ASD. Prerequisites: One of EDC 235, PSY 216, or PSY 253, or permission of the instructor.