Topics course.: A seminar on the role of possessions in people’s lives, especially as related to compulsive hoarding, a form of obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders. We study the empirical research, theories of OCD and hoarding behavior, and efforts to develop treatments for this condition. Related constructs such as compulsive buying and acquisition, materialism, kleptomania and psychopathologies of acquisition are also addressed. Prerequisites; PSY 150 or PSY 287.

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 120, PSY 160, PSY/PHI 209, PSY/PHI 213, PHI 236, PHI 262, or permission of instructor.

A study of human development across the lifespan. In this course, we learn about milestones of human development from conception to death, discuss and critically evaluate current theories of developmental psychology, and investigate the interplay of biological, psychological and contextual factors that shape development over time. Prerequisite: PSY 202. Enrollment limit of 25. (E)

Why are so many people—even those whose basic physical needs are met—still challenged to eat adequately, exercise and sleep enough? We consider how human willpower tendencies interact with social, cultural and physical contexts to support (or thwart) health promoting activities. Based on a close reading of current psychological science and related areas of inquiry, students will study interventions to improve individual-level health, and in groups, design and implement a project focused on campus-level health promotion.

We consider people’s understanding of their own and others’ mental states from a variety of perspectives: comparative psychology, neuroscience, cognitive, cross-cultural and developmental. The class analyzes and discusses primary psychological research on how such a “theory of mind” develops and the role it plays in social behavior and communication, as well as what is known about the brain mechanisms that underlie it and individual variations in theory of mind development arising from cultural, sensory and neurological differences. Enrollment limit of 25 students. (E)

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.

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.

An overview of the statistical methods needed for undergraduate research emphasizing methods for data collection, data description and statistical inference including an introduction to study design, confidence intervals, testing hypotheses, analysis of variance and regression analysis. Techniques for analyzing both quantitative and categorical data are discussed. Applications are emphasized, and students use R and other statistical software for data analysis. Classes meet for lecture/discussion and a required laboratory that emphasizes the analysis of real data.

An overview of the statistical methods needed for undergraduate research emphasizing methods for data collection, data description and statistical inference including an introduction to study design, confidence intervals, testing hypotheses, analysis of variance and regression analysis. Techniques for analyzing both quantitative and categorical data are discussed. Applications are emphasized, and students use R and other statistical software for data analysis. Classes meet for lecture/discussion and a required laboratory that emphasizes the analysis of real data.