This colloquium offers a broad overview and in-depth study of the etiology, assessment, and treatment of the 10 personality disorders recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Some estimates suggest that roughly 15% of people in the general population meet criteria for a personality disorder. These disorders often go undiagnosed and untreated, and can lead to immense suffering and costs to the individual and society.

This course explores the human side of climate change. Drawing from the domains of social, cognitive, developmental and clinical psychology, as well as interdisciplinary theories related to human decision-making, behavior and motivation, the course explores questions raised by the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on global climate change. Prerequisites: PSY 100 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 25. (E)

This colloquium is concerned with the psychological processes underlying political phenomena. The course is divided into three sections: Power and social structure, Leaders and followers, and Social Movements. In each of these sections, students examine how psychological factors influence political behavior and how political acts affect individual psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 202. Enrollment limited to 25.

A study of human development across the lifespan. In this course, students 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. Not open to first years. Prerequisite: PSY 202. Restrictions: Not open to first-years. Enrollment limited to 25.

The study of infant and child development has a long and successful history. Psychologists know a lot about human growth in the early years, but less is known about later development. In recent decades, however, personality and developmental psychologists have converged on several themes that seem to define contemporary adulthood. The course studies these topics and the methodologies used to investigate them. Content areas examined include identity formation, work, relationships, aging consciousness and mortality.

Exploring adolescents’ developing identity, psychosocial and cultural adjustment and their needs for acceptance, autonomy and intimacy in light of the major biological, cognitive and social changes of this phase. Emphasis is given to cultural concepts in adolescent/emerging adulthood psychology and development. Prerequisite: PSY 100, PSY 201 and PSY 202. EDC 235 or PSY 264 recommended. Enrollment limited to 25.

A common held view of memory is that it supports a rather narrow set of functions (e.g., being able to remember to take medicine or recall the name of a coworker). Memory actually serves a much broader function: it forms the sense self and allows humans to effectively communicate, solve novel problems, and plan for the future. While serving as the basis of the ability to function in everyday life, memory is also fragile and susceptible to various kinds of errors (such as in the case of false memories that lead to wrongful convictions).

Offered as PSY 213 and PHI 213. A detailed examination of how children learn their language. Theories of acquisition of word meaning, syntax and pragmatics are examined, as well as methodology for assessment of children’s knowledge. Cross-linguistic and cross-cultural data and perspectives are considered, as well as applications in language therapy and education. Students undertake an original research project using transcript analysis, and read original research literature. Background in linguistics or child development is necessary. Prerequisites: PHI 236 or EDC 235.

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. Priority is given to Smith College psychology majors and minors. Prerequisite: PSY 100. PSY 201 recommended (may be concurrent.) Enrollment limited to 18.