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Psychology


The Department of Psychology emphasizes the scientific study of behavior. The major offers students a balanced curriculum in experimental, social/personality/clinical, neuroscience/animal behavior, and cognitive/developmental areas. Faculty members are actively engaged in teaching, and they conduct research that addresses important questions with state-of-the-art methods. Opportunities for independent study and research projects under faculty guidance are readily available.

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Concentrations

Faculty

Chair
Lynne Nygaard
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Jessica Barber
Core

Courses

PSYC 100-Level Courses

The nature of personality and the social factors influencing its development.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Introduction to the biological basis of behavior and the experimental approach to cognition.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Introduction to social behavior, development, and individual differences.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SS
Requisites
Students completing PSYC_OX 100 or equivalent cannot enroll in PSYC 111. For concerns, please contact the Psychology department.
Cross-Listed
None

This course will focus on the original key writings and research articles in the history of Western psychology Readings will be discussed from scientific, historical, cultural and philosophical perspectives and placed within the larger context of Western Thought.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course focuses on the development of a better understanding of the epidemiology, biology, health practices, and research methods involved in college substance use. Students will obtain a strong foundation in epidemiological practices using hands-on analytical sessions using real-world data.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100 or equivalent transfer credit as corequisite.
Cross-Listed
None

Small class experience on topics of current psychological interest that fosters a highly interactive and mutually collaborative learning environment involving freshmen and faculty members. Topics include clinical, neuroscience, animal behavior, social, development and cognition.


Credit Hours
3
GER
FS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

PSYC 200-Level Courses

Introduction to basic methods and design of psychological research in the areas of learning, memory, sensation, perception, personality, and social processes. Laboratory exercises and fundamentals of scientific writing are emphasized.


Credit Hours
4
GER
SS
Requisites
(PSYC 110 or PSYC_OX 110 or PSYC 111 or PSYC_OX 111) and (PSYC 230 or QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100) or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
None

Introduction to basic methods and design of psychological research in the areas of learning, memory, sensation, perception, personality, and social processes. Laboratory exercises and fundamentals of scientific writing are emphasized.


Credit Hours
5
GER
HSCW
Requisites
(PSYC 110 or PSYC_OX 110 or PSYC 111 or PSYC_OX 111) and (PSYC 230 or QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100) or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
None

Theories and research concerned with the development of human cognition, personality, and social behavior from infancy through early adolescence.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The neurobiology of sexual desire, hunger, thirst, arousal, drug addiction, and sleeping and waking.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Perception of the world through the senses, gathering information about one's surroundings by seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, and acting.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Descriptions of, explanations for, and treatment of the major adult psychological disorders.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Description, classification, causal factors, and treatment approaches of abnormal behavior in children and adolescents.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

A general survey course in social psychology which includes coverage of the following topics: moral development, competition, aggression, attraction and love, prejudice, discrimination, attitude change, and their relevance to contemporary social issues.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

An introduction to the nature of organizational behavior. Topics of discussion include: management theories and the role of managers, crisis in productivity and work values, and problems facing contemporary managers.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Theories and research addressing the nature of higher mental processes, including such areas of cognition as categorization, attention, memory, knowledge representation, imagery, psycholinguistics, and problem solving.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

An examination of the basic mechanisms of sensory physiology for each of the human sense modalities and the research findings related to how each sensory system is perceptually organized.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

An exploration of the major facets of human sexuality including sexual response, sexual desire, sexual development, sexual performance, reproduction, sexual deviance and problems, love, and sex therapies.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

A review of the behavioral and neurobiological actions of all the major psychoactive drugs, focusing on how drugs alter behavior by influencing brain mechanisms.


Credit Hours
3
GER
NS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Elementary concepts of probability descriptive and inferential statistics including: central tendency, variability, statistical moments, correlation, linear regression, and parametric and nonparametric inferential techniques.


Credit Hours
4
GER
QR
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Problems and issues in psychological test development and evaluation, validation and interpretation of individual and group tests of intelligence, abilities, interests, and personality.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

An examination of the legal definitions of insanity and psychological test validity, the courtroom applications of the psychology of perception and memory, and the applied psychologist's law-imposed responsibilities.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SS
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Basic concepts from the psychology of thinking (association, logical reasoning, creativity, information processing) and from psychometric testing (intelligence, mental ability, test bias) will be considered in the light of recent research.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected topics in Psychology for study abroad courses offered through Emory's Office of International and Summer Programs. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.


Credit Hours
1 - 3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

PSYC 300-Level Courses

Research and theory concerning the way information about the world is acquired and remembered.


Credit Hours
3
GER
HSC
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The evolutionary basis of learning to adapt to the environment. Detailed analysis of the mechanisms of learning and their evolutionary function.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Theories and research examining the development of gender roles from infancy through adulthood.


Credit Hours
3
GER
HSC
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course examines the relationship between brain mechanisms and language behavior. Topics include aphasia and language disorders, aphasia in the deaf, critical periods in children, and gender differences in brain organization.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • LING 309

Examines the development of abilities such as thinking, reasoning, learning, remembering, language, spatial skills, categorization, and counting.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Life-span approach to the physical and behavioral development of adolescents. An emphasis is placed on the developmental theories of Erikson and Piaget along with symbolic interactionists and competence theorists.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Effects of conditions such as blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy on psychological development in children. Complex disorders such as learning disabilities, childhood psychoses, and mental retardation are examined in light of what is known about the simpler disorders.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The role of language in human cognition, communication, and social interaction as well as in animal, nonverbal and computer communication.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • LING 314

The application of psychological inventory methods to the study of developmental changes in family dynamics and structures, patterns of family interaction and communication, systems for classifying family


Credit Hours
3
GER
HSC
Requisites
(PSYC 110 or PSYC_OX 110 or PSYC 111 or PSYC_OX 111) and (PSYC 230 or QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100) or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
None

Language acquisition in young children. Identifying speech sounds, determining meaning, and comprehending the rules of syntax.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • LING 316

Language acquisition in young children. Identifying speech sounds, determining meaning, and comprehending the rules of syntax.


Credit Hours
4
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • LING 316W

Psycholinguistics addresses how language might be realized as a component within the general cognitive system, drawing on linguistics, psychology, neuroscience and computer science. We will study how language is comprehended, produced, acquired, and represented, in a rigorous, hypothesis-driven way.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • LING 317

Examines the remarkable changes infants undergo during the first three years of life. Topics include: pregnancy, child birth, motor skills, perception, brain, memory, language, cognitive, social and emotional development.


Credit Hours
3
GER
HSC
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Structure and function of animal behavior from a comparative, evolutionary perspective.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
PSYC 110 or PSYC_OX 110 or BIOL 141 or BIOL_OX 141 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
  • BIOL 320

Explores hormonal contributions to the development and expression of gender and sexual behavior in animals and humans.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • NBB 321

Biological factors influencing learning and memory with attention to the findings from both animal and human research.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Why and how do humans sleep and dream? This is a survey course presenting a biologically informed approach to sleep and dreaming under both typical and pathological conditions. Format will be primarily lecture, but some discussion and active exercises will also be used.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
(PSYC 110 or PSYC_OX 110 or NBB 201 or ANT 200 or NBB_OX 201 or NBB 301 or BIOL 360) and (QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100) or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
None

Recent progress in the field of primate social behavior, particularly the role of cognition in complex social strategies.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
This course requires PSYC 110 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
  • BIOL 325

Key concepts of several major theories of personality and their application to the study of the individual, along with techniques available for the assessment of personality.


Credit Hours
3
GER
HSC
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course explores concepts and research on positive psychology as well as techniques and exercises that enhance well being. Integrates findings from personality psychology, life-span development, cognitive psychology, behavioral economics, biological bases of behavior, and social psychology.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
This course requires QTM100 equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite
Cross-Listed
None

Prerequisite: Psychology 110 or equivalent. An in-depth survey of the brain systems and mechanisms involved in perception, memory, awareness, communication, and other cognitive phenomena.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The course will emphasize the psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior, especially those relating to personality and individual psychodynamics.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Examination of evil from a psychological perspective. Focus on in depth analysis of criminal cases, including discussion of current evidence concerning the roots of evil and antidotes to evil.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Use of principles of behavior to enhance human functioning. Application of basic research and theory from experimental psychology to personal, social, and educational problems.


Credit Hours
3
GER
HSC
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

In this class we will focus on how scientists come to know what they know, wiht a particular emphasis on the nature of evidence used to answer specific questions and how this is similar to and how it differs from the kinds of evidence used in other fields.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

In this course we will examine the underlying causes of human behavior and traits, focusing particularly on the use of quantitative and molecular genetic methods (i.e., twin and adoption studies, genome-wide studies) to disentangle genetic and environmental influences.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100 or ECON 220 or ECON_OX 220 or ISOM 350 or POLS 310 or POLS 310W or MATH_OX 117 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
None

This course presents an integrated coverage of work at the intersection of animal behavior, evolution, and cellular/systems neuroscience. The course surveys the major areas of behavioral neuroscience.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • NBB 302

Students will be introduced to the field of neuroeconomics, which uses neuroscience techniques to understand human decision-making. Students will learn about theoretical approaches to and techniques for studying individual decision-making and how to use this knowledge to make better decisions.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
(ECON 201/ECON_OX 201 and ECON 212/ECON_OX 212) or (NBB 301/BIOL360 and NBB 302/PSYC 353) or PSYC 207 or PSYC 215 or PSYC 309/LING 309 or PSYC 335 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
  • NBB 381

Neuropsychological disorders of memory, attention, perception and awareness, and their relation to the brain and to cognitive models of normal function.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

A series of special topics of concern to the discipline of psychology. Content will vary in successive offerings. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.


Credit Hours
1 - 4
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

A series of special topics of concern to the discipline of psychology. Content will vary in successive offerings. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.


Credit Hours
1 - 5
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course is offered by the CIPA Psychology in the UK summer study abroad program, and is taught at University College London. Students will be assigned to either Psychology 386 or 387, commensurate with their demonstrated skills and experience in statistics and methods.


Credit Hours
4
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course is offered by the CIPA Psychology in the UK summer study abroad program, and is taught at University College London. Students will be assigned to either Psychology 386 or 387, commensurate with their demonstrated skills and experience in statistics and methods.


Credit Hours
5
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course is offered by the Emory College Psychology in the UK summer study abroad program, and is taught at University College London. Students will be assigned to either Psychology 386 or 387, commensurate with their demonstrated skills and experience in statistics and methods.


Credit Hours
4
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course is offered by the Emory College Psychology in the UK summer study abroad program, and is taught at University College London. Students will be assigned to either Psychology 386 or 387, commensurate with their demonstrated skills and experience in statistics and methods.


Credit Hours
5
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

One of two courses of the South Pacific Summer Study Abroad Program introducting participating students to child development in Samoa and Vanuatu prior to homestays.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected topics in Psychology for study abroad courses offered through Emory's Office of International and Summer Programs. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.


Credit Hours
1 - 3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

PSYC 400-Level Courses

Critically evaluating pseudoscientific, fringe science, and controversial claims in psychology.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The course examines developmental changes in brain function and organization linked to different aspects of sensory, language, and non-language cognitive processes during the first three years of life.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • NBB 414

Study of the neural mechanisms and phenomenology of sleep and dreaming in humans and other animals as a basis for discussing implications for behavior, cognition, evolution, and related philosophical issues.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Theories and research about how the brain interacts with mind in generating perceptions.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Theories and research about how the brain interacts with mind in generating perceptions.


Credit Hours
4
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Students will design and conduct their own fMRI study. Students will learn and apply the basic physics underlying MRI, the biological principles of fMRI, the principles of experimental design, the processing steps associated with data analysis, and the use of available software packages.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Application of imaging technology to the study of brain function and anatomy.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • NBB 425

Students will learn about pharmacology and the randomized clinical trials process for psychoactive drugs. The neuroscience of and impact of placebo effects on new psychotherapeutic drug approvals will be studied by reading and writing about the relevant primary literature.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
  • NBB 426

The goal of this course is to explore the hormonal mechanisms underlying behavior in a peer-oriented environment. We will read and discuss classic and current primary literature.


Credit Hours
3
GER
SNT
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The goal of this course is to explore the hormonal mechanisms underlying behavior in a writing-intensive, peer-oriented environment. We will read and discuss classic and current primary literature, and practice writing in style characteristic of scientific discussion.


Credit Hours
4
GER
SNTW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

This course provides an introduction to advanced statistics and the research questions and designs that require their use. Topics include mediation and moderation in multiple regression, complex ANOVA, data reduction techniques, multivariate ANOVA, advanced regression, and resampling methods.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Functions, evolution, ecology, and significance of animal communication systems in a wide taxonomic range, from insects to primates.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
(BIOL 142 and BIOL 142L) or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
  • BIOL 440

Functions, evolution, ecology, and significance of animal communication systems in a wide taxonomic range, from insects to primates.


Credit Hours
4
GER
CW
Requisites
(BIOL 142 and BIOL 142L) or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
Cross-Listed
  • BIOL 440W

Focus on discussion of current theory and research about attraction, attachment, love and related phenomena. Includes investigation of romantic and companionate forms of love as they are conceptualized and studied by social scientists across adult development.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Prerequisite: senior major or consent of instructor. A survey of the evolution of psychology as a natural science beginning with its origins in philosophy. Systems of psychology considered in detail include structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected contemporary problems in memory, language, learning, and thinking.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected problems in conditioning and learning covering human and/or animal literature.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected issues in psychopathology theory and research.


Credit Hours
1 - 4
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected issues in psychopathology theory and research with a writing component.


Credit Hours
1 - 5
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

The literature on selected topics related to the development of the young organism, both human and animal.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected issues in personality theory and research.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected issues in physiological and comparative psychology.


Credit Hours
3
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Selected issues in physiological and comparative psychology.


Credit Hours
4
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

One of two courses of the South Pacific Summer Study Abroad Program introducing participating students doing supervised developmental research in Samoa and Vanuatu during home stays


Credit Hours
1 - 8
GER
XA
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Honors Research Seminar. Enrollment limited to psychology majors invited to participate in the departmental Honors Program.


Credit Hours
3
GER
XA
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Honors Research Seminar. Enrollment limited to psychology majors invited to participate in the departmental Honors Program.


Credit Hours
1 - 8
GER
CW
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Credit variable. Psychology majors only, registration by permission of faculty supervisor.


Credit Hours
1 - 12
GER
None
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None

Credit variable. Psychology majors only, registration by permission of faculty supervisor.


Credit Hours
1 - 12
GER
XA
Requisites
None
Cross-Listed
None