Psychology
Introduction
Psychology
emerged as an intellectual discipline in the late 19th century
as the culmination of developments in philosophical speculation about human
nature, advances in scientific study of sensation and perception, and attempts
to measure behavior objectively. Today psychology is defined as the scientific
study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology includes such diverse topics
as learning, intelligence, memory, motivation, perception, social interaction,
judgment processes, development, and the causes and treatment of mental illness.
Psychologists study these topics using various methods, including the laboratory
experiment and field study, and they obtain information from both human and
nonhuman animals. The unifying thread is that psychologists are committed
to studying behavior and mental processes from an empirical perspective.
Through the curriculum, students
become skilled in scientific methods of conducting psychological studies.
By the time of their graduation, psychology majors will have taken at least
four courses in general and specialized methods of performing psychological
research and will have conducted a senior project to demonstrate their grasp
of psychological methods and content. The department seeks to accommodate
a variety of student interests in the psychological sciences.
Questions and Answers for Advisors
Which
courses are suitable for first-year students?
All
of our 100-level classes are suitable
for anyone. We offer entry-level courses in eight major subfields of psychology:
Behavioral, Biological, Cognitive, Social, Child Development, Clinical, Industrial/Organizational,
and Cross-cultural. First-year students are typically given preference in
enrolling in 100-level classes.
Can
students who want to work in human services learn counseling techniques in
Psych classes?
No. We provide students a strong background in psychological science.
Those with professional practice interests will then be competitive candidates
for graduate programs where such courses are usually taught. Pre-meds may
not practice medicine; neither may psychology undergraduates "practice"
psychological techniques.
What
should students know about the Psychology major?
Students will take at least four laboratory courses in completing
the major. Requirements are quite hierarchical, so students should complete
the 201, 202 sequence no later than mid-junior
year in order to graduate with their cohort, especially if they also
intend a semester's study abroad. Our program emphasizes immersion in the process
of conducting psychological research. Many
of our students make presentations at regional, national, and international
conferences, and this enhances their qualifications for admission to graduate
studies.
Courses
Appropriate for Prospective Majors
Introductory
Courses appropriate for Prospective Majors
Students may begin the psychology major by taking any 100-level course.
The courses numbered between 110 and 165 are introductory courses that deal
with a specific topic area in psychology, for instance, Social Psychology,
Child Development, or Psychopathology. On occasion we also offer PSYCH 180
- Topics in Psychology, on a variety of different topics.
Test Scores and Credits
that may affect Course Selection
Students who achieve scores of 4 or 5 on the AP test for Psychology
receive credit for PSYCH 185, Survey of Psychology.
Introductory Courses that
fulfill Distribution Requirements
Division II: Any 100-level course in Psychology (except PSYCH 125), fulfills
the distribution requirment.
Division III: PSYCH 125
fulfills one of the two Division III laboratory science requirements.
Course
Descriptions and Requirements for the Major refer to the College Bulletin:
Psychology or www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/psychol.html
Additional Remarks
Opportunities
for Off-Campus Study
Many
majors each year arrange to study psychology at Dickinson programs in Britain
or Australia. Others who are double-majoring in foreign languages
attend Dickinson Abroad programs
in order to complete requirements for the language,
after completing core requirements for the Psychology
major on campus. Students who are interested in study abroad are urged to
plan their programs carefully and begin the major early. An advising session
is offered each semester that addresses this topic. For more information,
contact Professor Greg Smith (smithg@dickinson.edu).
Work Opportunities:
In addition to such jobs as animal caretaker, lab technician, and secretarial
assistants, the department hires a substantial number of students in the capacities
of Research and Teaching Assistants. Each year approximately 25 majors are
employed by the department. These positions generally enhance the student's
educational experience by providing the opportunity to work closely with a
faculty member in either conducting research or in the teaching of courses.