Faculty Profile
Paula Yust
Assistant Professor of Psychology (2023)
Contact Information
Kaufman Hall
717-254-8721
Bio
Professor Yust is a developmental psychologist, with a focus in social development. Her research focuses on peer relationships in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood and the role these relationships play in fostering well-being. She is particularly interested in early friendship development in preschool as well as friendships in college and how the beliefs people have about these relationships shape friendship behavior.
Education
- A.B., Wellesley College, 2013
- M.A., Duke University, 2018
- Ph.D., 2021
2025-2026 Academic Year
Fall 2025
PSYC 155 Hum Dev: Concept thru Adolesc
This course will provide an introduction to the principles, theories, and research methods of lifespan developmental psychology from prenatal development and birth through childhood (0 - 12 years old). It will focus on how individuals develop physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally at each stage of the early part of the lifespan — infancy and childhood– and the role of context (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, culture, family, peers, schools, neighborhoods) in shaping development. Finally, we will explore how developmental psychology can contribute toward improving lives and inform solutions to social problems.
PSYC 211 Design of Psychological Resrch
Completion of both PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 fulfills the WID Requirement.