Psychology

www.smu.edu/psychology

Professor George Holden, Department Chair

Professors: Alan Brown, George Holden, Ernest Jouriles, Akihito Kamata, Renee McDonald, Thomas Ritz
Associate Professors: Austin Baldwin, Robert Hampson, Chrystyna Kouros, Alicia Meuret, David Rosenfield, Lorelei Simpson Rowe
Assistant Professors: Michael Chmielewski, Nathan Hudson, Priscilla Lui, Benjamin A. Tabak
Senior Lecturers: Michael Crow, Susan Hornstein, Chris Logan
Lecturer: James Calvert
Clinical Assistant Professor: Naomi Tabak

General Information

Psychology is the study of human behavior and cognition. A degree in psychology equips students with a variety of fundamental and transferable skills, including the ability to think scientifically, interpersonal and communication skills, and a sensitivity to diversity. A degree in psychology provides students with a solid academic foundation and prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of careers in psychology, law, medicine and business.

The research interests of faculty members fall into three broad areas: psycho-pathology, biological and health psychology, and family psychology. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in faculty research. A departmental distinction program provides highly motivated students with the opportunity to design and execute their own research project.

The Psychology Department offers one minor and two majors: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Students interested in the BS degree need to plan course-work very early to ensure completion within four years.

Departmental Distinction

The department offers a distinction program to select majors with high academic achievement. The program consists of a sequence of classes where students, under the guidance of their faculty mentor, develop and conduct an independent research study. The program includes designing the study, collecting and analyzing the data, and then writing a paper for conference presentation and journal submission. To be eligible for the program, a student must have at least a 3.5 GPA overall and a 3.5 GPA in Psychology. Interested students should consult with the departmental adviser or director of undergraduate studies. Distinction may be added to either the BA or BS.

Programs

• Psychology, B.A.
• Psychology, B.S.

• Psychology Minor

Courses

• PSYC 1300 - Introduction to Psychology
• PSYC 2332 - Developmental Psychology
• PSYC 2351 - Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC 3099 - Research Training
• PSYC 3192 - Distinction Seminar in Psychology: Data Collection and Analyses
• PSYC 3199 - Research Training
• PSYC 3291 - Distinction Seminar in Psychology: Research Project Development
• PSYC 3299 - Research Training
• PSYC 3301 - Research Methods in Psychology
• PSYC 3310 - Memory and Cognition
• PSYC 3335 - Psychology of the Family
• PSYC 3341 - Social Psychology
• PSYC 3360 - Health Psychology
• PSYC 3364 - Forensic Psychology
• PSYC 3365 - Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 3370 - Personality
• PSYC 3371 - Psychology of Women
• PSYC 3375 - Human Rights From a Psychological Perspective
• PSYC 3384 - Special Topics Abroad: Psychology
• PSYC 3393 - Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
• PSYC 3399 - Research Training
• PSYC 3484 - Special Topics Abroad: Psychology
• PSYC 4172 - Practicum
• PSYC 4301 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
• PSYC 4310 - Cognition and the Brain
• PSYC 4320 - Biological Psychology
• PSYC 4321 - Behavioral Action of Drugs
• PSYC 4325 - Psychology of Emotions
• PSYC 4334 - Psychological Disorders of Children
• PSYC 4337 - The Science of Parenting
• PSYC 4339 - Psychology of Aging
• PSYC 4341 - Social Cognition
• PSYC 4342 - Close Relationships
• PSYC 4352 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• PSYC 4363 - Psychology of Conflict Resolution
• PSYC 4376 - Psychology of Religion
• PSYC 4377 - Environmental Psychology
• PSYC 4380 - History of Psychology
• PSYC 4381 - Special Topics
• PSYC 4393 - Distinction Seminar in Psychology: Completion of Research Project
• PSYC 4395 - Practicum/Internship
• PSYC 5381 - Special Topics