Department of Psychology
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

You can find the official version of the department requirements in the online Catalog.

The major in psychology is designed to provide basic knowledge in the major subareas of the field, and to prepare those interested in graduate study.

The Department believes that Psychology majors should:

1. Have basic knowledge in several sub-areas of psychology.

2. Have the quantitative and research skills necessary to be informed users and consumers of psychology research.

3. Be able to evaluate, integrate, and think critically with respect to theoretical and applied issues in psychology.

4. Be able to communicate ideas effectively through written and oral forms.

Thus, the program stresses the quantitative and verbal skills required for understanding basic research and various applications of research findings. Students planning to major in psychology should have a solid background in written expression and quantitative skills. Students are encouraged to take writing-intensive courses as preparation for the major, along with a course in mathematics.

• The Psychology Major
• The Neuroscience Major
• Honors
• Potential Paths Within the Major
• Psychology Courses

1. Core Courses (11 credits). Three courses will be required for all psychology majors.

PS 101: Introduction to General Psychology (3 credits)
PS 217: Statistical Methods in Psychology I (4 credits)
PS 306: Experimental Psychology (4 credits)

2. Distribution Courses (10 credits minimum). There are four course clusters, representing four general substantive areas of psychology. We believe it is important for psychology majors to be exposed to the diversity of content areas within psychology. Thus, students are required to take courses from at least 3 different clusters for a total of 10 credit hours.

a) Biopsychology/Neuroscience

NS 101: Neuroscience: Mind and Behavior (4 credits)
PS 231: Neuropsychology (3 credits)

b) Perception/Cognition

PS 305: Cognitive Development (4 credits)
PS 323: Psycholinguistics (4 credits)
PS 324: Cognition (3 credits)
PS 325: Perception (4 credits)

c) Social/Developmental

PS 205: Social Psychology (4 credits)
PS 207: Intro to Child Development (4 credits)

d) Personality/Abnormal

PS 210: Personality (4 credits)
PS 211: Applied Psychology (3 credits)
PS 308: Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

3. Depth and Integration Courses (9 credits minimum). Students must take at least three courses totaling 9 credits at the 300-level for depth and integration (i.e. in addition to PS 306: Experimental Psychology).

A maximum of 5 credits taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis may count toward the 30 credits required by the major, including PS399 and PS275. Only two one-credit PS275 Research Experiences may count toward the major, both of which must be taken S/U. None of the required core courses or any 300-level psychology course—except PS399—fulfilling the major may be taken on an S/U basis. The grade-point average for the thirty credits presented toward the major must meet the minimum requirement of 2.0. Of these credits, only one course may have been completed with a grade of D.

There is no formal program for a minor in psychology. Those interested in taking some psychology courses without actually completing a major are encouraged to select a set of courses relevant to their needs. Members of the department are happy to assist in this selection process.

HONORS: To be eligible for departmental honors in psychology, a student must meet the requisite grade point average, complete a research project in Senior Research Project I and II or a major paper in Senior Seminar, and be recommended for departmental honors by the department.

PSI CHI: Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology, founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Eligibility requirements include declaration of a major in psychology, completion of at least four psychology courses (or three psychology courses and NS101), a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in psychology by the beginning of the Junior year, and a grade-point average of 3.3 in all college courses by the beginning of the Junior year.

Research Recommendation. The above requirements represent the minimum requirements for a psychology major at Skidmore. The faculty strongly suggest that students who are interested in graduate study in psychology have additional preparation beyond the minimum requirements. In particular, experience with research design and analysis are essential for graduate study. Research experience can be acquired through advanced courses (e.g. advanced laboratory courses, an advanced statistics course), independent and/or collaborative research experience, and by doing a senior thesis research project. (See recommended paths below.)

Senior Thesis. Planning for a senior thesis in psychology should begin during the junior year. (Students typically register for Senior Thesis during the Spring semester of junior year.) The department strongly recommends that psychology majors who choose to do a senior thesis (PS 375-376: Senior Research Project I and II) have a significant laboratory experience after completing Experimental Psychology (PS 306) and before starting the thesis. Any of the following could be considered a significant laboratory experience:

a) an advanced laboratory (e.g. PS 304, PS 320) or statistics course (PS 318)

b) an independent study with a significant laboratory component

c) a collaborative research experience with a faculty member

d) a summer research internship at Skidmore or another institution

e) another experience at the discretion of the senior thesis faculty advisor

Those majors who plan to pursue graduate work in Ph.D. Programs in Psychology should seek significant research experience(s) beyond those experiences that are part of the minimum requirements for the major.  Several opportunities for these kinds of extended research experiences are available to majors by way of advanced lab courses (e.g., PS 304, PS 320), advanced statistics (PS 318H), independent research experiences (PS 371B), directed studies (PS 371A), summer collaborative research experiences, and thesis capstone projects.  Students interested in the application of scientific knowledge in psychology or neuroscience may consider graduate programs in public policy issues related to human development, justice, or health care. 

Students’ choices of electives (both within and beyond the requirements specified by the Psychology major) may be guided by their interests as well as their professional goals.  Examples of projected paths provided below are intended as illustrations of possible groupings of electives informed by different kinds of interests and goals.  For additional guidance about electives, students are encouraged to contact their faculty advisors. 

Projected paths through the major

Path 1:  A Clinical Focus

Within Major: Consider the following electives that emphasize research, applied work, theoretical analysis, and writing skill development:  Personality (PS210), Abnormal Psychology (PS308), Psychological Testing (PS317), Child Clinical (PS312), Clinical Psychology (PS315), Advanced Seminar in Clinical Psychology:  Anxiety and Its Disorders (PS328).  Independent research and Internship experiences are strongly recommended.

Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following disciplines that also emphasize research, applied work, theoretical analysis, and writing skill development:  Neuroscience, Social Work, Sociology, and Anthropology.

Path 2:  A Developmental Focus

Within Major: Consider the following electives that emphasize developmental processes including:  Educational Psychology (PS 205), Cognitive Development (PS 305, Adult Development (PS 302), and Special Topics seminars focused on developmental issues (theoretical or applied)  Depending on a student’s professional goals, direct experience with children in research, educational, and clinical settings is strongly encouraged.

Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following disciplines that also address developmental issues and policies:  Government, Education, and International Affairs.

Path 3:  A Neuropsychology/Cognitive Neuroscience Focus

Within Major: Consider the following electives in Psychology:  Clinical Psychopharmacology (PS 212), Neuropsychology, (PS 231), Cognition (PS 324), Perception (PS 325), Clinical Psychology (PS 315), Computational Neuroscience (PS327), Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience:  Left Brain/Right Brain (PS 341), and other special topics seminars. Independent research experience is strongly recommended.

Beyond Major: Consider electives from the following disciplines Anthropology, Biology, Philosophy, Mathematics and Computer Science as well as Interdisciplinary Seminars.
           

Within Major: Consider the following electives from PS offerings: Social Psychology (PS205), Personality (PS210), Applied Psychology (PS211), Evolutionary Psychology (PS223), Statistical Methods in Psychology II (PS318H), Social Psychology Research Experience (PS320H), Motivation and Emotion (PS321), Cognition (PS 324), Health Psychology (PS326), Seminar in Cross-Cultural Psychology (PS332), and Independent Research.

Beyond Major: Consider additional electives from the following areas according to student’s specific interests:  Neuroscience, Sociology, Environmental Science, Government, and Anthropology.

To see the courses offered in a given semester, and the times at which they are offered, go to the Registrar's page.

NS101. NEUROSCIENCE: MIND AND BEHAVIOR (4 credits)
An interdisciplinary examination of the neurobiological bases of behavior and mental processing. Topics include the structure and functioning of the nervous system, brain-behavior relationships, and hormonal and genetic effects on behavior and mental processing. Laboratories develop students' understanding of functional neuroanatomy, neural transmission, and human psychophysiology. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement.)
Faculty: D. Evert, H. López  

PS101. INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
An introduction to the science of psychology through a survey of theories, methods, facts, and principles of behavior. Open to first-year students.
Faculty: The Department  

 

PS204. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
The application of psychological principles to problems of student learning, student achievement, teaching methods, and educational assessment.
Prerequisite: PS101 or consent of the instructor
Faculty:

 

PS205. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
A survey of theory and research on the nature and causes of individual behavior (thoughts, feelings, actions) in social situations.
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: H. Hodgins

PS207. INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
A review of theories and research evidence as well as methodological problems as they relate to physical, psychological, and social development of the individual from birth through adolescence.
Prerequisite: PS101 or consent of the instructor
Faculty: Y. Choi

PS210. PERSONALITY (4 credits)
Considers major theories of personality to gain an understanding of how genetic and environmental factors
interact to influence human behavior.
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty:   

PS211. APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
The application of principles of psychology to individual and social problems in such areas as business and industry, law, health, the environment, and consumer behavior.
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: J. Berman

 

PS212. THEMES IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
Introductory exploration of selected themes in contemporary psychology with special attention to major trends of theoretical interest and research activity. Such themes might include decision-making, narratives in psychology, health psychology, or environmental psychology. (This course may be repeated for credit with focus on a different theme.)
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: The Department

 

PS213. HORMONES & BEHAVIOR (4 credits)
An introduction to the study of how hormones coordinate the behavioral and physiological components of important psychological processes like reproduction, defense, aggression, learning, and emotions. A comparative approach (cross-species) is used to explore the endocrine system and many of the effects of hormones on both the body and the brain. Whenever possible, research findings in humans are integrated into the discussion. To help illustrate hormone/behavior relationships, several in-class experiments are conducted using both animal and human subjects. Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: H. López

PS217. STATISTICAL METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY I (4 credits)
A survey of methods used to describe, correlate, and make inferences about frequency distributions, including the use of the binomial distribution, the normal distribution, the t-distribution, chi-square, sign tests, and simple analysis of variance to test for significance.
Prerequisite: PS101 or NS 101 or consent of the instructor
Faculty: Y. Choi, H. Foley, R. Johnson, F. Phillips

 

PS222. PSYCHOANALYSIS & SIGMUND FREUD (3 credits)
An introduction to Sigmund Freud and his theory of personality psychoanalysis. The course will examine cultrual, social, and intellectual antecedents; entail readings be and about Sigmund Freud; and explore ways in which Freud's ideas have had a profound influence on other disciplines.
Prerequisite: PS 101 or consent of the instructor
Faculty: R. Oswalt

 

PS231. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
An introduction to the relationship between the brain and mind through the assessment of human patients (and animals) with brain damage. This focus will show how scientists are better able to understand components of the mind (i.e., processes related to attention, perception, cognition, personality, emotion, memory, language, consciousness) and behavior, and how this information can be used to refine theories of psychological functioning. A case-study approach of humans with brain damage will be adopted in this course.
Prerequisite: PS 101
Faculty: D. Evert

PS 223.    EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY    3
A survey of theory and research on human behavior from an evolutionary perspective, with special emphasis on the evolution of culture and consciousness. Students should learn to define and understand basic evolutionary psychology, both as it emerges from Darwin's evolutionary theory historically and as it is understood and applied today. Students will learn answers to some of evolutionary theory's fundamental questions—How do living organisms change over time? Why is there such an uncanny "fit" between specific environments and the characteristics of the species that inhabit them?—as well as the implications of that theory for an understanding of the human mind: its history; the cognitive origins of art, religion and science; the nature and evolution of the self.
Faculty: S. Solomon

PS302. ADULT DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
Psychological aspects of human growth and function from maturity to senescence, with consideration of research procedures and problems as well as recent findings and relevant theory. A field project is required. Prerequisite: PS207 and PS217, or consent of the instructor
Faculty:

 

PS304. PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
The study of physiological structures of the central nervous system, muscles, and glands in humans and animals, with an emphasis on their role in emotion, learning, perception, and basic drives.
Prerequisites: PS216 and PS306. Three lectures, 3 hours of laboratory per week.
(Fulfills laboratory science requirement.)
Faculty: H. López

PS305. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)
The systematic study of the development of intellectual capacities in the child. Current theories and research relevant to the child's development and use of symbolic, mediational, and linguistic processes will be
surveyed.
Prerequisites: PS101 and PS207, or consent of the instructor
Faculty: Y. Choi

PS306. EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
A theoretical and empirical introduction to psychology as a natural science. Emphasis will be on the basic phenomena in physiological psychology, cognition, perception, and social psychology, and the principal experimental paradigms employed in their investigation.
Prerequisites: QR1, PS101, PS217
(Fulfills QR2 requirement; also fulfills laboratory science requirement)
Faculty: H. Foley, M. Foley, R. Johnson

 

PS307. ADVANCED PERSONALITY (3 credits)
A detailed examination of factors that influence personality development. Attention is devoted toward understanding how different aspects of human personality can account for the development of various social institutions. The development and evaluation of hypotheses to understand personality processes, and strategies to induce change are also considered.
Prerequisites: PS210 and PS306 (Includes some laboratory work but does not meet the laboratory science requirement.)
Faculty: S. Solomon

PS308. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
An introduction to the history and study of abnormal behavior, including neurosis, psychosis, character disorders, addiction, sexual dysfunction, mental retardation, brain damage, psychological assessment, and psychotherapy.
Prerequisite: PS101 or consent of the instructor
Faculty: R. Oswalt

 

PS312. ADVANCED SEMINAR IN MAJOR ISSUES OF PSYCHOLOGY (3 or 4 credits)
A critical examination of fundamental areas of controversy in current theories, research findings, and applications of psychology. Such topics might include consciousness, autobiographical memory, or nonverbal behavior. (This course may be repeated for credit with focus on a different theme.)
Prerequisites: Three courses in psychology and permission of instructor
Faculty: The Department

PS315. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
An introduction to the history and methods of clinical diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior, including Freudian psychoanalysis, client-centered therapy, group psychotherapy, and behavior modification.
Prerequisite: PS308
Faculty: R. Oswalt

 

PS317. PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING (3 credits)
An introduction to the history, theory, administration, and interpretation of psychological tests, including test
of intelligence, achievement, interests, and personality.
Prerequisite: PS101 or consent of instructor
Faculty: R. Oswalt

 

PS318H. STATISTICAL METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY II (4 credits)
A study of advanced techniques and controversial issues in experimental design and analysis, with a focus on the analysis of variance, including practical experience with several computer programs for statistical analysis.
Prerequisite: PS217 and PS306
Faculty: H. Foley

PS320H. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SELF (4 credits)
This course offers an opportunity to acquire hands-on research experience and experimental skills in a small laboratory group. Students will read journal articles on selected topics in social psychology, design a study, collect data, and use a computer data analytic statistical package to analyze their data.
Prerequisites: PS217, or permission of instructor. Three hours of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory per week.
Faculty: H. Hodgins

 

PS321. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION (3 credits)
An examination of the principal constructs employed in theories of motivation and emotion. The current status of both biologically based and psychologically based theories will be reviewed.
Prerequisite: PS306 or permission of instructor
Faculty: H. Hodgins

 

PS323. PSYCHOLINGUISTICS (4 credits)
An examination of the acquisition of language in the light of milestones in sensorimotor and cognitive
development. The relationship of language to thought will be of central concern. Bilingualism and disturbances of linguistic development will also be covered.
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: R. Johnson

 

PS324. COGNITION (3 credits)
The study of the way in which people acquire and use information in a variety of circumstances. Topics include attention, pattern recognition, language, memory, skill acquisition, problem solving, decision making, and artificial intelligence.
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: M. Foley

 

PS325. PERCEPTION (4 credits)
The study of the way in which people identify and interpret information about the world. The course will examine contributions of sensory and cognitive factors through considerations of several perceptual phenomena. Discussions will include developmental factors and emphasize visual processes.
Prerequisite: PS101
Faculty: H. Foley, F. Phillips

PS326. HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
A study of the relationships between psychological factors and well-being using biopsychosocial perspectives. This multidisciplinary approach integrates knowledge from physiology, psychobiology, personality and social psychology, and sociology to understand health, illness, and well-being. The primary objective of this course is to familiarize students with the conceptual basis, research methods, and research findings in the field of health psychology. Prerequisite: PS101 Recommended: PS 217
Faculty:

PS 327.    COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE (3 credits)
An introduction to computational neuroscience: the theoretical study of the brain, its behavior, the development, organization, systems, and emergent properties we call mental abilities. In this course we study these phenomena by creating mathematical and computational models that we then use to predict or validate empirical data. Students will learn about current modeling theories and techniques as well as the process of creating, testing, and refining their own models. Prerequisites: NS 101, MA111 or CS106, or permission of instructor.    
Faculty: F. Phillips

PS 328.    SEMINAR IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: ANXIETY AND ITS DISORDERS (3 credits)
A study of the nature of anxiety and anxiety disorders, taught as a seminar modeled on graduate-level work. This course focuses on the etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, and treatments of anxiety disorders in adults with an emphasis on clinical applications and psychological/cognitive-behavioral approaches to conceptualizations and therapies. Discussions, lectures, films, case studies, and critical analyses of theories and empirical work are emphasized. Some questions to which students will learn the answers: What are the benefits and limitations of diagnostic categories (i.e. classification schemes)? What are the benefits and limitations of existing treatments? What are symptoms that are common and different across the anxiety disorders, and how are the specific disorders distinguished? Students will acquire basic expertise in the field of anxiety disorders. Prerequisites: PS210 and PS308, or permission of instructor.    
Faculty:

PS331. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN (3 credits)
Examination and analysis of a number of important ideas regarding women's psychological experience. Topics to be studied include theories of female development, self-concept, sexuality, psychological disorders, violence against women, and mother-daugher relationships.
Prerequisite: PS207
Faculty:

PS 332. SEMINAR IN CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits)
An introduction to the main topics of cross-cultural psychology in such areas as sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, memory and cognition, self-identity, verbal and non-verbal communication, acculturation and social and moral development. Presented frameworks would be analyzed from a variety of perspectives that utilize a range of active learning techniques. Six specific learning goals would be focused on in the course. These are: 1) Students will become familiar with the main topic areas and the major theories in cross-cultural psychology; 2) Students will become familiar with the research methods utilized to conduct research in cross-cultural psychology, and they will be able to analyze and critique research studies conducted in this area; 3) Students will be able to use their understanding of the concepts in cross-cultural psychology to gain a greater awareness of their own cultural attitudes and beliefs and to better understand American cultural values; 4) Students will be able to use their understanding of the concepts in cross-cultural psychology to more fully comprehend the experiences of others who are from cultures other than their own; 5) Students will be able to use their understanding of the ideas presented in the course to analyze (from a cultural perspective) works in some other field of interest such as literature or the media; 6) Students will be able to think more critically (e.g., evaluate informational claims, apply what they have learned to other areas, integrate ideas, identify follow-up questions and concerns, etc.) about cross-cultural issues. Prerequisites: PS101, PS217 (Fulfills Cultural Diversity requirement.) V. Murphy-Berman

 

 

PS371A (Readings), PS 371B (Research). INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (3 credits)
Individual readings (A) or research (B) under the guidance of a member of the staff.
Prerequisites: PS101 and consent of the instructor
Faculty: The Department

PS375. SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT I (3 credits)
Students will work with an individual faculty member to develop a major research project. This development will include definition of a topic, review of the scientific literature, learning any necessary research techniques, execution of any necessary preliminary research, and submission of a written proposal to the faculty supervisor. Each student will make an oral presentation of the proposal to the other senior thesis students and the psychology faculty.
Prerequisites: PS306 and permission of instructor
Faculty: The Department

PS376. SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT II (3 credits)
Students will work with an individual faculty member to complete a major research project developed in Senior Research Project I. A final project will be submitted in thesis form to the faculty supervisor at least two weeks before the end of the term. Each student will make an oral presentation of the final project to the other senior thesis students and the psychology faculty.
Prerequisites: PS375. May not be taken concurrently with PS378. May be used to fulfill the thesis requirement for honors in psychology.
Faculty: The Department

PS378. SENIOR SEMINAR (3 credits)
Students will work with course instructor to complete a major written project. The project can be a synthesis of the literature in a particular topic area of psychology, or an original theoretical formulation. The final project should demonstrate a conceptual integration of the material, and should demonstrate both originality and independence of work. In addition to the written project, each student will make an oral presentation summarizing the project. The written version of the project will be submitted at least two weeks before the end of the spring semester.
Prerequisite: PS306 This course may be used to fulfill the thesis requirement for honors in psychology.
Faculty: The Department

 

PS399. PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
Professional experience at the advanced level for juniors and seniors. This experience may include work-study projects in one of several professional settings, including mental hospitals, nursing homes, schools, developmental centers, advertising agencies, laboratories, and communication agencies.
Prerequisite: Five courses in psychology (specified by the faculty according to the nature of the internship). Requires faculty sponsorship and department approval.
Faculty: The Department

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Updated: 3/5/08