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Joanne Hash-Converse, Chair
Charles T. Hill
Christina L. Scott
Ayesha Shaikh

Why do people act the way they do? Psychology is an academic and applied science that examines behavior using various research methods. Psychology courses at Whittier College provide background in the social, cultural, developmental, emotional, cognitive, mental, and biological bases of behavior. The primary goal of Whittier’s psychology curriculum is to enable students to think like psychologists. Achieving this goal requires development of critical thinking and communication skills as well as thorough knowledge of psychological theories and research methods. Coordinated programs across the psychology curriculum emphasize writing, research, and diversity. In addition, the psychology department promotes personal development, including clarification of one’s values, self-awareness, understanding others of diverse backgrounds, and career planning through course work and participation in Psychology Club and Psi Chi Honor Society activities. Psychology majors may also engage in collaborative research with faculty, attend and present research at professional conferences, and participate in fieldwork to gain practical experience in applying psychology. Majors are broadly prepared for graduate studies and for fields of employment that apply methods and principles of psychology. Previous majors have pursued a wide range of careers in specific branches of psychology as well as social services, medicine, business, education, the arts, international relations, and law.

Programs

• Psychology Minor
• Psychology, B.A.

Courses

• PSYC 100 - Introductory Psychology
• PSYC 143 - Life Span Development
• PSYC 148 - Field Work
• PSYC 190-01 (Fall) - Socioemotional & Cultural Development of Children
• PSYC 212 - Research Methods
• PSYC 212L - Research Methods Lab
• PSYC 214 - Statistics
• PSYC 214L - Statistics- SPSS
• PSYC 222 - Biological Bases of Behavior
• PSYC 227 - Stress and Disease in the 21st Century
• PSYC 258 - Introduction to Sport & Exercise Psychology
• PSYC 262 - American Media and Sexuality
• PSYC 266 - Psychology of Human Sexuality
• PSYC 285 - Forensic Psychology
• PSYC 334 - Psychology of Learning
• PSYC 334L - Learning Lab
• PSYC 344 - Psychology of Adolescence
• PSYC 362 - Psychology of Personality
• PSYC 364 - Psychology of Women
• PSYC 372 - Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC 376 - Clinical Communication
• PSYC 376L - Clinical Communication Lab
• PSYC 382 - Health Psychology
• PSYC 396 - Research Practicum
• PSYC 499 - Senior Presentation in Psychology

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