Through a variety of activities students learn to approach the study of behavior scientifically and develop an understanding of how and why psychologists do research and how that research contributes to our understanding of human and animal behavior. In the research-team program, groups of students and a faculty member conduct programmatic research in such areas as social communication, cognitive development, and motivation. The interaction of students and faculty in actual research helps shape the student's perception of psychology as a social-intellectual activity, rather than as a body of static knowledge to be passively assimilated. The department offers a number of general psychology courses from which students majoring in other disciplines may select those most appropriate to their individual interests.
Students have the opportunity to seek graduation with departmental honors in psychology.
To be eligible, a student must be a psychology major or minor in the junior year with a 3.00 average in psychology and an overall GPA of 3.00. In exceptional cases, a student with a GPA as low as 2.70 may be considered if performance in psychology courses is outstanding. A student seeking departmental honors needs a faculty sponsor from the psychology department. Other advisers may be needed depending on the nature of the project. The project must fall clearly within the field of psychology.