Majors & Minors

Psychology

Immerse yourself in the fascinating and multifaceted science of the mind.

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Erin Crockett

Erin Crockett

Professor of Psychology & Chair

Erin Crockett

Erin Crockett

Professor of Psychology & Chair

Psychology
Psychology

Majoring or minoring in psychology will help you understand the workings of the brain in its complex control of behavior, emotion, and cognition. At Southwestern, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a range of provocative questions, including

  • How do we influence others, and how do they influence us?
  • How do people learn, remember, and make decisions?
  • How do such factors as human evolution, individual personalities, neurotransmitters, and hormones shape behavior?
  • How do behaviors, emotions, and cognitions change across the lifespan?
  • How do psychological processes and outcomes differ among individuals and groups from different social classes or cultural backgrounds?
  • What factors influence sexual attraction and relationships?
  • How are mental disorders classified, diagnosed, and treated?
  • What role do psychologists play in criminal investigations and court cases?

You’ll also apply the knowledge you develop in coursework to high-impact learning experiences. For example, our students conduct novel, high-quality scientific research. They engage in internships with local schools, hospitals, police departments, and nonprofits. And based on these experiences, they’ve presented their research at national and international scientific conferences and coauthored scientific publications with faculty on such topics as the neural development of reproductive physiology and behavior, sexuality and relationships, and evolutionary psychology. By majoring or minoring in psychology, you’ll be prepared not only for top-ranked graduate programs but also for a wide range of careers, from medicine and veterinary science to marketing and business.

 

Statement on Social Justice
Southwestern University aspires to be a community centered on justice, and it does not condone, nor will it tolerate hate acts or speech. We the Faculty of the Department of Psychology support this position in affirming our shared belief in the equality of rights of all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, or religion.


AFTER SOUTHWESTERN

Featured Alumni Stories

Jennifer Howell ’09

Jennifer Howell ’09

As the principal investigator at the Merced Experimental Social and Health Psychology Laboratory, Howell is conducting groundbreaking research on the intersection of social psychology and health.

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Allison Dickson ’02

Allison Dickson ’02

Distinguished Southwestern Service

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The outreach project Wander Like Water was born: the Houstons would produce videos for YouTube and social media in which they would showcase not just their travels but also educate viewers about how each water source they’d visit “has a story, an issue, or a threat.”

Wander Like Water

Southwestern alumni adventurers raise awareness about water and educate the public about sustainability.

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EXPLORE SOUTHWESTERN

Psychology News

Video: ASMR U Tingly Yet?

Associate Professor of Psychology Carin Perilloux and students collaborate on a SCOPE project studying the psychological phenomenon of ASMR.

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Guarraci Researches the Effect of Ketamine on Sexual Behavior in Female Rats

Southwestern Professor of Psychology Dr. Fay Guarraci Led Students in Groundbreaking Research Regarding the Effects of Ketamine on Sexual Behavior in Female Rats

This particular project provided a great experience for students to work in a lab setting, conducting research side-by-side with an expert in the field. What an amazing opportunity for undergraduate students.

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Celia Caraccioli (left) and Meredith Rollins stand with Emilie Ross (right), an applied behavior analyst who works at R.O.C.K., and Shandy, one of the ponies the center uses to provide equine-assisted therapy to children. (Photo by Elizabeth Stewart)

Documenting the Power of Equine-Assisted Therapy

Partnership provides real-world research opportunities for students

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