Psychology

"The mind is at every stage a theater of simultaneous possibilities . . ."
- William James, The Principles of Psychology (1890)

Psychology is the scientific study of mind, brain and behavior. Understanding the basis of behavior through studies of both humans and animals is an important component of the educational program in psychology at DeSales University. Another important aspect of our program is the preparation of our students for later graduate training and careers in the mental health field or in forensic psychology.

The teaching philosophy of the psychology faculty of DeSales University can be summed up in the following way: Understanding the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of others is critical to the process of evolving into compassionate, empathetic and fully human beings. We believe such an understanding can be nurtured through the study of psychology. We also believe that a careful consideration of more than a century of the scientific findings of psychological research give us all - not just our students - some fundamental lessons about how to live our lives in ways that will enable us to be forces of positive change in the world.

We are passionate about engaging each student as a uniquely gifted individual, and we are committed not only to the intellectual, but also the moral and cultural development of our majors.

 DeSales Psychology Program Hosts 24th Annual Lehigh Valley Assocation of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) Psychology Undergraduate Conference

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, more than 200 students and their faculty sponsors attended the event to present their research topics and display posters.  Participating schools included Aracadia University, Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lehigh University, Moravian College, Muhlenberg College, and Ursinus College.

According to Dr. Boyce Jubilan, associate professor of psychology and conference coordinator, "This conference is an academic opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the requirements to conduct research and prepare their research findings for oral or poster presentations." 

The conference format consisted of morning and afternoon oral presentations, poster sessions, and a keynote address, "The Psychologist and the Sleuth" delivered by Dr. Katherine Ramsland, chair of the Department of Social Sciences.  Listed below are the DeSales University psychology students' research topics:

     Let's Get Physical:  Music and Its Effects on 
        Physical Endurance
        Kelly Thompson & Diana Corbi
     The Effect of Color on Memory Recall of 
       Older Adults
       Chelsea A. Reid & Laura Mullan
     The Effect of Energy Drinks on Athletes
       Andrea Paul & Justine Wood
     The Effect of Energy Drinks on Memory
       Margaret Marshall & Zachary Mutschler
     The Effect of Various Sound Stumuli on 
       Memory
        Nicole Seabolt & Ryan Macabe
     Can You Really have the "Perfect" Roommate?
       Angela Crescenti & Elizabeth Mulicka
     Emergency!:  A Gender Difference Study of 
       Emergency Broadcasts
       Mary Khanjian, Vera Kurmlavage & Daniel Browne

What Can I Do With This Major?

Psychology Major Requirements

The courses offered in the psychology program expose students to methodologies employed to address problems and issues of the discipline. These courses also provide students with the means to develop analytical and interpretational skills, and to be able to express such skills in written and oral communication. This mission is possible within the context of supportive faculty-student interactions in the classroom, seminars, and independent study courses.

The psychology program thus aims to prepare students intellectually and morally for:

1. Employment in applied fields of psychology such as counseling, human services, industry, and secondary education
2.  Admission to graduate schools for continuing education
3. A lifelong process of learning and growth.

The psychology program has the following four concentration areas or tracks from which the majors may choose:

• Clinical/Couseling Track
  This track is recommended for majors who want to pursue careers within the applied fields of clinical/counseling psychology and other mental health-related professions. The program recommends that majors in this track select thier psychology electives from the following set of courses: PS 200, PS 250, PS 260, PS 267, PS 270, PS 280, PS 290, PS 320, PS 335, PS 370, PS 380, PS 440, and PS 444.
• Experimental/Research Track
  This track is recommended for majors who want to pursue graduate school education whose emphasis is on experimental psychology or to pursue a research-oriented career in psychology. The program recommends that majors in this track select their psychology electives from the following set of courses: PS 230, PS 250, PS 260, PS 270, PS 291, PS 295, PS 320, PS 370, PS 380, and PS 440.
• Behavioral/Neuroscience Track
  This track is recommended for majors who want to pursue graduate psychopharmacology, and basic brain research. The program recommends that majors in this track select their psychology electives from the following set of courses: PS 230, PS 260, PS 267, PS 270, PS 280, PS 290, PS 291, PS 320, PS 370, PS 380, and PS 440. It is also highly recommended that psychology majors who choose this track simultaneously pursue a minor in behavioral neuroscience.
• Forensic Track
  This track is  recommended for majors who want to pursue careers within the applied field of forensic psychology.  The program requires that majors in this track select their psychology electives from the following set of courses:  PS290, PS295, PS300, and PS365, and recommends a course from PS250, PS260, PS267, PS370, and PS381.  This program also requires either CJ109 or LG109. 

The following courses are required of all Psychology majors for the B.S. degree:

• Freshman Year:
  PS 109 - Introduction to Psychology: MOT/Social Science
  CS 105 - Introduction to Computer Applications
  MA 110 - Finite Mathematics: MOT/Mathematics
• Sophomore Year
  PS 205 - Research Design and Analysis
• Sophomore or Junior Year
  PS 206 - Applied Research Design and Analysis
  PS 240 - Human Development
• Sophomore - Senior Year
  PS230 - Cognitive Psychology
  PS 265 - Psychobiology
  PS455 Psychological Logic
• Three courses from among the following:
  PS 245, PS 250, PS 260, PS 280, PS 290, PS 295, PS 335, PS 370, PS 440
• Three courses from among the following:
  PS 200, PS 230, PS 267, PS 270, PS 291, PS 380, PS 444
• BI 209 or BI 151 (also satisfies MOT/NS requirement for Psychology majors)