Majors

Richard L. Zweigenhaft, Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology, Chair
Kathrynn A. Adams, Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology
Claire K. Morse, Professor
Sarah Estow, Assistant Professor
Karen Hayes, Assistant Professor
Christopher Henry, Assistant Professor
Eva K. Lawrence, Assistant Professor

Karen M. Tinsley, Assistant Professor

The program in psychology emphasizes the contribution psychology can make to a liberal arts education through stimulating intellectual development, personal growth, respect for others, and social responsibility.

The psychology curriculum is designed to familiarize the student with current methods and theories in areas of investigation such as learning, personality, social interaction, motivation, perception, and development. The student is encouraged to appreciate different approaches and points of view and to see how clinical and laboratory methods supplement each other.

A student majoring in psychology may expect to develop rigorous habits of observation with reference to psychological phenomena; to become aware of the need for statistical knowledge in the manipulation of psychological data; to avoid the simple explanation; and to recognize the role of multiple causation in the determination of human behavior. With the realization of the enormous complexity of personality and social interaction, the student should come to demonstrate greater objectivity and increased competence in dealing with others.

Degrees Offered

The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in psychology.

Major Requirements

The major requires a minimum of 32 credit hours (eight courses).

1.   PSY 100 General Psychology	4 credits
2.   PSY 301 Research Methods and Analysis	4 credits
will not be accepted as transfer credit and may not be taken at a       consortium school
3.   PSY 445 History and Contemporary Issues	4 credits
will not be accepted as transfer credit and may not be taken at a       consortium school
4-5. Two psychology courses at any level	8 credits
6-8. Three 300 or 400 level psychology courses or	12 credits
Two 300 or 400 level psychology course and Psy 290
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in psychology	32 credits

 

PSY 301 should be taken no later than the fourth psychology course unless a student transfers three or four psychology courses to Guilford. In the latter case, PSY 301 should be taken as the second psychology course a student takes at Guilford.

Of the remaining five courses, three must be at the intermediate or advanced level (300 and above). Majors should consult with their departmental advisors regarding the selection of their courses. Interested students are encouraged to consider the possibility of a double major or a joint major. A list of alternative plans and detailed course sequences for pursuing a major may be obtained from the student’s advisor or any other member of the department.

Field experiences are strongly encouraged. Recent majors have received credit through internships for activities such as work in the community with autistic, developmentally delayed and emotionally disturbed children; with the elderly; with children at the YWCA and a local shelter for homeless families; and with such organizations as Alcohol and Drug Services of Guilford County, Moses Cone Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Unit, Pathways Family Shelter, Triad Health Project and the Women’s Resources Center.

Similarly, the department encourages students to pursue their interests through independent studies in specific topics not offered as regularly scheduled courses. Should a student wish to undertake original research, the department offers assistance toward presentation of papers at professional meetings and/or publication. The department offers guidance toward graduate training.