Psychology

This course examines normal cognition and the cognitive neuropsychological approach to brain-behavior relationships and cognitive processes and the cognitive and behavioral consequences of brain damage and models of cognitive rehabilitation.

We all prepare food, play cooperative games, romance each other etc. But how we do so depends on our cultural background–we are, by far, the world’s most ‘cultural animal’. So what was the “X-factor”, the magic ingredient of culture that took humans out of the general run of mammals and other highly social organisms? By emphasizing research in developmental psychology and integrating perspectives from comparative, social and evolutionary psychology this course explores contemporary answers to this question. We will be focusing on how an understanding of social and observational learning is critical to any answer, and to do so we will study the following populations: (a) typically developing infants and children; (b) children with autism; (c) adults; (d) non-human primates; and (e) other animals.

This course examines behavior from a modern evolutionary perspective, considering its adaptive nature, through active methodologies and systematic observation work in the field and/or audiovisual material. Topics include: biological basis of behavior; evolution and behavior; genetics of behavior; neuroethology and comparative physiology.

The course provides students with an understanding of organizational change as a multifaceted phenomenon and equips them with skills to adopt a reflective, multi-dimensional approach when managing change in their future careers. In their everyday jobs, managers need to identify when change is needed, manage its implementation or guide others through it. In this course students learn about theories, strategies, skills, and techniques for leading successful change.

A supervised program of study approved by the Head of School.

This course examines humans as social beings. It covers topics such as social cognition, attitudes, group processes, interpersonal relationships, and language communication. 

This course examines how basic principles of behavior analysis (e.g. operant conditioning) can be used across a range of situations to modify behavior. Situations include classroom behavior management, physical activity and exercise, child safety, and sustainability.

Music and language are culturally ubiquitous forms of auditory-motor communication that share many structural features but also differ along several key dimensions. This course addresses the extent to which human processing and production of music and language relies on shared versus distinct mechanisms, at the levels of brain and behavior. Specifically, it reviews basic structural similarities and differences between music and language, and introduces state-of-the art research providing insight into how these structures are processed at the levels of brain and behavior. The course discusses basic cognitive neuroscience literature on music and language perception and production and provides opportunities to critically evaluate and engage with scientific literature. Moreover, students develop testable hypotheses regarding mechanisms of music and language processing, and generate practical experimental designs to test their hypotheses.

This course provides an interdisciplinary examination of human trafficking, exploring its nature, impact, and responses from various angles. Through a combination of readings, discussions, and research, it critically analyzes the complexities of human trafficking, including its forms, anti-trafficking advocacy, challenges in research and evidence, psychological effects on victims, funding mechanisms, and public perceptions. Drawing on seminal texts, recent research articles, and recommended readings, the course provides insight into the global phenomenon of human trafficking and its implications for policy, advocacy, and social justice. Throughout, it explores pertinent psychological phenomena, including trauma bonding, learned helplessness, dissociation, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive dissonance, survivor's guilt, and post-traumatic growth, which significantly influence victims' experiences and recovery processes. Through this comprehensive examination, the course develops a deeper understanding of human trafficking and its impact on individuals and societies.

In this course, students learn about the different conceptualizations of emotion both in terms of historical developments as well as contemporary theoretical models of emotions. The course considers the biological basis of emotions in the brain and the body, how emotions are expressed and perceived in faces, bodies, voice, and music. The relationship between emotions and cognitions is considered, including emotion regulation and individual differences in emotions. Finally, cultural differences and disorders of emotion are discussed.