Psychology

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.

This course focuses on deepening the knowledge of selected topics in personality psychology as well as the practical application of the knowledge and methods. This includes the evaluation and interpretation of psychodiagnostic methods of personality psychology as well as a critical confrontation with empirical studies from primary literature.

This course considers the environmental factors that control and modify human and non-human behavior. Generally, an experimental laboratory approach is taken, and quantitative theories are stressed. Topics include: classical and operant conditioning, theories of reinforcement, the stimulus control of operant behavior, behavioral analysis of problem solving, concept and language learning, choice, self control, memory, and experimental design. 

This course examines classic and contemporary theory and research in personality psychology. It covers a variety of perspectives on personality, such as: psychoanalytic, genetic and evolutionary, cultural, biological, humanistic, trait and behavioral. In the laboratory sessions, students will take various personality assessment instruments and participate in experiments to gain first-hand insight into cutting-edge personality research.

This course provides a psychological foundation for understanding consumer behavior and marketing strategy. The course builds from current psychological theory to understand recent marketing applications. Topics include perception, attention, memory, language, categorization, creativity, social cognition, and personality, and their application to product design, marketing communications, and brand management. Students on this course learn: how the basic principles of psychology constrain and predict consumer perceptions and preferences; how psychological models can be used to develop effective marketing strategies and campaigns. Topics covered in this course include: perception and sensory marketing; perceiving similarity and differentiation; consumer memory; the language of marketing communication; marketing emotions; creative consumption; brand personality; social aspects of consumption. Prerequisites for this course include an introductory marketing course.
 

This course helps students gain a science-based understanding of some of the most intriguing phenomena in the workplace and society. Students develop analytical skills that are crucial for both academic and industry careers. Students who are interested in understanding the Asian business environment are especially encouraged to take this course. It draws upon scientific research from various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, history, and anthropology, to critically examine topics such as creativity and innovation, emotions at work, leadership, cross-cultural differences, and management in an Asian context