An introduction to some of the major subfields of psychology, such as developmental, personality, abnormal, clinical, physiological, cognitive, cultural, and social psychology. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives and research methods used by psychologists to study the origins and variations in human behavior.

PSYC 207: Developmental Psychology

Behavior and psychological development in infancy and childhood. An examination of theory and research pertaining to personality, social, and cognitive development. Lecture, discussion, demonstration, and observation of children. Observations at the Child Study Center required.

PSYC 316 Seminar: Language Acquisition

Children around the world acquire their first language, spoken or signed, with seemingly little effort. By the end of their first year, they are saying their first words, and a mere two years later they are speaking in full sentences! We will discuss the various factors that play into children’s rapid acquisition of their first language. Towards figuring out how children learn language, we will talk about early speech perception, word learning, the acquisition of phonology, morphology, syntax, and pragmatic knowledge. In addition, we will cover topics such as language development disorders (e.g., autism), the critical period hypothesis, sign language, bilingualism, and language and thought. Over the course of the semester, we will understand the empirical methods that guide the study of child language.