Contents

• Welcome
• Why Study Psychology?
• Course Descriptions
• Faculty
• Careers in Psychology
• Related Links

Welcome

Psychology has a long past, but only a short history.
--H. Ebbinghaus

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It is a science that looks at what people and animals think and do. It covers many areas that include how we see and interact with the world, and how and what we think and remember. Although it is a relatively young science (approx. 100 years old), psychology adheres to the same general method found in the much older physical sciences. That is, psychological research relies upon empirically-based techniques and emphasizes careful, objective measurement and data analysis.

As a social/behavioral science, psychology is uniquely focused on causes of behavior within and around the individual. Traditionally, psychology has explored topics such as personality, psychological disorders, motivation and emotion, thought processes, memory and learning, especially as topics related to the individual. In the last few decades study has greatly expanded in the direction of the biological, neurological and neuropsychological causes of behavior. The development of sophisticated modern procedures, such as magnetic resonance imagery, PET scan and other computer assisted means of measurement and analysis have enabled psychologists to study human behavior at its "microscopic" level.

Why Study Psychology?

Why would I or should I take a psychology class?

Maybe you shouldn't take a psychology class!

• Psychology is inept!
• The study of psychology will not give you the key to the meaning of your life.
• Psychology will not make you a better person, friend, lover, worker, student.
• Psychology will not give you a better life, better income, better sex or better social standing.
• Psychology will not get you off the hook for your past blunders and screw-ups.
• Psychology will not even give you the correct answers to the IQ tests (at least not until graduate school).

Wait! Maybe you SHOULD take a psychology class!

• Psychology is inept!
• Psychology will give you opportunities to reflect on and understand human behavior differently from the common masses (i.e., you'll be unique!).
• It will offer you opportunities to improve your thinking and academic skills. (You, however, will still be you - there is a limit to what can be accomplished in 10 weeks.)
• Psychology will offer you a chance to refine mental tools for making informed choices, managing stress, avoiding ripoffs, and maybe even sharpening your memory.

Psychology Course Descriptions

Columbus State offers these courses in Psychology.

Psychology Faculty

Karsten Look, Lead Instructor

David Tom, Lead Instructor

Lilia Bermudez

Judith D. Gentry

Traci Haynes

Heather Johnston

Carolyn Kaufman

Susan Rogers

Michael L. Schumacher

Career Opportunities in Psychology

Clinical Psychologist:

The Clinical Psychologist is trained to treat severely disordered patients within institutional settings. May also provide services to more common, less severe conditions. Activities would include conducting interviews, administering individualized tests, and providing psychotherapy to groups and/or individuals.

Counseling Psychologist:

The Counseling Psychologist is similar to the Clinical Psychologist although typically works with milder, usually non-institutionalized patients. May specialize further in marriage, career, or family counseling. Clientele typically are people struggling with everyday life.

Educational and School Psychologist:

Educational Psychologists are involved in the structuring of school curricula and programming. In the university may be involved in training of teachers. School Psychologists provide educational consultation and assessment services within the public school setting for students with psycho-educational or emotional difficulties. May also provide some counseling services to students, as well.

Industrial and Organizational Psychologist:

This practitioner may perform in a wide range of settings and tasks within business and industry. May work in or provide consultation to human resource departments. Programs to improve morale at various organizational levels and suggestions concerning issues of organizational design may be responsibilities for I/O Psychologist.

Psychology-Related Sites

Cyber-Psych

A Summary of Personality Typing (Myers-Briggs Personality Test)

The Ohio State University-Department of Psychology

Johns Hopkins University-Department of Psychology

Carneigie Mellon University-Department of Psychology