Community Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 3865

Community psychology goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change, health, and empowerment at individual and systemic levels. In this course, we will focus on identifying the root causes of various social problems and become familiar with community-defined priorities for addressing them. We will discuss how to use psychology as a scientific foundation to better understand social determinants of health and wellness, and discuss best practices on how to build collaborative relationships with community members, groups, and organizations to solve social problems.
Course Attributes: EN S; AS SSC

Climate Feedback

 

The Psychological and Brain Sciences Department (PBS) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee wants your feedback about our department. The purpose of this form is to ask for your input, creative solutions, and suggestions to work towards an equitable and inclusive climate in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS).

  • Who can submit feedback?
    • We welcome input from all Psychological and Brain Sciences Department (PBS) graduate students, post-docs, faculty, and staff. (Please note that undergraduate students who are also staff are welcome to submit feedback through this portal).
  • What kind of feedback should be submitted via this system?
    • Ideas for how to better foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our department.
    • Information about general patterns you have noticed that might interfere with fostering diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.
    • Notes about what our department is doing well in terms of fostering diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.
  • What kind of feedback should not be submitted via this feedback system?
    • Members of the department should NOT use this feedback system to report specific incident(s) of bias, which is any discriminatory or hurtful act that appears to be or is perceived by the victim to be motivated by race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sex, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or socioeconomic status. If a report of a bias incident is submitted via this system, the Committee is required to forward the report to the appropriate WUSTL administrators (e.g., Human Resources). 
      • Incidents of bias involving student(s)—whether experienced by a student or being a witness to an incident occurring to a student—can be formally reported to Bias Report and Support System.
      • Other incidents (e.g., involving staff, faculty) can be formally reported to Human Resources
    • In addition, the PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee cannot investigate interpersonal conflicts or potential policy violations.
      • The WUSTL Offices of the Ombuds serve as confidential, independent, and impartial resources that offer assistance in the informal resolution of university-related conflicts and advocate for fair treatment and process. Here is a link to their website, which has links to separate ombuds offices dedicated to (1) staff, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, and (2) Danforth faculty.
  • What will happen with information submitted via this feedback system? 
    • The PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (link to PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee list) will review information submitted via this portal on a monthly basis during the academic year.
    • The PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will report a summary of the information to the department chair each semester and present an annual summary to the department.
    • Because of the anonymous nature of the portal, the PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will not provide individual responses to submissions.
  • How can members of the department submit feedback?

Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 367

Historically, the field of psychology has placed a lot of attention on what's wrong with people and what we can do to treat disorders of the mind. More recently, the field has broadened its scope to give more attention to what's right with people and what we can do to optimize our potential for psychological health. This course focuses on this latter development by examining scientific research relevant to the pursuit of happiness and well-being. Topics include the nature and measurement of happiness, the biological basis of positive emotions, an overview of positive trait theories, self-esteem, gratitude, mindset, the mind-body connection, physical activity, emotional intelligence, resilience, prosocial behavior, decision-making, willpower, mindfulness meditation, and the characteristics of successful relationships. PREREQ: Psych 100B.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC

Psychology of Adolescence

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 325

Psychology of the period from puberty to adulthood; the major developmental tasks such as identity formation and the influence of differential parental style upon the development of adolescents. Prerequisite: U09-100.
Course Attributes:

Abnormal Child Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 3195

This course will familiarize students with current perspectives on the nature, causes, assessment, treatment, and prevention of child psychiatric disorders and related family dysfunction. Theoretical perspectives and research findings will be discussed pertaining to anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning impairments, and parent-child conflict. Prerequisite: U09 322 or U09 354.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; FA SSC; AR SSC; ONLINE HYBRID

Neuropsychological Assessment

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5522

This course will provide an overview of clinical measures used in assessing neurocognitive function. Assessment of a broad range of abilities will be discussed, primarily within the domains of memory, attention, language, motor, and visuospatial function. The foci of the course will be test administration, test interpretation, communication of results, and discussion of the clinical features of selected neuropsychological syndromes. Prerequisite: Open to clinical graduate students in Psychological & Brain Sciences and other advanced graduate students with permisison of the instructor.
Course Attributes:

History and Modern Systems of Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 4651

An introduction to the history of psychology. This course begins with a brief consideration of forces leading to the development of psychology in the mid-1800s. It then examines the birth of modern psychology in Germany and the schools of psychology that emerged early in the 20th century. Newer orientations and ideas are considered in the final segment of the course. We also consider the impact of psychology on American public life during the 20th century. Prerequisite: Psych 100B, junior or senior standing, and 6 units of advanced home-based psychology courses.
Course Attributes: EN H; AS HUM; FA HUM; AR HUM

Psychological Science: Fact and Fiction

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 4305

Skeptical analysis of psychological science as practiced and popularized in the media. Analysis of discrepancies between media and scientific claims regarding areas such as repressed memory, brain imaging, heritability, and psychotherapy. Additional examination of scientific career demands such as peer review, journal publication, and research funding. These topics are interwoven with a review of common errors in reasoning particularly with respect to probabilistic reasoning and the public misperception of the practice and principles of scientific psychology. PREREQ: Psych 100B, Junior or Senior standing,and completion of 6 units of advanced home-based psychology.
Course Attributes: EN S; AS SSC; AS WI I; FA SSC; AR HUM

Psychology of Black Women

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 386

This course is designed to provide a critical analysis of the distinctive experiences of Black women through a psychological lens. In this course, we will explore topics relating to Black women's experiences in home, school, and community contexts, such as identity development, socialization experiences, and media portrayals of Black girls and women. The class will also consider how Black women draw on individual strengths and cultural assets to support their personal well being. We will employ Black Feminist Theory and other culturally relevant frameworks to guide our inquiry into the psychological experiences of Black women from an assets-based perspective. This course will heavily center the narratives of Black women. PREREQ: L33 Psych 100B
Course Attributes: AS SSC; AS SC; FA SSC; AR SSC; EN S

Project Building in Aging

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5882

The goal of this course is to help students with an interest in aging research develop the critical thinking skills necessary to develop and implement high quality, interdisciplinary research projects.
Course Attributes:
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