Psychology of the Good Life

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5593

What is the good life, and how can people achieve it? This discussion-based seminar class explores two aspects of the "good life": (1) "good" for oneself (living a personally fulfilled life), and (2) "good" for others (living an ethical life, being a good person). We will consider how psychological science can be used to conceptualize, uncover the causes of, and promote well-being for oneself and for others. There will be a particular focus on the ways in which these two aspects of the good life are in alignment or in conflict with each other. Classes will focus on critically evaluating research and integrating and connecting the weekly readings to students' personal research interests and lives, primarily through student-led discussions. PRE-REQ: Graduate Standing
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Theories of Personality Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5352

This course is intended to provide a comprehensive review of major theories in personality psychology. Across the semester, students will be introduced to historical and contemporary theories in personality science, capturing four major research areas: definitions of personality, personality trait taxonomies, personality development across the lifespan, and goals and motives. Each week, students will be assigned chapters from the Handbook of Personality that provide broad overviews of the topic, in addition to empirical papers related to the week's topic. Students will be expected to engage in and lead class discussions, as well as complete a semester-long paper project that will entail applying the theoretical frameworks mentioned in class to the student's personal research area. PREREQ: Graduate Standing
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Psychology of the Good Life

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 4593

What is the good life, and how can people achieve it? This discussion-based seminar class explores two aspects of the "good life": (1) "good" for oneself (living a personally fulfilled life), and (2) "good" for others (living an ethical life, being a good person). We will consider how psychological science can be used to conceptualize, uncover the causes of, and promote well-being for oneself and for others. There will be a particular focus on the ways in which these two aspects of the good life are in alignment or in conflict with each other. Classes will focus on critically evaluating research and integrating and connecting the weekly readings to students' personal research interests and lives, primarily through student-led discussions. PREREQ: Psych 100B, Psych 301/3011, and either Psych 315 or Psych 353 or Psych 367
Course Attributes: AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC; EN S

Introduction to Group Dynamics

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 480

Various aspects of group process including group decision making and problem solving, group influence processes, communication, power, and leadership. Small group behavior and its application to organizations. Prerequisites: U09 214 or 315 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes: ONLINE HYBRID

Principles of Forensic Assessment

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 384M

This course addresses a breadth of topics in forensic assessment through an examination of the methods utilized in this endeavor, particularly in the criminal arena. Students will become familiar with the administration, scoring, and interpretation of instruments used to assess competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, malingering, and dangerousness, among other domains. Factors surrounding ethics in forensic evaluation, the dilemmas encountered in dealing with the diverse criminal population, and recent social and ethical criticisms of forensic assessment processes themselves constitute pivotal course content. Students will have the opportunity to observe and take a role in forensic evaluations through the use of critical examinations of forensic assessment instruments, the observation of case materials, and the completion of assigned course activities. This course is fully online. Students enrolled in day classes at Washington University should review the policies of their home division on credit earned for online courses.
Course Attributes: OLI

Biological Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 3401

This course presents an introduction to biological mechanisms underlying behavior. Topics will include the physiology of nerve cells, the anatomy of the nervous system, the control of sensory and motor activity, arousal and sleep, and motivation and higher mental processes. Prerequisite: Psych 100.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; BU SCI

Empirically Supported Treatment in the Clinic

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 544

Intro to emotional disorders and their effective treatment in adults. This course combines didactic materials, practice sessions in class, and when available, examples from supervision of some members of the class. The student will learn to assess and treat common problems in the outpatient clinic with empirically supported procedures, understand the theories behind these procedures, and be exposed to the process of applying the procedures in the clinic. PREREQ: Graduate standing in Psychological & Brain Sciences; completion of an introductory course in psychotherapy or permission of instructor.
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Advanced Developmental Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5321

This graduate course will provide an in-depth survey of the foundations, theories, and current research in developmental psychology. We will study the cognitive and social processes that underlie how humans develop, with an emphasis on the period from infancy to late childhood. Topics will include the development of perception, action, language, concepts, emotions, morality, and social cognition. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in PBS or permission of instructor.
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Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5165

This course covers modern methods of handling longitudinal, repeated measures. It will introduce the rationale of measuring change and stability over time to study phenomena as well as how within-person designs can increase statistical power and precision as compared with more traditional designs. Most the course will use multi-level models and latent (growth) curve models to specify patterns of change across time. Additional topics include visualization, measurement invariance, time-to-event models and power. Prerequisite: Familiarity with R and with MLM and/or structural equation models.
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Applied Multivariate Analysis

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 516

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a working knowledge of multivariate statistics including multivariate multiple regression, multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, factor analysis, and canonical correlation analysis. PREREQUISITE, PSYCH 5066 and 5067 or their equivalent.
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