Behaviors result from a complex web of interacting influences. Our department takes an interdisciplinary approach, exposing students to the various approaches to psychological research that reveal these complex influences.
Department Highlights
The Major
Our majors graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the content of the discipline and the skills required to work within it.
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Our Reach
Almost half of the student body takes our introductory course, Psychology 100, at some point while at Amherst.
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Research
Students work with faculty in labs dedicated to physiological psychology and behavioral neuroscience; cognitive psychology; developmental psychology; social psychology; personality psychology; and clinical psychology.
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Honors Program
Senior honors majors work independently and in depth on an empirical or theoretical research project.
Honors Program
About the Department
Find answers to the frequently asked questions about our department.
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After Amherst
Our majors go on to careers in such fields as research, teaching, psychotherapy, consulting, medicine, business and the law.
Major Explorations: Psychology
Catherine Sanderson, Poler Family Professor in Psychology and Chair of Psychology provides an overview of the psychology department, including some of the courses students can enroll in and careers that a psychology major can pursue.
Psychology Courses
Current Courses
PSYC 206
Psychology of Play
Description
This course will explore how children learn through play, focusing on defining play and exploring researchers’ differing perspectives on whether children can learn by playing.
PSYC 235
Sports Psychology
Description
The field of sports psychology examines psychological variables that impact athletic participation and behavior. This course introduces students to theories and research across diverse areas of psychology.
PSYC 366
Music Cognition
Description
The course will begin by examining how musical information is stored and, subsequently, retrieved from memory, including comparing learning and memory of musical and non-musical stimuli.
Research Laboratories
The Department of Psychology provides numerous laboratories for studying many aspects of psychology—from physiological psychology and behavioral neuroscience to cognitive psychology, and much more.
Professional & Summer Opportunities
Learn more about post-grad job opportunities in the field and summer internships for undergraduates, including research assistantships, applied internships and departmental honors research.