Teaching - Culture and Development Lab

Provides a general introduction to major theories, perspectives, research developments and methods in developmental psychology.
Topics covered in this course include theory and research related to prenatal, cognitive, emotional, social, language and moral development, as well as the influence of culture on development.

The course will provide you with a general introduction to major theories, perspectives, research developments and methods in the relatively young sub-field of cross-cultural developmental psychology.
Specifically we will approach this topic from a social‐cognitive perspective, examining the impact of differences in parenting and the early social ecology of infants on development.

Four week field school focusing on learning methods and skills for conducting community-engaged social science research
Students will spend the the first week in Vanuatu living in Port Vila, practicing Bislama, learning about Tanna culture, and developing their research project with community members
Two weeks will be spent on Tanna Island, conducting and revising project according to local goals, feedback, and general input
Final week will be spent in Port Vila, conducting analyses and summarizing findings to present back to community members in an appropriate and community-led manner
Recommended Courses: PSYC 250, PSYC 352
Pending Summer 2025

Explores the important role of psychology in the mitigation of, and adaptation to our changing climate
Provides a brief introduction to the climate change basics, including its mechanisms and impacts, and how scientists measure and model climate
Addresses how psychological science can help answer questions including:
- What is the best way to communicate about climate change, and how does one spot climate misinformation?
- How does the functioning of the human brain influence our understanding of, and decisions to take action on, the issue of climate change?
- What roles do culture and inequity play in the adaptation to climate change?
- How does empathy for nature develop?
- How does climate change influence kids, and how can kids influence climate change?
- How does climate change influence human mental health and wellbeing?

Work with a Psychology department faculty member on a reading or a research project of mutual interest