Psychology

Travis Wilson, Associate Professor of Psychology, Chair
Blair Braun, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Nancy Darling, Professor of Psychology
Patricia Ann deWinstanley, Professor of Psychology
Cynthia Frantz, Professor of Psychology
Danielle Godon-Decoteau, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Kailey Lawson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Stephan Mayer, Professor of Psychology
Clinton Merck, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
Paul Thibodeau, Associate Professor of Psychology
Sara Verosky, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Christine Wu, Assistant Professor of Psychology
TBD, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology

Visit the department webpage for up-to-date information on department faculty, visiting lecturers, and special events.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, thought, and feelings. Its subject matter includes biological, cognitive, cultural, developmental, and social perspectives on normal and abnormal behavior. The Department of Psychology’s curriculum prepares students for careers in business, health sciences, criminology, and the helping professions as well as for graduate work in psychology, education, law, statistics, health sciences, business, and other areas in which knowledge of psychology and strong quantitative and reasoning skills are relevant.

Majoring in psychology provides students with insight into human behavior and a strong background in scientific reasoning, quantitative skills, and writing skills. Students interested in going directly into careers after graduation have pursued work in many fields, including social services and business. Those pursuing careers in counseling, law, social work, education, medicine, or in speech, physical, or occupational therapy will often need to complete graduate training. Careers in academics or clinical psychology normally require a PhD. A major in psychology provides excellent preparation for such fields as law, medicine, public health, data science, or human-computer interface design. Undergraduates interested in applied areas of psychology are encouraged to obtain field and research experience through Winter Term projects, internships, and summer jobs.

See information about Research, Internships, Study Away, and Experiential Learning (RISE).

Advanced Placement

Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology examination or a 6 or 7 on the IB Psychology examination will be exempt from the requirement to take PSYC 100 and will receive one full course at the 100-level toward major requirements and graduation.

Transfer of Credit

All transfer credit must be approved by the department chair. Students should obtain prior written approval from the department chair to ensure that courses taken at other institutions will count toward major requirements. At least five required courses must be completed at Oberlin, including at least one Advanced Methods or Seminar course. It is the student’s responsibility to complete transfer of credit forms and submit them to the Office of the Registrar. Please note that PSYC 200 comprises statistics, research methods, and a lab in SPSS Statistics software. Students wishing to transfer a replacement for this course should consult carefully with their advisor.

Independent Work

A variety of opportunities for students to pursue independent work is available at all levels in the curriculum. Both laboratory and non-laboratory research courses are available at junior, senior, and Honors levels. Registration for Independent Work courses requires prior approval of the proposed work by the staff member who will supervise it.

Explore Winter Term projects and opportunities.

Majors and Minors

Psychology Major

Courses

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