Psychology Courses
- PSYC S-1 Introduction to Psychology
- PSYC S-23d Behaviorism and Behavior Modification
- PSYC S-980v Summer Seminar—The Insanity Defense
- PSYC S-1005 Health Psychology: Connecting Mind and Body in Illness and Wellness
- PSYC S-1072 The Psychology of Emotional, Behavioral, and Motivational Self-Regulation
- PSYC S-1240 Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC S-1293 The Aging Mind and Body
- PSYC S-1507 Psychology of Diversity
- PSYC S-1760 Why People Change: The Psychology of Influence
- PSYC S-1870 Law and Psychology
PSYC S-1 Introduction to Psychology (30204)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm. Required sections to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit and undergraduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Students completing this course gain a broad understanding of modern psychology. Lectures, readings, demonstrations, and multimedia displays address basic topics in historical and contemporary psychology, including various perspectives: biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and evolutionary. Section meetings provide opportunities for active participation in individual and group projects. (4 credits)
PSYC S-23d Behaviorism and Behavior Modification (32311)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
Modern behaviorism emerged at Harvard under the leadership of B. F. Skinner, identified by several criteria as the most eminent psychologist of the twentieth century. Harvard's archival records offer a productive setting for the study of this controversial approach to psychology, recognized today for its scientific contributions and practical applications. (4 credits)
PSYC S-980v Summer Seminar—The Insanity Defense (32529)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 8:30-11:30 am.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $2,700.
Summer seminars are open to Secondary School Program juniors and seniors, and to college undergraduates. Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This seminar explores, through empirical research and case materials, the insanity defense in the legal system and its impact on psychology, law, and society. Topics include the history of the defense; the relation among psychopathology, insanity, and diminished capacity; the impact of research in neuroscience on questions of free will and responsibility; the effects of different standards for determining insanity; arguments for its retention, abolition, and revision; potential for use with psychopaths and with terrorists; the impact of religion; media and other responses to it; controversies surrounding pre- and postconviction commitment; and the roles of psychologists and lawyers in defining, implementing, and questioning the defense. The course includes readings, audio-visual examples, student presentations, a mock trial, and general discussion. Students cannot enroll simultaneously in PSYC S-980v and PSYC S-1870. (4 credits)
PSYC S-1005 Health Psychology: Connecting Mind and Body in Illness and Wellness (32876)
*** PSYC S-1005 has been CANCELED. ***
PSYC S-1072 The Psychology of Emotional, Behavioral, and Motivational Self-Regulation (32682)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This seminar covers cutting-edge research on how people acquire self-regulatory skills to bolster their willpower, enabling them to achieve personal, academic, and professional goals. Topics include acquiring expertise, combating procrastination, increasing desirable habits, and overcoming smoking, overeating, and emotional problems. (4 credits)
PSYC S-1240 Abnormal Psychology (30206)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 pm. Required sections to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
This course is an introduction to the study of psychopathology. It focuses on theoretical models of abnormal behavior as they relate to the definition, etiology, and treatment of mental disorders. Diagnostic classification, and behavioral and biological features of the major syndromes of psychopathology are emphasized. Prerequisite: an introductory course in psychology. (4 credits)
PSYC S-1293 The Aging Mind and Body (32825)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 3:15-6:15 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
This course provides an overview of the changes and challenges to cognitive and physical functions in the third age of life, the years from age 60 to age 85. Because of its growing importance to older adults, cognitive aging is emphasized. Students review recent research that suggests this is the best time in history to grow older in America and in much of the developed world. The class learns about the patterns of normal age-related cognitive and physical decline, noting the increasing age-related differences among adults. Paying special attention to cardiovascular disease, we examine the impact on the intellect of medical conditions common to third age adults—hypertension, type II diabetes, and pulmonary disease. Research is reviewed supporting the value of compliance for the mind as well as the body. Then we turn out attention to direct and indirect activities, within the reach of most third age adults, which slow the age-associated downward trend of mental and physical capabilities. Topics of particular interest are declining disability and the compression of morbidity. Finally, we consider characteristics that distinguish among older adults who are aging optimally, normally, or are at risk, and discuss potential interventions for those in need. (4 credits)
PSYC S-1507 Psychology of Diversity (32397)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
The United States is increasingly diverse and the world increasingly globalized. The central focus of the course is on the links between diversity and psychological processes at individual, interpersonal, and international levels. We consider several basic questions: What is diversity? How do race, nationality, and religion influence individuals? What impact does diversity have on cross-group relationships? How is diversity related to people's perceptions of fairness and justice? What is the relevance of people's perceptions of fairness and justice to social problems and social change? Does respect for diversity promote peace and positive change? Much research has addressed these questions, and we closely examine the evidence that has emerged so far. Prerequisite: previous coursework in psychology is recommended but not required. (4 credits)
PSYC S-1760 Why People Change: The Psychology of Influence (30207)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 3:15-6:15 pm. Optional sections to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
Students examine the changes that occur in thoughts, feelings, and behavior as a result of growth and development, both normal and abnormal, within the individual and the effects of outside intervention. The course attempts to establish a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between personal history and personality formation, and it examines efforts to modify the individual through outside influence, including psychological, neurophysiological, and spiritual dimensions. There are readings from classical and contemporary sources. Prerequisite: familiarity with psychology or permission of the instructor. (4 credits)
PSYC S-1870 Law and Psychology (30208)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 3:15-6:15 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
This course compares legal and psychological approaches to human behavior and considers their interaction. Topics include criminal, ethnic, and racial profiling; confessions; the insanity defense; involuntary commitment to mental hospitals and substance abuse programs; marriage, divorce, and custody; eyewitness identification and testimony; juries; expert witnesses; and victimless crimes. The course discusses the roles of lawyers and of psychologists and psychiatrists, in theory and in practice. The course focuses on case studies and on research. (4 credits)
