Perception, Thought, and Action

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5182

This course focuses on current topics in visual perception, visual attention, and the control of action. Readings consist of recent journal articles. Class meetings emphasize presentation and discussion of the material in the readings. Limited to 15 students. PREREQ: Psych 100B/1000 and one of the following: Psych 301/3010, Psych 330/3300, Psych 3401, Psych 344/3440, Psych 360/3600, Psych 361/3610, Psych 3604, Psych 380/3800, Psych 433/4330, or Psych 4604.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; BU BA; AR NSM; AS NSM

Applied Statistical Analysis with R

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5175

This course is designed to introduce R as both a means of applied statistical analysis as well as a window into data organization and programming. The goal of the course is to teach the tools needed to take a raw dataset and not only perform a statistical test in R, but alsoto learn how to arrange the data set to perform a variety of tests, to choose the appropriate test, and to visualize the results. Students will gain practical knowledge of how to use statistics in research. Please note that this is an introductory course and knowledge of R prior to enrollment is not expected.PREREQ: Psych 300/3000; OR graduate standing by permission.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; AR NSM; AS NSM

The Psychology of Academia

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5015

This course will discuss the informal rules and practices of academia. The topics include how to succeed in graduate school, whether or not to take a postdoctoral fellowship before seeking a job, how to get hired, how to get tenure, how to mentor students, how to teach, how to plan your research career, and how to get grants. Other topics include issues of diversity in higher education and different prospects facing newly minted Ph.D.s who go into academia versus those who go into more applied settings. PREREQ: Graduate standing.
Course Attributes:

Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 4412

An intensive, case-study based approach to the underlying principles and mechanisms of brain function that give rise to complex human cognitive behavior. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and evaluating cutting-edge neuroscience research that has yielded new insights into the organization and structure of higher mental processes. Students will develop critical thinking via a strong class participation component. Some topics will vary from year to year, and this semester a focus will be on the brain mechanisms engaged during mindfulness meditation. Declared Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology majors will be given priority over others to enroll. PREREQ: Psych 100B/1000, and either Psych 3401 or Psy 344/Bio 3411 or Psych 3604.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; AS NSM

Community Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 3865

Community psychology goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change, health, and empowerment at individual and systemic levels. In this course, we will focus on identifying the root causes of various social problems and become familiar with community-defined priorities for addressing them. We will discuss how to use psychology as a scientific foundation to better understand social determinants of health and wellness, and discuss best practices on how to build collaborative relationships with community members, groups, and organizations to solve social problems.
Course Attributes: EN S; AS SSC

Climate Feedback

 

The Psychological and Brain Sciences Department (PBS) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee wants your feedback about our department. The purpose of this form is to ask for your input, creative solutions, and suggestions to work towards an equitable and inclusive climate in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS).

  • Who can submit feedback?
    • We welcome input from all Psychological and Brain Sciences Department (PBS) graduate students, post-docs, faculty, and staff. (Please note that undergraduate students who are also staff are welcome to submit feedback through this portal).
  • What kind of feedback should be submitted via this system?
    • Ideas for how to better foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our department.
    • Information about general patterns you have noticed that might interfere with fostering diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.
    • Notes about what our department is doing well in terms of fostering diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.
  • What kind of feedback should not be submitted via this feedback system?
    • Members of the department should NOT use this feedback system to report specific incident(s) of bias, which is any discriminatory or hurtful act that appears to be or is perceived by the victim to be motivated by race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sex, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or socioeconomic status. If a report of a bias incident is submitted via this system, the Committee is required to forward the report to the appropriate WUSTL administrators (e.g., Human Resources). 
      • Incidents of bias involving student(s)—whether experienced by a student or being a witness to an incident occurring to a student—can be formally reported to Bias Report and Support System.
      • Other incidents (e.g., involving staff, faculty) can be formally reported to Human Resources
    • In addition, the PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee cannot investigate interpersonal conflicts or potential policy violations.
      • The WUSTL Offices of the Ombuds serve as confidential, independent, and impartial resources that offer assistance in the informal resolution of university-related conflicts and advocate for fair treatment and process. Here is a link to their website, which has links to separate ombuds offices dedicated to (1) staff, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, and (2) Danforth faculty.
  • What will happen with information submitted via this feedback system? 
    • The PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (link to PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee list) will review information submitted via this portal on a monthly basis during the academic year.
    • The PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will report a summary of the information to the department chair each semester and present an annual summary to the department.
    • Because of the anonymous nature of the portal, the PBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will not provide individual responses to submissions.
  • How can members of the department submit feedback?

Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 367

Historically, the field of psychology has placed a lot of attention on what's wrong with people and what we can do to treat disorders of the mind. More recently, the field has broadened its scope to give more attention to what's right with people and what we can do to optimize our potential for psychological health. This course focuses on this latter development by examining scientific research relevant to the pursuit of happiness and well-being. Topics include the nature and measurement of happiness, the biological basis of positive emotions, an overview of positive trait theories, self-esteem, gratitude, mindset, the mind-body connection, physical activity, emotional intelligence, resilience, prosocial behavior, decision-making, willpower, mindfulness meditation, and the characteristics of successful relationships. PREREQ: Psych 100B.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC

Psychology of Adolescence

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 325

Psychology of the period from puberty to adulthood; the major developmental tasks such as identity formation and the influence of differential parental style upon the development of adolescents. Prerequisite: U09-100.
Course Attributes:

Abnormal Child Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCI (PSYCHOLOGY) 3195

This course will familiarize students with current perspectives on the nature, causes, assessment, treatment, and prevention of child psychiatric disorders and related family dysfunction. Theoretical perspectives and research findings will be discussed pertaining to anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning impairments, and parent-child conflict. Prerequisite: U09 322 or U09 354.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; FA SSC; AR SSC; ONLINE HYBRID

Neuropsychological Assessment

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES 5522

This course will provide an overview of clinical measures used in assessing neurocognitive function. Assessment of a broad range of abilities will be discussed, primarily within the domains of memory, attention, language, motor, and visuospatial function. The foci of the course will be test administration, test interpretation, communication of results, and discussion of the clinical features of selected neuropsychological syndromes. Prerequisite: Open to clinical graduate students in Psychological & Brain Sciences and other advanced graduate students with permisison of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
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