Department of Psychology

Professors Appleby, Bond, Bringle, Fetterman (Chairperson), Goodlett, Kremer, Murphy, Rajecki, Tzeng

Professors Emeriti Davis, Hanford, Morris, Neel

Associate Professors Borden, Evenbeck, Felsten (IUPU Columbus), Goldberg, Hazer, Johnson, June, Lauer, McGrew, Neal-Beliveau, Rasmussen, Rytting (IUPU Columbus), Shermis, Svanum, Ware

Associate Professors Emeriti Fleener, Fortier

Assistant Professors Bigatti, Devine, Evans, Fastenau, Williams

Adjunct Professors Alexy, Austin, Besing, Cofresi, Combs, Feinberg, Grahame, Haskins, Jackson, Lysaker, Mermis, Metzner, Shain, Sharp, Trexler, Tomusk, Wagner, Zimet

Psychology is the study of behavior. Psychologists apply the scientific method to increase their understanding of human and animal behavior. Behavior is enormously diverse, and psychologists seek answers to a range of questions that are as varied as how eyes perceive light and form, how children develop a sense of morality, and under what conditions people help in emergencies. As an applied profession, psychologists use research results to solve personal and social problems.

Because the subject matter of psychology is broad, psychologists have become specialized. Specialization allows each psychologist to apply the general principles of science and behavior to a given area of interest. These include motivation and learning, child and adult development, social behavior of humans and animals, personality, thought processes, consumer behavior, and many more. Psychologists who function as applied professionals specialize in areas that include clinical, counseling, health care, rehabilitation, and industrial psychology.

The IUPUI Department of Psychology provides a varied undergraduate curriculum that leads to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Purdue University. Graduate programs include Master of Science degrees in two specialty areas of psychology—industrial/organizational and clinical rehabilitation—and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in clinical rehabilitation psychology and psychobiology of addictions. Besides this professional and preprofessional training, the department serves the needs of students in many other fields by providing introductory and advanced courses in psychology. Students in the undergraduate program can choose to focus broadly on various aspects of psychology, or they can elect to concentrate on more specialized areas in which graduate training is offered.

The choice of a particular program for majors should be made in consultation with one of the academic advisors. Contact the Psychology Advising Office (LD 123, 274-6765) to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. The course, Orientation to a Major in Psychology (PSY B103), is recommended for students currently exploring psychology as a potential major. The department strongly recommends that undergraduate majors become involved with the Psychology Club or the honorary society, Psi Chi.