In the classroom and in the lab, become a critical consumer and producer of knowledge of human behavior.
Our Psychological Science major and minor develop a broad background in psychological science, the theoretical frameworks used to study human behavior, empirical research and lab experience, and the sociocultural contexts of human behavior.
As a major, you’ll:
- receive a broad introduction to the methods and perspectives of psychology
- learn about research design and statistical methods
- take laboratory courses
- complete a cultural, ethnicity and psychology requirement
- take three electives
- complete a senior seminar and thesis
Research is the key to this major. All seniors complete an empirical research investigation, and all of our faculty members have active research labs.
What You’ll Study
- ​Psychological approaches of the study of people
- Research design and methodology
- Culture, ethnicity and psychology
- Laboratory courses
- Application of psychology to real-world problems
Researching at Pomona
Our Voting Appeals Fail. Here’s Why.
Angela Yeh ’22 examined voting data and concepts such as efficacy beliefs, and her group provided suggestions in an op-ed to avoid generic and repetitive voting appeals.
Should people who are high on psychopathy and who break laws be held criminally responsible?
Ananya Saluja ’22 delved into the depth of the argument surrounding the insanity defense, and whether people high on trait psychopathy should, from a psychological and biological standpoint, be held accountable for their actions.
Exploring Pluralistic Ignorance of the Impostor Phenomenon (IP) in College Students
Kirby Lam ’23 examined the discrepancy between self-attitudes of imposter phenomenon and beliefs about its presence in the greater student population.
I loved the idea of understanding why and how people behave the way they do, especially as a means of understanding people who come from distinct backgrounds and coming to common solutions.