Course 121: That's Psychology?
Topics and Principles That May Surprise You, Part 2

Leader: Howard Berthold

Description: When I first told my mother about the research I was doing in graduate school, she said, "I thought you were studying psychology!" I was, but like many others, she only knew about topics frequently covered by the popular media. The field of psychology is in fact much broader than most people realize, and its principles often are different from what people believe is true based on common sense. This and subsequent courses will provide an overview of the major areas of psychology. Rather than trying to cover all the topics in each area, I will pick those that I find most fascinating. The first class of this term begins with an examination of the issue of nature and nurture: how much of our behavior can be attributed to heredity and how much to environment? Evidence comes from studies comparing twins and adopted children, parents and children, various cultures, and differences between men and women. The second major topic will be development through the life span. Topics include physical, cognitive, and social development from the prenatal stage through adulthood.

Class meetings will be run interactively. I will provide information and a theoretical context in which to organize psychological concepts, but I expect that in the subsequent discussion we will all learn a lot more from class members than from me.

This is the second of a planned series of courses. The topics covered during each term are self-contained. Participants do not have to have enrolled in prior terms of the series. In later terms we will consider more of the major areas of psychology - the study of the human mind and behavior. I hope that you will come to understand why people like me have found psychology so fascinating that they have chosen to devote the majority of their lives to studying it.

Biography: Howard Berthold is professor emeritus of psychology at Lycoming College, where he taught for 35 years. He supervised over 1500 independent research projects by undergraduates and has also served as a consultant in the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Materials for Course: Handouts will be provided as needed.

Number of Participants: Minimum: 6; Maximum: 18

Location: RidgeCrest at RiverWoods - Creative Arts Room

Meeting Time: Thursdays, March 21 through April 4, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Please NOTE: This course runs for the last three weeks of the term.