Undergraduate courses in Psychology

Human behavior and mental processes including the nervous system, consciousness, learning, memory, development, emotion, psychopathology, interpersonal process, society, and culture. Current research. GER:DB-SocSci

5 units, Aut (Gross, J), Win (Knutson, B), Spr (Monin, B)

PSYCH 7Q. Language Acquisition

(S,Sem) Stanford Introductory Seminar. Preference to sophomores. How do infants learn language so effortlessly? Why is it more difficult to learn a language as an adult? Theories of first and second language development and experimental techniques for reading children's minds.

3 units, Aut (Fernald, A)

PSYCH 8N. Life Span Development

(F,Sem) Stanford Introductory Seminar. Preference to freshmen. People continue to change in systematic ways throughout life, but developmental psychology has focused mostly on childhood. Focus is on conceptual models that direct developmental research on adulthood and old age, and the empirical literature concerning developmental changes in cognition, motivation, and emotion. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Carstensen, L)

PSYCH 10. Introduction to Statistical Methods: Precalculus

(Same as STATS 60, STATS 160.) Techniques for organizing data, computing, and interpreting measures of central tendency, variability, and association. Estimation, confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses, t-tests, correlation, and regression. Possible topics: analysis of variance and chi-square tests, computer statistical packages. GER:DB-Math

5 units, Aut (Thomas, E), Win (Walther, G), Spr (Boik, J), Sum (Staff)

PSYCH 12N. Self Theories

(F,Sem) Stanford Introductory Seminar. Preference to freshmen. The impact of people's belief in a growing versus fixed self on their motivation and performance in school, business, sports, and relationships. How such theories develop and can be changed. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Aut (Dweck, C)

PSYCH 16N. Amines and Affect

(F,Sem) Stanford Introductory Seminar. Preference to freshmen. How serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine influence people's emotional lives. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Knutson, B)

PSYCH 17N. Language and Society: How Languages Shape Lives

Do people who speak different languages think differently? What role does language play in politics, law, and religion? The role of language in individual cognition and in society. Breaking news about language and society; the scientific basis for thinking about these broad issues. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, not given this year

PSYCH 18N. Early Social Cognitive Development

Preference to freshmen. Focus is on the development of attachment and its impact on psychological functioning. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, not given this year

PSYCH 22N. The Psychology of Everyday Morality

Preference to freshmen. What science reveals about morality. How psychology applies the scientific method to understand moral behavior. When and why people do or do not act morally. Emphasis is descriptive versus normative; focus is on the findings of social science, their implications and shortcomings, and psychological research. Sources include classic papers and recent empirical reports.

4 units, not given this year

PSYCH 23N. Aping: Imitation, Control, and the Development of the Human Mind

(F,Sem) Stanford Introductory Seminar. Preference to freshmen. The idea that a childhood that prolongs a state of stimulus-bound helplessness beyond that of animals is the price human beings pay for the benefits of shared cognitive structures. How such structures enable social collaboration, language, and the transmission and sharing of knowledge. Sources include psychological data from animals and humans, and recent discoveries in neuroscience.

3 units, Spr (Ramscar, M)

PSYCH 25N. Psychology, Inequality, and the American Dream

(F,Sem) Stanford Introductory Seminar. Preference to freshmen. What role do psychological factors play in perpetrating inequality despite legal prohibitions? How can psychologically wise reforms promote equal opportunity? Topics include school achievement, prejudice and discrimination, social class, and race/ethnicity.

3 units, Aut (Walton, G)

PSYCH 30. Introduction to Perception

Behavioral and neural aspects of perception focusing on visual and auditory perception. Topics include: scientific methods for studying perception, anatomy and physiology of the visual and auditiory systems, color vision, depth perception, motion perception, stereopsis, visual recognition, pitch and loudness perception, speech perception, and reorganization of the visual system in the blind. GER: DB-NatSci

3 units, Aut (Grill-Spector, K)

PSYCH 45. Introduction to Learning and Memory

The literature on learning and memory including cognitive and neural organization of memory, mechanisms of remembering and forgetting, and why people sometimes falsely remember events that never happened. Cognitive theory and behavioral evidence integrated with data from patient studies and functional brain imaging. Recommended: 1.

3 units, Spr (Wagner, A)

PSYCH 50. Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience

(Same as SYMBSYS 50.) Topics in human neuropsychology. The functional organization of the human nervous system and of brain imaging techniques (MRI, PET). Hemispheric specialization and the brain basis of perception, memory, language, emotion, spatial cognition, and problem solving. Neuropsychological deficits in neurological disorders and their implications in understanding normal function. Recommended: 1 GER: DB-NatSci

4 units, Win (McClure, S)

PSYCH 60. Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Psychological development from birth to adulthood, emphasizing infancy and the early and middle childhood years. The nature of change during childhood and theories of development. Recommended: 1. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Aut (Johnson, S)

PSYCH 60A. Introduction to Developmental Psychology Section

Guided observation of children age 2-6 at Bing Nursery School. Corequisite: 60.

2 units, Aut (Lomangino, A)

PSYCH 70. Introduction to Social Psychology

Topics related to the influence of other people on individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Factors that affect the way that we perceive ourselves and others; how people influence others; how persuasion happens; what causes us to like, love, help, or hurt others; and how social psychology helps to understand quesions about law, business, and health. GER:DB-SocSci

4 units, Spr (Tormala, T)

PSYCH 75. Introduction to Cultural Psychology

The cultural sources of diversity in thinking, emotion, motivation, self, personality, morality, development, and psychopathology. Recommended: 1. WIM GER:DB-SocSci, EC-GlobalCom

5 units, alternate years, not given this year

PSYCH 80. Introduction to Personality Psychology

Current empirical and theoretical approaches to personality. How and why do people differ? Does personality change over time? Can people change their personalities?mWhat makes people happy? What are the physical, mental, and social consequences of personalities? Prerequisite: 1. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Tsai, J)

PSYCH 90. Introduction to Clinical Psychology

History of clinical psychology, models and assessment of personality, behavior, cognition, psychopathology, and approaches to the treatment of abnormal behavior. Emphasis is on current theory, research, issues in, and the role of clinical psychology in contemporary society. Recommended: 1. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Aut (Haas, A)

PSYCH 95. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Theories of and approaches to understanding the phenomenology, etiology, and treatment of psychological disorders among adults and children. Research findings and diagnostic issues. Recommended: PSYCH 1. GER:DB-SocSci, DB-SocSci

3 units, not given this year

PSYCH 101. Community Health Psychology

(Same as HUMBIO 128.) Social ecological perspective on health emphasizing how individual health behavior is shaped by social forces. Topics include: biobehavioral factors in health; health behavior change; community health promotion; and psychological aspects of illness, patient care, and chronic disease management. Prerequisites: HUMBIO 3B or PSYCH 1, or equivalent.

4 units, Win (Heaney, C)

PSYCH 102. Longevity

(Same as NENS 202.) Interdisciplinary. Challenges to and solutions for the young from increased human life expectancy: health care, financial markets, families, work, and politics. Guest lectures from engineers, economists, geneticists, and physiologists. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Win (Rando, T; Carstensen, L)

PSYCH 104. Uniquely Human

Are humans the only species that displays altruism, experiences uncertainty, and is capable of language and deception? Sources include empirical and theoretical papers in comparative psychology. Prerequisite: 1.

3 units, Win (Hard, B)

PSYCH 110. Research Methods and Experimental Design

Structured research exercises and design of an individual research project. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. GER:DB-SocSci

5 units, not given this year

PSYCH 119. Psychology and Public Policy

(Same as PUBLPOL 172.) Applications of psychology to public and social policy. Topics include the influence of psychological research and individual psychology on the creation of policy, and the influence of policy on attitudes and behavior at the personal and societal levels. How psychological theory can be used to shape policies and policy making in areas such as environment, education, criminal justice, and health.

5 units, Win (Tormala, T)

PSYCH 119S. The Psychology of Stigma

What obese people, African Americans, people with physical disabilities, lesbians, and Muslims have in common: social stigma. The social and psychological experiences of individuals living with social stigmas. Classic and current theory and research. Topics include: function, nature, and types of stigma; how stigmatized individuals view their identities and cope; mental and cognitive consequences; and interactions between stigmatized and non-stigmatized. Literature employing research methods including neuroimaging and social interaction studies.

3 units, Sum (Jones, V)

PSYCH 120. Cellular Neuroscience: Cell Signaling and Behavior

(Same as BIO 153.) Neural interactions underlying behavior. Prerequisites: PSYCH 1 or basic biology. GER: DB-NatSci

4 units, not given this year

PSYCH 120S. Temptations and Self Control

(Same as PSYCH 220S.) Why do people do things they come to regret, such as lack of exercise, angry words, overeating, unsafe sex, or dangerous driving? How can they minimize such behaviors? Sources include classical and current research from experimental psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, and neuroeconomics. Emphasis is on real-world applications.

3 units, not given this year

PSYCH 121. Ion Transport and Intracellular Messengers

(Same as PSYCH 228.) (Graduate students register for 228.) Ion channels, carriers, ion pumps, and their regulation by intracellular messengers in a variety of cell types. Lab demonstrations and hands-on introduction to techniques such as patch clamping. Recommended: 120 or introductory course in biology or human biology.

1-3 units, Spr (Wine, J)

PSYCH 122S. Introduction to Cognitive and Comparative Neuroscience

Evolutionary and ethological perspective on cognitive neuroscience and the neural systems underlying human thought. Classic research in cognitive neuroscience. How to analyze cutting-edge science. Sources include primary research articles. Topics include: basic neuroanatomy and neuroscientific techniques; perception, memory, and attention; language, social learning and communication; priniciples of evolution; learning and decision making. Final project. Prerequisites: high school biology or consent of instructor.

3 units, Sum (Yoon, J; Chen, J; Hutchinson, J)

PSYCH 124S. Applying Psychology to Modern Life

A scientific examination of everyday modern life. Topics include: how research on attention and memory can be applied to improve study strategies; how advertisers persuade and how their techniques can be resisted; how interpersonal conflicts can be avoided through knowledge of common errors in judging other people; and how studies on attraction and love can improve close relationships.

3 units, Sum (Jordan, A; Chen, F)

PSYCH 125. Beyond Stereotype Threat: Claiming a Rightful Place in an Academic Community

(Same as CTL 130.) Stereotype threat as mitigating the quality of a student's test performance; its impact on academic success at Stanford. How to reduce the impact of stereotype threat on Stanford students.

3 units, Win (Glickman, A)

PSYCH 131. Language and Thought

(Same as PSYCH 262.) The psychology of language including: production and understanding in utterances; from speech sounds to speaker's meaning; children's acquisition of the first language; and the psychological basis for language systems. Language functions in natural contexts and their relation to the processes by which language is produced, understood, and acquired. Prerequisite: 1 or LINGUIST 1. GER:DB-SocSci

4 units, Aut (Clark, H)

PSYCH 132. Introduction to Cognitive and Information Sciences

(Same as LINGUIST 144, PHIL 190, SYMBSYS 100.) The history, foundations, and accomplishments of the cognitive sciences, including presentations by leading Stanford researchers in artificial intelligence, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology. Overview of the issues addressed in the Symbolic Systems major. GER:DB-SocSci

4 units, Spr (Wasow, T; Roberts, E)

PSYCH 133. Human Cognitive Abilities

(Same as EDUC 369.) Psychological theory and research on human cognitive abilities; their nature, development, and measurement; and their importance in society. Persistent controversies and new areas of research, recent perspectives on the nature-nurture debate and the roles of genetics, health and education in shaping HCAs. Prerequisite: PSYCH 1 or equivalent. (PSE) GER:DB-SocSci, DB-SocSci

3 units, Win (Shavelson, R)

PSYCH 134. Seminar on Language and Deception

Deceptive, exploitative, and other noncooperative uses of language. How is language used to deceive or exploit? Where are these techniques practiced and why? What are the personal, ethical, and social consequences of these practices? Prerequisite: 131, LINGUIST 1, or PHIL 181. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Win (Clark, H)

PSYCH 137. Birds to Words: Cognition, Communication, and Language

(Same as HUMBIO 145, PSYCH 239A.) Although the communicative abilities of animals are determined by their genetic endowment, and human communicative skills dwarf those of other species, the relation between language and genetics remains the subject of debate. Is human language genetically specified? Or are human communicative powers just one facet of human cognitive advantage? Focus is on the nature and origins of language, using evidence from studies of animals, children, and adults. GER:DB-SocSci

4 units, Aut (Fernald, A; Ramscar, M)

PSYCH 138. Wise Interventions

(Same as PSYCH 238.) Classic and contemporary psychological interventions; the role of psychological factors in social reforms for social problems involving healthcare, the workplace, education, intergroup, relations, and the law. Topics include theories of intervention, the role of laboratory research, evaluation, and social policy.

4 units, Spr (Walton, G)

PSYCH 141. Cognitive Development

How children's thinking and mental abilities change from infancy on. The major theories and explanations of intellectual growth. Sources include classic findings and state-of-the-art research on cognitive development. Prerequisite: 1. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Aut (Markman, E)

PSYCH 143. Developmental Anomalies

For advanced students. Developmental disorders and impairments. What the sparing of mental abilities in otherwise devastating disorders (or vice versa) tells about the mind and its development in the normal case. Examples of disorders and impairments: autism, congenital blindness, deafness, mental retardation, attachment disorder, and Williams syndrome. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Johnson, S)

PSYCH 145. Seminar on Infant Development

For students preparing honors research. Conceptual and methodological issues related to research on developmental psycholinguistics; training in experimental design; and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.

1-2 units, Spr (Fernald, A)

PSYCH 146. Observation of Children

Learning about children through guided observations at Bing Nursery School, Psychology's lab for research and training in child development. Physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and language development. Recommended: 60. GER:DB-SocSci

3-5 units, Win (Lomangino, A), Spr (Lomangino, A)

PSYCH 147. Development in Early Childhood

Supervised experience with young children at Bing Nursery School. 3 units require 4 hours per week in Bing classrooms throughout the quarter; 4 units require 7 hours per week; 5 units require 10.5 hours per week. Seminar on developmental issues in the Bing teaching/learning environment. Recommended: 60 or 146, or consent of instructor.

3-5 units, Aut (Winters, J; Chandra, P), Win (Winters, J; Chandra, P), Spr (Winters, J; Chandra, P)

PSYCH 149. The Infant Mind: Cognitive Development over the First Year

How do babies learn so much in so little time? Emphasis is on cognitive and perceptual development, and the relationship between brain and behavior in infancy. Prerequisite: 1. Recommended: 60 or 141. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Hard, B)

PSYCH 152. Mexdiation for Dispute Resolution

(Same as EDUC 131.) Mediation as more effective and less expensive than other forms of settling disputes such as violence, lawsuits, or arbitration. How mediation can be structured to maximize the chances for success. Simulated mediation sessions.

3 units, Aut (Massey, T)

PSYCH 155. Introduction to Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity

(Same as CSRE 196C, ENGLISH 172D, HISTORY 65, SOC 146.) How different disciplines approach topics and issues central to the study of ethnic and race relations in the U.S. and elsewhere. Lectures by senior faculty affiliated with CSRE. Discussions led by CSRE teaching fellows. GER:DB-SocSci, EC-AmerCul

5 units, given next year

PSYCH 158. Emotions: History, Theories, and Research

(Same as PSYCH 259.) Graduate students register for 259. Theoretical and empirical issues in the domain of emotions. The history of emotion theories, current approaches, and the interaction between emotion and cognition.

1-3 units, Win (Zajonc, R)

PSYCH 161. Emotion

(Same as PSYCH 261.) (Graduate students register for 261.) The scientific study of emotion. Topics: models of emotion, emotion antecedents, emotional responses (facial, subjective, and physiological), functions of emotion, emotion regulation, individual differences, and health implications. Focus is on experimentally tractable ideas. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Win (Gross, J)

PSYCH 163. Interpersonal Basis of Abnormal Behavior

The role of interpersonal problems and processes in producing forms of psychopathology including mild and severe disorders. Conventional empirical methods clarify the origin, nature, and treatment of emotional and personality disorders. Prerequisite: PSYCH 1. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Win (Horowitz, L)

PSYCH 165. Peace Studies

(Same as POLISCI 111.) Interdisciplinary. The challenges of pursuing peace in a world with many conflicts and rising regional, ethnic, and religious antagonisms. Historical, social, psychological, and moral perspectives. Contributions of academic disciplines to the study of peace. Students explore a conflict and offer contributions to the building of peace. Limited enrollment. GER:DB-SocSci

5 units, not given this year

PSYCH 166. Seminar on Personal and Social Change

Social cognitive approaches to personal and social change. Applications of sociocognitive theory to the modification of psychological dysfunctions in familial, educational, medical, and organizational settings. Ethical and value issues in behavior change.

3 units, not given this year

PSYCH 167. Seminar on Aggression

The causes and modification of individual and collective aggression. Major issues in aggression: social labeling of injurious conduct, social determinants of aggression, effects of the mass media, institutionally sanctioned violence, terrorism, psychological mechanisms of moral disengagement, modification of aggressive styles of behavior, and legal sanctions and deterrence doctrines.

3 units, Win (Bandura, A)

PSYCH 168. Emotion Regulation

(Same as PSYCH 268.) (Graduate students register for 268.) The scientific study of emotion regulation. Topics: historical antecedents, conceptual foundations, autonomic and neural bases, individual differences, developmental and cultural aspects, implications for psychological and physical health. Focus is on experimentally tractable ideas. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Gross, J)

PSYCH 171. Research Seminar on Aging

Two quarter practicum exposes students to multiple phases of research by participating in a laboratory focusing on social behavior in adulthood and old age. Review of current research; participation in ongoing data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Prerequisites: 1, research experience, and consent of instructor.

4 units, Aut (Carstensen, L), Win (Carstensen, L), Spr (Carstensen, L)

PSYCH 179. The Psychology of Everyday Morality

(Same as PSYCH 270.) (Graduate students register for 270.) For graduate students, coterms, and senior Psychology majors. Traditional approaches focusing on how morality colors mundane human activities such as eating and on morality as defined by actors themselves rather than social scientists. Moral hypocrisy, food and disgust, taboo trade-offs, moral reproach, and prejudice with compunction. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: 70 and consent of instructor.

4 units, not given this year

PSYCH 180. Social Psychological Perspectives on Stereotyping and Prejudice

(Same as PSYCH 245.) Classic and contemporary social psychological approaches to prejudice and stereotyping. Emphasis is on how stereotypes are employed and maintained, and the influence of stereotyping and prejudice on behavior in domains including education, employment, politics, and law. Limited enrollment. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Spr (Eberhardt, J)

PSYCH 180C. Asian American Sexualities

(Same as ASNAMST 180C, CSRE 180C.) Seminar. Mutual constitution of culture and sexuality among Asian Americans; attitudes, behaviors, taboos, and identity. How masculinity and femininity are portrayed in the media; cultural attitudes toward homosexuality; and sexual politics. Social, political, and psychological implications.

5 units, not given this year

PSYCH 183. Mind, Culture, and Society Labwork

Required of and limited to research assistants in the mind, culture, and society lab. The development of analytical thinking with reference to how social identities such as race, class, gender, and culture affect psychological experiences across domains including education, law, business, and health.

2-3 units, Aut (Eberhardt, J), Win (Eberhardt, J), Spr (Eberhardt, J)

PSYCH 186. The Psychology of Everyday Morality

(Same as PSYCH 286.) Recent literature on morality from a social psychological perspective. Topics include moral judgment, moral intuitions, moral hypocrisy, moral identity, moralization, moral reproach, shame and guilt, temptations, and self-regulation. Contemporary psychological research emphasizing descriptive approaches (what people actually do) rather than normative ones (what one should do).

3 units, Win (Monin, B)

PSYCH 189. Stanford Center on Longevity Practicum

Student involvement in an interdisciplinary center aimed at changing the culture of human aging using science and technology.

3 units, Aut (Carstensen, L), Win (Carstensen, L), Spr (Carstensen, L), Sum (Carstensen, L)

PSYCH 193. Special Laboratory Research

May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: 1, 10, and consent of instructor.

1-6 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

PSYCH 194. Reading and Special Work

Independent study. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

1-3 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

PSYCH 195. Special Laboratory Projects

Independent study. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: 1, 10, and consent of instructor.

1-6 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

PSYCH 196. Contemporary Psychology: Overview of Theory, Research, Applications

Capstone experience for juniors and seniors that bridges course work with research opportunities. Lectures representing the department's areas: social, personality, developmental, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology. Faculty present current research. Discussions led by advanced graduate students in the field represented by that week's guest. Students write research proposals. Small grants available to students to conduct a pilot study of their proposed research. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. GER:DB-SocSci

3 units, Aut (Clark, H)

PSYCH 197. Advanced Research

Limited to students in senior honors program. Weekly research seminar, independent research project under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member. A detailed proposal is submitted at the end of Autumn Quarter. Research continues during Winter and Spring quarters as 198. A report demonstrating sufficient progress is required at the end of Winter Quarter.

1-4 units, Aut (Eberhardt, J)

PSYCH 198. Senior Honors Research

Limited to students in the senior honors program. Finishing the research and data analysis, written thesis, and presentation at the Senior Honors Convention. May be repeated for credit.

1-4 units, Win (Eberhardt, J), Spr (Eberhardt, J)

PSYCH 199. Temptations and Self Control

(Same as PSYCH 299.) (Graduate students register for 299.) Why do people do things that that they come to regret? How can people minimize behavior such as exercise avoidance, angry words, overeating, unsafe sex, and dangerous driving? Sources include classical and current research from experimental psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, and neuroeconomics. Real-world applications.

2 units, not given this year

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Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Alphabetical Index

Bulletin Archive

Undergraduate courses in Psychology