Dividing the Light, 2007
© James Turrell, photo Florian Holzherr
Pictured above: The Turrell Skyspace,
located in the courtyard of the
Psychology Department building
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The Psychology Department aims to enable students to develop understanding of theories and empirical findings in psychological science and to become critical consumers and producers of knowledge of human behavior. To accomplish these goals, the course of study focuses on understanding the methods, ethics, and cultural context of research in psychology, through coursework and associated laboratory experience. Students develop informational and technological literacy as well as written and oral presentation skills. As a capstone experience in their senior year, Psychology majors design and implement an empirical thesis. Through their thesis work, students demonstrate their ability to independently develop and test hypotheses, reflect on the importance for theory and application to the solution of human problems, and share knowledge with their faculty and student colleagues. The ability to engage in critical analysis of ideas and evidence is fundamental to a liberal education, a valuable personal asset, and a key to success in many professions, including law, business, medicine, social work, education, and clinical and academic psychology; the Psychology major provides excellent preparation for post-graduate work and study. Indeed, data from the National Science Foundation show that, per 100 graduates, Pomona College graduated more students in 1989-1998 who went on to complete the Ph.D. in psychology in the years 1994 through 2003 than any other college or university in the United States.
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