Psychological Science

Faculty

Holger B. Elischberger, chair and associate professor.
B.A., 1993, M.A., 1998, University of Würzburg; Ph.D., 2004, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Appointed 2005.

Andrew N. Christopher, professor.
B.B.A., 1992, Stetson University; M.B.A., 1994, Southern Methodist University; M.S., 1996, Ph.D., 1999, University of Florida. Appointed 2001.

Andrea P. Francis, visiting assistant professor.
B.S., 2001, Colorado State University; M.A., 2006, Ph.D., 2010, Michigan State University. Appointed 2010.

Eric D. Hill, assistant professor.
B.A., 2004, Oglethorpe University; M.A., 2007, Ph.D., 2010, Arizona State University. Appointed 2010.

Tammy J. Jechura, associate professor.
B.S., 1994, Bowling Green State University; M.A., 1999, Ph.D., 2002, University of Michigan. Appointed 2004.

Barbara J. Keyes, professor.
B.A., 1970, College of Wooster; M.A., 1973, Ph.D., 1976, Bowling Green State University. Appointed 1975.

Mareike B. Wieth, associate professor.
B.A., 1999, Kenyon College; M.A., 2001, Ph.D., 2005, Michigan State University. Appointed 2005.

W. Jeffrey Wilson, professor.
B.A., 1977, Haverford College; M.A., 1978, Ph.D., 1983, University of California, Los Angeles. Appointed 1999.

Introduction

Psychological science studies the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. As a discipline, psychology spans the natural and social sciences and is based on rigorous scientific analysis and methodologies. Specialty areas represented in the department include clinical, cognitive, developmental, industrial/organizational, physiological, health, and social psychology.

Students who major in psychology become involved in research through laboratory courses, directed study projects and honors theses. These undergraduate research opportunities teach students to develop testable questions and hypotheses, operationally define variables, gather and analyze data, interpret results, and write research reports using APA format, all of which are skills that are valued in many work settings and necessary for graduate study. Finally, in both lecture and laboratory courses as well as in our research with students, the Department of Psychological Science emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, communication and research skills.

Psychology Department Website

Career Opportunities

The Department of Psychological Science offers a variety of courses designed to prepare students for graduate work in psychology as well as for positions in research, human services settings and secondary education. The psychological science major at Albion College also provides excellent preparation for a variety of other professional areas, including law, medicine and business.

During their junior and senior years, students are able to participate in the department’s internship program (Psychology Practicum) that allows them to work in a variety of field settings (e.g., mental hospitals, juvenile homes, counseling centers, schools and human resource departments), thus exploring various career options. The students are encouraged to conduct independent research projects that, in many cases, culminate in an honors thesis.

Special Features

Because the department has a strong commitment to research, upper-level students are strongly encouraged to make use of Olin Hall’s laboratory facilities for investigating memory, psychophysiology, perception, language, learning, motivation, behavior and developmental/social processes in collaboration with faculty. Instruction in the Department of Psychological Science includes lecture and class discussion as well as laboratory experiences. Computers are used in many courses for data analysis, experiments and simulations.

Our major has been approved as a certifiable secondary school teaching major by the State Department of Education.

Albion maintains a chapter of Psi Chi, the national psychology honorary society.

Programs

Major

Minor