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Learning Objectives

 

The School of Psychological Science has identified the following Learning Objectives for the BA/BS program in Psychology:

  • Learning Objective 1:  Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in psychology
  • Learning Objective 2: Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design and interpretation.
2.1
Explain at least two different research methods used by psychologists
2.2 
Evaluate the appropriateness of conclusions derived from psychological research
2.3 Identify or generate an empirically testable psychological question
2.4 Design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions
2.5 Follow the APA Code of Ethics in the treatment of human and/nonhuman participants in the collection and reporting of psychological research
2.6 Generalize research conclusions appropriately based on the parameters of a particular research paradigm employe
  • Learning Objective 3:  Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and when possible, the scientific method to solve problems and answer questions related to behavior and mental processes.
  • Learning Objective 4:  Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
4.1 Describe major applied areas of Psychology (e.g., Clinical, counseling, industrial/organizational, health, sports, etc. )
4.2 Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain social issues and inform public discourse.
4.3 Apply research concepts, theories, and research findings as these relate to everyday life.
4.4 Recognize that ethically complex situations can develop in the application of psychological principles to a real life setting.
  • Learning Objective 5: Value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that define psychology as a science.  Specifically,
5.1 Recognize the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology
5.2 Demonstrate reasonable skepticism and intellectual curiosity of asking questions about causal statements.
5.3 Actively seek and critically evaluate scientific evidence for psychological claims
5.4 Recognize and respect human diversity and understand that psychological explanations may apply only to specific populations and contexts.
5.5 Understand the limitations of their own psychological knowledge and skills