Undergraduate Bulletin - Loyola Marymount University

216 / PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology
Faculty
Chairperson: Michael J. O’Sullivan
Professors: Ronald K. Barrett, Larry C. Bernard,
Judith G. Foy, Michael R. Foy, Richard L. Gilbert,
Cheryl N. Grills, Ricardo A. Machón,
Michael J. O’Sullivan
Associate Professors: Jennifer S. Abe-Kim,
Michael E. Mills
Assistant Professors: Máire Ford, David J. Hardy,
Joseph W. LaBrie, S.J., Vandana Thadani
Mission
The Psychology program shares the University’s commitment
to develop ethical leaders for a culturally diverse world, and
contributes to the liberal education of students. Through a
comprehensive education in the science of psychology, the
Psychology Department seeks to educate the whole person,
pursue academic excellence, advance scholarship, promote
service and justice, and encourage life-long learning.
Description
The Psychology Department provides a high quality
curriculum emphasizing excellence in teaching and
learning. Students majoring in psychology examine in depth
many aspects of human and animal behavior, along with
the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of
behavior. Students are provided the opportunity to apply
these perspectives to a variety of individual, family, and
community contexts. As students progress through the
curriculum, they have opportunities to assist faculty with
research and engage in their own research with faculty
supervision. The program prepares students for graduate
study in psychology and related fields or careers in other
professions.
Goals and Objectives
The goals of the Psychology curriculum focus on educating
students in the methodology, content, and application of
psychological science.
Goal 1: Theory and Methodology in Psychology
Students should:
• Understand the role of psychology as a discipline
that uses an empirical approach to knowledge;
and
• Use, respect, and value skeptical inquiry,
critical thinking, and the scientific approach to
understanding behavior.
Knowledge areas students will study/learn:
• Basic research methods and ethics
• History and systems and philosophy of science
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Scientific and critical thinking
• Scientific writing and communication.
Goal 2: Mastery of Content (Discipline Specific
Knowledge)
Students should be familiar with:
• Core theoretical approaches and research findings
that reflect a biopsychosocial understanding of
behavior; and
• More in-depth theoretical approaches and
research findings within at least one subject area
in psychology.
Core knowledge areas students will study/learn:
• Biological foundations of behavior
• Psychological foundations of behavior
• Social and cultural foundations of behavior
• Biopsychosocial development across the
lifespan.
Goal 3: Application of Knowledge and Scientific Method
Students should demonstrate the application of
psychological theory, methodology, and findings to:
• An understanding of the whole person, as an
individual and as a member of a larger community,
society, and culture; and
• The promotion of social justice in these contexts.