Psychology

Chair: Stuart D. Sidle, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus: Thomas L. Mentzer, Ph.D., Brown University

Professors: Michael Morris, Ph.D., Boston College; Ronald H. Nowaczyk, Ph.D., Miami University; Gordon R. Simerson, Ph.D., Wayne State University

Associate Professors: Alexandria E. Guzmán, Ph.D., State University of New York at Binghamton; Stuart D. Sidle, Ph.D., DePaul University

Assistant Professors: Tara L’Heureux-Barratt, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; W. Amory Carr, Ph.D., Fordham University; Amy Nicole Salvaggio, Ph.D., University of Maryland; Melissa L. Whitson, Ph.D., Columbia University Teachers College

Lecturer: Leonard Wysocki, Ph.D., 6th Year Certificate, University of Connecticut

Although psychology is one of the newest branches of science, it has some very old roots. Psychology endeavors to answer some of humanity’s oldest questions: How does our mind work? How do we interpret and use the information gathered by our senses? How do we learn things? How do we remember things? How and why are some things forgotten? How do we acquire language? How do we communicate verbally and non-verbally? What kinds of behavior are abnormal, why do they occur, and how can they be prevented? In what ways do our intellectual and perceptual faculties break down following brain damage? As the scientific study of mind and behavior, psychology tries to find answers to these and many other fundamental questions.

Our dedication to these goals requires that students study psychology from a variety of viewpoints. Thus, students take courses in cognitive, developmental, social, physiological, and clinical psychology. Our students also develop skills in experimental design and scientific analysis through the study of statistics, experimental methods, and psychological theory. Furthermore, through involvement in fieldwork, students have the opportunity for direct, practical experience in areas such as behavior therapy and community psychology.

We offer a general psychology concentration, which permits students to tailor their preparation in a number of areas. This program combines basic science and applications and prepares students for further professional training in psychology or for careers in human services, law, education, business, and industry. We also have a specialty concentration in community/ clinical psychology for those students who have well-defined professional goals.

Psychology majors are also encouraged to widen their preparation by taking courses (or minors) in sociology, political science, social welfare, management, computer science, criminal justice, mathematics, and biology. This ensures that our students have a broad knowledge of many disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The psychology program benefits from a psychology laboratory building on the main campus. The laboratory contains facilities for student and faculty research.

The University of New Haven also offers the master of arts degree in community psychology and in industrial/organizational psychology as well as a graduate certificate in applications of psychology. For descriptions of these programs, see the Graduate School Catalog.

Psychology Club

Students in psychology have the opportunity to participate in the Psychology Club. Its purpose is to provide opportunities both to socialize and to develop students’ interests in the science and profession of psychology. Throughout the year, the club sponsors guest lecturers and a variety of field trips. All students are welcome to join.

Psi Chi Honor Society

Membership in the University chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society, is open to students in the top 35 percent of their class who have completed at least nine credits of psychology with grades of B or better and who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests.

Graduating seniors also may nominate themselves for the annually awarded McGough Psychology Prize.

The Co-op Program

The Department participates in the cooperative education program (co-op), which enables students to combine their education with practical, paid work experience in their career field. For further details, see the Department chair.

Sociology

Assistant Professor: Jeffrey S. Debies-Carl, Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology’s subject matter ranges from analysis of families, corporations, cities, and sports to that of sexuality, death, race, gender, and ethnicity, as well as the impact of demographic and environmental policies and other social phenomena. The sociological perspective is empirically grounded and sufficiently broad to be relevant to those considering careers in related fields such as research, governmental service, social work, personnel management, advertising, law, medicine, journalism, social gerontology, and hospitality and tourism.

The University of New Haven does not currently offer a major in sociology. For those students wishing to satisfy core or elective requirements, or for students who may wish to select sociology or social welfare as a minor, a selection of courses is offered.