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What is Psychology?

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. The discipline embraces all aspects of the human experience – from the functions of the brain to the actions of neurons, from child development to care for the aged. In every conceivable setting from scientific research centers to mental health care services, “the understanding of behavior” is the enterprise of psychologists.

Is Psychology a Science?

Yes. Psychology is sometimes considered a natural science and sometimes a social science. Psychological scientists form hypotheses, collect data, and test hypotheses through experiments, quasi-experiments, and correlational studies. There are many areas of psychology, such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, and affective, that can be studied through a neuroscientific, biological, or behavioral lens. Psychology also includes the scientific study of what therapies work to help those who are experiencing struggles related to thoughts, emotions, memories, learning, and relating to others and how to effectively apply these therapies. If you are interested in neuroscience, emotions, thoughts, memories, learning, social interactions, beliefs, cognitive development, psychological disorders, or therapy, psychology is for you!

Why Study Psychology?

An undergraduate major in psychology offers a student preparation for a wide variety of careers. Many majors find psychology to be an excellent preparation for such service-oriented professions as social work, counseling and guidance, special education, and management. Those who pursue graduate work in one of the many fields of psychology often seek positions in teaching and research or applied human services. In addition, the study of psychology provides a knowledge and an understanding of behavior that has applications in other professions as well, including nursing, medicine, law, teaching, business, and public relations.

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Undergraduate Psychology News and Highlights

A new paradigm for adult ADHD: A focused strategy to monitor treatment

Psychological sciences’ Elizabeth Short wrote an article titled, A new paradigm for adult ADHD: A focused strategy to monitor treatment, which appeared in Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. Short explores the act of task incompletion as the main dysfunction in adults with ADHD.

How to Recover From Trauma: Treatments and When to Seek Help. Norah Feeny weighs in

Newsbreak: Psychology's Norah Feeny commented on what it takes for people who have experienced trauma to seek treatment and why many patients put off getting help for symptoms for far too long.

Psychological sciences’ Elizabeth Short writes about ADHD in adults

Elizabeth Short, professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, recently co-wrote an article about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Titled “A new paradigm for adult ADHD: A focused strategy to monitor treatment,” the article appeared in Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. In this article, Short explored the act of task incompletion...

CWRU Psychology Clinic offers low-cost therapy for children and adults

The CWRU Psychology Clinic offers evidence-based outpatient individual psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults. We provide low-cost therapy to individuals living in and around the Cleveland area, and welcome individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and sexual orientation backgrounds. Please call 216-368-0719 or email psychologyclinic@protonmail.com to speak with the clinic coordinator...

Arab American Heritage Month: Meet Rita Obeid

April is Arab American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich culture and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans in the United States. It’s the third year that the month has been formally recognized by the federal government. To recognize the occasion, The Daily is putting...

Retired professor commits $1.5 million to advance research in child psychology

Growing up as an only child, Sandra Walker Russ made the most of her solitary hours. Through role playing, singing, reading and expressing herself artistically, the unstructured playtime she enjoyed in her early developmental years would later serve as the foundation for a career studying the connection between creative...

Family-based intervention lowers long-term suicide risk in youth

BETHESDA, Md. — Over the last 20 years, suicide rates have increased in the U.S. by 24%, with the largest increases occurring in females ages 10-14 and African American children aged 5-11. These statistics highlight the critical need for better ways to understand and prevent suicide in youth and...

‘Seems like magic’: The healing powers of local superheroes

Fox 8 Cleveland: Elizabeth Short, professor of developmental psychology and the director of the Developmental Master's and Early Intervention Program at the College of Arts and Sciences, explained how healthcare providers can draw inspiration from comic book characters when healing children. “Thinking about something beyond yourself and not focusing...

2022-23 Freedman Faculty Fellows announced

The Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship at Kelvin Smith Library has announced the selection of the 2022-23 Freedman Faculty Fellows. The annual fellowship program supports tenured or tenure-track faculty as well as clinical research faculty and aids these researchers in integrating digital tools and technology into their work across...