Mission Statement
The department of psychology at Middlebury College has a strong commitment to the scientific study of human mental processes, emotions, and behavior. In keeping with this philosophy, the department offers a broad range of courses that provide students with the opportunity to explore these areas from a variety of perspectives: social, cognitive, behavioral, cultural, clinical, biological, developmental, and perceptual psychology. The multiple goals of the department's curriculum are consistent with the liberal-arts tradition that has guided Middlebury College since 1800. The department's mission and goals are organized around five core principles which represent the backbone of the major and which are addressed by each course. These goals represent a subset of the goals for the psychology curriculum originally outlined at the St. Mary's Conference (Brewer et al., 1993).
The development of methodological competence enables students to conduct psychological research and to be educated consumers of the research findings they encounter in their studies and in the media. Required courses in Research Methods in Psychology and Psychological Statistics promote a solid understanding of and experience in research design, statistical analysis, and techniques of psychological measurement. These research skills are further reinforced within the context of particular content area courses at the third- and fourth-year level. Students have opportunities to gain varying degrees of experience with research by conducting directed or independent research projects or senior thesis projects.
The Psychology faculty is committed to examining issues of diversity throughout the curriculum. In its broadest sense, psychology is the study of the diversity of the human experience. In addition, students will consider the influence of ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, and gender on individuals and groups.
With the emphasis on an empirical approach to the understanding of psychology comes the responsibility to consider the ethics of psychological research and treatment. Students are introduced to the ethical standards that govern the conduct of professionals in the field. This includes familiarity with rules and regulations regarding the treatment of animals in research and of humans as research participants or recipients of psychological services. The department also emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior in the preparation of academic and professional written work. In addition to the goals outlined above, the Department is dedicated to providing an academic program that equips students with the necessary skills, information, and course background for pursuing graduate studies in any area of psychology. Psychology graduates are also well prepared to pursue career opportunities in areas related to psychology such as social work, guidance counseling, occupational therapy, vocational counseling, substance abuse counseling, and other allied health professions. The psychology major also provides a good background for those seeking careers in medicine, law, business, education, marketing, public relations, and advertising.
