Psychology

There are a certain number of people every year who switch their field of concentration from Social Relations to Psychology. Some of them are seriously interested in the more specific courses that the Psychology department has to offer; others do it on a whim.

The latter generally regret it. You are apt to boot yourself--hard--in the seat of the pants, if you go into the field without every intention of going on to graduate school either to teach or practice psychiatry.

Concentrators must complete at least six courses from the Psychology department and from a certain number of those offered by the Social Relations department. The remaining two may be in Psychology or related fields. Although the department is quite liberal in crossing the line between Soc Rel and Psych, you inevitably will end up treating this like a science course--which it is. A few labs will trap you sooner or later if you're just floating through. They will crowd out almost everything else in your life if you are seeking honors.

Clinical psychology, personality, and social psychology fall under Social Relations while physiological and experimental aspects and general psychology are still in the Psychology Department. The honors candidate does not get tutorial. The department insists that an undergraduate reading and research course and a strengthened advisory program are adequate. And although the honors candidates are required to take only the same number of courses as the non-concentrator, in addition to the two written generals, he must submit a thesis, pass an oral examination, and be in one of the top three rank lists.

Newman, head of the department, is an agreeable instructor and a violation of the psychology-teacher-prototype. Boring presides over the traditional baptismal course, Psychology 1, a hodgepodge of information that is getting tougher every year.