Overview

Clinical science studies human personality, emotion, abnormal behavior, and therapeutic treatments. Human cognition includes the study of processes such as perceiving, learning, remembering, attention and awareness, decision making, and the neural mechanisms underlying these processes. 

Developmental psychology examines human development from conception through adulthood. Social psychology examines interpersonal and intergroup relations and the influence of social conditions on behavior, cognition, and emotion. Neuroscience studies the structure and function of the brain and how nerve cells process sensory information about the environment, mediate decisions, and control motor actions.

Key facts about the Psychology program:

• The Vanderbilt University offers a variety of other opportunities for undergraduates to gain research experience through active participation in faculty research projects. Research involvement is encouraged as it provides direct experience with the important questions and methods associated with contemporary psychological science.
• Research: Directed Study and Independent Study courses offer additional opportunities for gaining research experience by collaborating with faculty on contemporary research projects. These courses are available for 1 - 3 credit hours. Information about current projects is available from the departmental office and by contacting individual faculty members. Our department also has an excellent track record in assisting students in obtaining summer research fellowships through VUSRP (Vanderbilt University Summer Research Program).