Psychology > Graduate Programs > Experimental Psychopathology
Experimental Psychopathology
Program Goals
Experimental Psychopathology is a program of graduate study leading to the PhD in psychology. The program emphasizes: (a) the learning, biological, cognitive, and social bases and correlates of behavior disorders, (b) methods of multi-modal measurement and assessment appropriate for research in psychopathology, and (c) research designs and statistical analyses in experimental psychopathology. It is expected that graduates will be actively involved in research throughout their graduate careers and assume positions, following graduation, as psychopathology researchers, typically in academic or researchsettings.
Undergraduate Prerequisites
Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, and Methodology
Program of Courses
Core Requirements
- Methodological Foundations of Psychology (PSY 600)**
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods (PSY 610)**
- Measurement and Evaluation (PSY 616)
- Multiple Regression in Behavior Research (PSY 612)
- Physiological Psychology (PSY 634)
- Adult or Child Psychopathology (PSY 773 or PSY 674)
- Behavioral Assessment (PSY 673/774) or Intro. to Assessment I (PSY 671)
- Research in Psychopathology (PSY 779) (every semester)*
Individualized Requirements
- Computer Applications in Behavioral Research (EDEP 602/SW 652)
- Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments (PSY 611)**
- Factor Analysis (PSY 613)
- Multivariate Methods (PSY 6l4)
- Behavioral Psychology (PSY 62l)
- Cognitive Psychology (PSY 626)**
- Developmental Foundations (PSY 640)**
- Social Psychology (PSY 650)**
- Seminar in Psychopathology (PSY 773)
- Adult or Child Psychopathology (if not a Core Requirement)
- Behavioral or Psychological Assessment (if not a Core Requirement)
- Adult Psychopathology and Treatment (PSY 675)
- Interdisciplinary options (e.g., Pharmacology, Public Health)
* Placement may be either in an applied or basic laboratory setting.
** Also counts as a Department core course
Additional Requirements
- Masters Thesis (PSY 700)
- Co-authorship of at least one article published in a refereed journal
- Comprehensive Examination in Experimental Psychopathology (exam to be administered with participation of three Experimental Psychopathology faculty and includes oral exam of published or submitted article)
- Doctoral Dissertation (PSY 800)
Concentration Specifics
Individual requirements are developed by advisor approval. It is recommended that each student specialize in one area of experimental psychopathology. Areas of specialization could include, but are not limited to, causal mechanisms (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive factors), specific disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia) or research methods (e.g., time-series designs, multivariate statistical methods, structural equation modeling). A specialization can include additional courses, independent research, and is developed in conjunction with the student's advisor, with approval by the Experimental Psychopathology faculty.
Faculty
- Dr. Daniel D. Blaine, Emeritus Professor (Educational Psychology)
- Dr. D. Caroline Blanchard, Professor (Cell and Molecular Biology & PBRC)
- Dr. Robert J. Blanchard, Professor
- Dr. Edward Chronicle, Professor
- Dr. Kentaro Hayashi, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Stephen N. Haynes, Professor
- Dr. Elaine M. Heiby, Professor
- Dr. Velma A. Kameoka, Professor
- Dr. Debra Lieberman, Assistant Professor
- Dr. Lorey K. Takahashi, Associate Professor
Admissions
Applicants will be evaluated by all members of the Concentration faculty. With consensus of the Concentration faculty, admission will be recommended to the Department. Students applying directly to the Ph.D. program will be expected to present credentials equivalent to the master's degree in psychology from an accredited institution (or foreign equivalent).
Advising
Congruent with the student's interests, one Experimental Psychopathology faculty member will be assigned as advisor. The Masters Thesis Committee must consist of at least two Experimental Psychopathology faculty members. The Doctoral Dissertation Committee must consist of at least three Experimental Psychopathology faculty members.
Commitment to a Research Career
It is presumed that students in the Experimental Psychopathology Concentration are committed to a career in research and consultation rather than clinical practice. Therefore, students will not be considered for transfer into the Clinical Studies Program. However, students initially admitted to the Clinical Studies Program who wish to transfer to the Experimental Psychopathology Concentration may apply to the Concentration and Department faculty.
Specialized Learning and Research Experiences
Specialized learning and research experiences are available in behavioral assessment, multicultural assessment, program development and evaluation, social bases of behavioral disorders, evolutionary perspectives of maladaptive behavior, aggression, mood disorders, biological bases of behavioral disorders, psychopharmacology, trauma, behavioral bases of psychopathology, child psychopathology, anxiety disorders, ADHD, severe behavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, psycho-physiological disorders, health-related behaviors, and quantitative modeling.
Downloads
- Experimental Psychopathology Brochure (PDF, 24 KB)
