Departments & Programs
Department of Psychology
IU Indianapolis
Science Building, LD 124
402 N. Blackford Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3275
Phone: (317) 274-6947; fax: (317) 274-6756
Web: click here
Department Chair: Stephen L. Boehm II, Ph.D.
Program Directors:
- Graduate Programs:
- Jesse Stewart, Ph.D. (Director of Graduate Studies)
- Cristine Czachowski, Ph.D. (Addiction Neuroscience)
- Jane Williams, Ph.D. (Applied Social and Organizational Psychology; Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
- Melissa Cyders, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)
- Undergraduate Program:
- Debora Herold, Ph.D. (Director of Undergraduate Studies)
Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes. Psychologists apply the scientific method to a range of questions that are as varied as how eyes detect light energy and generate neural signals, how children develop a sense of morality, and under what conditions people help in emergencies. As an applied profession, psychologists use research results to solve personal and social problems. Because the subject matter of psychology is broad, psychologists have become specialized. Specialization allows each psychologist to apply the general principles of science and behavior to a given area of interest. These include motivation and learning, child and adult development, social behavior of humans and animals, personality, thought processes, consumer behavior, and many more. Many psychologists, who function as research professionals, have academic positions in colleges and universities where they teach and conduct research. Psychologists who function as applied professionals specialize in areas that include clinical, counseling, health care, rehabilitation, human factors, and industrial psychology.
The Department of Psychology offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. Four recurring themes are emphasized throughout the curriculum. First, psychology is a science, and its purpose is to describe, explain, predict, and change behavior. Second, behavior is influenced by person variables (internal factors), environment variables (external factors), and their interaction. Third, psychology has evolved in a socio-historical context and its major theoretical perspectives reflect this phenomenon. Fourth, cultural contexts influence how psychological concepts are understood and applied by individuals.
The Department of Psychology offers graduate study in industrial/organizational psychology [Master of Science (M.S.) degree], addiction neuroscience [Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree], applied social and organizational psychology (Ph.D. degree) and clinical psychology (Ph.D. degree).
