Psychology

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Department Chair: 
Cheryl M. Ramos, Ph.D. (ramos@hawaii.edu)

Social Sciences Division Office: 
University Classroom Building 308, (808) 974-7460

Web: hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/psychology/ and hilo.hawaii.edu/~psych/

Professors:

Susan G. Brown, Ph.D.
B. Chris Frueh, Ph.D.
Bryan S.K. Kim, Ph.D.
Vladimir Skorikov, Ph.D.

Associate Professors:

Dawna Coutant, Ph.D.
Steve Herman, Ph.D.
Adam Pack, Ph.D.
Cheryl M. Ramos, Ph.D.
Errol B. Yudko, Ph. D.

Assistant Professors:

Eric Heuer, Ph.D.
Charmaine Higa-McMillan, Ph.D.
Sunyoung Kim, Ph.D.

Instructor:

Cassidy Sterling, Ph.D.

As the study of behavior and experience, psychology offers many benefits to you, the student. It can satisfy your curiosity about yourself, others, and animals; it offers psychological insights into personal and societal issues; it enables more control over your own life; it promotes critical thinking and an objective attitude; and it fosters respect for human diversity.

The academic major is rigorous in the requirement of core methodological courses, yet flexible in the freedom to choose from among a variety of substantive courses. The program also provides opportunities for practicum experiences in the community agencies or campus programs, and for research experiences in many areas of psychology. The University of Hawaiʻi chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology, arranges for educational activities, sponsors social events, and provides mutual support for its members. In short, the student experience in psychology can be intellectually exciting and personally satisfying because, in the final analysis, psychology is about you!

Goals for Student Learning in the Major

Upon completion of the major, students will have a basic understanding of the major theoretical orientations in psychology along with the major empirical findings.
Psychology majors will be expected to study, review, and reflect on the role of evidence in supporting claims. They will be familiar with quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology and be able to understand published research.
Psychology majors will be expected to develop analytical and critical thinking skills and apply them to the field of psychology.

Contributions to the UH Hilo General Education Program

The Psychology Department offers several courses that fulfill general education area and integrative requirements. Students should consult the most current listing of certified general education courses available at the following website: http://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/gened/

Prospects for Psychology Graduates

Students choose Psychology as an academic major to prepare for graduate school where they are educated to become professional psychologists, researchers, and professors; to train for working in related fields, such as counseling, education, management, or social work; or to gain skills useful for work in many other occupations. In general, Psychology is useful for any career that involves working with or relating to people and that means nearly every job in our society.

Special Aspects of the Program

Additionally, Psychology has many active research projects that include undergraduate researchers, such as studies in adolescent development, children's mental health services, stress and anxiety among civilian and military families, mental health, women’s health, neuroscience, and animal behavior including work with endemic Hawaiian species and humpback whales.

Curricula

Rev. 3/19/13