Catalog 2024–2025

Psychology

Department Chair: Errol Yudko, Ph.D.
Email: errol@hawaii.edu

Social Sciences Division Office:
Office: University Classroom Building (UCB), Room 308
Tel: (808) 932-7100

Website: hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/psychology/

Professor Emeritus:

Professors:

Associate Professors:

Assistant Professor:

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 (ΨΧ), 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!

Mission

The mission of the Psychology Department is to contribute to research in the field of psychology, support the community through our scholarly work and service and provide our students with rigorous coursework, practicum and research experiences.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in statistical analysis and be able to interpret and understand both qualitative and quantitative statistical analyses.
    • Goal 4: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and methods of psychological research; this includes defining or explaining concepts, collecting and analyzing data, presenting data in tables, conducting a scientific literature search, preparing a scientific research proposal, conducting research under the supervision of a faculty researcher.
    • Goal 1: Critical thinking
    • Goal 2: Information literacy
    • Goal 3: Communication
    • Goal 4: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning
  3. Define, explain, and apply key terms and concepts in two of the following areas of Psychology: Developmental Psychology, Personality, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology.
    • Goal 1: Critical Thinking
    • Goal 5: Human Interaction and Cultural Diversity
  4. Define, explain, and apply key terms, theories,and concepts of two of the following areas of Psychology: Learning and Motivation, Sensation and Perception, Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology.
    • Goal 1: Critical Thinking
    • Goal 2: Information Literacy
    • Goal 3: Communication
    • Goal 4: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning
  5. Define, explain, and apply key terms, theories,and concepts in areas of specialization.
    • Goal 1: Critical thinking
    • Goal 2: Information literacy
    • Goal 3: Communication
    • Goal 4: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning
    • Goal 5: Human Interaction and Cultural Diversity
    • Goal 6: Collaborative Skills and Civic Participation

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 UH Hilo General Education website.

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