The Department of Psychology is one of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ 10 diverse, interdisciplinary departments and programs, all committed
DEPARTMENT OF
Psychology
to investigating and improving the human condition. www.bsos.umd.edu AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES BE EMPOWERED ANTHROPOLOGY BE CULTURAL CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE BE JUST ECONOMICS BE EFFICIENT GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES BE GLOBAL GOVERNMENT & POLITICS BE CIVIL HEARING & SPEECH SCIENCES BE HEARD JOINT PROGRAM IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY BE COUNTED PSYCHOLOGY BE UNDERSTOOD
Psychology at Maryland
SOCIOLOGY BE SOCIAL
At the University of Maryland’s Department of Psychology, we’re exploring how people think, behave and interact to provide new insights about individuals and cultures, improve diagnoses and treatments, and change lives. Our faculty and student researchers are discovering new knowledge about childhood memories, autism spectrum disorders, and addictions. We are inspiring Maryland pride by serving
B E UN DER STO O D
our community through clinical outreach and meaningful service-learning projects. We’re transforming the student experience by giving students access to our state-of-the-art Maryland Neuroimaging Center, and by forging valuable relationships with government agencies and research labs. We study terrorism and advise the government on how best to prevent attacks. Through partnerships with the National Institute of Mental Health and with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, we help people facing mental health issues, as well as soldiers returning from combat. Our department turns imagination into innovation by recommending sound social and health care policies and developing cutting-edge research techniques, tools and approaches.
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
1147 BIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY BUILDING 4094 CAMPUS DR. COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742 WWW.PSYC.UMD.EDU P 301.405.5862 / F 301.405.5915
Innovative Research
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Our faculty, students, partners and alumni focus their work in three main areas: »» Brain, Mind & Behavior »» Mental Health »» Social, Group & Cultural Processes
go.umd.edu/PSYCResearch THROUGH OUR RESEARCH IN TRADITIONAL AND EMERGING FIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY,
we advance human understanding. Academic Offerings
“I really believe our lives are structured in chapters; and the one you’re in right now, live it to the fullest, drive it as hard as you want—but be open, because you’re not necessarily going to know when you’ve turned the page and it’s time to start a new one.”
Faculty Research Highlights
JACK BLANCHARD examines what happens in the brain to contribute to profound and debilitating social difficulties faced by people suffering from mental illnesses. Blanchard and his team received a significant grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to apply an innovative approach to determine factors that contribute to the profound social impairment and diminished social affiliation
BARBARA VAN DAHLEN, PSYC MA ’87, PHD ’91 Founder and President, Give an Hour
related to psychosis. How is the brain shaped by experiences? ERICA GLASPER investigates how experiences modu-
Centers, Clinics & More
late the structure and function of the adult and
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developing brain. Using behavioral, neuronal and hormonal assessments, she examines to
Department of Psychology faculty and students are actively >>
ing experiences alter neuroplasticity in rodents. By modeling human behaviors, the research performed in her lab may
UNDERGRADUATE OFFERINGS
»» Brain and Behavior Institute
Bachelor of Arts
»» Maryland Child and Family Development Laboratory
Bachelor of Science
»» Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab
GRADUATE OFFERINGS
what extent early life stressors or adult reward-
engaged in a wide range of publicly and privately funded laboratories, clinics, centers and research projects, including:
go.umd.edu/PSYCUndergraduate
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lead to a greater understanding of how the brain is both structurally and functionally organized in response to experience.
»» Psychology Clinic
TRACY RIGGINS and
»» Social, Decision and Organizational Sciences Program
ELIZABETH REDCAY are examining how children’s
go.umd.edu/PSYCClinics
Master of Professional Studies in:
brains create and retain
»» Clinical Psychological Science
memories. They focus on
»» Industrial Organizational Science
Doctor of Philosophy in: »» Clinical Psychology »» Cognitive and Neural Systems »» Counseling »» Developmental Psychology
PSYC Points of Pride OUR AWARD-WINNING FACULTY ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS, ARE FREQUENTLY INVITED TO PUBLISH AND LECTURE, AND ARE OFTEN FEATURED BY THE MEDIA.
»» Social, Decision and Organizational Science
go.umd.edu/PSYCGraduate
“Child development is one of the most important, complex fields of study because understanding and optimizing the development process is key to producing contributing members of society. My experience at UMD has definitely prepared me for graduate school and beyond.” NIA NICKERSON, PSYC ’18 Member, BSOS Dean’s Student Advisory Council; Psi Chi; Black Student Union; Caribbean Student Union
the hippocampus, a gate-
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80 OUR DEPARTMENT RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY, AND OPERATES IN A NEWLY RENOVATED SPACE FEATURING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.
way in the brain which processes information and develops memories. Riggins and Redcay ask children about recent events, and lead them through memory games. Then, the researchers take brain scans of the children at UMD’s Maryland Neuroimaging Center. The researchers have found that as children age from 4 to 6, the hippocampus becomes more strongly connected to other areas of the brain, leading to the formation of memories that are more rich in detail.
ALEX SHACKMAN and his research team are working to understand the catalysts for pathological anxiety and depression, particularly among college students. With support from
OUR LOCATION NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C. ALLOWS FOR EXCEPTIONAL INTERNSHIPS AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR PROGRAM IS CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE TOP 40 IN THE NATION BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT.
a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, they are using a combination of brain imaging and smartphone technology to monitor the feelings, behavior, stress and social support experienced by college students. The researchers’ ultimate aim is to develop better ways
STUDENTS WORK ALONGSIDE FACULTY ON INNOVATIVE RESEARCH CENTERS AND PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS MAJOR SOCIAL ISSUES.
SHORT- AND LONGTERM STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS OFFER LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES.
of treating or even preventing anxiety and mood disorders. go.umd.edu/PSYCPeople