Psychology

111 Pryale Hall • (248) 370-2300 • Fax (248) 370-4612 (map)
www.oakland.edu/psychology

Chair:
Todd K. Shackelford, Ph.D.
112 Pryale Hall
248-370-2285
shackelf@oakland.edu

Professors emeriti:
Jean S. Braun, Ph.D., Wayne State University
Daniel N. Braunstein, Ph.D., Purdue University
Harvey Burdick, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Christine H. Hansen, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Ranald D. Hansen, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Algea O. Harrison, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Lawrence G. Lilliston, Ph.D., Temple University
Ralph J. Schillace, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
David W. Shantz, Ph.D., Purdue University

Professors:
Dean G. Purcell, Ph.D., University of Toronto
Todd K. Shackelford, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
Robert B. Stewart, Jr., Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Associate professors:
Andrea T. Kozak, Ph.D., Western Michigan University
Mary B. Lewis, Ph.D., Ohio State University
Debra Q. McGinnis, Ph.D., University of Southern California
Lakshmi Raman, Ph.D., Ohio State University
Cynthia M. Sifonis, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Jennifer Vonk, Ph.D., York University
Keith L. Williams, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Virgil Zeigler-Hill, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

Assistant professors:
Melissa M. McDonald, Michigan State University
Scott M. Pickett, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Michele Parkhill Purdie, Ph.D., Wayne State University
Kanako Taku, Ph.D., Nagoya University
Lisa Welling, Ph.D., University of Aberdeen

Research areas and facilities

These graduate programs are intended to provide graduate students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become successful producers of psychological science. Psychology is a broad discipline that interfaces with the biological and social sciences and our program is organized around two concentrations that together encapsulate the breadth of psychological science: (1) Biological and Basic Processes and (2) Social and Behavioral Processes. These concentrations represent two broad areas that focus on phenomena from different orientations in moderately overlapping but distinguishable content areas. Students seeking the MS degree will be broadly exposed to the content and methods in both concentrations. Students seeking the Ph.D. degree will have similar broad exposure to both concentrations which will be extended by an intensive inquiry specialized in one concentration. As a result, students in the Ph.D. degree program will apply for admission in one concentration (either the Biological and Basic Processes concentration or the Social and Behavioral Processes concentration) whereas students in the MS degree program will be required to distribute their course work across these concentrations.

The Biological and Basic Processes concentration will include consideration and investigation of phenomena focused on analyses of biological and basic processes (e.g., brain function, comparative psychology, pattern recognition, conditioning, memory, sexual selection, language, consciousness, motivation). This area of concentration will develop student knowledge and expertise in biological processes and mechanisms that explain various aspects of behavior and mental processes.

The Social and Behavioral Processes concentration includes consideration and investigation of phenomena focused on analyses of social and behavioral processes (e.g., social influence, persuasion, processes concerning the self-system, personality, interpersonal relationships, public health outcomes, cross-cultural issues). This area of concentration will develop student knowledge and expertise in social processes and mechanisms that explain various aspects of behavior and mental processes.

For current, detailed information on individual research efforts, please consult the faculty section of the Department of Psychology Web site at www.oakland.edu/psychology.

Programs

Doctoral

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Master’s

Master of Science in Psychology