Student studying in Burling library with ear buds in

Psychology

Studying psychology, you learn how to read texts closely, design and conduct laboratory research and use related technology, and analyze and interpret statistics. In courses you investigate the natural science and principles of behavior and learn how to ethically apply them to alleviate suffering. You can also participate in the Journal Club, independent study, and internships. Majors can go on to graduate studies or careers in teaching, scientific research, clinical work, medicine, law, and more.

Psychology Major Hones Skills Valued in Grad School and Beyond

In high school, Sadie Kirschenman ’20 took an advanced-placement psychology class and quickly developed a sense that this would be her major in college. “I came to Grinnell knowing that I liked psychology, but many people told me that students often switch their majors, so I decided to try new courses my first semester,” she says. She sampled a mix of science and social science classes.
Explore Why Humans Act as They Do

When Miho Tatsuki ’20 came to Grinnell, she was mostly interested in neuroscience. After taking a class in psychology, she was quickly turned onto the entire discipline. “I realized there is more than just the biological and chemical reactions to how we think and how we behave. The psychology major is a perfect major for exploring why humans act as they do.”
The Practical Benefits of Being a Research Assistant

Samantha Fitzsimmons Schoenberger ’17 came to Grinnell completely undecided about a major. At one point she seriously considered studio art. After taking a few psychology courses in her first and second years, she decided to focus on psychology.