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Psychological Science and Society

Become a Summer Trojan and earn college credit.

What does it mean to be human? Why do we think, feel and act the way we do? This course introduces students to the foundations of psychology through an interactive, hands-on exploration of the mind and behavior. Students will investigate major branches of psychology while connecting scientific insights to real-world issues and their own lived experiences. Through labs, discussions, guest speakers and field trips, students will learn how psychology not only explains behavior, but also offers tools to improve individual and societal well-being.

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Program Overview

In the “Psychological Science and Society,” we will explore both classic and contemporary psychological theories, examine real-world applications and develop your skills as both a critical thinker and a budding scientist.

You’ll engage in hands-on activities that challenge you to apply these principles to everyday life, build a deeper understanding of human behavior and reflect on how psychology intersects with societal issues.

This course will also equip you with tools to succeed in your academic and career aspirations while fostering your role in creating positive change within your community and beyond.

A group of students wearing aprons, gloves and hairnets smiles behind a serving counter while preparing food in a community kitchen.

Key Information

Topics of Study

History of psychology and research methods
Cognitive, developmental, clinical and social psychology
Cognition, intelligence and learning
Personality
Mindsets and motivation
The mind-body connection
Social media and mental health
Games and therapy
Happiness
Relationships

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Learning Highlights

Develop foundational knowledge of psychology across its core subfields
Think critically about human thought, emotion and behavior
Connect psychological theories to social issues and personal growth
Strengthen skills in scientific thinking, critical analysis and research methods
Practice effective communication and teamwork through labs, discussions and projects
Apply psychological research methods to explore questions about mind and society

Requirements

Students must bring their own laptops

Week	Focus	Key Topics	Assignments and Activities
1	Cognitive Psychology	History of psychology; research methods; perception; memory; attention; problem solving	Lab demonstrations. Cognitive illusions. Group problem-solving. Introduction to research project.
2	Developmental Psychology	Neuroscience foundations; nature versus nurture; lifespan development; socialization	Guest lecture. Case studies on development. Field trip to California Science Center.
3	Clinical Psychology	Emotions; stress and health; mental illness; treatments; consciousness	Role-play activities. Applied discussions on mental health. “Moment of Geek” presentations. Research data collection.
4	Social Psychology	Learning; memory; language and cognition; conformity; prejudice; group dynamics; prosocial behavior	Interactive experiments. Debates. The Broad museum field trip. Final group research presentations.

It's an extremely fun experience and can show you what it's like to live in a dorm in college. It was a perfect balance of educational activities and fun activities, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

— USC Summer Programs student participant