Swarthmore's Psychology Department has strengths in clinical, developmental, social, cognitive, physiological, and cultural aspects of the field, offering something for every student who is interested in understanding human nature. The courses and seminars of the Department are designed to provide a sound understanding of the principles and methods of psychology. Students learn the nature of psychological inquiry and psychological approaches to various problems encountered in the humanities, the social sciences, and the life sciences. Students at Swarthmore can engage in research in neuroscience, psycholinguistics, depression prevention, cognitive development, perception and action, self-control, cultural psychology, and many other areas of psychological inquiry. Psychologists use diverse approaches to understand human relationships, mental and emotional life, decision-making, and the relationships between language, perception, the mind and the brain. By enriching and deepening the understanding of human behavior, psychologists seek to articulate explanatory principles, and also to develop solutions for interpersonal conflict and means of preventing and treating mental illness and dysfunction.

Learn more on the Psychology Department website and in the College Catalog.