Bethel's Psychology Department

Psychology is concerned with the scientific study of the mind, the brain, and behavior. Processes such as learning, emotion, perception, and thought are studied. Social, developmental, and physiologial influences on these processes are also a part of psychology.

The psychology curriculum at Bethel is designed to prepare students to enter a variety of fields. Some pursue graduate study in preparation for psychological practice, teaching, or research. Others continue their studies in related fields such as medicine, business, law, social work, or the pastoral ministry. Still others find employment in settings such as mental health centers, adolescent homes, or hospitals.

FACULTY

Dwight Krehbiel, Professor of Psychology (Ph. D., University of Wisconsin, 1978)
        e-mail: krehbiel@bethelks.edu
Paul Lewis, Professor of Psychology (Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1985)
        e-mail: plewis@bethelks.edu

Supporting Faculty

Julie Hart, Assistant Professor of Sociology (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 1994)
        e-mail: jhart@bethelks.edu
Wayne Wiens, Professor of Biology (Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1966)
        e-mail: wwiens@bethelks.edu

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM

Curriculum

The psychology program provides a broad foundation in the major areas of the discipline. Courses emphasize fundamental findings, theory, and research methods but examine applications as well. Lower level requirements consist of an introductory course in psychology followed by a course in either social psychology or biopsychology. A course in statistics, one in philosophy, and one in scientific computing are also requirements. Students may select from advanced courses which cover personality, neuropsychology, abnormal psychology, learning and memory, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social cognition, and counseling. The Department also participates in interdisciplinary programs in Neuroscience and in Clinical and Counseling Studies.

During the senior year each student conducts an independent research project. Writing, oral presentations, data analysis, and computer use are all an integral part of psychology courses at Bethel. These activities provide useful skills for a wide variety of careers as well as for advanced study.

Laboratories

The major emphasizes research experience. Students have the opportunity to use a variety of laboratory equipment (e.g. for videotaping and physiological recording), software (e.g. for scientific graphics, data acquisition, data analysis, systems modeling, observational recording), and computers (Power Macintosh, Windows NT). Grants from the National Science Foundation in 1991, 1993, and 1997 have assisted in updating our equipment and software. Our most recent grant has allowed us to obtain a computerized system for recording brain electrical potentials -- both the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERP -- see examples from our laboratory). Laboratory work is a part of most of the courses offered in the department; for most upper-level courses a two and one-half hour laboratory section is required along with three lecture hours. Faculty members also have ongoing research projects which involve students (see below). Seniors utilize their experience in conducting their own research projects. These research experiences are invaluable preparation for further study.

Undergraduate research

Bethel College has a program of summer undergraduate research fellowships that have provided funds for several student empirical research projects in the Psychology Department. Below are authors and topics of recent projects.

Summer of 1998:

Elissa Berndt (senior), The relationship between between belief in providence and health (See the link to a report on this and a follow-up project below.)
Summer of 1999:
Stuart Isaac (senior), Event-related potentials in emotion evoked by the International Affective Picture System

Joshua White and Adam Franz (both sophomores), Cortical correlates of memory in the von Restorff effect

Internship opportunities

A number of mental health facilities and social service agencies are located in the Newton and Wichita areas. These include a nationally recognized psychiatric hospital (Prairie View Mental Health Center) as well as centers for the developmentally handicapped, for emotionally disturbed children and youth, and for those with long-term psychiatric problems. These and other institutions provide students with a variety of opportunities for internships or part-time employment.


Psychology Department-Related Links

Dwight Krehbiel's Links -- Psychology and other Websites

General Psychology Home Page (spring 99)

General Psychology Home Page (fall 99)

Learning and Memory Home Page

Computers in the Sciences Home Page

Health Sciences at Bethel College

SENIOR THESES ON THE WEB

SOME RECENT GRADUATES

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