What causes our moods? Are moods learned or innate? Do they determine our attitudes and behavior, or vice versa? This course explores the causes, stability, and functions of positive and negative moods. We will critically review leading theories of normal mood and its pathological variants (i.e., depression, mania, and chronic anxiety). Biological, evolutionary, cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic perspectives on mood will be critiqued and contrasted. The relation between mood and personality will be explored. Students will lead class discussions and participate in a group research project.
Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: class participation, brief weekly assignments, a final examination, and a final research report. Prerequisites: Psychology 201 (concurrently or previously) and Psychology 252. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected:19). Priority given to Psychology majors. Empirical Project