Courses taught by Dr. Martin Hagger:
Undergraduate Courses:
- PSY-190-2/3: Science of Behavior Change
Many of the problems observed in today’s society can be linked, directly or indirectly, to human behavior. Governments, organizations, and professionals increasingly recognize the value of developing strategies to change the behavior in order to promote adaptive outcomes. Recognition of the importance of behavior change to solving social problems, has led governments to engage scientists from various disciplines within the social and behavioral sciences to inform policy and develop effective behavior change strategies targeting high-priority, behavior-related problems. Researchers in many fields, particularly the psychological sciences, but also sociology, behavioral economics, philosophy, implementation science, and political science have contributed to research and advocacy on behavior change.
Scientists in these disciplines have been primarily responsible for creating and disseminating evidence on behavior change from basic theoretical research on determinants and mechanisms to translational research on the application of strategies to change behavior in specific contexts. This research has applied scientific principles to study behavior change with the goal of informing the development of effective behavioral solutions to social problems – a science of behavior change.
The overall goal of this course is to study the key research questions, contributions, and applications of the science of behavior change using psychological theory, and to explore how research can assist in developing effective practical solutions to problems with behavioral origins.
Jessica Balla is Teaching Assistant on this Course and will lead a class this Fall on Protection Motivation Theory.
The course syllabus is available here.
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PSY-127: Psychology and Film
Films, or motion pictures or movies, are form of art and entertainment integral to, and synonymous with, American culture. Film is a modern extension of the human desire for storytelling, and, alongside the novel, provide rich and varied means for authors to convey ideas, motives, and emotions, and capture the travails, successes, and failures of people and society. Movies offer parables, critiques, and commentary on the human condition and the world in which we live. Movies are produced by people for people and, therefore, their subject matter is inevitably psychological and inextricably linked to understanding people’s minds and the reasons that lead them to act and interact the way they do. Movies are emotional – movies are often about people’s love, hate, joy, anger, fear, happiness, lust, elation, rage, vigor, passivity, revenge, and aggression. These emotions are prominently displayed in movies, and are often its focus and driving force. Movies shine a light on why people do what they do, and can induce the audience to explore and experience people’s inner world and consciousness, and the way they deal and cope with adversity. Movies, therefore, stand as an eminently important art form and medium that gives insight into human psychology.
The overall goal of this course is to study psychological phenomena though the medium of film. In the course, students will examine how film provides insight into theories of human mental processes and behavior (e.g., obedience and compliance, memory, group dynamics, emotions); how film portrays those with psychological and mental health conditions and disorders, and how film depicts those who practice psychology; the role of film as a reflection of, and commentary on, society; and the techniques used by film directors to change or manipulate the audience.
Graduate Courses:
- PSY-290-07: Theories of Behavior Change
The overall goal of this course is to study the key research questions, contributions, and applications of the science of behavior change using psychological theory, and to explore how research can assist in developing effective practical solutions to problems with behavioral origins.
- PSY 200 A&B: Practicum Meta-Analysis
The professional seminar is designed to acquaint early-stage graduate students in the core professional knowledge and skills central to the discipline of academic empirical psychology. In addition, it is designed to provide familiarity with the research of the faculty in psychology and related disciplines.
Martin Hagger will deliver a Faculty Seminar as part of this course this semester. The topic will be Using Meta-Analysis to Test Theories