Exhaustive University Study Notes: Introduction to Psychology, Neurodiversity, and Howard Legacy

Creative Psychology and Art Integration

• Dr. Monique Majors: Referred to as a creative psychologist who integrates fine art into psychological research and practice.

• Quilting and Blood Pressure Study: Dr. Monique Majors conducted empirical research investigating the correlation between blood pressure and creative expression by having research participants construct quilts while actively discussing their personal health.

• Art Seminar: Dr. Monique Majors leads an academic art seminar where students create and complete an original piece of artwork by the end of the semester.

Student Perspectives and Clinical Aspirations

• Joan's Pathway to Therapy:

  • Initial Ambition: Originally pursued international relations.
  • Motivation: Encouraged by peers who labeled her the "group therapist" due to her advice-giving skills.
  • High School Psychology: Taking high school psychology confirmed her desire to enter psychology and social work to become a licensed therapist.
  • Clinical Distinction: Professional therapy differs fundamentally from informal advice-giving. Therapeutic practice prioritizes active listening, empirical support, and teaching skill sets over offering personal advice.

• Kennedy's Research Focus on Neurodivergence in Black Populations:

  • Personal Context: Raised with three brothers, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, fostering early experience with mental health care and structural accommodations.
  • Research Objective: Dedicated to studying support mechanisms for neurodivergent individuals, specifically analyzing how neurodivergence manifests in Black bodies and addressing racialized mental health stigmas.

• Phillips' Interest in Forensic Psychology:

  • Media Influence: Inspired by the television show Criminal Minds to explore criminal psychology and serial offender behavior.
  • Independent Research Findings: Serial killers frequently exhibit distinct structural or functional variations in the frontal lobe, as well as cognitive biases leading them to believe they are never in the wrong.
  • Core Question: Driven to understand how the brain is wired and what motivates human action.

Diagnostic Realities and Sociopath/Serial Killer Research

• DSM Diagnostic Classifications:

  • Neither "serial killer" nor "sociopath" exists as an official diagnostic category within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

• Methodological and Access Constraints:

  • Serial killers constitute extreme case studies within psychological research.
  • Empirical research is strictly limited because living serial killers are incarcerated, preventing researchers from conducting broad population studies on unidentified offenders in the general public.
  • The lack of direct research access to active populations explains the absence of standardized DSM criteria for sociopathy or serial offense behaviors.

• Media Context: Popular media portrayals of forensic psychology include shows such as Criminal Minds, Law & Order, Chicago MD, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD.

Neurodiversity, Race, and ABA Therapy Reform

• Montgomery's Autism Advocacy & ABA Critique:

  • Personal Background: Diagnosed with autism at an early age and received both clinical therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
  • Systemic Criticism: Applied Behavior Analysis was historically designed for affluent white children, incorporating concepts such as framing authority figures as personal friends.
  • Reform Objective: Aims to restructure ABA therapy so that clinical paradigms center all populations, specifically addressing the systemic gaps experienced by Black autistic individuals.

• Tiny's (Kennedy's) Neuroscience Trajectory:

  • Initial Field: Originally intended to major in journalism.
  • Academic Transition: Took an Introduction to Neuroscience course during junior year of high school, guided by her AP Psychology teacher and advisor.
  • Career Path: Shifted major to psychology out of a desire to understand brain mechanics and neural function.

Neuroscience, Maturation, and Systemic Healthcare Disparities

• Neuroscience and Substance Effects:

  • Early introduction to neuroscience is essential for understanding human choice and brain mechanics, particularly regarding substance use such as marijuana.
  • Adolescent and childhood brains are structurally fragile and maturing compared to fully developed adult brains, undergoing critical processes such as synaptic pruning.
  • Neuroscience literacy provides the foundation for comprehending complex conditions like drug-induced psychosis and drug-induced paranoia.

• Lanaya's Case Study & Criminal Justice Context:

  • Academic Inspiration: Read the book Desperate during senior year of high school.
  • Justice System Vulnerabilities: Observed that young Black children on the autism spectrum or with learning disabilities are frequently misaccused and lack adequate legal and psychological advocacy.
  • Personal Motivation: Driven by a desire to protect neurodivergent individuals, including her brother who has autism.
  • Forensic Interest: Growing up in Wisconsin provided exposure to cases of notable serial offenders (Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, John Wayne Gacy / John McGaesey), sparking interest in how severe childhood adversity drives violent behavioral outcomes.

• Clinician Burnout and Resistance Strategies:

  • Resource Disparities: Clinicians in under-resourced clinics face significant frustration when high-quality care exists in affluent neighborhoods but cannot be delivered locally due to lack of institutional funding.
  • Self-Care and Resistance: Operating in trauma-heavy or resource-depleted fields requires clinicians to actively employ resistance strategies (as highlighted by Dr. Bryant) alongside standard coping mechanisms to protect their own mental health.

Howard University Legacy and Pioneers in Black Psychology

• Institutional Legacy:

  • Howard University produces the majority of Black medical doctors and clinical psychologists in the United States.
  • The institution's graduate program historically centers social justice, equity, and strength-based frameworks for marginalized groups.

• Key Faculty and Department Pioneers:

  • Francis Cecil Sumner (Francis E. Sumner): The first African American to earn a PhD in psychology; established the Psychology Department at Howard University.
  • Mamie Phipps Clark & Kenneth Clark ("Mimi and Kenneth Clark"): Earned their master's degrees in psychology from Howard University; conducted the famous doll studies pivotal to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
  • Dr. Jules Harrell (Jules Farrell / Jules Correll): Renowned scholar in Black psychology who teaches Race and Racism at Howard University, focusing on strength-based perspectives for Black and Brown populations.
  • Dr. Wade Boykin: Influential figure in the Howard University Psychology Department (deceased).
  • Leslie Hicks: Longtime professor who dedicated his tenure to teaching psychology at Howard; honored annually through the Hicks Symposium.
  • Dr. Campbell: Neuroscience faculty member leading research within the department.
  • Dr. Roberts: Active faculty member conducting social justice-oriented clinical research.

• American Psychological Association (APA) Resources:

  • Proximity: The APA headquarters is located approximately $15\,\text{minutes}$ from Howard University in Washington, DC.
  • Undergraduate Opportunities: Students can access research internships via the APA Undergraduate Research Opportunities online portal.
  • Division 45: Represents the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race; connected to the Office of Ethnic and Minority Affairs, established to ensure institutional inclusion within the field.

Core Definition, Natural Science Status, and the ABCs of Psychology

• Scientific Definition of Psychology:

  • Psychology is defined as an accumulation of scientific knowledge regarding the mind, brain, behavior, feelings, and emotions.
  • Psychology is classified as a natural science, utilizing empirical research standards comparable to biology and chemistry.

• The ABCs of Psychology Framework:

  • A - Affect: Refers to all human emotions, feelings, and underlying motivations.
  • B - Behavior: Refers to observable physical actions and external responses.
  • C - Cognition: Refers to internal mental operations, including perception, reasoning, problem-solving, memory, language, and thought organization.

Course Logistics and Lab Schedule

• Lab Locations & Sections:

  • Sections $7$ and $8$ Lab: Meets in College Hall South, Room $33$.
  • Section $9$ Lab: Meets in BERR building at $1:00\,\text{PM}$.

• Instructional Attendance:

  • The instructor will visit $3$ out of the $4$ lab sections in person on Wednesday to introduce lab assignments and expectations.

• Upcoming Curricular Focus:

  • Subsequent lectures cover the core pillars of psychology, structuralism, functionalism, and foundational historical paradigms.