Psychology

Collection Development Policy: Psychology

Subject Librarian: Susan Thomas

Purpose of policy

The collection development policy for Psychology guides the development and management of the Psychology collection.

Program Description

The Department of Psychology provides undergraduate education critical to understanding the social and cultural diversity and dynamics of the human condition. Students are prepared to be active contributors to their communities and to live fruitful lives as informed citizens of a global society. Education and training cover theoretical analysis and research methods.

Areas of established specialization

• Development
• Cognition
• Social intelligence
• Personality
• Clinical
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Community

New and expanding areas of interest

• Social psychology of religion
• Picture perception

Degrees Offered:

• BA in Psychology
• Certificate in Behavior modification
• Minor in Psychology

Clientele

The primary clientele are the undergraduate students, faculty, and staff of the Psychology department. Members of the Michiana community may also use the collection.

Scope and Collection Guidelines

The Psychology collection consists of works written for the basic through advanced undergraduate level and for basic faculty research. Graduate- and research-level publications are collected selectively.

Formats collected

Scholarly monographs, serials, collections of essays, conference proceedings, videos, and electronic resources are extensively collected.

Formats excluded

Pamphlets, newsletters, article reprints, and required textbooks. Popular and/or journalistic monographs about social issues are selectively collected.

Language

The collection is primarily in English.

Geographic coverage

All geographic areas are covered. For titles with a geographic focus, preference is given to materials relating to the region (Michiana, northern Indiana, and Midwest).

Chronological periods collected

Priority is given to current publications. Older imprints are collected selectively, usually as replacements for classic works, or upon request.

Subject Emphases

The Psychology collection focuses on the topics of development, cognition, social intelligence, personality, clinical, cognitive neuroscience.

Current Collecting Priorities

In addition to the topics listed above: psychology of religion. Music, picture perception.

Reference

Reference material for Psychology are selected by the Psychology subject librarian following the general subject parameters of the collection policy.

Interdisciplinary Considerations

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of psychology materials are also occasionally selected in the areas of women's studies, gender studies, sociology, criminal justice, and counseling.

Location

Psychology materials are housed in the Schurz Library. Works specifically about the discipline of psychology are classified in the BF schedule of Library of Congress system.