Faculty Profile
Paula Yust
Assistant Professor of Psychology (2023)
Contact Information
Kaufman Hall
717-254-8721
Bio
Professor Yust is a developmental psychologist, with a focus in social development. Her research focuses on peer relationships in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood and the role these relationships play in fostering well-being. She is particularly interested in early friendship development in preschool as well as friendships in college and how the beliefs people have about these relationships shape friendship behavior.
Education
- A.B., Wellesley College, 2013
- M.A., Duke University, 2018
- Ph.D., 2021
2026-2027 Academic Year
Fall 2026
PSYC 211 Design of Psychological Resrch
This course is an introduction to research methods in psychology. In this class, we will explore the major concepts in planning research studies, research design, and analysis. We will discuss the various strengths and limitations of each research approach (including quantitative and qualitative methods), as well as methods for assessing threats to validity and reliability of psychological measures. In class and lab, we will explore the relationship between data analysis and research design. In designing your own study, you will learn how to search and critically summarize and evaluate scientific research; design and conduct research projects ethically; collect, analyze and interpret data; and communicate the findings for a scientific audience in APA-style writing. Throughout the course, we will work on developing critical thinking skills and deepen our understanding of the field of psychology as a science. Three hours classroom plus three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisite: 210. NOTE: Completion of both 210 and 211 fulfills the WID graduation requirement.
Spring 2027
PSYC 355 Research Methods in Dev Psych
Human development is progression through age-related changes that occur from conception until death and developmental psychology is the science that seeks to understand how and why people change and stay the same over time. This intensive course will provide students with an overview of research methods used in developmental psychology. It will focus on major concepts in research planning, design, analysis, and interpretation when seeking to answer questions about development. We will learn best practices and challenges in developmental research including topics on cross-sectional and longitudinal research, experimental methods, ethics, and applied developmental research. In lab, you will engage in hands-on activities, learning how to search and review scientific literature, design, and conduct research, collect, analyze, and interpret data, and communicate your findings to a scientific audience. Three hours classroom plus three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisites: 155 or 160, & 210 & 211.