Richard Rector

Visiting Professor of Psychology

Office:

Harbert 319

Contact Information:

Box 549037
Birmingham-Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4824
Office Fax: (205) 226-4847
E-mail: rrector@bsc.edu

Brief Career Background:

In graduate school, I studied the effects of exposure to infection in utero on the developmental outcomes of infants born prematurely. I also studied the cognitive development of infants that received Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. I am currently the Mental Health Consultant for the Jefferson County Head Start program and a visiting assistant professor of psychology at Birmingham-Southern college. I primarily teach introduction to psychology and upper level developmental psychology courses.

Educational Background:

Graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in psychology in 1995. Obtained a Master's in 2004 and a Ph.D in 2007 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Areas of Academic Interest:

Cognitive development in infants and toddlers
Behavior issues in childhood Emerging adulthood

Courses Taught:

PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (1)
An introduction to the research, theory, and methods of psychological science.

PY 316 Child & Adolescent Psychopathology (1)
A survey of psychological disorders that primarily affect children and adolescents. The course takes a developmental approach to childhood psychopathology, focusing on diagnostic criteria and familial, educational, and individual features associated with each disorder. Research on etiological theories and treatment is also discussed.

PY 324 Developmental Psychology (1)
An overview of the theoretical approaches and research methods in developmental psychology with an emphasis on the hereditary and environmental influences on physical, social, cognitive, and personality development in childhood and adolescence.

PY 305 Advanced Topics in Psychology (1)
An in-depth exploration of theory and research in an advanced area of psychology. Study of adolescent and young adult development.