Psychology (PSYC)

Students are introduced to the major areas of psychological science and its applications. Topics include research methods, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, language and intelligence, social behaviour, personality, and psychological disorders. Additional topics may include motivation, emotion, stress and health.

An overview of the biological foundations of attributes of the brain including consciousness, memory, language, and perception.

Students analyze the biological events that shape human behaviour. Topics include evolution and social, sexual, and aggressive behaviour.

Students review research and theory in memory.

Students review the fundamental principles of learning and their applications to human behaviour.

Students examine theories of human development across the life span.

Students are introduced to the study of social behaviour and to contemporary theory and research in the field.

Students are introduced to history, concepts, models and methods in personality theory and research.

This course familiarizes students with basic principles of experimental and correlational research design, survey design and construction, reliability, validity, qualitative methods, and research ethics. Classes 3 hrs. and lab 1.5 hrs. a week.

Statistics with interpretation for the social sciences. Topics will advance areas learned in the prerequisite course and will cover simple and two-way ANOVA, regression, and correlation. Classes 3 hrs. and lab 1.5 hrs. a week.

How do our nervous systems turn light and sound energy into recognition of the things that surround us? Do we always perceive things in the same way or do individual experiences change the way that people experience the world? We will explore these questions, and many others, throughout the term.

Students examine advanced topics in evolutionary psychology including an exploration of the biological origins of emotion, motivation, morality, religion, humor, and language.

A survey of basic perceptual and cognitive processes including attention, sensation, perception, pattern recognition, learning, and memory.

A survey of physical, perceptual, cognitive, and social development of the child from infancy to preadolescence.

An examination of the biological, cognitive, and personal growth of adolescents. Topics include physical growth patterns, development of interpersonal relationships, cognitive growth, and theories of adolescent development.

An overview of the neuropsychological, physiological, clinical and personological aspects of the later phases of life. Normal and abnormal patterns of aging are examined. Topics include research from neuropsychology, neuroanatomy, personality, clinical psychology, gerontology and geriatrics.

Students will focus on human psychology across cultures, with the aim of raising understanding of human commonality and diversity. To what extent is social behaviour different or the same across the world? What theories can we use to understand the thoughts, feelings, actions, and beliefs of people across cultures?

A comprehensive series of presentations covering the application of “positive” psychological concepts and principles to personal growth and well-being. Topics include communication, relationships, support, and authenticity.

An introduction to the psychological concept of gender as it relates to behavioural, emotional, and cognitive development. Theories as to the sources of gender differences and similarities will be reviewed and discussed in relation to the impact of gender roles on intimate relationships, family, work, and physical and mental health.

A review of the theoretical and empirical foundations of community psychology. The course explores the development of psychosocial environments, methods of assessing community characteristics and their relevance to mental health, and perspectives in community development and social change. Students will be introduced to applied psychology in relation to consultation, epidemiology, and prevention methods.

The study of behaviour in its relation to the environment. Topics include personal space, crowding, the city, architectural design, and behaviour.

A focus on the essentials of history, theories of etiology, assessment, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

A review of the empirical research and theory in cognitive neuroscience, a sub-discipline of psychology that concerns the linkage between mind and brain. Students will be exposed to topics concerning the neural bases of sensation, object recognition, action, emotion, memory, language, attention, and executive control. Classes 3 hrs. a week and lab 3 hrs a week.

Introductory study of the principles of early and modern ethology. Topics include instinct and learning, communication, navigation, and behavioural genetics. Classes 3 hrs. a week.

Effects of psychoactive drugs on normal and abnormal behaviour and on consciousness. Explanations are in terms of brain functioning. Discussion of methods used in the study of drug effects on animals and humans.

An examination of the psychological factors involved in health, illness, and treatment. Topics include health research methods, health promotion, modification of health behaviours, stress, coping, social support, and personality.

Students are introduced to the study of human sexuality. While the primary emphasis is on psychological issues pertaining to human sexual behaviour, cultural, biological and historical perspectives are also considered. Students examine empirical research and theory covering a broad range of human sexuality issues.

Introduction to methods and problems in industrial/organizational psychology. Representative topics will be drawn from the area of organizational behaviour, personnel psychology, human factors, and consumer behaviour.

This course examines current issues pertinent in occupational health psychology including workplace stress, violence in the workplace, and occupational safety. In addition to these content areas, the course will consider relevant legislation, preventive strategies, and the management of occupational health and safety issues in today’s workplaces.

An examination of human performance in technological environments including the design of tools, systems, and environments.

An examination of leadership theories in the context of organizational systems, Special topics include, but are not limited to, women and leadership, team leadership, and leadership ethics. Practical applications are considered with respect to leadership in organizations.

A review of the principles, procedures, and empirical and theoretical underpinnings of behaviour modification.

This course will examine the biological, psychological, and social impact of various types of acquired and developmental disabilities. This course is divided into three parts: (1) review genetic and environmental factors associated with developmental disabilities; (2) review of the physiological aspects of various types of acquired and developmental disabilities and the outcome; and (3) address the historical, political, ethical issues dealing with persons with disabilities in Canada.

An examination of key topics in social psychology of group dynamics and intergroup relations. These include conceptualizations of groups and group behaviour, the roots and consequences of prejudice and stereotyping, theories of intergroup relations, social identity, and responses to discrimination.

Students explore several key approaches to understanding the psychology of political behaviour and the psychological origins of political beliefs and actions from a variety of perspectives.

Students explore the application of leadership research and principles to the process of leading positive change in the world. Students examine their leadership strengths, and identify areas for growth and development, while beginning to apply their evolving leadership skills to a real life issue of interest to them.

A course which focuses on the description, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders.

Students are introduced to the psychological science relevant to legal procedures, including the reliability of eyewitness testimony, the role of experts in the courts, subject apprehension and interview, deception-detection, and jury decision making.

A review of psychological methods, research and theory that is applied to legal system tasks; an introduction to forensic assessment, and treatment in a legal context.

Courses on selected psychological topics.

Research experience for advanced students on problems in psychology. Students must secure the consent of a member of the Department to supervise their work before attempting to register for the course. Classes and labs 6 hrs. a week.

The application and interpretation of factorial analysis of variance, repeated measures designs, multiple regression, and various correlation techniques for the social sciences. Classes 3 hrs. and lab 3 hrs. a week.

A review of the nature and use of psychological tests with an emphasis on norms, the interpretation of test scores, test reliability, and test validity.

An examination of the origins and development of modern psychology.

This is a seminar designed for honours students. It reviews the current state of theory and research in psychology and prepares honours students for study in graduate and professional programs related to psychology. Extensive reading, oral presentations, and reports or projects will be required.

A research project in psychology that will serve as the basis for a written thesis. Honours students must secure the consent of a member of the Department to supervise their work before attempting to register for the course. Classes and lab 6 hrs. a week. 2 semesters.

This course is designed for advanced students who wish to apply their psychological knowledge through critical analyses of psychological writings. Students use current, popular (science-based) books to stimulate debate, discussion, evaluation, and critical analyses of contemporary psychological issues and themes from a variety of area of psychology. Students synthesize, analyze, and evaluate popular psychological literature, while reflecting on their learning process; leading and manage a group discussion; become familiar with the scientific study of contemporary psychological issues; and communicate scientific principles related to psychological issues.

A seminar for advanced students on specialty areas in psychology. Extensive reading, oral presentations, and written reports or projects will ordinarily be required.

Psychophysics is the study of the mathematical relationship between psychological perception and the physical world. In this methodology course students receive a grounding in psychophysical experiment methodology and data analysis techniques. Topics include the philosophies of psychophysics, the Weber/Fechner Laws, Signal Detection Theory, and Stevens’ Power Law.

A seminar on contemporary cognitive neuroscience research and theory. Topics may include any of the following: perception, attention, consciousness, executive control, decision-making, memory, emotion, social neuroscience, neuroeconomics, neurolaw, and applied neuroscience.

An introduction to the field of addictions including the full continuum from low harmful involvement to chemical dependency and problem gambling, including a review of the major perspectives or models used to conceptualize addiction problems. The strategic process related to planning, delivering, and evaluating addiction-related prevention and treatment programs and services will also be reviewed.

Background to the clinical understanding of brain-behavioural relations will be provided with special emphasis on higher cortical functions. An introduction to neuropsychological testing and its role in the assessment of neurobehavioural pathology. Classes 3 hrs. and lab 3 hrs. a week.

This course is designed to build upon topics introduced in PSYC 3829 (Human Sexual Behaviour). Students critically explore selected issues in human sexual behaviour.

An examination of strategies designed to improve organizational effectiveness using behavioural science knowledge. Attention will be devoted to understanding factors that influence the success of organizational change initiatives and the process of change.

Intensive examination of topics related to training and systematic organizational development. Emphasis is on application of psychological concepts and principles of learning in the contexts of needs assessment, curriculum development, transfer of training, and evaluation.

Extended coverage of topics in organizational behaviour with an emphasis on the application of psychological concepts to problems encountered in work environments. Topics may include the structure and climate of organizational environments, leadership, communication, motivation and decision-making.

Extended coverage of topics in personnel psychology with an emphasis on the application of psychological concepts to problems encountered in work environments. Topics may include job analysis, recruitment and selection, training and performance, performance evaluation, industrial relations, and occupational health and safety.

An examination of higher-order cognitive processes including problem solving, concept formation, knowledge representation, language, reasoning, decision making, creativity and intelligence. Information-processing and connectionist models will be reviewed. Classes 3 hrs. and lab 3 hrs. a week.

A review of emotional and behavioural problems exhibited by children, including a survey of classification systems, assessment, and treatment.

In this seminar, students consider on contemporary theory and research on peer relationships during childhood and adolescence. Topics include, but are not limited to: peer status and social goals, friendship and cliques, social withdrawal and peer rejection, bullying and psychosocial adjustment.

Intensive coverage of aspects of interpersonal behaviour. Topics will include relationship development and maintenance, friendships, sibling relationships, liking and loving, social and cultural influences on interpersonal relationships, sexuality, and gender differences in interpersonal relationships, including dating behaviours and attitudes.

Examination of selected theories of personality through intuitive, rational, historical, and empirical methods.

This course includes an extended coverage of topics in intimate relationships with an emphasis on maintenance and well-being in ongoing romantic relationships. Topics include intimacy, sexual intimacy, sexual well-being, relationship identification, attachment, and commitment.

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to attitude and persuasion research. Particular attention will be given to reviewing the various theoretical perspectives that have been proposed as explanations for the psychological processes underlying persuasion.

A review of theory, method, and practice in counselling and psychotherapy.

Extended study of selected theories and related techniques. Course work may involve supervised, simulated practice in dyads or small groups.

An examination of sport psychology as applied to performance enhancement, anxiety control, and psychologically healthy lifestyles. This course emphasizes the application of sport psychology to improve the quality of sport and life experiences.

A closer examination of the research on several topics in the area of psychology and law that may include eyewitness testimony, children in the courts, police selection and procedures, workplace harassment and discrimination, jury decision-making, and alternative dispute resolution.

A review of research on assessment tools, intervention effectiveness and epidemiology of criminal behaviour; the application of such research in forensic assessment, and treatment in a legal context.

Students examine the psychology of criminal offenders and victims of crime. Students explore the etiology and impact of various criminal behaviours, especially violent crimes (e.g., domestic assault, sexual assault, and homicide). Case studies, theory, and empirical research related to offenders and victims are examined.

Students study an extended coverage of the empirical literature on sexual offending from a psychological perspective with an emphasis on dispelling common myths and stereotypes. Topics include theories and typologies of sexual violence, assessment and treatment, prevention, and community reintegration.