Course Descriptions - Undergraduate Calendar 2022-2023

A general survey course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the basic concepts and techniques of modern psychology as a behavioural science.

A general survey course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the basic concepts and techniques of modern psychology as a behavioural science.

An examination and evaluation of selected topics dealing with human information processing such as attention, memory, pattern recognition, consciousness, language, dyslexia, decision making, and problem solving.

A course designed to introduce the student to current research and theory concerning children's social, cognitive, and physical development from infancy through childhood to early adolescence.

A consideration of the main variables affecting learning in the classroom with special focus upon the conditions essential to efficient learning.

A consideration of the main variables affecting learning in the classroom with special focus upon the conditions essential to efficient learning.

Educational issues associated with cognitive, emotional, sensory, and physical differences and challenges.

Variations in the meaning and significance of death and dying will be considered from a psychological perspective, with particular attention to the contexts (e.g., cultural, familial, life-span developmental) in which these variations occur.

This course surveys theories and studies related to human strength and positive human functioning, with a focus on the psychological aspects of a fulfilling life. Topics include optimism, creativity, humour, resilience, wisdom, empathy, love, friendship, achievement, and happiness.

Psychological principles drawn from a variety of subdisciplines (e.g., social, clinical, cognitive) will be surveyed in terms of their relevance and application to the legal system. Topics may include jury selection and decision-making, eyewitness testimony, insanity defense, competency assessment, risk assessment, and attitudes toward law and the legal process.

Approaches of traditional psychological theories toward phenomena of religious experience, mysticism, and prayer are examined. The psychological process of creating and naming "gods" is considered as well as comparisons among altered states of consciousness including some forms of prayer.

Psychological perspectives concerning definitions, causes, and consequences of institutional and personal evil, as well as symbols and interpretations of evil in both religious and secular contexts, will be considered.

The course focuses on the existence of and bases for sex and gender differences with emphasis on biological, psychological, and cultural issues.

This course will examine psychological and social psychological theories and empirical investigations of human sexuality.

Survey of organizational, group, and individual processes involved in work motivation, group dynamics, leadership, organizational climate, and organizational culture.

An introduction to the scientific study of social behaviour and social influences on behaviour. Theories and research on such topics as attitude change and persuasion, stereotypes and prejudice, conformity and obedience to authority, altruism, conflict, attraction, and love may be introduced.

An introduction to the scientific study of social behaviour and social influences on behaviour. Theories and research on such topics as attitude change and persuasion, stereotypes and prejudice, conformity and obedience to authority, altruism, conflict, attraction, and love may be introduced.

Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence. This course will draw on philosophy, psychology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology to address central questions about the nature of thinking. Topics discussed will include mental representation, computational models of mind, and consciousness.

This course offers an introduction to understanding, assessing, and treating mental illness from a psychological perspective. Course material will focus on various categories of abnormal behaviour, including personality, anxiety, and mood disorders; schizophrenia; and substance abuse. Clinical methods of assessment, diagnosis, and intervention will also be considered.

This course offers an introduction to understanding, assessing, and treating mental illness from a psychological perspective. Course material will focus on various categories of abnormal behaviour, including personality, anxiety, and mood disorders; schizophrenia; and substance abuse. Clinical methods of assessment, diagnosis, and intervention will also be considered.

Introduction to brain, basic physiological processes, and their roles in behaviour. Topics may include sensing and perceiving, neural bases of action, motivation, learning and memory, and consciousness. Both experimental and clinical data are considered.

Students are introduced to the research process by participating in an unpaid apprenticeship of 96 hours in a faculty member's research lab in the Psychology Department. Apprenticeship hours will be completed before the end of the lecture period for the term of enrolment. Application forms are available on the Psychology undergraduate website. Grading is on a credit/no credit basis. Paid or volunteer positions obtained outside the context of this course are not eligible for credit in this course. [Offered: F,W,S.]

This course introduces the methods used to observe, quantify, summarize, and describe behaviour in empirical psychological science. It focuses on research design and the interpretation of results.

An introduction to the logic and methods of descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on application in Psychology. Topics covered include measures of central tendency and variability, distributions, the normal distribution, z-scores, hypothesis testing, probability, chi-square tests, t-tests, power, and correlation and regression. [Offered: W]

What we perceive through our senses makes up much of our conscious experience. This course examines how visual and auditory perception arises and includes topics such as how we become aware of colour, form, space, brightness, loudness, and pitch, and how this information guides behaviour. Other senses may be covered.

An introduction to current human experimental neuropsychology. The course will review evidence for brain-behaviour interactions obtained from studies of human brain damage and from investigations of the normal brain. Topics such as the representation of language, hemispheric specialization, memory, spatial ability, dyslexia, movement disorders, and affective disorders will be considered.

An introduction to the psychology of reading with emphasis on 1) how adult readers recognize words, 2) various accounts of acquired dyslexias consequent to brain damage, 3) computational models of word recognition, and 4) the role of attention and eye movements in reading.

A critical examination of the concept of learning disability and of current issues in the assessment and remediation of learning problems.

A critical examination of the concept of learning disability and of current issues in the assessment and remediation of learning problems.

This course introduces research in the areas of debate in cognitive development pertaining to children in infancy and early childhood and drawn from a variety of disciplines including developmental psychology, psycholinguistics, and comparative psychology. Different methodologies and mechanisms of cognitive change are also covered.

A study of the psychological processes in the second and third decades of human development. Consideration is given to such areas as identity formation and intellectual, emotional, and social growth. Current concepts, issues, and research are stressed.

This course is an in-depth introduction to pragmatic language development with a focus on children's conversational and narrative ability. Typical and atypical pragmatic language development is examined from a longitudinal, social-cognitive, and multi-cultural perspective and with respect to longer-term outcomes such as social competence, friendship, and success in school.

An examination of children's psychological disorders from several major perspectives with an emphasis on current research findings. Theoretical and clinical issues are considered.

A detailed examination of concepts related to the formation of gender identity and psychosexual orientation. The nature-nurture debate will be explored as well as gay and lesbian identity and consciousness throughout the life cycle.

This course will address theories related to problem behaviours in the classroom, the incidence and etiology of conduct problems and behavioural disorders, and the learning outcomes of children with such disorders. Special emphasis is given to research and theory related to the promotion of academic success.

Examines early language development including how children learn about sounds, words, higher-level sentence structure, and how to communicate effectively. Explores factors within the child and aspects of the environment that make language acquisition possible, as well as special populations of learners who provide additional insight into the acquisition process.

Foundational assumptions for, and basic approaches to, criminal profiling will be considered, along with a survey of relevant techniques in the context of numerous case studies. Limitations and alternatives to profiling will also be addressed.

An introduction to the methods, theories, and problems in individual counselling psychology.

Developmental neuropsychology is a field in which brain-behaviour relationships are examined in the context of typical and atypical development. This course focuses on the structural development of the brain, the emergence of functional brain systems, and the neuropsychological underpinnings of childhood brain disorders such as phenylketonuria, autism, epilepsy, and stroke. Emphasis is placed on the integration of theoretical perspectives and empirical research in neuropsychology with clinical practice.

This course is designed to survey major aspects of clinical psychology such as historical background, assessment and intervention models, current trends, and future directions in clinical practice.

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of family systems and family therapy from the perspective of contemporary family psychology and developmental science. Students will get exposure to theoretical and applied content in family psychology and family therapy practice while becoming increasingly versed in understanding how environmental stress and trauma impact the relationships of families from diverse backgrounds.

The application of psychology to human resource issues in Canadian organizations. Topics will include defining and measuring job performance, job analysis, performance appraisal, recruitment, personnel selection, and training. Procedures which meet technical, professional, and legal standards will be examined.

This course covers systematic approaches and models for training and development; needs assessment; curriculum design; instructional approaches, including use of learning technology; relevant aspects of learning and cognitive theories; and evaluation.

The psychology of groups and teams will address psychological processes particular to any social group situation, for example creative design teams, decision making groups, sports teams, group counselling, university clubs, and community groups. Topics include social identification and cohesion, group dynamics (e.g., social loafing, social influence, temporal dynamics, conflict management, etc.), communication in groups, creativity and brainstorming in groups, team leadership, team learning, and measuring team performance. In addition to lectures there will be discussion groups for team experiential exercises.

This course focuses on human psychology (behaviours, cognition, emotion, motivation, and personality) across cultures, with the aim of raising awareness and understanding of human commonality and diversity. It examines theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues in cross-cultural psychology in light of the current literature.

What can psychological science contribute to our understanding of political behaviour? To answer this question we will review psychological theory and research on such topics as voter decision-making, political ideologies, issue framing and public opinion, activism in social movements, barriers to conflict resolution, leadership, multiculturalism, political extremism, and collective violence.

Special emphasis will be given to questions of how some cultural patterns get established, and how they are maintained once they are established. Topics may include aggression, individualism and collectivism, perspectives on the self, and methodological concerns.

This course examines how people make sense of their social world: how they perceive, represent, interpret, and remember information about themselves and about other individuals and groups. Topics include representation, recall, and use of social knowledge, controllability of thought processes, effects of feelings and desires, stereotype activation and use, and cultural influences.

A psychological analysis of social interaction and the dynamics of close relationships.

A psychological analysis of social interaction and the dynamics of close relationships.

This course reviews social psychological theory and research on intergroup relations: how groups of people and people from different groups interact. It examines stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination (e.g., racism, sexism, ageism, weight, or sexual prejudice) from both majority and minority perspectives. It also discusses implications for promoting intergroup trust, reducing inequality, and resolving real-world conflict.

This course addresses the science of measuring and explaining patterned individual differences in behaviour, including temperaments and traits; values, goals, and personal strivings; and meaning systems and self-narratives. Topics include behavioural, physiological, genetics, and cultural studies of personality; continuity and change in personality over the lifespan; and personality disorders.

This course addresses the science of measuring and explaining patterned individual differences in behaviour, including temperaments and traits; values, goals, and personal strivings; and meaning systems and self-narratives. Topics include behavioural, physiological, genetics, and cultural studies of personality; continuity and change in personality over the lifespan; and personality disorders.

What does it mean to "be good"? How does one "do good"? What makes "doing good" easier or harder? This course examines (1) the biological and psychosocial foundations of prosocial behaviour and (2) associated facilitators and obstacles at both interpersonal and organizational levels. Topics may include empathy, social responsibility, volunteerism, community intervention, activism, and heroism.

The objective of the course is to consider human and animal behaviour from a Darwinian evolutionary perspective. Topics will include habitat selection and predator avoidance, sexual selection and mating systems, social behaviour, aggression, and evolutionary perspectives in perception and cognition.

These courses will be offered at different times as announced by the Department.

This course is intended to increase the awareness and understanding of the impact of the environment on human behaviour and experience. Topics to be discussed include territoriality and crowding, environment cognition, the psychology of public spaces, the influence of digital and social media on environment perception, and the impact of urban design on mental health. The course will include both lectures and interactive activities.

This course will deal with selected topics in psychology. Subjects will be dependent upon the research and/or instructional interests of faculty.

This course surveys major developments and personalities in the field of psychology, starting with Wundt's founding of the world's first laboratory for experimental psychology in 1879. By comparing the important movements of structuralism, functionalism, behaviourism and gestaltism, the course evaluates the ideas that continue to provide the basis for modern research and practice in psychology. It will be of interest to those wanting a broader perspective on the field of scientific psychology or the history of science, or those planning a career in psychology.

Topics explore social science research methods in Psychology. Consult departmental listings for upcoming topics, which may include naturalistic observation, factorial experiment design, behavioural coding, survey/questionnaire construction, interviewing, and/or linguistic analysis. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., lab experience, data collection), research reports, critiques of published/proposed research, and student presentations. [Offered: F]

Topics explore natural science research methods in Psychology. Consult departmental listings for upcoming topics, which may include methods for studying psychophysiology, neuroanatomy, and/or cognitive processes (e.g., perception, attention, memory, information-processing, decision-making). Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., lab experience, data collection), research reports, critiques of published/proposed research, and student presentations. [Offered: W and/or S]

Aimed at developing an understanding of the use and interpretation of statistics in complex research designs, this course emphasizes analysis of variance and multiple comparison techniques to interpret the results of multi-factor experiments. The importance of power in factorial designs is discussed. The course includes a computer component that ties the use of a statistical package to the topics discussed in lectures. [Offered: F, W]

Students learn how to measure psychophysiological responses to the stimuli in our world (e.g., familiar faces, emotional scenes, video games, etc.). Students get hands-on training in acquiring and analyzing different types of psychophysiological data such as skin conductance responses and heart rate changes over short and long periods. [Offered: W and/or S]

Current research methods and procedures employed in developmental research are covered. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., "hands on" lab experience and data collection), research reports, critiques of published and proposed research, individual and/or group presentations. [Offered F]

Current topics in the study of cognitive and perceptual processes including research methods and procedures are covered. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., "hands on" lab experience and data collection), research reports, critiques of published and proposed research, individual and/or group presentations. [Offered: W and/or S]

Current research methods and procedures employed in social psychology research are covered. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., 'hands on' lab experience and data collection), research reports, critiques of published and proposed research, individual and/or group presentations. [Offered F]

Students learn about research in behavioural neuroscience in a hands-on, laboratory atmosphere with an emphasis on comparative and evolutionary approaches to understanding brain-behaviour relations. Projects include neuroanatomical methods and observation of behaviour using a variety of analytic methods. [Offered: W and/or S]

Current research methods and procedures employed in personality and/or clinical psychology research are covered. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., "hands on" lab experience and data collection), research reports, critiques of published and proposed research, individual and/or group presentations. [Offered F]

Current topics in the study of memory including research methods and procedures are covered. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., "hands on" lab experience and data collection), research reports, critiques of published and proposed research, individual and/or group presentations. [Offered: W and/or S]

An independent in-depth study of a selected area of concern to the student within the discipline of psychology. Available to individuals or small groups of third- or fourth-year Social Development Studies majors and arranged with one of the faculty members from the program.

Current research methods and procedures employed in industrial/organizational psychology are covered. Activities may include research proposals, group and/or individual projects (e.g., "hands on" lab experience and data collection), research reports, critiques of published and proposed research, individual and/or group presentations. [Offered F]

An independent in-depth study of a selected area of concern to the student within the discipline of psychology. Available to individuals or small groups of third- or fourth-year Social Development Studies majors and arranged with one of the faculty members from the program.

This course gives students with either a limited computational or psychology background a gentle introduction to computational neuroscience. The course involves a series of lectures and computational exercises and concludes with an in-class presentation. Programming exercises can be completed with either Excel or a computer language of the student's choice.

This course addresses planning, motivation, communication, information exchange, influence, relationships, emotion, and reaching objectives in a diverse array of interdependent decision making contexts. Topics include distributive and integrative negotiations, coalitions, negotiating on teams, dispute resolution, and multi-party negotiations. Course format is experiential learning and attendance is required.

This course reviews research showing how brief, non-invasive, low-cost, social psychological treatments can have small but significant benefits months and years later. Topics include school-based interventions, health interventions, psychological well-being interventions, prejudice-reduction interventions, when and why interventions can fail, and the theories behind how interventions work.

An interdisciplinary discussion of central issues concerned with mind and intelligence such as representation, meaning, inference, and consciousness.

This course focuses on the life cycle of close adult relationships, ranging from the stages of initial attraction and development of an attachment, to growth and maintenance of the relationship, to conflict and dissolution. Seminars discuss contemporary theory and research with an emphasis on understanding the basic processes involved in intimate relationships.

Senior seminars may include weekly readings, individual and/or group projects, class presentations and discussions, research proposals, essays/literature reviews, assignments, midterms, and final exams. Consult departmental listings for topics and prerequisites for the current year.

This seminar addresses issues in child/adolescent psychopathology such as mood/anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, psychosis, eating disorders, Tourette's Syndrome, and severe behavioural problems. Emphasis is on theories and research concerning social-emotional functioning, diagnosis, therapy, and socio-cultural contexts. The course also considers challenges and barriers encountered when raising and teaching children/adolescents with a mental illness.

Topics reflect current issues in developmental psychology. Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

Topics reflect current issues in educational psychology. Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

Topics reflect current issues in social psychology. Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

Topics reflect current issues in personality and clinical psychology. Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

Topics reflect current issues in cognitive psychology. Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

This course covers social psychological theories of close relationships with emphasis on reading and discussion of original empirical articles. Topics may include attraction, partner selection, trust and power, attachment, communications, conflict, intimacy, and relationship maintenance and dissolution. Student roles include presenting articles, leading discussions, and submitting a written research proposal.

Topics reflect the research interests of faculty members, for example, cognitive neuropsychology, visual neuroscience, and hemispheric specialization. Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

Consult the departmental listings for the upcoming topics. Content may involve personnel (e.g., employee selection and appraisal) and/or organizational topics (groups/teams, justice, leadership, motivation, organizational culture, or organizational change). Activities may include oral presentations, class discussions, individual and/or group projects, and written assignments.

Honours seminars may include weekly readings, individual and/or group projects, class discussions, research proposals, one or two essays/literature reviews, weekly assignments, one or two midterms, and final exams. Consult departmental listings for topics and topic-specific prerequisites for the current year.

This course involves an unpaid apprenticeship of 96 hours in a faculty member's research lab in the Department of Psychology. Apprenticeship hours will be completed before the end of the lecture period for the term of enrolment. Students will be assigned duties that will enable them to advance their understanding of the research process. Course application forms are available on the Psychology undergraduate website. Paid or volunteer positions that are obtained outside the context of this course are not eligible for credit in this course.

For Psychology majors interested in a career in applied psychology. The course involves an unpaid apprenticeship in an industrial, medical, government, or other applied setting combined with regular seminar meetings. The apprenticeship will require a volunteer commitment of 60 hours during the lecture period. The course is offered on a credit/no credit basis. Paid or volunteer positions that are obtained outside the context of this course are not eligible for credit in this course. Course application forms are available at the Psychology undergraduate website. [Offered: W]

Emergent literacy refers to the knowledge and skills children acquire from birth on through the preschool years that are important to the development of literacy (reading and writing). Students will learn about emergent literacy via a once-weekly seminar component and a once-weekly unpaid practicum placement at a local elementary public school where students will have the opportunity to read one-on-one with children who are at the beginning stages of reading. The practicum component will involve a commitment of up to 30 hours during the formal lecture period. Students wishing to enter the course must obtain a police check prior to the second week of classes. Transportation to the apprenticeship/volunteer setting is the student's responsibility. Please review the course application form for information on safety for students on unpaid work placement and insurance responsibilities. Course application forms and further details are available on the Psychology undergraduate website. Paid or volunteer positions that are obtained outside the context of this course are not eligible for credit in this course.

For Psychology majors and Human Resources Management students interested in a career in Human Resources. The course involves an unpaid apprenticeship in a human resources setting combined with regular seminar meetings. The apprenticeship will require a volunteer commitment of 60 hours during the lecture period. The course is offered on a credit/no credit basis. Paid or volunteer positions that are obtained outside the context of this course are not eligible for credit in this course. Course application forms are available at the Psychology undergraduate website. [Offered: W]

Topics cover practical applications of theory and research in one or more of the six areas of psychology. Consult departmental listings for upcoming topics. Topics may include applications of psychology to health, well-being, law, education, policy analysis, management, marketing, regulation, systems design, community organizing, conflict resolution, and/or communications.

The student will conduct an extensive literature review and write a major essay/critique of the literature under the supervision of a faculty member selected by the student. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

The student will conduct an extensive literature review under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements will include writing a major essay/critique of a topic in a natural science area of psychology. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

The student will conduct an extensive literature review under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements will include writing a major essay/critique of a topic in a social science area of psychology. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

The student conducts an empirical research project in a natural science area of psychology under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements include writing a report of the research carried out. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

The student conducts a research project in a social science area of psychology under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements include writing a report of the research carried out. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

The student conducts an extensive literature review under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements include writing a major essay/critique of the literature, and doing an oral presentation. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

The student conducts an extensive study of advanced statistical techniques under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements normally include assessment of competency through examination. The course application form must include a detailed course plan including the method of evaluation.

An independent, in-depth study, based on empirical research and/or extensive reading in psychology under the direction of individual instructors in psychology. Available to individuals or small groups of Social Development Studies majors and arranged with one of the faculty members from the plan. The project must be approved by the academic supervisor of the course prior to registration.

Students learn how to develop reliable and valid measures of psychological constructs (e.g., self-esteem, mind wandering), and study and apply advanced analytic procedures (e.g., regression, factor analysis). This course is foundational for graduate studies in all six areas of psychology, and for applied jobs in business, clinical, and educational settings.

The course aims to make students effective, autonomous users of R, a statistics software program with graphical applications and utility in many careers. Students learn to code syntax, analyze, and graph data using R. Each student conducts an R-based data analysis project of particular interest to them.

Under supervision of a faculty member students normally will review literature, design a study, present an oral research proposal, collect data, and write a scholarly report of the project. Students may choose to begin PSYCH 499 in their 3B or 4A term.

Continuation of PSYCH 499A.

Continuation of PSYCH 499A/B.