PSYC 1110Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science0.5 unit
An introduction to psychology as a natural science. Areas surveyed will include, but will not be limited to, the biological bases of behaviour, sensation and perception, as well as a brief overview of the history and methodology of psychology.
PSYC 1120
Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1110
An introduction to psychology as a social science. Areas surveyed will include, but will not be limited to, social psychology, personality theory and psychological disorders and therapy.
PSYC 2205
Abnormal Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
A survey of issues concerning the field of abnormal psychology. Major psychopathologies are examined and theories in the area are studied.
PSYC 2208
Social Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
A study of topics in social psychology such as person perception, prejudice, group processes, attitude formation and change, and conformity.
PSYC 2209
Research Methods in Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 1120 and MATH 2208 and 2209. Enrolment is restricted to psychology majors only.
Students should have familiarity with word processing and Windows. This course may not be repeated more than once. An introduction to research design and methodology in the study of behaviour. Emphasis is upon formulation of research questions, data analysis, evaluation of results, and reporting of scientific information.
Laboratory required (3 hours/week)
PSYC 2213
Emotion and Motivation0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
A scientific study of human emotion and motivation. Students will explore primary and complex emotions as well as sexual, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, hunger and addiction through research projects and readings.
PSYC 2214
Learning0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
A biobehavioural approach to the selection of behaviour and its environmental control. The course describes, at the behavioural and neurological levels, how selectionist processes determine learning. Topics covered include the origins of learned behaviour, operant selection, environmental guidance of behaviour, classes of environment-behaviour relations, attending, memory, problem solving, and verbal behaviour.
PSYC 2215
Cognitive Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
An examination of research and theory dealing with cognitive processes. Topics to be examined include attention, memory, mental representation, language and problem solving.
PSYC 2216
Sensation and Perception0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
A survey of the psychological research designed to study the mental events involved in information extraction. Topics covered could include vision, audition, size and shape constancy, form and pattern perception, attention and illusions, and perceptual development.
PSYC 2220/FSGN 2220
Psychology of Adulthood and Aging0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
A critical examination of the findings and theories in the psychology of adulthood and aging. Topics to be covered will include identity and interpersonal behaviour, memory and intelligence, social-life changes and successful aging. Note: Students who have received credit for GNTG 2220 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 2221
Developmental Psychology I0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
An introductory course on human development from conception through adolescence. Theoretical perspectives and research are studied. Topics covered may include genetics, heredity, the pre and perinatal periods, physical growth, motor skills, learning and perception. Note: Students who have received credit for PSYC 2202 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 2222
Developmental Psychology II0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2221
An introductory course on human development from conception through adolescence. Theoretical perspectives and research are studied. Topics covered may include emotion, social cognition, gender roles, moral development, familial and extra-familial influences. Note: Students who have received credit for PSYC 2202 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 2250/BIOL 2250
Animal Behaviour 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120 or BIOL 1153
An introduction to the biological bases of behaviour in animals, covering genetic, developmental, neural, ecological and social aspects. Note: Students who have received credit for PSYC 3318 or BIOL 3318 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 2255
Evolutionary Psychology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
An introduction to the theory and findings concerning the biological bases of human behaviour. Topics studied will include basic survival mechanisms, mating strategies, parenting, kinship relationships, cooperation, and aggression.
PSYC 2260/BIOL 2260
Basic Neuroscience0.5 unit
Prerequisite: BIOL 1153 or PSYC 1120
A course providing knowledge about structure and function of nervous systems at the molecular, cellular and systems’ levels.
PSYC 2265
Gender Differences0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120 or WOMS 1110
An investigation of the meaning of gender and sex, and the psychosocial differences and similarities among individuals based on those categories. These issues will be examined from various perspectives which may include gender role socialization, biological, evolutionary, and cross-cultural theories. (Also listed under Women's Studies)
PSYC 2267
Human Sexuality0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 1120
The study of human sexuality from its historical, psychobiological, and developmental perspectives. Topics will include: the psychobiology of the human sexual response, relationships and behaviour, development of human sexuality, social construction of sexuality, and contemporary social and health issues.
PSYC 3260/BIOL 3260
Advanced Neuroscience0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2260
Advanced topics in neuroscience such as the sensory systems of animals and humans and cellular mechanisms of memory and learning.
PSYC 3302
Behaviour Modification0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2214
The study of the application of learning principles to address behavioural issues in a variety of settings. Examples are taken from clinical, institutional, home and community environments.
PSYC 3305
Forensic Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2205
An introduction to the applications of psychology to the criminal justice system (e.g., courts, corrections, policing). Emphasis will be placed on psychological aspects of criminal behaviour and criminal investigation.
PSYC 3307
Roots of Modern Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 1120 and a 2000-level psychology course
A lecture/seminar course dealing with the development of the science of psychology. Particular emphasis will be given to the development of modern scientific reasoning and its relationship to such twentieth-century systems of psychology as structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalysis, behaviourism, and Gestalt psychology.
PSYC 3309
Community Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2205 or 2208
An introduction to the methods of research and current findings in the area of community psychology. Problems of mental health, aging, environmental protection, delinquency and unemployment may be among the areas studied.
PSYC 3310
Cognitive Development
0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2222 and either PSYC 2209 or CHYS 2211
A critical examination of some of the basic concepts, theories, and empirical findings in cognitive development. Content includes the important work of the past, that of Jean Piaget, and some contemporary work in cognitive development.
PSYC 3311
Language Development0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2222 and either PSYC 2209 or CHYS 2211
A survey of normal language development in children. Phonological, pragmatic, semantic, and syntactic aspects of the language learning process are examined, with an emphasis on theoretical explanations of their development. More briefly, language disorders may be discussed.
PSYC 3312
Contemporary Research Problems in Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2209, 1.5 units of psychology credit above the 1000 level and permission of the department
An introduction to advanced research problems. Topics will include experimental design, statistical analysis, and reporting of results. At the end, the student is expected to have designed an independent experiment, submitted a written proposal, and presented the project at a departmental student conference. Note: Students who have received credit for PSYC 2210 may not take this course for credit.
Laboratory required (3 hours/week)
PSYC 3313
Social and Emotional Development0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2222 and PSYC 2209 or another research methods course
Normative social and emotional development is studied, primarily in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Topics which may be covered include the development of attachment, self-concept, gender roles, aggression and altruism. Also considered is the role of the family, peers, media, and/or schools as contexts for shaping development.
PSYC 3315
Personality0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2209 or an equivalent research methods course from another discipline
Individual style is largely defined by our personality or characteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behaviour. Accordingly, students will be taught how to interpret and synthesize research relating to human biology, development, learning, thinking, emotion, motivation, and social interaction thereby providing a complete picture of the individual.
PSYC 3317
Moral Development0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2222
Contemporary theoretical perspectives on moral development and socialization are considered, and questions raised by current research discussed: e.g., How does moral thinking develop, and how does it relate to behaviour? Are moral values completely relative?
PSYC 3319
Adolescent Development0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2222
The physical, cognitive and social development of adolescents is studied in the context of family and peer relationships. Possible topics addressed include pubertal timing, gender roles, sexuality, vocational development and participation in risk-taking behaviours (e.g. substance abuse, early parenthood). Note: Students who have received credit for EDUC 5507 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 3320
Advanced Methods in Developmental Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2222 and 2209
Current psychological research in development is studied with particular emphasis on methodological considerations. Research designs pertinent to the study of ontogenetic development will be presented along with substantive research concerning change in personality and cognitive function.
PSYC 3330
Selected Topics in Psychology0.5 unit
PSYC 3331
Selected Topics in Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2209 and 2.0 units of credit in psychology beyond the 1000 level
An opportunity to explore selected topics in psychology at an advanced level. Topics will vary from year to year.
PSYC 3332/BIOL 3332
Human Neuropsychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2260
A study of the neural bases of mental function. The neural mechanisms of complex cognitive processes such as object recognition, spatial processing, attention, language, memory, executive functions and emotion will be reviewed from the human clinical perspective.
PSYC 3350/BIOL 3350
Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC/BIOL 2250
A critical analysis of the evolutionary bases of animal behaviour including such areas as adaptation, optimality, sexual selection, parental investment, co-operation and altruism. Note: Students who have received credit for PSYC 3318 or BIOL 3318 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 3360
The Science of Knowing
0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 1120 and PSYC 2209 or another research methods course
An interdisciplinary survey of different viewpoints on science and research, including postpositivism, postmodernism, social constructionism, phenomenology, and chaos theory, Links will also be made between method and methodology.
PSYC 3365/WOMS 3365
Psychology of Women0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2265 or 0.5 unit of a Women’s Studies course at the 2000 level or above
A study of the psychosocial issues that pertain specifically to women. The course will utilize a feminist empiricist perspective to critically review a variety of topics, including: feminist epistemological positions, gender construction across the lifespan, women and work, motherhood, health, intimate relationships.
PSYC 3370
Psychological Tests and Measures0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PSYC 2209 or CHYS 2211
An introduction to psychological measurement and psychometrics. Topics include scale development, standardized scores, reliability, validity, and the value and limitations of psychological testing. A variety of intelligence, achievement, aptitude, and personality tests and the various strategies used to measure these constructs will be studied.
PSYC 3380
Health Psychology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: Either (a) 1.0 unit of PSYC at the 2000 level or above and one of PSYC 2209, or FSGN 3313, or CHYS 2211 or (b) 1.5 units of Biology at the 2000 level or above
A study of health from the biopsychosocial perspective. The history and current status of health psychology will be investigated from a Canadian perspective. Areas examined will include psychoneuroimmunology, stress and coping, illness and pain. Medical communication, procedures and professionals will be considered and both health and health related behaviours will be discussed. Note: Students who have received credit in the Fall of 2003 for PSYC 3330 may not take this course for credit.
PSYC 4403
Directed Study0.5 unit
PSYC 4404
Directed Study0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2209 and written permission of faculty supervisor
When more than 0.5 unit of directed study is taken, each 0.5 unit must be supervised by a different faculty member. A course permitting students with advanced standing to pursue study in a specified area of psychology. This study may take the form of a laboratory apprenticeship, which consists of laboratory or field research under the direct supervision of a faculty member, or directed readings in a chosen area of psychology. (Also listed under Women's Studies)
PSYC 4405
Honours Seminar0.5 unit
PSYC 4406
Honours Seminar0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 3312 and written permission of faculty supervisor
A seminar devoted to current problems in psychology in order to assist students who are majoring in psychology to integrate their knowledge of the discipline. Extensive reading, reports, and projects will be presented by each student. Topics will be available at registration.
PSYC 4410
Childhood Psychopathology0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2222 and a 3000-level course in developmental psychology
The etiology, manifestations and management of childhood disorders (e.g. autism, learning disabilities, conduct disorders) will be considered from various developmental theoretical perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on an understanding of the research contributions critical to each area.
PSYC 4415
Social Cognition0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 2209 and 1.0 unit of PSYC at the 3000-level
An examination of individuals’ understanding and reasoning about social relationships and social situations. Students will think critically about one area of social cognition, with the topic varying from year to year. Possible topics include aggression, theory of mind, close interpersonal relationships, prejudice, emotional understanding, the self, or humour.
PSYC 4499
Honours Thesis and Seminar1.0 unit
Prerequisites: PSYC 3312 and completion of 15 units in the honours program, and written permission of the chairperson
Students will complete a research thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The associated seminar is devoted to presentations and discussions of students’ thesis research and current faculty research interests.