PSYCH Course Descriptions

Psychology (2009-2010)

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. The combination of PSYCH 120R and 121R is cross-listed with PSYCH 101. [Offered: F,W,S.]

An introductory survey of psychology with emphasis on a natural science perspective. Areas of study typically include the biology of behaviour, approaches to research, learning, sensation and perception, memory, and consciousness. There is additional in-depth study of selected topics.

An introductory survey of psychology with emphasis on a social science perspective. Areas of study typically include language, intelligence and cognition, development, motivation and emotion, health psychology, social psychology, personality and the causes and treatment of mental disorders. There is additional in-depth study of selected topics.

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 problems associated with mental retardation, emotional disturbances, sensory and physical impairments, and intellectual giftedness.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 no more than eight hours per week in a faculty research program. Application forms are available at the Psychology Undergraduate Office. 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 experimental design, and the interpretation of patterns of results. [Offered: F]

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]

Cognitive processes underlying human reasoning, problem solving, judgment, and decision making will be examined. Much of the discussion focuses on current models of these processes, and on the comparison between how rational people (or machines) should ideally behave and how they actually behave in everyday problem solving and decision making.

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.

Why do we have the personalities we do? A long-standing assumption has been that parental nurture during the early years of life is a major factor determining personality. Evidence for and against this claim will be reviewed. We will also consider alternative claims that personality is largely shaped by biology as well as cultural conditions beyond the home.

Long before we can make speech sounds, we can communicate with others. We review recent studies of infant communication based on factors such as smiling, vocalization, crying, emotions, and temperament, biological mechanisms underlying these factors, and typical and atypical adult responses to infants, such as those associated with parental depression.

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

Introduction to 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, neuroscience, and comparative psychology. Different methodologies and mechanisms of cognitive change will also be covered.

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

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 language development in humans from birth to adulthood. How basic linguistic skills (e.g., phonology, semantics, and grammar) and important communicative and pragmatic functions of language (e.g., conversation, narration, and politeness) are learned will be addressed. The importance of language development for acquiring social, cognitive, and literacy skills will also be considered.

This course will discuss the nature of the learning mechanisms that have allowed humans to create numerical systems and that allow children today to learn these systems. We will draw on studies of infants, of language acquisition, of problem-solving in children, and of cross-cultural variation in numerical systems.

An examination of the major theories of personality including consideration of the psychoanalytic, dispositional, humanistic, and behaviouristic models.

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.

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.

Classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives of human motivation and emotion will be emphasized. We will draw from animal models and various research methods to examine how our current knowledge in these areas has evolved, and we will explore the applications of these theoretical perspectives to social systems and therapeutic interventions.

An introduction to the methods, theories and problems in individual Counselling Psychology.

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.

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

The application of psychology to human resource staffing issues in Canadian organizations. Topics will include employment planning, job analysis, recruiting, selection, and performance appraisal. Recruitment and selection 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.

This course is a survey of how psychological theories and research methods can contribute to our understanding, prediction, and promotion of health behaviour. The course will cover a variety of health-relevant topics, including exercise, nutrition, sexual behaviour, smoking, cancer, and chronic diseases.

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.

The major theories of personality are considered in detail. They include psychoanalysis and its neo-Freudian derivatives, ego psychology, Jungian analytic psychology, radical behaviourist and social learning theories, self-theory and existentialism, trait theory, and the emergence of miniature theories. Research on each theory is reviewed.

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

Surveys major developments and personalities in the field of psychology, focusing on the modern era. This information provides a context and a vocabulary for current research and practice in psychology. The course will primarily be of interest to those planning a career in psychology or the history of science.

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

Students will learn how to measure psychophysiological responses to the stimuli in our world (e.g., familiar faces, emotional scenes, video games, etc.). Students will get hands-on training in acquiring and analyzing different types of psychophysiological data such as Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and pupil dilation. [Offered: W and/or S]

Current research methods and procedures employed in developmental research will be 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 will be 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 will be 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 will learn about research in behavioural neuroscience in a hands-on, laboratory atmosphere with an emphasis on comparative and evolutionary approaches to understanding brain-behaviour relationships. Projects will include neuroanatomical methods and observation of behaviour in human beings and other animals using computer tracking and virtual reality methods. [Offered: W and/or S]

Current research methods and procedures employed in personality and/or clinical psychology research will be 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 will be 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 will be 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.

An understanding of how consumers think, feel, and decide is essential to the success of any business venture. This course provides an overview of psychological research on consumer perception, memory, affect, attitudes, and decision making, with a focus on the various methods by which consumer behavior is investigated.

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.

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

Honours 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.

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.

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 prerequisites for the current year.

This course involves an unpaid apprenticeship of no more than eight hours per week in a faculty research program. Students will be assigned duties that will enable them to advance their understanding of the research process. Course application forms are available at the Psychology Undergraduate Office. Grading is 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. [Offered: F,W,S]

For Honours Psychology students 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 no more than eight hours per week. 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 Office. [Offered: W]

For Honours Psychology 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 no more than eight hours per week. 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 Office. [Offered: W]

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 will conduct an empirical research project in a natural science area of psychology under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements will 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 will conduct a research project in a social science area of psychology under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements will 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 will conduct an extensive literature review under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements will 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 will conduct an extensive study of advanced statistical techniques under the supervision of a faculty member. Course requirements will 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 fourth-year 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.

This course presents an introduction to the logic of measurement theory and its applications in psychology. [Offered: W]

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.