Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It is a biological, a social, and a cognitive science. As a biological science, it studies the physiological mechanisms and evolutionary origins of mental and behavioural phenomena. As a social science, it studies personality and interpersonal relations and their bases in social interaction, cognition and emotion. As a cognitive science, it studies such processes as sensation and perception, abstract thinking, reasoning, language, and memory. Developmental psychology combines all three aspects in taking for its subject matter the total life span. The objectives of psychological study are to understand human nature, for its own sake, and to provide an increasingly reliable basis for the application of psychological principles to education, social policy, and medical treatment.

Psychologists use a variety of methods appropriate to the questions they study. Experimentation, laboratory techniques, observational procedures, measurement, and statistical methods are among the important tools of the psychologist. Whatever their methods, psychologists share in their research a commitment to careful and systematic observation aimed at the formulation of general principles.

In recent years psychology has become increasingly interdisciplinary. Psychologists work with biologists, geneticists, medical researchers, physiologists, and biochemists on those questions of a biological nature. They work with sociologists, criminologists, anthropologists, and economists, among others, on questions relating to social behaviour. Finally, they work with mathematicians, computer scientists, philosophers, linguists, and others on questions involving the nature and origins of knowledge.

Disciplinary B.A. and B.Sc. Programmes

B.A. & B.Sc. MINOR in Psychology is 24 credits earned as follows:

6	from Psychology 1001, 1011
6	from Psychology 2101, 2201, 2301
12	from Psychology, including 6 from the 3/4000 level, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor

B.A. & B.Sc. MAJOR AREA OF STUDY in Psychology is 60 credits earned as follows: under both degrees, 42 credits from Psychology earned as follows:

6	from Psychology 1001, 1011
6	from Psychology 2001, 2011
6	from Psychology 2101, 2201, 2301
15	from Psychology at the 3/4000 level, including 3 from the 4000 level, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor
9	from Psychology

plus, for B.Sc., 18 credits from Science:

3	from Physics 1051
3	from Physics 1551, 3521
6	from Chemistry 1001, 1021
6	from Math 1111, and three other credits from Math or Computer Science selected from Math 1121, 1131, 2211, 2221, 2311 or Computer Science 1711.

plus, for B.A., 18 credits from complementary courses in, for example, Biology, English, History, Mathematics & Computer Science, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, Canadian Studies, or Modern Languages, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor.

B.A. and B.Sc. HONOURS in Psychology is 78 credits earned as follows:

60	credits as in either the B.A. or B.Sc. Major, plus:
18	from Psychology which must include 3001, 3901, 4903, 4990, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor

Note: The listing of a course in the calendar is not a guarantee that the course is offered every year.

Note: Students must obtain a grade of at least C- in all courses used to fulfill prerequisite requirements. Otherwise, written permission of the appropriate Department or Programme Coordinator must be obtained.

PSYCHOLOGY COURSES

PSYC 1001 (3CR)
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I
A general introduction to the concepts, problems, and methods of modern scientific psychology. Topics surveyed include neuroanatomy and other aspects of the biological bases of psychological processes, learning, motivation, sensation, perception, memory, and language.
Prereq: None
Note: Students who, prior to September 2000, have successfully completed either PSYC 1001 (Psychological Adaptation) or 1101(Psychological Processes) may obtain credit for either PSYC 1001 (Introduction to Psychology I) or PSYC 1011(Introduction to Psychology II)

PSYC 1011 (3CR)
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY II
A general introduction to the concepts, problems, and methods of modern scientific psychology. Topics surveyed include attitudes, stereotyping and other aspects of social psychology, developmental psychology, intelligence, personality, and the psychology of abnormal behaviour. PSYC 1001 and 1011 may be taken in either order. Neither is a prerequisite to the other.
Note: Students who, prior to September 2000, have successfully completed either PSYC 1001 (Psychological Adaptation) or 1101(Psychological Processes) may obtain credit for either PSYC 1001 (Introduction to Psychology I) or PSYC 1011(Introduction to Psychology II)

PSYC 2001 (3CR)
RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS I
A lecture and laboratory course in which basic design principles involved in the scientific approach to empirical research and data collection are considered. The use of descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluate the results of carefully planned research is also described.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and PSYC 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: MATH 2311

PSYC 2011 (3CR)
RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS II
This course covers the research process from the development of simple and complex research designs to statistical analyses of the data collected. Topics covered include analysis of variance, regression analysis, and nonparametric approaches. This course will include both lectures and tutorials.
Prereq: PSYC 1001, PSYC 1011, PSYC 2001 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: MATH 2321, PSYC 2101 (Research Design and Analysis)

PSYC 2101 (3CR)
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
In this lecture and laboratory course, students will be provided with a basic foundation in the neural bases of behavior. Topics will include the role of evolution and genetics in the development of the nervous system, the structure and function of the nervous system, and the biological bases of perception, movement, eating, drinking, sleeping and dreaming, sexual behaviour, addiction and reward, and memory.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 2051 (Introduction to Brain and Behaviour)

PSYC 2111 (3CR)
DRUGS AND BEHAVIOUR
Principles of pharmacology, neural transmission, behavioural assessment of drug effects, theories of addiction, tolerance, and dependence will all be explored as a conceptual introduction to behavioural pharmacology. Specific psychopharmacologic issues will be discussed for alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opiates, psychomotor stimulants, caffeine, tobacco, hallucinogens, and antipsychotic drugs.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and second-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 2121 (3CR)
BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
Basic concepts and theories involved in the psychology of learning, the analysis of behaviour and behavioural assessment will be discussed in the context of real life problems. Applications of behaviour modification and behaviour therapy will be discussed in terms of problems associated with parenting, development of social skills, education, disabilities, health and other issues.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 2011 (Learning and Memory)

PSYC 2201 (3CR)
COGNITIVE PROCESSES
This lecture and laboratory course provides an overview of mental processes and activities used in perceiving, learning, remembering, thinking, and understanding. This course will offer students an opportunity to explore current information processing models and their applications. Some of the topics surveyed include attention, memory, language, neurocognition and thinking and reasoning.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3021 (Cognition)

PSYC 2301 (3CR)
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
A lecture and laboratory course introducing students to the field of social psychology. Topics covered will include social cognition, attitudes, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal attraction, social influence, helping and aggression, and group processes.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3081(Social Psychology)

PSYC 2401 (3CR)
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
An overview of social, cognitive, and biological development during infancy and childhood. Some of the topics covered include the development of perception, memory, emotions, and family and peer relationships.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 2031 (Introduction to Developmental Psychology)

PSYC 2411 (3CR)
ADOLESCENCE
An overview of social, cognitive, and biological development during adolescence. Some of the topics covered include puberty, identity, peer groups, and adolescent sexuality.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3031(Stages of Psychological Development)

PSYC 2421 (3CR)
ADULTHOOD AND AGING
An overview of social, cognitive, and biological development during early, middle, and late adulthood. Some of the topics covered include career development, menopause, bereavement, late-life changes in memory and sensory processes, and relationships between adults and their parents.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 2501 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN
This course systematically reviews psychological theories and research findings about women's development. Topics will include biological effects on gender development, gender roles, health and reproduction, personality and social interaction, work, sexuality, violence in women's lives, and mental health. The ways that race, ethnicity, class, physical ability, sexual orientation, and age modify women's experience will also be considered.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 2601 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGY OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
This course will present an overview of psychological disorders: their biological and social origins, classification, symptoms and common treatments.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3061 (Psychopathology)

PSYC 2701 (3CR)
PERSONALITY
This course will provide an introduction to personality as an enduring, organized pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving. The course will examine key theorists and broader perspectives on personality, as well as the measurement of personality from those perspectives. Examples of perspectives may include dispositional, biological, psychoanalytic, learning, and phenomenological.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3071 (Personality)

PSYC 3001 (3CR)
ADVANCED DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
This lecture and laboratory course provides the student with advanced analytic and design tools necessary to interpret the research of others and to conduct original research. Lectures will be supplemented by labs in which students will have an opportunity to practice their skills in answering questions of practical and theoretical interest.
Prereq: PSYC 1001, 1011, 2001 and 2011, plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3011 (3CR)
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
A lecture and laboratory course which describes the many ways in which psychologists have applied computer technology to their research - stimulus presentation, measuring and timing responses, data analysis, report writing, using the Internet for data collection and collaborative research are some examples covered.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3101 (Computer Applications)

PSYC 3021 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
This course examines the history and principles of psychological testing. It is concerned with the logic of test construction and the problems associated with attempts to quantify and assess human abilities and characteristics.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department. PSYC 2001 and 2011 strongly recommended as additional prerequisites.

PSYC 3101 (3CR)
HUMAN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
This lecture and laboratory course examines the structure and functions of the cerebral cortex. Topics will include cerebral asymmetry in function, the anatomy and functions of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, and the neural substrates of higher functions such as memory, language, emotion, spatial behaviour, and attention.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department. PSYC 2001 and 2011 strongly recommended as additional prerequisites.
Exclusion: PSYC 3051 (Brain Mechanisms of Complex Behaviour)

PSYC 3111 (3CR)
CONDITIONING
This lecture and laboratory course examines the role of associative processes in both human and non-human learning. Topics will include habituation, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department. PSYC 2001 and 2011 strongly recommended as additional prerequisites.
Exclusion: PSYC 3011 (Conditioning)

PSYC 3201 (3CR)
MEMORY
This lecture and laboratory course examines contemporary research and theories of human memory. Topics covered will include short-term and long-term memory, forgetting, implicit memory, amnesia, memory and aging, reconstructive processes, mnemonics and imagery.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3211 (3CR)
SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
This course will examine how physical energy is translated into sensory information and processed into our perceptions of the world around us. Topics covered will include the psychophysics and neural coding of each of our senses as well as the higher order processes of attention and cognition. In addition to lectures, students are required to participate in scheduled laboratory sessions.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3121 (Sensation and Perception)

PSYC 3221 (3CR)
PSYCHOLINGUISTICS
This lecture and laboratory course will describe our present state of knowledge concerning the mechanisms underlying the production, comprehension, and use of language.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3141 (Psycholinguistics)

PSYC 3231 (3CR)
EMOTION
This lecture and laboratory course reviews theories and evidence on the nature and variety of emotions and the conscious experiences that accompany them. The evidence for innate patterns of neural and hormonal response underlying proposed "basic" emotions is examined, along with theories of their individual and evolutionary function. Special attention is given to the influence of ordinary language on our conception of emotion and as evidence for and against the various theories proposed.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3301 (3CR)
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
A lecture and laboratory course examining aspects of interpersonal attraction and interpersonal relationships. Topics covered will include attachment and affiliation, interpersonal attraction, developing and maintaining close relationships, friendship and love, relationship problems, as well as relationship termination.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3401 (3CR)
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN
This lecture and laboratory course will examine the development of language. The precursors of language in the neonate; phonological, semantic, syntactic and pragmatic development will be covered as well as theories of language acquisition.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3131 (Processes of Psychological Development)

PSYC 3411 (3CR)
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
This lecture and laboratory course will examine theories and research methods of developmental psychology, with a focus on research and findings in cognitive development in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Included are theories of how infants and children discover and understand the world, remember information, and solve problems.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department

PSYC 3501 (3CR)
SELECTED TOPICS
This course will allow topics not covered by the current course offerings to be occasionally presented. The course content and format will vary depending on the particular area of Psychology to be covered.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3801 (3CR)
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
An introduction to selected principles, research findings, and theories of psychology considered relevant to teaching and learning. Topics will include such areas as human development and learning including developmental changes, motivational and learning processes, exceptionalities and other individual differences, dynamics of social groups, and the evaluation of teaching/learning.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3811 (3CR)
DISORDERS OF LEARNING
A lecture and laboratory course which will examine the application of scientific findings in psychology to our understanding of disorders of learning. It will apply knowledge in the fields of cognitive science (memory, attention, etc.), neuropsychology, and learning theory to the field of learning disabilities/dyslexia.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 3901 (3CR)
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
A course of lectures and seminars surveying the philosophical roots of scientific psychology, placing the problems and concepts of contemporary psychology in a historical context. The course covers the development of psychology from antiquity to the twentieth century.
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 2000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 3091 (History of Psychology)

PSYC 4101 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN BEHAVIOURAL NEUROSCIENCE
Advanced seminar on the relation between brain and behaviour.
Prereq: PSYC 2101; at least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4051 (Advanced Topics in Behavioural Neuroscience)

PSYC 4111 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN CONDITIONING
Advanced seminars on Pavlovian conditioning, operant conditioning and other forms of learning in animals and people.
Prereq: PSYC 3111; at least one other course in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4011 (Advanced Topics in Learning)

PSYC 4201 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN COGNITION
Advanced seminars on subjects of current theoretical interest in the psychology of attention, memory and thought.
Prereq: PSYC 2201; at least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4021 (Advanced Topics in Cognition)

PSYC 4301 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
An advanced seminar on selected topics of current theoretical interest in the study of social behaviour.
Prereq: PSYC 2301; at least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4081 (Advanced Topics in Social Psychology)

PSYC 4401 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the methods and concepts of developmental psychology through intensive treatment of specific research areas.
Prereq: One from PSYC 2401, 2411, 2421; at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4031 (Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology I), PSYC 4131 (Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology II)

PSYC 4411 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ADULTHOOD AND AGING
This course will use a seminar format. Specific topics in the field of Adulthood and Aging will be explored in depth (e.g., health and communication across adulthood, collaborative cognition, memory and comprehension of verbal and written information, etc). Theory and research methodology in life-span psychology will also be covered.
Prereq: PSYC 2411 or 2421; at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department

PSYC 4501 (3CR)
SELECTED TOPICS
A senior seminar course devoted to topics in Psychology not covered by our current course offerings.
Prereq: At least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4550 (Selected Topics)

PSYC 4601 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
This course presents an in-depth examination of theory and research pertinent to a topic of current interest in the field of Psychopathology.
Prereq: PSYC 2601; at least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4061 (Advanced Topics in Psychopathology)

PSYC 4701 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN PERSONALITY
This course presents an in-depth examination of theory and research pertinent to a topic of current interest in the field of Personality.
Prereq: PSYC 2701; at least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at least third year standing; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: PSYC 4071 (Advanced Topics in Personality)

PSYC 4903 (3CR)
HONOURS SEMINAR
A seminar for honours students in Psychology that will involve consideration of metatheoretical, psychometric, and ethical issues that inevitably arise in the course of virtually any type of psychological inquiry. In addition to the critical evaluation of classic articles on these topics, students will make periodic presentations of their own ongoing research, which will be open to all members of the Department.
Coreq: PSYC 4990; or permission of the Department.

PSYC 4950/4951 (6/3CR)
DIRECTED STUDY ON SPECIAL TOPICS
The course is intended to enable advanced students to pursue their interests in areas not covered by other classes offered at the 4000 level. Students must consult with the faculty member whom they wish to supervise their work, and obtain his or her consent, before attempting to register for this course. The prerequisites (or corequisites) will be determined by the nature of the work the student wishes to do.

PSYC 4990 (6CR)
HONOURS THESIS
The senior thesis will involve an experimental research project carried out in close consultation with a member of the Department.
Prereq: PSYC 3001 and 3091; or permission of the Department.