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.
PSYC 1001 (3CR)
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I
Format: lecture 3 hours
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)
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, aspects of
cognition, memory, and language.
PSYC 1011 (3CR)
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY II
Format: lecture 3 hours
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)
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, aspects of cognition and language,
personality, and the psychology of
abnormal behaviour. PSYC 1001 and 1011 may be taken in either order. Neither is a
prerequisite to the other.
PSYC 2001 (3CR)
RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS I
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and PSYC 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: MATH 2311
A lecture and laboratory class in which a range of research strategies, including descriptive,
correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs are considered.
Other topics include the research process, ethics in research, defining and measuring variables, sampling,
and writing a research report. The use of descriptive statistics to evaluate the results of
carefully planned research is also described.
PSYC 2011 (3CR)
RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS II
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
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)
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, correlation analysis, and nonparametric approaches. A statistical software package is introduced. This course will
include both lectures and tutorials.
PSYC 2101 (3CR)
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 2051
(Introduction to Brain and Behaviour)
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.
PSYC 2111 (3CR)
DRUGS AND BEHAVIOUR
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
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.
PSYC 2121 (3CR)
BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 2011
(Learning and Memory)
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.
PSYC 2201 (3CR)
COGNITIVE PROCESSES
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 3021
(Cognition)
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.
PSYC 2301 (3CR)
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 3081 (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.
PSYC 2401 (3CR)
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 2031 (Introduction to Developmental Psychology)
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.
PSYC 2411 (3CR)
ADOLESCENCE
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 3031 (Stages
of Psychological Development)
An overview of social, cognitive, and biological development during adolescence.
Some of the topics covered include puberty, identity, peer groups, and adolescent
sexuality.
PSYC 2421 (3CR)
ADULTHOOD AND AGING
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
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.
PSYC 2501 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
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.
PSYC 2601 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGY OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 3061
(Psychopathology)
This course will present an overview of psychological disorders: their biological
and social origins, classification, symptoms and common treatments.
PSYC 2611 (3CR)
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and PSYC 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
This course will provide an introduction to the psychology of health, including the ways in which
thoughts, emotions, and behavior influence one's health. This course will cover both current research and theory in health psychology.
PSYC 2701 (3CR)
PERSONALITY
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 3071
(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.
PSYC 3001 (3CR)
ADVANCED DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001, 1011, 2001 and 2011, plus at least third-year standing; or permission
of the Department
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.
PSYC 3011 (3CR)
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours
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)
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.
PSYC 3021 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours
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
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.
PSYC 3101 (3CR)
HUMAN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
Prereq: PSYC 2101 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)
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.
PSYC 3111 (3CR)
CONDITIONING
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours
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)
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.
PSYC 3201 (3CR)
MEMORY
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1.5 hours
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
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.
PSYC 3211 (3CR)
SENSATION AND PERCEPTION
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
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)
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.
PSYC 3221 (3CR)
PSYCHOLINGUISTICS
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
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)
This lecture and laboratory course will describe our present state of knowledge
concerning the mechanisms underlying the production, comprehension, and use of
language.
PSYC 3231 (3CR)
EMOTION
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
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
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.
PSYC 3301 (3CR)
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
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
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.
PSYC 3401 (3CR)
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours
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)
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.
PSYC 3411 (3CR)
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 2401 plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department
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.
PSYC 3501 (3CR)
SELECTED TOPICS
Format: lecture 3 hours
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
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.
PSYC 3801 (3CR)
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours
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
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.
PSYC 3811 (3CR)
DISORDERS OF LEARNING
Format: lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour
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
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.
PSYC 3901 (3CR)
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours
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)
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.
PSYC 4101 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN BEHAVIOURAL NEUROSCIENCE
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
Advanced seminar on the relation between brain and behaviour.
PSYC 4111 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN CONDITIONING
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
Advanced seminars on Pavlovian conditioning, operant conditioning and other forms
of learning in animals and people.
PSYC 4201 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN COGNITION
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
Advanced seminars on subjects of current theoretical interest in the psychology of
attention, memory and thought.
PSYC 4301 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
An advanced seminar on selected topics of current theoretical interest in the study
of social behaviour.
PSYC 4401 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the methods and
concepts of developmental psychology through intensive treatment of specific research
areas.
PSYC 4411 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ADULTHOOD AND AGING
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 2421 and at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus at
least third-year standing; or permission of the Department
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.
PSYC 4501 (3CR)
SELECTED TOPICS
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: At least two courses in Psychology at the 3000 level plus third-year standing; and
permission of the Department
A senior seminar course devoted to topics in Psychology not covered by our current
course offerings. Students may take the course more than once if substantially different
topics are covered.
PSYC 4601 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
This course presents an in-depth examination of theory and research pertinent to a
topic of current interest in the field of Psychopathology.
PSYC 4701 (3CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN PERSONALITY
Format: seminar 3 hours
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)
This course presents an in-depth examination of theory and research pertinent to a
topic of current interest in the field of Personality.
PSYC 4903 (3CR)
HONOURS SEMINAR
Format: seminar 2 hours
Coreq: PSYC 4990; or permission of the Department
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.
PSYC 4950/4951 (6/3CR)
DIRECTED STUDY ON SPECIAL TOPICS
Format: independent study
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
Format: independent study/thesis
Prereq: PSYC 2011; or permission of the Department
The senior thesis will involve an experimental research project carried out in
close consultation with a member of the Department.