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.
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 Head or Program Co-ordinator must be obtained.
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
Note: Students may count for credit toward a degree a maximum of six credits
from BIOL 2701, GENS 2431, MATH 2311, and PSYC 2001
This course considers a range of research strategies, including descriptive,
correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs.
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, 1011, 2001, and at least second-year standing; or permission
of the Department
Exclusion: 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. It also introduces a
statistical software package.
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
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 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
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 2431 (3CR)
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least second-year standing; or permission of the
Department
Exclusion: PSYC 2401 and PSYC 2411
This course is an overview of social, cognitive, and biological development during
infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Some of the topics covered include the development
of perception, memory, emotions, and family relationships, puberty, identity, peer groups,
and adolescent sexuality.
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
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
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 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; at least one other course in Psychology at the 2000 level;
at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department
Note: PSYC 2001 and 2011 strongly recommended as additional prerequisites
This course examines the structure and functions of the
cerebral cortex. Topics 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.
Note: 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 3151 (3CR)
DRUGS AND BEHAVIOUR
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 2111
This course explores principles of pharmacology, neural transmission, behavioural assessment of drug
effects, theories of addiction, tolerance, and dependence as a
conceptual introduction to behavioural pharmacology. It discusses specific psychopharmacologic issues pertaining to
alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opiates, psychomotor
stimulants, caffeine, tobacco, hallucinogens, and antipsychotic drugs.
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
This lecture and laboratory course will describe our present state of knowledge
concerning the mechanisms underlying the production, comprehension, and use of
language.
PSYC 3301 (3CR)
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
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 examines aspects of interpersonal attraction and
interpersonal relationships. Topics covered 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 or PSYC 2431; at least one other course in Psychology at the 2000 level;
at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department
This course examines theories and research methods of
developmental psychology, with a focus on research and findings in cognitive development
in infancy, childhood and adolescence. It includes theories of how infants and children
discover and understand the world, remember information, and solve problems.
PSYC 3421 (3CR)
ADULTHOOD AND AGING
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 2421
This course is 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 3511 (3CR)
PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN
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. Students with
a declared minor in Women's Studies, PSYC 1001 and 1011 and at least 3rd year standing
can take the Psychology of Women course.
Exclusion: PSYC 2501
This course systematically reviews psychological theories and research findings
about women's development. Topics 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 are also
considered.
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
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
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
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
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
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, 2431, 3421; at least 2 courses in Psychology at the 3000
level plus at least third-year standing; or permission of the Department
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 or PSYC 3421 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 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
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
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)
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN PSYCHOLOGY
Format: Independent Study
Prereq: Permission of the Department/Program Advisor. Students must obtain
consent of an instructor who is willing to be a supervisor and must register
for the course prior to the last day for change of registration in the term
during which the course is being taken.
Note: A program on Independent Study cannot duplicate subject matter covered through
regular course offerings.
Note: Students may register for PSYC 4950/51 more than once, provided the subject
matter differs.
This course permits senior students, under the direction faculty members,
to pursue their interest in areas not covered, or not covered in depth, by other
courses through a program of independent study.
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.
PSYC 1991/2991/3991/4991 (3CR)
SPECIAL TOPIC IN PSYCHOLOGY
Format: Variable
Prereq: Set by the Department/Program when the topic and level are announced
Note: When a Department or Program intends to offer a course under this designation,
it must submit course information, normally at least three months in advance, to the Dean.
Note: Students may register for PSYC 1991/2991/3991/4991 more than once, provided the
subject matter differs.
This course either focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings
in a department or program or offers the opportunity to pilot a course that is being
considered for inclusion in the regular program.