Psychology

An overview of psychology as well as an introduction to the biological basis of behavior, motivation, learning, sensation, perception, memory, thinking and language. Students may be requested to participate in research and some course credit may be earned in this way.

Examines social behaviour, personality, assessment, abnormal psychology, and psychological therapy. Students may be requested to participate in research and some course credit may be earned in this way.

An introduction to theory, methods, and research findings in lifespan developmental psychology. The life cycle as a whole and basic processes in socialization, cognition, and personality development will be examined. This course is designed primarily for Nursing students. Enrollment of other students is by permission of the instructor. Students currently enrolled in the BN programme are exempt from the PSYC 1004 prerequisite requirement. NOTE: Students who take PSYC 1273 may not take PSYC 2201 or PSYC 3293. 

An introduction to the methods and theory of empirical and experimental research in psychology. The logic of hypothesis construction and testing in relation to various areas of psychology are examined. Students will be required to complete an experiment. This course is intended for students who plan to major or honour in either Psychology or Biopsychology. 

A study of theory, methods and research findings in infancy and childhood. Examines social, cognitive, emotional and physical development. Credit will not be granted for both PSYC 2201 and ED 3021.

The scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. The course examines methods and findings related to topics such as the self in society, attitude formation, judging others, conformity, aggression, prejudice, and attraction. 

Designed to acquaint the student with the basic tools of statistics which are used to summarize and analyze psychological data. 

An aggregate of the scientific and professional contributions of the discipline of psychology towards promotion of an holistic approach for the maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness including etiologic as well as diagnostic correlates of health and illness.

Examines psychological based theories of crime and the contribution of psychology to the understanding of criminal behaviour and the assessment and rehabilitation of offenders. 

This course will focus on the application of psychological principles within legal contexts (e.g., legal decision-making, eye witness memory) and in relation to policing practices (e.g., interrogation practices, credibility assessment). 

Focuses on changes in learning ability, memory, perception, physical development, personality and social development associated with aging, beginning in young adulthood and extending to late adulthood.

Provides a detailed examination of how to evaluate programs in the community. Areas covered are mental health, criminal justice, and other systems that provide human services.

Provides an introduction to the psychology of human sexuality, including examination of topics such as sexual anatomy, sexual behaviour, sexual response, sexual dysfunction and therapy, sexual variation and other topics of interest.

A survey of the concepts, theories, and resources involved in the guidance and counselling area.

Provides a broad introduction to visual and auditory perception. Topics include the structure and neural functioning of auditory and visual systems and contemporary approaches to traditional problems of perception. The course may include reviews of other sense modalities.

The array of contemporary psychotherapeutic techniques is examined with emphasis on the relationship that exists between the theoretical and historical background of a therapy and the form it assumes when put into practice.

Further examines the scientific methods and findings that pertain to the functioning of individuals in social contexts. Topics include advanced methods used to study groups, aggression, prejudice, attraction and altruism. 

Cross cultural influences on behaviour, cognition, motivation, and personality variation. Methodological issues are examined.

Theory formation is greatly influenced by the assumptions, beliefs and experience of the theorist. In surveying formal theories of personality, an attempt is made to demonstrate the influence of personal-subjective factors in the development of theory.

An examination of the application of basic principles of learning to human behavioural processes. A study of the treatment techniques and assessment procedures employed in behaviour modification programs.

A survey of principles of both instrumental and classical conditioning focusing on animal subjects. Such topics as biological constraints on learning, cognitive interpretations of learning, and memory processes will be included. There will be various demonstrations throughout the course. 

This course will provide the student with a comprehensive picture of maladaptive behaviour from a biological and psychosocial perspective. Problems associated with diagnostic systems, the role of stress, and other causative factors implicated in the traditional clinical syndromes will be discussed.

Open to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students who have completed PSYC 1004. An examination of the processes involved in the reception, election and storage of information.

A critical examination of the concept of motivation in terms of its power to explain findings in the experimental literature and its capacity to generate research. 

The scientific study of higher mental processes. This course examines experimental methods and findings related to attention, memory, mental imagery, the organization of general knowledge, language, problem solving and creativity.

An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of nervous systems with a special emphasis on behavioural indices of function. Illustrative examples of both human and animal research are surveyed.

A review of human neuroanatomy with a focus on recent theories and findings regarding the functional organization of the brain. The principles of cerebral asymmetry, disconnection syndromes, and the functions of the occipital, parietal, temporal, and frontal lobes are examined. A special emphasis is placed on the role of brain systems in sensory motor skills, higher order cognitive functions and personality. 

Explores the neuropsychological sequelae of the most common neurological and psychiatric disorders seen in the practice of clinical neuropsychology, including vascular disorders, traumatic head injuries, epilepsy, tumours, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, and neuro-degenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease. 

An introduction to a devastating group of diseases which cause irreversible decline in cognitive functioning and for which the incidence is expected to triple by the year 2031. The etiological models, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes, treatment, care, and management issues of the most common types of dementias are explored including cortical (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Vascular Dementia, Frontal Lobe Diseases) and subcortical (e.g., Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and AIDS) dementias.

Development of psychological theory by the comparison of data from different species. Emphasizes the evolution and adaptive significance of behaviour. 

A survey of all classes of psychoactive drugs, their effects on human and animal physiology and behaviour, their history of use, and various drug-related issues such as abuse, dependency, and legality.

Application of psychological knowledge to business and industrial problems.

This course provides an introduction to research design and statistical interference in psychology. Topics covered are computational procedures and theory up to analysis of variance, including multiple comparisons and multiple regression. Students will also learn how to analyse data using one or more statistical packages. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of STAT 2793, BA 2606, PSYC 3913.

Deals with research scenarios that involve measuring cognitive and physiological correlates of human functioning. Measurements reflect processes and conditions related to stress, cognitive functioning, motivation and individual differences.

This course traces the origins and development of modern psychology from its roots in ancient Greece through the philosophical and scientific developments in Europe that have culminated in the broad polymorphic discipline of today.

The purpose is to enable students to become actively involved in basic research. This involvement will take the form of participation in research, reading and discussion of research topics, and development of research skills.

Continuation of PSYC 4111.

Under the direction of a supervisor a student develops a proposal which is assessed and approved by the Department.

Under the direction of a supervisor a student conducts, completes and defends the research. 

The field placement is designed to provide students with practical experience in a community correctional setting that provides services for federal paroles. The course has limited enrollment and is open to 3rd - 4th year psychology & sociology majors. 

The field placement is designed to provide students with additional practical experience in a community correctional setting that provides services for federal paroles. The course has limited enrollment and is open to 3rd - 4th year psychology & sociology majors. 

Exposure to community mental health settings, with the goal of gaining applied supervised experience with individuals who have mental health, behavioural and/or intellectual challenges. Enrolment is limited to Psyc Major/Honour students with a minimum CGPA of 3.3 (B+) and is subject to permission of the instructor. 

A seminar course focusing on an in-depth analysis of selected topics in personality theory and research. Possible topics include attachment, interpersonal relations and communication, intimacy, loneliness, solitude, and issues in personality assessment.

An examination of some of the persistent theoretical questions in learning. 

A seminar course that covers a broad spectrum of topics in the area of addiction including the epidemiology of substance abuse and dependence, the biopsychosocial bases of addiction, as well as, issues of comorbidity and treatment. 

A seminar course focusing on the drugs used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, schizophrenia, dementias, and related disorders. The emphasis is on the biological bases of these syndromes and the pharmacological agents used to alleviate them.