Psychology Courses

Description:

This course is an introduction to the biological bases of behaviour. The structural and functional anatomy of the central nervous system is presented, with particular emphasis on the neural pathways involved in behaviours relating to motivation, mood, learning and memory, and sensation and perception. This course explores how recent research helps in understanding the impact of normal and abnormal brain functioning on human behaviour.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program, with the exception of the Minor in Psychology, may not take this course for credit.
• Students who have received credit for PSYC 255 may not take this course for credit.
  

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

One of the following courses must be completed previously: BIOL 200 or BIOL 201 or BIOL 202; or Cegep equivalent.

Description:

This course provides an introduction to the neural mechanisms that underlie behaviour. Topics include the structure and function of neurons, neural communication, an introduction to neuroanatomy and endocrinology, and the processing of sensory information. Students also learn how complex systems, such as the sensory and motor systems, interact to produce behaviour.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for BIOL 383 or PSYC 355 or PSYC 358 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: NEUR 355. Permission of the Department is required for non-Neuroscience students.

Description:

The course examines research methods aimed at structural and functional brain systems. Analyses are at systems, pathway, and cellular levels. Laboratories focus on basic experimental design as well as histological and microscopic techniques. Students develop an in-depth knowledge of the structure of the mammalian brain and learn to conduct research and communicate their findings.

Component(s):

Lecture; Laboratory

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 356 ; PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

Under the supervision of a faculty member, typically from within the Department, students carry out a term-long independent research project and complete a written report. The area of study is decided upon through consultation with the faculty member.

Component(s):

Tutorial

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 316.

Description:

This project-based course examines the process by which large datasets can be analyzed. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving skills and self-directed learning to find, apply, and adapt analytic tools. Students learn how to sort, filter, and statistically analyze very large datasets. They communicate their findings graphically and in written reports. Prior programming experience is recommended but not required; students lacking this background are supported independently. Students are encouraged to take NEUR 458 prior to taking this course.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 355 or PSYC 355; NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315.

Description:

This course focuses on the behavioural and neuronal mechanisms involved in drug abuse and addiction. It provides students with a solid conceptual foundation of how drugs of abuse affect the brain and behaviour. Topics such as the pharmacology of drugs of abuse, drug‑induced neuronal plasticity in brain regions related to motivation and reward, and the interaction between biological factors and environmental events in addiction are discussed.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 361 or PSYC 450 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 316, PSYC 351.

Description:

The course uses laboratory experiments to explore theories about morphological and functional changes in the brain that underlie learning. Laboratories introduce behavioural and cellular methods used in research. They may include Pavlovian and Instrumental forms of conditioning, tests of spatial and nonspatial learning, and invertebrate models of neurophysiology and neuroplasticity. Students develop an in-depth knowledge of vertebrate and invertebrate animal research. Students collect and analyze data and communicate their findings. Students also learn about basic animal care techniques and the ethical considerations for animal research.

Component(s):

Lecture; Laboratory

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 355 or PSYC 355; NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315; PSYC 363.

Description:

This course examines the relation between the neurobiology of the sensory systems and perception. Topics include how the physiology and anatomy of sensory structures (e.g. eye, ear) determine how and what is perceived, comparative anatomy and evolution of sensory systems, the modularity of cortical organization, segregation and integration of information, bottom-up and top-down processing, multimodal integration, and neuroplasticity.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 365 or PSYC 452 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 355 or PSYC 355; NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315.

Description:

This course examines the neural mechanisms that mediate motivated behaviour, and provides an introduction to concepts such as goal‑directed behaviour and incentive motivation. Other topics include pleasure and pain; ingestive behaviour; sexual and reproductive behaviour; aggression; temperature regulation; and sleep, arousal, and biological rhythms.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 367 or PSYC 453 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 355 or PSYC 355; NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315.

Description:

This course deals with the role of hormones in integrating the activity of various neural, endocrine, and sensory systems to bring about organized, purposeful behaviour. Topics include reproductive, sexual, or environmentally adaptive systems. Treatment of material ranges from the molecular to the behavioural level.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 369 or PSYC 454 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 355 or PSYC 355; NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315.

Description:

This course focuses on neurochemistry and neuropharmacology relating to synaptic transmission. The chemistry and pharmacology of each major class of neurotransmitters is discussed. The pharmacological and psychological bases of drug actions are also explored, to provide an understanding of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, as they relate to issues such as CNS disease, affective disorders, and the treatment of pain. This course is primarily intended for students wishing to pursue advanced graduate work in neuroscience or clinical psychology, or for those who are seeking to enter the health professions.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 455 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 355 or PSYC 355; NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315.

Description:

This course explores how evolutionary and developmental processes determine the form and organization of behaviour in non-human animals. Basic concepts and practices in ethology and genetics are introduced and applied to contemporary studies on development, reproduction and mating strategies, communication, foraging and predator avoidance, parental behaviour, and sociality.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 396 or PSYC 457 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 356 or PSYC 310; PSYC 315. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course addresses the most recent advanced issues of contemporary interest in behavioural neuroscience. The main topic of the course changes from one term to the next. Potential topics include examination of the current state of scientific study of motivation or a focused look at memory consolidation. Students should consult with the Psychology Department for information on the central course topic for the current year.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number or under PSYC 458 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 356 or PSYC 310, PSYC 316 , PSYC 364.

Description:

This course examines the neuroimaging techniques that scientists use to study cognition and brain anatomy. Emphasis is placed on an understanding of the techniques, their limitations, and the interpretation of results. Laboratories focus on developing applied image analysis skills as well as the basics of experimental design and data collection. Students develop knowledge of imaging techniques and analysis tools, and learn to conduct research and communicate their findings. Prior programming experience is recommended but not required; students lacking this background will be supported to learn independently.

Component(s):

Lecture; Laboratory

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 356; PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course is designed for advanced students wishing to do a term-long independent, individually supervised literature research on a specific topic in psychology. This research culminates in a written report. Students should have a well‑defined topic and a faculty supervisor, typically selected from within the Psychology Department, before registering for this course.

Component(s):

Reading

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 436 or PSYC 483 may not take this course for credit.
  

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 316; NEUR 451 or NEUR 460. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course provides students with experience in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of research in an area of neuroscience. The independent research project is undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: NEUR 485 or NEUR 495. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course is intended for students who have completed a specialization or honours thesis and wish to conduct an additional research project. Under the supervision of a faculty member, typically from within the Department, students carry out a term-long independent research project and complete a written report. The area of study is decided upon through consultation with the faculty member.

Component(s):

Tutorial

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Students must be enrolled in the Honours program in Neuroscience and have already completed PSYC 316; NEUR 451 or NEUR 460. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course provides students with experience in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of research in an area of neuroscience. The independent research project is undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member.

Component(s):

Lecture

Description:

This comprehensive survey course introduces students to a wide variety of topics in scientific psychology. Topics may include the foundations of modern psychology, neural mechanisms, learning and memory, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, cognitive processes, social influences, personality, disorders of cognition and behaviour, and therapy.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students entering all Psychology programs except the minor who have not received credit for or exemption from Introductory Psychology at Cegep or other post‑secondary institutions must take this course, but not for Psychology program credit.

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 200 may not take this course for credit.
  
• Students who have received credit for or exemption from Introductory Psychology at Cegep or other post‑secondary institutions may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course provides an innovative approach to understanding how psychologists think about the mind and behaviour, ask and answer questions, and collect and interpret evidence to clarify ideas and test hypotheses. Students learn the difference between critical thinking and gullibility. Students also develop skills to identify errors and misrepresentations in information presented in the media and in viewpoints driven by agendas rather than evidence.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

The organization, functioning, and development of personality are discussed from the point of view of the major current theories. Evidence from empirical studies is introduced to illustrate various influences on personality. Socio‑economic, cultural, and biological factors may also be considered.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course considers current personality and social psychology research as it relates to people’s everyday lives. The focus is on blending these two research areas. The study of personality concerns itself with the psychology of the individual, individual differences, and the role of individual‑level factors in explaining behaviour. In contrast, social psychology focuses on how behaviour may be influenced by social and contextual factors. Topics may include the many ways of describing the self and others, persuasion, group processes, close relationships, aggression, and prosocial behaviour.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

Why do individuals do the things they do? Why don’t individuals do the things they don’t do? When confronted with challenges, what determines whether individuals persist in the face of difficulty or decide to invest their energy elsewhere? This course presents models that address the question of why individuals do the things they do. These models are related to specific topics such as appetitive behaviour, love and sexual behaviour, arousal and attention, peak performance, aggression and anger, conflict, stress, curiosity, creativity, goal‑setting, and achievement.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course studies the cognitive, socio‑emotional, and physical changes and continuities that occur across the lifespan. Major theories of development are discussed and related to each of the life stages. Students also gain insight into the developmental processes that influence themselves and others.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

• Students who have received credit for AHSC 220 may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course is an introduction to the study of adolescence. Topics are considered from cross‑disciplinary and cross‑cultural perspectives. Topics may include physical change, family relationships, friends and peers, sexual and sex‑related behaviours, cognitive growth, and lifestyles.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 280 may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course examines the social, emotional, and behavioural problems encountered by children, youth, and parents. Manifestations of these issues range from day‑to‑day “normal” concerns to maladaptive and dangerous behaviours. Potential contributing biological, familial, peer, cultural, and economic factors are considered, as well as the uniquely different ways in which individuals react to what seem to be “similar” backgrounds.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course deals with major concepts and issues concerning psychopathology in humans. It considers current scientific models of diagnosis, etiology, assessment, and therapy. It reviews the major disorders of the DSM system, and explores social, learning, cognitive, biomedical, and psychodynamic approaches to major clinical disorders.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.
  

Description:

Coping skills are directly related to health and to the amount of stress a person experiences. This course introduces students to research that explains how and why stress affects health. The ways in which coping skills and other recourses can effectively reduce stress are also considered. The course examines what psychologists know about stress in a research‑oriented manner, giving equal attention to the physiological, psychological, and cognitive underpinnings of coping and health.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

Psychology and the law interact in myriad ways. The criminal justice system, from its code to its enforcement, is based on implicit psychological assumptions about human behaviour and how it should be controlled. Those in the justice system make decisions based on evidence from observations and testimony, both of which are assumed to be gathered in an objective, unbiased manner. Those in psychological professions assume they can influence decisions made in the legal system by providing experimental evidence. This course examines the roles psychologists play in the legal system, the assumptions of both legal and psychological professional groups, and how these groups can complement one another.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 263 or for this topic under a PSYC 298 number may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course deals with selected aspects of theory and practice related to learning disabilities including perceptual and motor disabilities, language disabilities, and methods of diagnosis and remediation. Issues of accurate assessment and differentiation from other forms of disability are also considered.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 281 may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course examines various factors related to the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs including alcohol and nicotine, depressants and stimulants, tranquilizers, opium derivatives, and hallucinogenic compounds. One of the main themes emphasized is why some people lose their ability to socially and physiologically regulate their intake. The course material focuses on the prevalent concepts in the field, theoretical models guiding researchers and clinicians, and approaches to intervention.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.
• Students who have received credit for PSYC 261 or for this topic under a PSYC 298 number may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course examines current research on learning and memory and introduces students to a variety of topics in this area. Theories of learning and memory are related to examples from everyday life. Specific topics may include memory accuracy, techniques for improving study skills and school performance, animal training, sports training, strategies for memory improvement, strategies for changing bad habits, and child discipline.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course introduces topics related to perception and cognition. The emphasis of the course is on how humans acquire, store, and use information in real‑world contexts. Topics covered include reading, object perception, art and motion pictures, language processing, music, problem solving, and planning.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 249 or for this topic under a PSYC 298 number may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course is designed as elective courses for students who are not registered in a Psychology program. This course covers a wide variety of areas of contemporary interest. The particular topic varies from one term to the next and the material is dealt with in a manner appropriate for students who have minimal formal background in psychology.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course is designed as elective courses for students who are not registered in a Psychology program. This course covers a wide variety of areas of contemporary interest. The particular topic varies from one term to the next and the material is dealt with in a manner appropriate for students who have minimal formal background in psychology.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Description:

This course is designed as elective courses for students who are not registered in a Psychology program. This course covers a wide variety of areas of contemporary interest. The particular topic varies from one term to the next and the material is dealt with in a manner appropriate for students who have minimal formal background in psychology.

Notes:

• Students registered in a Psychology or Neuroscience program may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: PSYC 205 or equivalent.

Description:

This introductory course examines the historical background of psychology beginning with ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance, through the William James era. Early contributions to psychology from the fields of philosophy, religion, physics, physiology, and psychophysics are presented and related to the various psychological schools of thought of the 19th century. Students gain an understanding of how cultural and social forces and various scientific paradigms shaped psychological theory and how psychological perspectives contribute to social life.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 320 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: PSYC 205 or equivalent.

Description:

This course describes the methods used by psychology researchers to obtain information and understand psychological phenomena and processes. Students learn how research studies are conceptualized and conducted, and how data are analyzed and interpreted within specific areas of psychology. Observational, experimental, and correlational techniques are presented in the context of ongoing research, to enable students to develop a conceptual understanding of the procedures used to develop and evaluate hypotheses and theories in psychology.

Component(s):

Conference; Laboratory

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315. The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course is an advanced exploration of research methods intended for students who wish to pursue further studies in scientific research. Students extend their understanding of various research methodologies through critical analysis and discussion of empirical studies. Students hone their scientific writing and revising skills through weekly activities and exercises, culminating in the development of a substantive writing project.

Component(s):

Lecture; Laboratory

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 or equivalent. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course is an introduction to statistical analyses in the context of psychology research. Topics may include visual displays of data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, the normal curve, probability and sampling distributions, estimation in the context of one- and two-sample designs, correlation, and simple linear regression. There is also a discussion of significance tests and the controversy about their use in psychology. These topics are covered in lectures and in weekly laboratory sessions where students learn how to perform statistical analyses both manually and with specialized software.

Component(s):

Lecture; Laboratory

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for BIOL 322, COMM 215, DESC 244, ECON 221 and ECON 222, GEOG 362, MAST 333, SOCI 212 and SOCI 213, or STAT 249 and STAT 250 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315.

Description:

This course is an extension of PSYC 315. It is designed to advance students’ understanding of hypothesis testing and statistical inferences. The course presents the general linear model, which subsumes multiple regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). As well, the course deals in detail with the limits of null‑hypothesis significance testing (NHST) and reviews alternatives to NHST including confidence intervals, measures of effect size, and meta‑analysis.

Component(s):

Lecture; Laboratory

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for ECON 221 and ECON 222, MAST 221, MAST 333, or STAT 249 and STAT 250 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: PSYC 310 .

Description:

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of qualitative research. Students learn about various qualitative research design types, including but not limited to observation, interviewing, and focus groups. Ethical and methodological considerations involved in qualitative research related to participant observation, analytic approaches to interpretation (e.g. content analysis, thematic analysis, and grounded theory) and presentation of qualitative data are discussed. Students are expected to undertake their own qualitative research project and communicate their findings in accordance with accepted academic standards.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 448 or PSYC 428 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course is an introduction to theories of personality. The development, structure, and correlates of personality are presented from the viewpoint of major classical and current theories. Theories may include trait, biological, learning, and cognitive perspectives, as well as psychodynamic, humanistic, and existential perspectives. Through the examination of specific studies and the discussion of general methodological principles of personality research, emphasis is placed on the role of research in shaping and validating theories of personality.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 326 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course is an introduction to social psychology. It covers the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the presence of others. Topics discussed may include social and self perception; attitudes and attitude change; and conformity, group processes, interpersonal attraction, prosocial behaviour, aggression, and prejudice.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 331 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course is an introduction to developmental psychology. It provides a broad survey of psychological research and theories about human development across the lifespan. It emphasizes the interaction of physical, cognitive, and socio‑emotional domains in development from infancy to old age. Although the main focus of the course is on normative development, aspects of abnormal development may be covered. Specific methodological challenges and procedures relevant to developmental research are also discussed.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 371 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course is an introduction to psychopathology. The course deals with major concepts and issues in the study of psychopathology. It focuses on the major models of etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, assessment, and treatment, and presents the major disorders and five axes of the DSM system. Behavioural, cognitive, social learning, neurobiological, sociocultural, evolutionary, and psychodynamic approaches to psychopathology are covered, with an emphasis on research and methodology throughout.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 322 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course is an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of health psychology. Issues relating to health and illness across the lifespan, including health promotion and maintenance, prevention and treatment of illness, etiology and correlates of health, illness and dysfunction, and the health care system are covered from a biopsychosocial perspective. Topics such as social support, smoking, stress, cardiovascular disease, pain, and cancer are also presented.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 392 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 340.

Description:

This course critically examines research and theory relating to a number of selected issues of contemporary interest in forensic psychology. Topics such as the admissibility of scientific evidence, eye‑witness testimony, trauma and memory, jury selection, clinical and actuarial profiling, psychopathy, serial offenders, the validity of psychiatric examinations and lie detectors, the insanity defence, and expert testimony are presented in light of recent Canadian and American legal decisions.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 328 or for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course is an introduction to theories and empirical findings concerning basic mechanisms of learning and memory in humans and non‑human animals. Topics covered may include the study of learning in historical perspective, Pavlovian conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement, stimulus control of behaviour, types of memory, self‑control and observational learning, and behavioural paradigms used in contemporary research on learning and memory.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 346 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course examines the ways that evolutionary thought has influenced the study of behaviour. Fundamental evolutionary processes are introduced, and ideas about how those processes may have shaped human and animal behaviour are considered. Additional topics include biological and cognitive continuity among species, sources of individual differences in behavioural traits, evolutionarily stable strategies and states, methods of testing evolutionary hypotheses about behaviour, and the comparative method in psychology.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; NEUR 355 .

Description:

This course introduces the physiological and psychological mechanisms of sensation and perception. Thorough treatment is given to questions of how information about the world is acquired through visual and auditory systems, and other modalities, that together is used with stored information to create an ongoing mental representation of the world. Topics such as pitch perception, speech perception, perception of movement, size and space perception, illusions, and distance and textures may be covered.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 349 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course introduces cognitive psychology. Theoretical perspectives and experimental findings that inform the current understanding of how humans acquire, represent, and use knowledge are presented and discussed. Topics include attention, memory, categorization, language, and thinking. This course allows students to gain familiarity with topics and concepts necessary to pursue advanced studies in cognition.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 352 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

This course focuses on the contributions of psychology to several human resource considerations in organizations. Topics include personnel selection, training methods, personnel appraisal, and career development. This is an applied area of psychology, and therefore the interplay between theory, research, and application is emphasized.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 385 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously or concurrently: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356.

Description:

Understanding psychology can help organizations reach their goals, retain their workforce, and make themselves attractive to future employees and investors. This applied psychology course focuses on research and theories relevant to the behaviour of managers and employees. Topics include the history of Industrial/Organizational(I/O) psychology; organizational development and communication; motivation, personality, and leadership; employee satisfaction and commitment; group behaviour; negotiation and conflict resolution; and job stress.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 311, PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

Under the supervision of a faculty member, typically from within the Department, students carry out a term-long independent research project and complete a written report. The area of study is decided upon through consultation with the faculty member.

Component(s):

Tutorial

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 439 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310, PSYC 315. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course introduces students to the field of psychophysiology. Psychophysiology is the interface of psychological states and physiological responses. Students learn basic principles and theories of psychophysiology and relevant physiological systems. As well, they learn practical knowledge of psychophysiological measurement through classroom demonstrations. Traditional measures include heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, respiration, galvanic skin response (sweat), and brain activity (EEG, ERP). Students learn to evaluate primary literature involving physiological measures. An experiential component of the course introduces hands-on measurement where students learn specific techniques and real-life methodological applications of psychophysiological measurement for biofeedback, sleep studies (polysomnography), and detection of deception (lie detection), among others.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 447 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 325.

Description:

This course addresses a wide range of theoretical and empirical approaches to the self in contemporary social psychology. Self‑esteem and self‑concept are addressed in terms of social context, personal and social norms, affective experience, and interpersonal behaviour. Other topics covered may include narcissism, self‑presentation, self‑regulation, egocentrism, and limits to self‑knowledge. Issues relating to gender, gender identity, and the development of gender roles and gender differences in the social context may also be discussed.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 332 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315; and PSYC 321 or PSYC 325.

Description:

This course focuses on how emotion influences attention, memory, evaluation, and behaviour in the social domain. This course addresses models of emotion and individual differences in emotion and mood. In addition, particular attention is paid to a number of specific emotions.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 334 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315; PSYC 321 or PSYC 325.

Description:

This course introduces cultural and cross‑cultural perspectives in psychology. It focuses on theoretical assumptions and research methods specific to these perspectives, and covers research on the ways in which culture both emerges from, and shapes basic psychological processes. Specific topics include evolution and culture; cultural differences in self‑concept and value systems; acculturation, cultural contact, and adaptation; culture and cognition; and cultural variation in psychopathology, health, and therapy.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315; PSYC 325 or PSYC 333.

Description:

This course examines cultural variations in developmental processes and outcomes, especially as they are related to the self‑concept. Following a presentation of the basic concepts in the understanding of development and of culture, particular domains of development are examined according to how they vary across cultural contexts. Examples of domains include moral development, parent‑child interaction, education, and suicide. The overarching goal is to describe human development as taking place within a cultural milieu, the consequences of this perspective for fundamental issues in psychology and the social sciences, and the implications for the challenges of pluralism, globalization, and public policy.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315.

Description:

In this course, consideration is given to the general theory of psychological measurement and its application in the development and use of various psychometric instruments such as achievement, intelligence, aptitude, personality, and interest tests. Derived scores, norms, reliability, and validity of these instruments are discussed in the context of general measurement problems in psychology. Item analysis, signal‑detection theory, diagnostics, and non‑questionnaire methods may also be discussed.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 318 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 321.

Description:

This course critically examines selected contemporary issues in personality psychology with a focus on recent research findings. The importance of personality in explaining behaviours, personal beliefs, developmental outcomes, and quality of life is considered.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 327 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course addresses the most recent advanced issues of contemporary interest in social and cultural psychology. The main topic of the course changes from one term to the next. Potential topics include social cognition, aggression and violence, experimental‑existential psychology, social‑cultural neuroscience, or culture and evolution. Students should consult with the Psychology Department for information on the central course topic for the current year.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315, PSYC 333.

Description:

This course provides a comprehensive account of psychological development in infancy. Aspects of infant development such as physical, perceptual, cognitive, verbal, emotional, and social development are covered. Theoretical perspectives and research methods specific to the study of infant development are emphasized. Students acquire the intellectual tools necessary to relate findings from infant research to policy and parenting decisions.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 373 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 333.

Description:

This course provides an analysis of theories pertaining to the basic processes of development during early childhood and school‑age periods. A broad range of theoretical positions and methodological strategies are presented. Emphasis is on physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and personality development and the origins of individual differences in adjustment and well‑being. Particular attention is given to cultural variability in development and to developmental differences between girls and boys.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 375 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 333.

Description:

This course provides an overview of theory and research relating to multiple domains of development during adolescence. Topics include hormonal processes, physical and cognitive development, peer and parent‑adolescent relations, family processes, gender roles, identity formation, sexuality, delinquency, drug abuse, suicide, and psychological disorders in adolescents. When possible, topics are considered from cross‑cultural and historical perspectives.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 379 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 333.

Description:

This course covers recent developments in the psychology of aging. Topics include age‑related changes in physiology, biology, and in sensory and cognitive functioning. Particular attention is given to the effects of these age‑related changes on behaviour, personality, interpersonal functioning, gender roles, coping, and adjustment. Methodological considerations in aging research are also discussed.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 380 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315; PSYC 333 or PSYC 340.

Description:

Using principles of developmental and clinical psychology, this survey course focuses primarily on understanding the pathways to abnormal adjustment in childhood and adolescence. The origins of deviant and competent behaviour are examined, with special attention to the multiplicity of possible risk factors and causal processes, assessment of problems and diagnoses, and the efficacy of interventions. Students are also introduced to a number of behavioural problems such as attention‑deficit and hyperactivity disorder; aggression, externalizing problems, and disruptive behaviour disorders; internalizing problems, anxiety, and mood disorders; learning disabilities; mental retardation; and autism.

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 377 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course addresses the most recent advanced issues of contemporary interest in developmental psychology. The main topic of the course changes from one term to the next. Potential topics include social, cognitive, language, or personality development. Students should consult with the Psychology Department for information on the central course topic for the current year.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 340.

Description:

This course presents a focused and thorough investigation of mood and anxiety disorders. Problems studied include depressive, bipolar, and anxiety disorders. Relevant somatoform (e.g. hypochondriasis) and personality (e.g. avoidant, dependent) disorders may also be discussed. Topics include contemporary theory, classification issues, and ongoing controversies, with an emphasis on current research.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 323 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315, PSYC 340.

Description:

This course presents a focused and thorough investigation of schizophrenia and the neurocognitive disorders. Problems studied include schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (e.g. delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder). Relevant personality (e.g. paranoid, schizotypal) disorders may also be discussed. Topics may include contemporary theory, and the neurobiological, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical correlates of the disorders, as well as their genetic basis. The course focuses on data from the human brain imaging studies, with an emphasis on current research.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 324 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315, PSYC 340.

Description:

This course presents a focused and thorough investigation of psychopathology resulting from disorders of behaviour regulation. Problems studied include eating, substance use, and impulse‑control disorders. Relevant sexual, gambling, and personality (e.g. borderline, antisocial) disorders may also be discussed. Topics include contemporary theory, classification issues, and current controversies, with an emphasis on current research.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 340.

Description:

This course presents a focused and thorough investigation of major approaches to psychological intervention. It focuses on general principles of therapy, research methods for the study of process and outcome, and the contrasts between various theories and modalities. Topics include cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, humanistic‑ existential therapy, couples and family therapy, group therapy, and motivational interviewing. Professional and ethical issues pertaining to clinical psychologists and clinical psychology research may also be discussed.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 340.

Description:

This course critically examines research, theory, and methodological approaches relating to a number of selected issues of contemporary interest in the area of hypnosis and dissociative phenomena. Experimental and applied research on selected topics such as recovered memory, dissociation, pain and psychosomatic disorders, social and cognitive correlates of hypnotic responses, and the issue of coercion is reviewed. The forensic and clinical uses and abuses of hypnosis are surveyed and contrasted to experimental findings.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 330 or for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315; PSYC 355 or NEUR 355.

Description:

This course is a general introduction to human neuropsychology. Topics discussed include principles of brain organizations and function, human neuroimaging and recording techniques, the contribution of clinical patients and single case studies, selected neurological disorders, and cognitive neuroscience. Emphasis is on how these issues can be meaningfully related to human behaviour, emotion, sensory perception, and higher cognitive processes.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 359 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315; PSYC 355 or NEUR 355; PSYC 340 or PSYC 341.

Description:

This course examines how the evolutionary and adaptive stress response has come to contribute to health and pathology in modern society. The major endocrine, neurobiological, and cognitive underpinnings of the stress response are covered, and current stress research is discussed. Topics include the role of stress in aging, memory, depression, drug abuse, post‑traumatic stress disorder, and the consequences of exposure to stress and adversity.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 341.

Description:

This course offers a focused treatment of selected advanced topics in health psychology. Potential topics include psychosocial and environmental antecedents of disease, adaptation to medical illness, approaches to improve health and manage disease, pediatric psychology, and mechanisms by which psychosocial and environmental characteristics get inside the body to influence health.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 393 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course addresses the most recent advanced issues of contemporary interest in clinical psychology. The main topic of the course changes from one term to the next. Potential topics include neurobiology of psychopathology, functional somatic syndromes, personality and psychopathology, psychotherapy process research, or epidemiology of psychological disorders. Students should consult with the Psychology Department for information on the central course topic for the current year.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 363.

Description:

This course builds on the introduction to the visual system developed in PSYC 363. Topics are examined from the psychophysical, computational, and physiological perspectives and may include advanced treatment of colour, motion, and texture perception; spatial vision; object, face, and scene recognition; eye movement control; flow fields; attention; and perception‑in‑action.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315; PSYC 363 or PSYC 364.

Description:

This course reviews the history of the view of mind as machine and the various computational metaphors that have helped in understanding the particular kind of computational device the brain is. The course explores the ways in which computational models of mind are implemented and can be tested against psychological theories and data. Students learn how to construct simplified representations of reality based on rule‑based processes to recreate aspects of human cognition.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 364.

Description:

This course provides an advanced introduction to theories and empirical research on memory and attention. Topics include various memory systems and mechanisms, including long‑ and short‑term memory, working, episodic, and semantic memory. The course also addresses research on attentional processes such as switching, selective, and divided attention.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 364.

Description:

This course provides an advanced introduction to theories of conceptual representation and processes of categorization. It reviews the empirical research in these fields, including studies with normal and impaired populations.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315, PSYC 364.

Description:

This course is an introduction to the cognitive and affective processes involved in evaluating options and choosing between them. Major theories and empirical studies are reviewed from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes both cognitive science and neuroscience and that draws on research carried out on humans and on other animals.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315, PSYC 364.

Description:

This course covers the cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of language and human communication. Topics may include linguistic theory, language acquisition, language comprehension and production, the biological bases of language, reading, speech perception, and second‑language development.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 395 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315; PSYC 333 or PSYC 364.

Description:

This course provides an advanced introduction to the development of children’s thinking, from infancy through the elementary‑school years. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with recent theory and research on the cognitive development in children. Topics include the development of language, perception, concept, social cognition, and memory.

Component(s):

Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356; PSYC 315, PSYC 351.

Description:

This course is a continuation of PSYC 351; it presents a more focused and thorough treatment of more advanced topics in learning. These may include developmental aspects of learning, animal memory and cognition, human applications of conditioning principles, biological constraints on learning, and the physiology of learning and memory. Different sections of the course may cover different sets of topics.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 347 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 310 or NEUR 356 ; PSYC 315. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course addresses the most recent advanced issues of contemporary interest in cognitive science. The main topic of the course changes from one term to the next. Possible topics include memory, attention, concept formation, category representation, decision‑making, reasoning, language, intelligence, creativity, skill acquisition, cognitive and language development, or the neural bases of cognitive functioning. Students should consult with the Psychology Department for information on the central course topic for the current year.

Component(s):

Lecture

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a PSYC 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 311, PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course is designed for advanced students wishing to do a term-long independent, individually supervised literature research on a specific topic in psychology. This research culminates in a written report. Students should have a well‑defined topic and a faculty supervisor, typically selected from within the Psychology Department, before registering for this course.

Component(s):

Reading

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for NEUR 483 or PSYC 436 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 311, PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course provides students with experience in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of research in an area of psychology. The independent research project is undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member.

Component(s):

Seminar; Laboratory

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 400 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following course must be completed previously: PSYC 485 or PSYC 495. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

This course is intended for students who have completed a specialization or honours thesis and wish to conduct an additional research project. Under the supervision of a faculty member, typically from within the Department, students carry out a term-long independent research project and complete a written report. The area of study is decided upon through consultation with the faculty member.

Component(s):

Tutorial

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 311, PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

The aim of this seminar is to provide a forum for the discussion of topics relating to current knowledge, theory, and methods in psychology, and to help students achieve a critical understanding of psychology. Topics may include learning, interpersonal relations, human development, perception, cognition, subjective well‑being, or language. Emphasis is on current theory as it relates to selected topics within psychology.

Component(s):

Seminar; Tutorial

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 421 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 311, PSYC 316. Permission of the Department is required.

Description:

The aim of this seminar is to provide a forum for the discussion of issues relating to current knowledge, theory, and methods in psychology, and to help students achieve a critical understanding of psychology. Issues may include social and developmental processes, motivation, emotion, or the biological bases of behaviour. Selected issues from these areas are discussed from theoretical perspectives specific to given phenomena.

Component(s):

Seminar; Tutorial

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 422 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The following courses must be completed previously: PSYC 311, PSYC 316.

Description:

This course provides students with experience in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of research in an area of psychology. The independent research project is undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member.

Component(s):

Seminar; Laboratory

Notes:

• Students who have received credit for PSYC 430 may not take this course for credit.