Arts Menu
Psychology Course Descriptions
Some courses not offered every year.
PSYC 1110 Introduction to Psychology 1 (3,0,0) PSYC 1110 Introduction to Psychology 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore how psychology has informed our understanding of human thought and behavior from historical to contemporary times. They examine the ways in which psychological research methods differ from other ways of knowing; investigate how psychological science can identify limits to human knowledge including their own; explore common misconceptions about the causes of human behavior; and consider the real-world consequences of not addressing such misconceptions. Students skillfully apply insights from psychological research concerning heredity and experience, neurobiology, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, and memory to everyday situations so that they are equipped to achieve their goals in adaptive ways.
|
PSYC 1210 Introduction to Psychology 2 (3,0,0) PSYC 1210 Introduction to Psychology 2 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore selected topics in contemporary psychology, including intelligence, development, personality, social psychology, emotion, motivation, and psychopathology.
|
PSYC 2040 Introduction to Biological Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 2040 Introduction to Biological Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students consider the relationship between psychological and biological processes. The anatomy of the brain and neutral activity as well as the endocrine system is examined as it relates to the sensory and motor abilities, learning and memory, language, motivation, states of consciousness and sexual behaviour. Research methods of studying the brain are also discussed.
|
PSYC 2050 Drugs and Behaviour (3,0,0) PSYC 2050 Drugs and Behaviour (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course surveys topics related to drugs and behaviour. Basic mechanisms of pharmacology and the nervous system are introduced in the context of psychoactive drugs. Students discuss the historical and cultural influences that have shaped the roles played by drugs and addiction in Canadian society. Impacts of drug use and abuse on society and the individual are emphasized.
|
PSYC 2100 Analysis of Psychological Data (3,0,0) PSYC 2100 Analysis of Psychological Data (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students apply critical thinking skills as they develop a conceptual and practical understanding of a variety of data analysis methods commonly used in psychological research. Students learn the underlying rationale for the major statistical methods and evaluate various experimental designs to ensure appropriate application of a given statistical test to a particular dataset. Students practice articulating and applying a variety of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation, t-tests, chi-square, and ANOVA, in order to derive meaning from diverse datasets. Students practice using critical thinking skills to assess the validity of a variety of statistical claims they are likely to encounter in their everyday lives.
|
PSYC 2110 Research Methods in Psychology (3,0,1) PSYC 2110 Research Methods in Psychology (3,0,1)Credits: 3 credits Students use critical thinking to evaluate a variety of psychological research methodologies, including non-experimental, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs. Students discuss and actively apply key concepts in sound psychological research design, including operational definitions, variables, reliability, validity, and sampling procedures. Students conduct a literature search using peer-reviewed sources and communicate their findings by writing a short introduction to a research report using APA formatting. Students analyze quantitative data through the application of descriptive and correlational statistics and practice the appropriate communication of research results by graphing, interpreting, and discussing psychological data.
|
PSYC 2120 Introduction to Personality (3,0,0) PSYC 2120 Introduction to Personality (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the major theories of personality formation, including psychodynamic, cognitive, humanistic, and behavioral approaches. Students are provided an opportunity to relate this material to personal growth and development.
|
PSYC 2130 Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (2,1,0) PSYC 2130 Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence (2,1,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore the developmental process from conception to adolescence. Theoretical perspectives and research data are examined as they relate to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development.
|
PSYC 2160 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 2160 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Participants examine psychopathology from historical, contemporary and cross cultural perspectives. Students consider evolving models and issues including biological, psychological, and social behavioural approaches to assessment, causes, and treatment of a wide range of disordered behaviours.
|
PSYC 2210 Introduction to Cognition (3,0,1) PSYC 2210 Introduction to Cognition (3,0,1)Credits: 3 credits This course is a detailed introduction to empirical and theoretical aspects in the following core areas of psychology: human memory, perception, attention, language, and thinking.
|
PSYC 2220 Introduction to Social Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 2220 Introduction to Social Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the effects of social environment on human behavior, attitudes, and personality. Specifically, the topics considered include theories and methods of social psychology, social perceptions, affiliation, attraction and love, aggression and violence, prejudice and discrimination, cooperation and altruism, attitude change, group behaviors, and conformity and social influence.
|
PSYC 2230 Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging (2,1,0) PSYC 2230 Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging (2,1,0)Credits: 3 credits This course is an inquiry into the developmental changes from adolescence onwards with an emphasis on adolescent adjustment, adult maturity and growth, middle age, retirement, old age, dying and death. Current research is examined as it relates to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development.
|
PSYC 2300 Human Sexuality (3,0,0) PSYC 2300 Human Sexuality (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the full range of sexual attitudes and behaviours as seen in contemporary society. Frank and open discussions in both lecture and small group format is stressed.
|
PSYC 2910 Research Apprenticeship (0,3,0) PSYC 2910 Research Apprenticeship (0,3,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about psychological research by conducting research with a faculty supervisor. Following an apprenticeship model, students engage in collecting data, reviewing the literature, entering and analyzing data, and writing a scientific report.
|
PSYC 3000 Psychiatric Clinical Disorders (3,0,0) PSYC 3000 Psychiatric Clinical Disorders (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students gain a detailed scientific overview of psychopathology such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders. Students examine the history, definitions and characterisations, and etiology, maintenance and treatment of these disorders.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent.
|
PSYC 3010 Disorders Across the Lifespan (3,0,0) PSYC 3010 Disorders Across the Lifespan (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students gain a detailed scientific overview of psychopathology such as child and adolescent psychopathology, dementia and neurocognitive disorders, sexual disorders, eating disorders, and stress-related disorders. Students examine the history, definitions and characterisations, and etiology, maintenance and treatment of these disorders.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or written consent of the Instructor. |
PSYC 3020 Infancy (3,0,0) PSYC 3020 Infancy (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine biological, social, and cognitive development from conception to the third year of life. The transition to parenthood and influences on parenting (including social policy) are a secondary focus. Content includes theoretical and methodological issues, research findings, and practical implications. Students are introduced to important primary sources as well as secondary texts.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or Instructor's written consent.
|
PSYC 3030 Psychological Testing (3,0,0) PSYC 3030 Psychological Testing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about the theory and practice of mental measurement, including test reliability and validity, its uses, administration, scoring, and interpretation.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or Instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3060 Principles of Animal Behaviour (3,0,0)(3,0,0) PSYC 3060 Principles of Animal Behaviour (3,0,0)(3,0,0)Credits: 6 credits Students examine animal behaviour from the perspective of evolutionary theory. Among the topics are an introduction to the theory of evolution and behavioural genetics; social systems as ecological adaptations; mating and parental strategies; learning, instincts, and evolution; and the evolution of human behaviour.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or Instructor's written consent. PSYC 2110 or PSYC 2111 or PSYC 2210 are recommended.
|
PSYC 3080 Social Psychology (3,0,0)(3,0,0) PSYC 3080 Social Psychology (3,0,0)(3,0,0)Credits: 6 credits ***Please note: PSYC 3080 is a full year course. Students choosing this course in Fall must also register for the same section for it in Winter and vice-versa.***
Students discuss theory and research in the areas of individual social behaviour; social motivation; social attitudes; group interaction; socialization; racial prejudice; and other related topics.
|
PSYC 3100 Clinical Psychology (3,0,0)(3,0,0) PSYC 3100 Clinical Psychology (3,0,0)(3,0,0)Credits: 6 credits Students are provided a comprehensive overview of clinical psychology. The topics include the role of personality theory in clinical psychology, an overview of descriptive psychopathology, a consideration of issues in diagnosis and classification of disorders, an examination of the techniques used in assessment of intellectual and personality functioning, and a review of various approaches to therapeutic intervention. Areas of clinical psychology research are discussed, in addition to issues of professionalism, and models of training. Students are given a sense of what it means to be a "Clinical Psychologist" today, recent developments in clinical psychology, and future directions in the field.
|
PSYC 3110 Clinical Psychology: Theories and Systems of Psychotherapy (3,0,0) PSYC 3110 Clinical Psychology: Theories and Systems of Psychotherapy (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are provided an overview of various psychotherapeutic approaches in the field of clinical psychology. The therapeutic systems and models examined in this course include psychoanalysis, Adlerian psychotherapy, analytic psychotherapy, client-centered therapy, rational emotive behaviour therapy, behaviour therapy, cognitive therapy, existential psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, and multimodal therapy.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits and PSYC 2160 or PSYC 3000 or instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3140 Health Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 3140 Health Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students will review basic research findings and theory on the relation between psychological factors (including behaviour, emotion, cognitive, personality, and interpersonal relationships) and health. Topics include health-related behaviours such as smoking and drug use, the effects of stressful events on health, methods of coping with stress, the impact of chronic illness on the family, and social support systems.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3150 Childhood and Adolescence (3,0,0) PSYC 3150 Childhood and Adolescence (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine biological, social, and cognitive development from the third year of life through to adolescence. The development of prosocial and antisocial behaviours are a special focus. Content includes theoretical and methodological issues, research findings, and practical implications. Students are introduced to important primary sources as well as secondary texts.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent.
|
PSYC 3200 Theories of Personality 1 (3,0,0) PSYC 3200 Theories of Personality 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine psychoanalytic and dispositional theories on the development of personality. Topics include research findings, applications, and limitations with respect to the two approaches.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 111 and completion of 45 credits. |
PSYC 3220 Adulthood and Aging (3,0,0) PSYC 3220 Adulthood and Aging (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about human development during adulthood through to old age. Students are provided a background in basic issues, theories, and psychological research regarding adulthood and the aging process.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3230 Principles of Conditioning (3,0,0) PSYC 3230 Principles of Conditioning (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the procedures and processes involved in Classical (Pavlovian) and Operant (instrumental) conditioning. A majority of the course material is comprised of research findings from animal studies.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or permission of the instructor. |
PSYC 3240 History and Systems of Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 3240 History and Systems of Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are provided a broad overview of psychology's history, beginning with the ancient Persians, and progressing through to the mid-twentieth century. Key figures and thinkers are highlighted, and major philosophies and their founders discussed, all within the context of the political and social climate prevalent at the time.
|
PSYC 3250 Community Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 3250 Community Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students will learn about various topics in community psychology. Topics include research methods and social change and intervention strategies within various community settings, such as the legal and justice system, the health care system, the mental health care system, and the educational system.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 or PSYC 1111 and PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1211 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3360 The Psychology of Language 1 (3,0,0) PSYC 3360 The Psychology of Language 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students consider the fundamental psychological abilities underlying human language. Representative topics include animal versus human communication, language processing, lexical representation, and the principles of on-line conversation.
|
PSYC 3380 Psychology of Emotion (3,0,0) PSYC 3380 Psychology of Emotion (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students discuss the theories and research on emotion from cognitive, behavioral, physiological, social, and evolutionary perspectives in the discipline of psychology. Students examine where emotions come from, their function, and meaning. Topics include development and communication of emotion, emotions and decision making, emotion regulation, and the relationship between emotion and psychological well-being.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3390 Human Neuropsychology (3,0,0) PSYC 3390 Human Neuropsychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about clinical and experimental approaches to human neuropsychology as a basis for understanding brain-behavior relationships in both typical and impaired functioning. Students distinguish the structure and function of the human brain, with particular emphasis on the cerebral cortex; they gain knowledge and understanding of how behavior can be used to infer brain function; and they think critically about key ideas and research findings in neuropsychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and PSYC 2040 or BIOL 1050 or BIOL 1110 or Instructor's written consent
|
PSYC 3400 Psychology and the Law (3,0,0) PSYC 3400 Psychology and the Law (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine psychological theories and research to the legal system. Topics covered include the legal system, police investigations, jury decision-making, eyewitness identification and testimony, expert evidence, and sentencing.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits or written permission of the instructor. |
PSYC 3410 Forensic Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 3410 Forensic Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the application of clinical psychology (assessment and intervention) to the field of forensics. Topics covered include fitness to stand trial; Not Criminally Responsible By Reason of Mental Disorder (NCRMD); psychopathy, risk assessment and the prediction of dangerousness; Dangerous Offender/Long Term Offender assessments; criminal profiling; parental capacity assessments; assessment and treatment of special populations; and professional responsibilities and ethical issues.
|
PSYC 3510 Sensation and Perception 1 - Visual Processes (3,0,0) PSYC 3510 Sensation and Perception 1 - Visual Processes (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about the basic research findings and models for visual sensation and perception. Topics include the perception of brightness, contrast, colour, objects, depth, size, and movement. In addition, students discuss the physiological mechanisms of the visual system.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent.
|
PSYC 3520 Sensation and Perception 2 (3,0,0) PSYC 3520 Sensation and Perception 2 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine basic research findings and models for auditory, somatosensory, olfactory, and gustatory sensation and perception. Topics include the physics of sound, physiology of the auditory system, basic sound perception, auditory scene analysis, music perception, language perception, physiology of touch and pain, and the physiology of smell and taste.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits or instructor's written consent.
|
PSYC 3540 Cognition 1: Attention and Memory (3,0,0) PSYC 3540 Cognition 1: Attention and Memory (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about research findings and models of attention and memory, both past and present. Topics include basic attentional processes and models, short-term and working memory, long-term processes, semantic and episodic distinctions, physiology of memory, and false memory.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits or permission of the instructor.
|
PSYC 3550 Cognition 2: Language and Thought (3,0,0) PSYC 3550 Cognition 2: Language and Thought (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about research findings and models for various aspects of language and thought. Topics include language processing, reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, and the theoretical nature of consciousness.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits or permission of the instructor.
|
PSYC 3560 Psychopharmacology (3,0,0) PSYC 3560 Psychopharmacology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students gain a detailed introduction to psychoactive drugs at behavioural, neural and cellular levels of examination. Students learn to define and understand how drugs are processed by the body and how they interact with neurotransmitter systems. Students identify and discuss the major neurotransmitters; gain insight into the therapeutic use of psychotropic drugs to treat affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia; understand the properties of major classes of abused drugs (CNS depressants, stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens, etc.); and think critically about pharmaceuticals and the pharmaceutical industry.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits and one of PSYC 2040 or BIOL 1050 or BIOL 1110 or instructor's written consent. |
PSYC 3570 Physiology of Motivation and Emotion (3,0,0) PSYC 3570 Physiology of Motivation and Emotion (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about the concepts of motivation and emotion, emphasizing neural and endocrine mechanisms. Students explore the contributions of human and animal research in understanding temperature regulation, hunger and thirst, sleep and biological rhythms, exploration and curiosity, reproductive and parental behaviour, substance abuse, aggression, stress, positive and negative emotions, and feelings. Interaction between physiology and external influences are emphasized, as well as causal and functional explanations. Students think critically about key ideas and research findings in motivation and emotion, and consider how they can be applied practically to issues experienced in their own lives.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits and one of PSYC 2040 or BIOL 1050 or BIOL 1110 or permission of the instructor.
|
PSYC 3580 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory (3,0,0) PSYC 3580 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about the different types of learning and memory, emphasizing neural mechanisms. Students discuss the interplay of human and animal research (including that with invertebrates) in understanding synaptic plasticity involving long-term potentiation and depression, perceptual learning, classical and instrumental conditioning, and relational learning. Learning disabilities, memory impairment, and recovery from brain injury are also considered.
Prerequisites: PSYC 1110 and PSYC 1210 and completion of 45 credits and one of PSYC 2040 or BIOL 1050 or BIOL 1110 or permission of the instructor.
|
PSYC 3610 Research Methods and Statistics for Psychology (2,0,1) PSYC 3610 Research Methods and Statistics for Psychology (2,0,1)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about design considerations and statistical methods in an integrated way. Students focus on analysis of research designs with multiple independent variables and a single dependent variable, though the material covered will not be limited to these types of designs. Topics covered include reliability, validity, power, sampling, t-tests, correlation, regression, analysis of variance, nonparametric procedures, and sampling.
Prerequisites: PSYC 2100 with a minimum grade of B or PSYC 2101 with a minimum grade of B and PSYC 2110 with a minimum grade of B or PSYC 2111 with a minimum grade of B and completion of 45 credits or permission of the instructor.
|
PSYC 3710 Special Topics in Psychology 1 (3,0,0) PSYC 3710 Special Topics in Psychology 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits In this intermediate-level special topics course, students study a topic related to either cognition, sensation and perception, or neuroscience. The specific topic will be chosen by the instructor and approved by the Department Chair.
|
PSYC 3720 Special Topics in Psychology 2 (3,0,0) PSYC 3720 Special Topics in Psychology 2 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits In this intermediate-level special topics course, students study a topic related to either social psychology, personality, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, or applied psychology. The specific topic will be chosen by the instructor and approved by the Department Chair.
|
PSYC 4100 Advanced Research Apprenticeship (0,3,0) PSYC 4100 Advanced Research Apprenticeship (0,3,0)Credits: 3 credits Students apply research methods and statistics to an advanced research project supervised by a faculty member.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3190 or 3610 and completion of 90 credits and a GPA of at least 3.0. |
PSYC 4210 Advanced Topics in Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 4210 Advanced Topics in Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits In this advanced special topics course, students study a topic related to fundamental research in psychology (for example, in neuroscience, cognition, social psychology, or developmental psychology). The specific topic will be chosen by the instructor and approved by the Department Chair. As a writing-intensive course, students further strengthen their skills in scientific reasoning, psychological research, and innovative thinking.
|
PSYC 4220 Advanced Topics in Applied Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 4220 Advanced Topics in Applied Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits In this advanced special topics course, students study a topic related to applied psychology (for example, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, or environmental psychology). The specific topic will be chosen by the instructor and approved by the Department Chair. As a writing-intensive course, students further strengthen their skills in scientific reasoning, psychological research, and innovative thinking.
|
PSYC 4400 Directed Studies in Psychology (3,0,0) or (3,0,0)(3,0,0) PSYC 4400 Directed Studies in Psychology (3,0,0) or (3,0,0)(3,0,0)Credits: 6 credits Students are provided an opportunity to engage in a directed investigation of a problem, and are required to complete a written report of their findings.
|
PSYC 4990 Honours Thesis in Psychology (3,0,0) PSYC 4990 Honours Thesis in Psychology (3,0,0)Credits: 6 credits Students integrate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their psychology honours degree by completing a capstone project related to their professional development goals. Students strengthen their research, writing, and analytical skills by conducting original research under the direction of a Psychology faculty member. They also demonstrate, assess, and explain how their capstone project meets the program's learning outcomes and TRU's four general education themes of Connection, Engagement, Exploration, and Local-to-Global. Students strengthen interpersonal relations and build community by contributing to discussions in structured seminars, receiving and incorporating faculty feedback into their work, and facilitating the success of their peers through a collaborative peer review process.
|
