Academic Calendar

Psychology (PSYC)

PSYC 1200  Introduction to Psychology  6 cr  

Basic concepts and principles of individual behaviour are examined, particularly those of human development, normal and abnormal behaviour, social psychology, learning, perception, and psychological measurement. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 1200 and any of: PSYC 1211 or PSYC 1221 or the former PSYC 1201. Prerequisite for all other courses in Psychology.

Equiv To: PSYC 1201

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 1211, PSYC 1221

Attributes: Social Science, Recommended Intro Courses

PSYC 2250  Introduction to Psychological Research  3 cr  

Examines psychology as a scientific discipline and describes methods of collecting and interpreting psychological data. Required of all Majors and normally taken in the second year. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 2250 and PSYC 2251.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2251

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2260  Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology  3 cr  

Discusses concepts of inductive inference and explanation. The nature of research designs is emphasized. Required of all Majors and normally taken in the second year. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 2260 and PSYC 2261.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2250 or PSYC 2251.

Equiv To: PSYC 2261

Attributes: Mathematics Requirement, Social Science

PSYC 2290  Child Development  3 cr  

The course deals with normal psychological development from prenatal life until puberty. The scientific approach to child study is emphasized. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 2290 and any of: PSYC 2291 or FMLY 2600.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2291

Mutually Exclusive: FMLY 2600

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2360  Brain and Behaviour  3 cr  

This course explores the relationship between brain and behaviour. The student will first learn about the fundamental elements of the nervous system. Lectures will integrate these elements into discussions of systems responsible for sensation, motor control, emotion, sleep, learning and memory. Clinical scenarios will be used to illuminate function. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 2360 and any of: PSYC 2361, or PSYC 3530 or PSYC 3531 or PSYC 3540 or the former PSYC 3541 when titled Brain and Behaviour.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2361

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2380  Psychology of Gender  3 cr  

A critical examination of the similarities and differences between women and men with a particular emphasis on gender roles and gender identity. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 2380 and the former PSYC 2400.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 2400

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2430  Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology  3 cr  

A survey of such topics as search for meaning, personal growth, self-actualization, electric stimulation of the brain, meditation, and extra-sensory perception.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2440  Behaviour Modification Principles  3 cr  

The fundamental assumptions, principles, and procedures of behaviour modification are described and illustrated by applications to normal and abnormal human behaviour. Students may also conduct supervised projects in applied areas or in basic behavioural research. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 2440 and PSYC 2441.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2441

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2470  Learning Foundations of Psychology  3 cr  

Examines basic learning processes, along with examples of how psychologists study them. Emphasis is placed on how knowledge of basic learning processes can help us understand complex human behaviour.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2480  Cognitive Processes  3 cr  

An introduction to the higher mental processes from an information processing perspective. Topics include attention, cognitive development, imagery, language, memory and problem-solving. Extensive reference will be made to recent experimental findings. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 2480 and PSYC 2481.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2481

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2490  Abnormal Psychology  3 cr  

The study of theory and research on abnormal human behaviour. The major forms of psychological disturbance are discussed. An introduction to the prevention and treatment of psychological disturbances is given. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 2490 and any of: PSYC 2491 or the former PSYC 3460 or the former PSYC 3461.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2491, PSYC 3460, PSYC 3461

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2500  Elements of Ethology  3 cr  

This course involves one three-hour lecture meeting and one laboratory per week and concerns the study of animal behaviour through lectures, films, and field trips. Parakeets, flies, and/or ducklings plus one animal of the student's choice will be observed.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science, Written English Requirement

PSYC 2510  Comparative Psychology  3 cr  

This course examines the viability of comparative psychology today, the type of subjects used in comparative psychology research, its history and background, some applications and contemporary viewpoints, and its current status.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2520  Orientations to Psychological Systems  3 cr  

Examines and contrasts humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioural psychology with regard to consciousness vs. the unconscious, free-will vs. determinism, holism vs. analysis, purpose vs. past influences, transcendentalism vs. physicalism, and focus on the person vs. focus on problems.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2530  Psychology of Personality  3 cr  

The study of theory and research on the principles affecting personality development and structure. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 2530 and any of: PSYC 2531 or the former PSYC 3450 or the former PSYC 3451.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2531, PSYC 3450, PSYC 3451

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2540  Social Psychology  3 cr  

This course provides a basic introduction to the ways in which we affect and are affected by the behaviour of others. Topics typically include: attitudes and attitude change, social beliefs and judgements, conformity, persuasion, social norms and roles, group dynamics, prejudice, aggression, altruism, attraction and close relationships, and intergroup conflict. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 2540 and any of: PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2541

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 2410, PSYC 2411, PSYC 2420, PSYC 2421

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 2660  Sport Psychology  3 cr  

This course examines the use of psychological knowledge to enhance the development of performance and satisfaction of athletes and others associated with sports. Topics include improving skills of athletes, motivating practice performance, increasing the effectiveness of coaches, and mental preparation for competition. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 2660 and the former PSYC 3660.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3660

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3070  Adult Development  3 cr  

This course deals with psychological changes during young adulthood, middle age, and old age. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3070 and the former PSYC 2370.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2290 or PSYC 2291] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2370

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3110  Research in Social Psychology  3 cr  

This course will provide an introduction to conducting research in social psychology. Students will gain experience in all facets of the research process including experimental design and preparation, human ethical review, data collection and analysis, and report writing.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2260 or PSYC 2261] and [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421].

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3130  Introduction to Health Psychology  3 cr  

This course offers a survey of psychological issues in health and illness. Major topics will include the biopsychosocial approach, mental models of illness, pain, stress and coping, health-damaging and health-promoting behaviours, and psychological issues in medical care. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 3130 and any of: PSYC 3131 or PSYC 3530 when titled "Health Psychology."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3131

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 3530, PSYC 3531

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3150  Behaviour Modification Applications  3 cr  

Guidelines for designing, implementing, and evaluating behaviour modification applications are described in detail. Students may also conduct supervised projects in applied areas or in basic behavioural research. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 3150 and any of: PSYC 3151 or the former PSYC 2450 or the former PSYC 2451.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2440 or PSYC 2441] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3151

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 2450, PSYC 2451

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3160  Perception and Attention  3 cr  

This lecture course will provide you with a basic introduction to the characteristics and processes of human perception. A scientific approach will be used with specific emphasis on exploring the relation between experimental evidence and theory. Topics to be covered include transmission of information through the visual and auditory systems, visual and auditory pattern recognition, selective and divided attention, and the role of attention and interpretation in perception. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3160 and PSYC 3441.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2480 or PSYC 2481] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3441

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3170  Research in Cognitive Psychology  3 cr  

This course will provide an introduction to conducting research in human perception and cognition. Students will gain experience in all facets of the research process including: critical reading of relevant literature, experimental design and preparation, data collection and analysis, and report writing. Activities may include critiques of published research, research proposals, individual and/or group projects, research reports, and individual and/or group presentations.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2480 or PSYC 2481] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3200  Thinking Critically About Psychological Research  3 cr  

This course will teach students to apply critical thinking skills in the evaluation of psychological research. Core components will include the logic of research design, analysis and interpretation, the description of psychological studies, and the critical reading of published research. Activities will include the preparation of critiques of research claims published in both academic journals and in the main-stream press, sample research proposals, individual and/or group projects, and individual and/or group presentations.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2260 (B) or PSYC 2261 (B) or the former PSYC 2300] and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3310  Adolescent Development  3 cr  

This course deals with normal psychological development from puberty until adulthood. Results of scientific research are emphasized. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 3310 and any of: PSYC 3311 or the former PSYC 2310 or the former PSYC 2311.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2290 or PSYC 2291] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2310, PSYC 2311, PSYC 3311

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3340  Design and Analysis for Psychological Experiments  3 cr  

Methods for controlling sources of internal validity in psychological experiments, such as randomization, blocking, factorial configuration, and repeated measurements, will be discussed. Descriptive and multivariate methods of analysis will also be introduced. The use of statistical packages will be illustrated. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 3340 and any of: PSYC 3341 or the former PSYC 4570.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2260 (B) or PSYC 2261 (B) or the former PSYC 2300] and written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3341, PSYC 4570

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3350  Behavioural Neuroscience  3 cr  

This course presents the fundamentals of the neurobiology of behaviour. Special importance is placed on the information-processing properties of the nervous system in order to provide a uniform framework for the understanding of such topics as perception, attention, sleep and wakefulness, motivation, and learning. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 3350 and any of: PSYC 3351 or the former PSYC 3330 or the former PSYC 3331.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2360 or PSYC 2361] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3330, PSYC 3331, PSYC 3351

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3354  Cognitive Neuroscience  3 cr  

This course surveys theories and studies in cognitive neuroscience, with a focus on human research. The course will cover the cognitive and neuroscientific bases of a number of topics broadly related to human cognition which may include perception, mental imagery, attention, memory, language, emotion, and social cognition. the course will explore ways various modern imaging techniques allow scientists to peer inside the human mind, and how these technologies clarify theories of human cognition.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: One of PSYC 2360, PSYC 2361, PSYC 2480, PSYC 2481, or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3360  Experimental Child Psychology  3 cr  

Research methods for developmental psychology are reviewed: ethics, conducting experiments with child participants in a group project, research design, data analysis, writing research papers in APA format, and creating a poster presentation.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PSYC 2290 or PSYC 2291.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3380  Nature, Nurture and Behaviour  3 cr  

This course provides an overview of behavioural genetics. It will introduce students to the basic principles of Mendelian, population, and quantitative genetics, as well as how they are used for the study of neuro-behavioural phenotypes, characteristics and traits in human, animal and insect systems, and how genes contribute to behaviour. Societal and ethical implications of the results of behavioural genetics are considered. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3380 and PSYC 3530 when titled "Nature, Nurture, and Behaviour."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2360 or PSYC 2361] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science, Written English Requirement

PSYC 3390  Thinking  3 cr  

The class surveys work in cognitive science. Topics include probabilistic reasoning, heuristics and biases, artificial neural networks, mental representation of number, and the cognitive unconscious.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2480 or PSYC 2481] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3430  Sensory Processes  3 cr  

A review of the structure and function of biological receptor systems and how they mediate information about the environment. It includes such topics as receptor transduction, neural correlates of sensation, and neural models of sensory discrimination.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2360 or PSYC 2361] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3470  Dyadic Relations  3 cr  

This course covers friendship formation and dyadic relations – linking, liking, loving, and leaving – from an empirically oriented psychological perspective. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3470 and the former PSYC 2460.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 2460

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3490  Individual Differences  3 cr  

This course is concerned with the systematic way in which individuals vary. Topics include individual differences as a function of sex, age, race, and socioeconomic status. Specific behaviours to be studied include reaction-time differences, differences in intelligence, differences in aptitudes and interests, and differences in motor abilities. The reasons for some of these differences will also be delineated. Hence genetic and physiological factors, as well as psychological explanations for individual differences, will be studied.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3520  Independent Research in Psychology 1  3 cr  

Students carry out a research project and write a paper. Research may include historical, theoretical or experimental analyses of psychological problems. Normally available only to third and fourth year students who are in Honours Psychology or who are Psychology Majors and have completed one of: both PSYC 2250 and PSYC 2260, or both PSYC 2251 and PSYC 2261, or the former PSYC 2300. A student may not hold credit for more than two of PSYC 3520 or PSYC 3560 or PSYC 3590.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: prearranged written consent of an individual instructor and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3530  Contemporary Issues 1  3 cr  

The content of this course will vary from year to year, but in general it will entail either some specific topic of prominent interest in psychology or a psychological analysis of some problem of current public interest. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3530 and PSYC 3531.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] and written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3531

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 3130, PSYC 3131

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3540  Contemporary Issues 2  3 cr  

The content of this course will vary from year to year, but in general it will entail either some specific topic of prominent interest in psychology or a psychological analysis of some problem of current public interest. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3540 and the former PSYC 3541.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 1200 or the former PSYC 1201] or [PSYC 1211 and PSYC 1221] and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3560  Supervised Field Study in Psychology  3 cr  

Students usually do supervised field work in a community setting and write a paper. Normally available only to third and fourth year students who are in Honours Psychology or who are Psychology Majors. A student may not hold credit for more than two of: PSYC 3520, PSYC 3560, PSYC 3590.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: prearranged written consent of an individual instructor and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3570  Psychology of Women  3 cr  

Examines the unique experiences of women from a psychological perspective. Psychological theory and empirical research will inform course content. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3570 and the former PSYC 2390.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2380 or the former PSYC 2400] or written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 2390

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3580  Language and Thought  3 cr  

An examination of recent investigations of human language behaviour. Emphasis will be placed on natural language phenomena, which will be examined within the framework of modern theories of thought. Some of the topics considered include communication, the development of language, and natural language comprehension.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2480 or PSYC 2481] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3590  Independent Research in Psychology 2  3 cr  

Students carry out a research project and write a paper. Research may include historical, theoretical or experimental analysis of psychological problems. Normally available only to third and fourth year students who are in Honours Psychology or who are Psychology Majors and have completed one of: both PSYC 2250 and PSYC 2260, or both PSYC 2251 and PSYC 2261, or the former PSYC 2300. A student may not hold credit for more than two of: PSYC 3520, PSYC 3560, PSYC 3590.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: prearranged written consent of an individual instructor and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3610  Memory  3 cr  

Selected topics in human memory are reviewed, including the physiological and chemical bases for learning and memory, primary determinants of forgetting, memory models, nonverbal memory, organization in memory, and the use of mnemonic schemes to improve memory.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2480 or PSYC 2481] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3630  Psychological Measurement and Assessment  3 cr  

A study of the basic concepts of measurement in psychology and the application of these concepts in selected areas of psychology. The principal topics of the course will be historical foundations, basic concepts such as reliability, validity, and invariance, the use of different tests and instruments, scaling, and the unique aspects of measurement encountered in different areas of psychology. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 3630 and PSYC 3631.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2260 (B) or PSYC 2261 (B) or the former PSYC 2300] and written consent of department head.

Equiv To: PSYC 3631

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3650  Introduction to Clinical Psychology  3 cr  

Clinical psychology is presented as both a scientific and an applied discipline. Such topics as assessment, intervention, research, and professional issues are covered.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2490 or PSYC 2491 or the former PSYC 3460 or PSYC 3461] or written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 3860  Child Language Development  3 cr  

The study of first language acquisition from infancy through childhood. Aspects of phonology, morphology, pragmatics and syntax acquisition are discussed, as well as formal theories of acquisition, second language and bilingual acquisition, atypical development and the relationship of language acquisition with literacy. Also offered as LING 3860. Students may not hold credit for PSYC 3860 and any of: LING 3860 or the former PSYC 2860 or the former LING 2860.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2290 or PSYC 2291] or [9 credit hours of Linguistics courses] or written consent of department head.

Equiv To: LING 2860, LING 3860, PSYC 2860

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4370  Brain Plasticity  3 cr  

The course will feature the relationship between the brain and experience. Brain plasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change its structure and function. Experience, which includes development, learning, and damage, is a major cause of plasticity in all organisms. Students will be exposed to theories on how much plasticity is possible, how it can be measured, how it can be used, and whether it can be enhanced. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4370 and PSYC 4540 when titled "Brain Plasticity."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2360 or PSYC 2361] and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4400  Theories of Close Relationships  3 cr  

Students will be exposed to theories that apply to the initiation, development, maintenance, and dissolution of relationships. The primary focus will be on evolutionary theory, attachment styles, communal and exchange relationships, equity theory, interdependence theory and the investment model, attributional theories, and theories of love. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4400 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Theories of Close Relationships."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] and written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 4540

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4410  Cross-cultural Social Psychology  3 cr  

Cross-cultural psychology is the critical and comparative study of the linkages between cultural norms and thoughts, feeling and behaviour. This course focuses on Cross-cultural Social Psychology. Therefore the assigned readings deal with topics that Social Psychology, in general, examines. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4410 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Cross-cultural Social Psychology."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] and written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 4540

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4420  Neuroimaging: Imaging Thoughts  3 cr  

This course will explore how neuroimaging can illuminate our models of various aspects of cognition, including attention, vision, language, memory and learning, executive functions, emotion and various neuropathologies. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4420 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Imaging Thoughts."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4430  Vision: Perception and Action  3 cr  

An intensive review of current research and theories in visual processes. Both behavioural and physiological aspects of vision will be considered. Course goals are directed at offering a better understanding of visual perception and the visual control of action. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4430 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Vision Science."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4440  Readings in Autism Spectrum Disorders  3 cr  

Students will read recent research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, acquire skills to critically evaluate empirical evidence, and examine implications for practice. Among the topics covered will be assessment, diagnosis, epidemiology, and applied behaviour analysis early intervention. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4440 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Autism Spectrum Disorders."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4450  Animal Behaviour 1  3 cr  

The nature-nurture controversy will be discussed, followed by a survey of the diverse behaviours relating to the physical environment (e.g., food storage); predation (e.g. trapping); defence (e.g., camouflage); and migration.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4460  Animal Behaviour 2  3 cr  

A more detailed analysis of selected topics including communication, animal populations, and the social use of space in humans and infrahumans.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4490  Comparative Psychology  3 cr  

A survey of similarities and differences of behaviour at various phylogenetic levels. Topics include evolution, genetics, sensory processes, neuropsychology, learning processes, and social behaviour.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4492  Psychology of Addiction  3 cr  

This course will introduce the psychology of addictive disorders, including their history, prevalence and incidence, and basic drug actions. It will also survey research on biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive disorders. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4492 and PSYC 4540 when titled "Introduction to the Psychology of Addiction."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4510  Applied Behaviour Analysis in Developmental Disabilities  3 cr  

Students will read recent applied behaviour analytic research in behavioural assessments and interventions for people with developmental disabilities, acquire skills to critically evaluate empirical evidence, and examine implications for practice. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4510 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Research in Developmental Disabilities."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4520  Honours Research Seminar  6 cr  

Each student will carry out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and write up and orally present their thesis project. Additional course assignments and weekly lectures are designed to help students expand their understanding of research ethics, and build specific research, scientific writing, and public speaking skills.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: 90 credit hours toward the honour program, including PSYC 3200 and (PSYC 3340 or PSYC 3341 or the former PSYC 4570) and (PSYC 3630 or PSYC 3631 or the former PSYC 4500) and written consent of the department head.

Attributes: Social Science, Written English Requirement

PSYC 4540  Contemporary Issues 1  3 cr  

Course content may vary from year to year, but in general it will entail either some specific topic of prominent interest in psychology or a psychological analysis of some problem of current public interest. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4560  Health Psychology  3 cr  

This course focuses on understanding how psychological factors contribute to the promotion and maintenance of good health, to the prevention and treatment of illness, and to recovery from or adjustment to existing illness.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4562  Social Psychology and Health  3 cr  

This course uses theories and concepts from social/personality psychology to gain a better appreciation of what health is and how to achieve it, at the individual and population levels. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4562 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Social Psychology and Health."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2530 or PSYC 2531 or PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or PSYC 3130 or PSYC 3131 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421 or the former PSYC 3450 or the former PSYC 3451] and written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 4540

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4564  Self-regulation and Health  3 cr  

This course examines how self-regulatory processes such as goal-setting and self-awareness can affect behaviours that promote or undermine human health. A wide range of health-related behaviours is considered such as smoking, exercise, safe-sex practices, and eating. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4564 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Self-regulation and Health."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4566  Psychology of Health and Aging  3 cr  

This course considers how adults adapt to the challenges of aging and the accompanying health problems. Seminar discussions will focus on selected psychological theories and related empirical literature regarding belief systems that operate in the face of health- and age-related challenges. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4566 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Health and Aging."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4580  Elements of Behavioural Pharmacology  3 cr  

Data and theories related to psychoactive agents are introduced, with emphasis on therapeutic drug classes, drugs of abuse, and methodological issues in drug research. The focus is on the behavioural analysis of drug action, but a neuropharmacological analysis is developed where it has a firm relationship to the behavioural analysis.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4600  Selected Topics in Developmental Psychology  3 cr  

The specific content of this course will vary from year to year. A description of the course is available in advance at the Psychology general office. The course content may vary. Students can earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4610  Social Cognition  3 cr  

Focus on the processes determining how people perceive themselves and others in their social world. From topics such as causal attribution, psychological control, person memory, and social inference, the course will address selected issues from theoretical and empirical perspectives.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4620  Community Mental Health  3 cr  

A seminar covering contemporary issues in community mental health and their relation to psychological services. Topics include the history of the community mental health movement, de-institutionalization as a social policy, the etiology and epidemiology of mental disorders, recognition of and response to mental disorders, mental health systems, community-based mental health services, and prevention of mental disorders. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4620 and PSYC 4540 offered as Community Mental Health.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4630  Behavioural Endocrinology  3 cr  

A comparative approach is adopted to examine how hormones influence a diversity of behaviours through their actions on brain function, the physiological substrates of the behaviours, and their development as evolutionary adaptations. Techniques used by behavioural neuroscientists to study the behavioural and neuroendocrine interactions are surveyed.

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 3350 or PSYC 3351 or the former PSYC 3330 or the former PSYC 3331] and written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4640  Person X Situation Interactionism  3 cr  

We will first explore research demonstrating the impact of personality and situations, separately, on behaviour. We then examine the debate that arose about whether understanding the person or situation would have the most scientific merit. We spend the remainder (and the majority) of the course discussing the theories and research that arose from that debate. The majority of this research has an interactionist perspective, taking both the person and his/her situation into account. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4640 and PSYC 4540 with the topic "Person X Situation Interactionism."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4650  The Self and Social Perception  3 cr  

This course examines: 1) bases of self-knowledge such as social comparison, feedback from others, and introspection, 2) recent perspectives on the nature of the self-concept and self-presentation, and 3) motivational and cognitive mechanisms guiding self-relevant information processing. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4650 and the former PSYC 4590 when titled "Self and Social Perception."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] and written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 4590

Attributes: Social Science

PSYC 4660  Intergroup Relations  3 cr  

This course examines intergroup relations from a social psychological perspective. Key topics include sources of prejudice and discrimination, the "target's" perspective, and strategies for reducing prejudice and discrimination. Students may not hold credit for both PSYC 4660 and PSYC 4540 when titled "Intergroup Relations."

PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: [PSYC 2540 or PSYC 2541 or the former PSYC 2410 or the former PSYC 2411 or the former PSYC 2420 or the former PSYC 2421] and written consent of department head.

Mutually Exclusive: PSYC 4540

Attributes: Social Science