Psychology
These courses are reading and writing intensive. For information on the Psychology degree, please go to the program section of the calendar.
Contemporary psychology is a constantly evolving and rigorous scientific discipline. At Kwantlen University College, first-year courses introduce students to the major content areas, theories and research methodology in psychology.
Second year courses offer students opportunities for in-depth exploration of specific areas in the study of psychology, including historical and philosophical foundations; life-span development; psychopathology; clinical and forensic; social and personality; various aspects of brain function & effects on behaviour; perception and cognition; and research design and statistical techniques for evaluation of data.
Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes
Students will study topics related to basic psychological processes. They will examine areas such as the biological basis of behaviour, sensation, perception, states of consciousness, learning and memory. Students will learn about the historical and philosophical context behind the development of psychology and the research methods used by psychologists.
Introduction to Psychology: Areas and Applications
Students will study topics related to applications of psychological processes. They will examine areas such as cognition, motivation, emotion, theories of personality, development over the life span, the psychology of health and well-being, psychological disorders, approaches to treatment and therapy, and principles of social and cultural psychology.
Applied Statistics
Students will learn to apply descriptive and inferential statistics in the analysis of behavioral research
History & Systems of Contemporary Psychology
Students will study the themes and thinkers of the 19th and 20th Century Western intellectual tradition that created contemporary psychology.
Brain and Behaviour
Students will learn how normal and abnormal behavior in both humans and animals may be understood through knowledge of the function of the brain, and its underlying structure. They will examine psychophysiologists’ current understanding of the brain and nervous system involvement in areas such as sensation, perception, movement, memory, psychopathology, and recovery from brain damage.
Developmental Psychology: Childhood
Students will study the process of human development from conception to adolescence, including major principles of development and the descriptive changes in child growth and behaviour. They will study the implications of theory and research findings for areas such as leaning, personality, social behaviour, and psychopathology.
Developmental Psychology: Adolescence
Students will examine the psychological development that occurs during adolescence. They will examine the major theories and research findings about adolescent development with a view to their relevance to the lives of adolescents
Developmental Psychology: Adulthood
Students will become familiar with the developmental processes from young adulthood through old age. They will study the implications of specific periods/stages, such as parenting, career choice, role changes and losses, including dying and death.
Psychology of Learning
Students will study in selected situations, the basic theories and psychological principles of learning.
Social Psychology
Students will explore psychological processes that occur in groups and their influence on the individual around such topics as prejudice, aggression, interpersonal attraction and intimate relationships, attitudes and persuasion, self-esteem, conformity and decision main in law, business and health.
Applied Psychology in Organizations
Students will be introduced to the human factors involved in the development and functioning of organizations and to the behavior of individuals and groups comprising them with an emphasis on the applications of psychological principles of basic human behavior and group dynamics in organizations.
Psychopathology
Students will examine the major theoretical approaches to classification and diagnosis of mental disorders, including neuropsychological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and humanistic/existential perspectives. They will explain the characteristics of specific categories of these disorders, and to the biochemical and interactive effects of biological, social and psychological factors in their development. They will critically analyze the historical and contemporary assumptions underlying individual and societal attitudes toward mental illness.
Psychology of Personality
Students will survey western personality theorists, including the Psychoanalytic school (Freud, Jung, Erikson, Adler), the Existential school (Laing, May), the Behavioral-Cognitive school (Skinner, Rolter, Kelly), and the Humanistic school (Rogers, Maslow, among others).
Perception
Students will study the psychology of perception, and will learn about depth perception, color perception, attention, spatial processing, audition and smell.
Cognition
Students will study cognitive processes, including memory, problem solving, reasoning, attention, and spatial abilities.
Experimental Psychology: Research Methodology
Students will examine the scientific method as a way of studying behavioral phenomena and explore research paradigms commonly used in psychology.
Social Psychology: Theory and Research
Students will apply the theory, principles and methods of research learned in Social Psychology 2330 by doing an in-depth research investigation in their chosen area of interest. They will present a final research report orally and in written form.
Clinical Psychology: Psychotherapy
Students will explore the practice of clinical psychology. They will learn about assessment techniques, legal and ethical issues, effectiveness of therapy and major theoretical approaches to therapy.
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Students will examine how psychological research and knowledge pertain to law, criminality and civil procedure, with particular emphasis on the Canadian justice system. They will review current knowledge in the field of forensic psychology in the areas of police investigations, eyewitness testimony, fitness to stand trial, jury selection and deliberation, sentencing and parole issues, violence and risk assessment, and civil matters such as workplace harassment and family law. Students will also evaluate the usefulness and limitations of psychological assessment and treatment of offenders and inmates.
effective September 2004: Corequisites will not be required
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Students will learn to apply principles of psychology to create well-functioning and efficient organizations. They will focus on objectives, personnel selection and evaluation, employee development and relationships, with an emphasis on the application of psychological principles of individual behavior and group dynamics in various types of community and industrial organizations.
Applied Statistics II
Students will learn about research designs and statistical analyses commonly used in behavioural research, including analysis of variance (ANOVA) models, correlation, regression and multiple regression, as well as chi-square procedures, focusing on both conceptual understanding and practical application. They will learn computer software applications commonly used by potential employers to analyze data sets and interpret results.
Psychology of Work and Human Performance
Students will become familiar with applying behavioural principles and human factors methodologies to assessing and optimizing human performance, well-being and safety in the work place. An interdisciplinary systems perspective is used to examine inter-relationships between workers, tasks and work environments. Domains of application include manufacturing, transportation and service industries.
Prerequisites:
PSYC 1200 and
2300 or IDSN 2310 or permission of instructor
Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Psychology
Students will critically analyze selected themes and thinkers within the intellectual history of western civilization from early origins to the 19th century, with particular emphasis on ideas that form the background for modern psychology.
Prerequisites:
PSYC 1200 or third year standing required (60 credits min.)
Applied Research I
Students will learn how to carry out research in the community using experimental as well as quasi-experimental designs. They will learn how to design and implement a study, analyze the results, and communicate the findings to a variety of different audiences.
Interpersonal Relations I
Students will survey select issues of interpersonal relations relevant to working effectively with others and interacting successfully with customers and clients. They will critically examine interpersonal influence, theories of attitudes, persuasion, compliance and leadership, and will learn to recognize their applications.
Health Psychology
Students will learn how the discipline of psychology addresses the prevention and treatment of illness, and the promotion of psychological and physical health. They will explore the nature of stress, illness-prone personality types, and health management from a psychobiological perspective.
Neuropsychology
Students will learn the basic principles of neuropsychology as they relate to brain function and behaviour, especially in the context of the workplace and rehabilitation. Topics will include experimental and clinical neuropsychology and neurology. Upon completion of this course, students will understand sensory, motor, cognitive and affective disturbances resulting from brain damage and dysfunction, as well as their relationship to industrial accidents and industrial rehabilitation programs.
Aging
Students will examine fundamental psychological processes from mid-life onward, including current research with emphasis on physical changes, sensation and perception, work, social relationships, the self and sense of well-being. They will develop skills and awareness of issues related to working with older adults.
Consumer Psychology - Research & Applications
Students will examine the psychology of consumer behavior and advertising. They will review the cognitive and social psychological literature with an emphasis on experimental research.
Adult Education
Students will learn theories, research findings, and techniques applicable to training adult learners. They will explore a variety of contexts within which adult students learn, and will practice training techniques in simulated or actual settings.
Prerequisites:
PSYC 1200 and 60 University Transfer credits.
Cognitive Ergonomics
Students will study cognitive processing as it relates to human-machine interactions. They will examine information theory, attention and spatial displays, language and communication, memory, decision making, manual control, human error, process control, automation, and human computer interaction, and will explore several case studies in reference to these issues.
Program Evaluation
Students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of human service programs. They will learn to identify the elements of effective programs, conduct needs assessments, and learn how to design and implement evaluations of these programs. Additionally, students will learn to liaise with different stakeholders.
Community Psychology
Students will learn about social institutions and their policies and how they affect the mental and physical health of individuals and groups living within communities. They will learn about primary, secondary and tertiary preventive strategies and measures that can be used for promoting health used by community-based multidisciplinary and multicultural agencies and programs. Students will explore career opportunities within these programs.
Practicum
Students will manage, design, prepare, and present a comprehensive applied psychology project that will meet the requirements of a client organization under the co-supervision of the employer and a faculty member. They will meet regularly throughout the semester with a faculty member to discuss their progress, and will produce a final report describing their project and its result upon completion of the practicum.
Tests and Measurement
Students will study the basic principles of psychological testing including norms, reliability, validity, item response theory, scaling, scoring methods, item analysis, and ethical standards. They will experience taking and interpreting tests. They will focus on the use of appropriate standardized occupational tests and the development of evaluation instruments in the work setting.
Human Factors & Ergonomics
Students will study the human role in modern systems, with a focus on the design of systems that optimize performance, productivity, and human well-being. They will examine the history of human factors and ergonomics; human and system capabilities and limitations (physical, perceptual, and cognitive); environmental stress effects; task analysis; performance measurement; human error, and workspace design. Students will examine several case studies that exemplify various types of human factors problems and intervention strategies.
Applied Research II
Students will learn how to design and administer research projects using methodologies such as surveys, focus groups and archival data. They will learn how to analyze qualitative data using appropriate computer software applications
Interpersonal Relations II
Students will survey select issues of interpersonal relations relevant to working effectively with others and interacting successfully with customers and clients. Students will critically examine interpersonal problems and solutions involved in working with, understanding, and getting along with others. Topics will include conflict, cooperation, prejudice, cultural diversity, and community psychology.
Cultural Psychology
Students will examine the purpose, methods, and findings of psychologists who compare behaviours across diverse cultures, including parenting practices, the perception and diagnosis of illness, marital and sexual relations, and intercultural contact and conflict. They will experience cultural differences and similarities through interviews, guest speakers, and volunteer placements, and will increase their understanding of the reasons for different behaviours and beliefs across cultures, and develop greater intercultural sensitivity and respect.
Professional & Ethical Issues
Students will examine ethical codes/requirements and issues in applied research, and regulations governing the practice of psychology in Canada and the US and, more specifically, in British Columbia. Students will also prepare for job searching by creating effective portfolios and resumes, and by developing effective job search techniques and interviewing styles.
Rehabilitation
Students will learn the basic principles of neuropsychology as they relate to brain function and behaviour, especially in the context of the workplace and rehabilitation. Topics will include experimental and clinical neuropsychology and neurology. Upon completion of this course, students will understand sensory, motor, cognitive and affective disturbances resulting from brain damage and dysfunction, as well as their relationship to industrial accidents and industrial rehabilitation programs.
Human Factors and Computer Interface Design
Students will study human factors procedures for analyzing job and task requirements and for translating this information into design criteria. They will learn procedures for ensuring that computer interface design specifications meet end user requirements in terms of safety, performance criteria and job satisfaction. Students will study main topic areas that include identification of user requirements, system design, procedures and tools to design human computer interfaces and usability testing.
credit change:Implementation Jan.2004
Honours Thesis I
Students will carry out a detailed investigation of a topic of interest relevant to the community, workplace or other related areas of psychology. They will carry out the investigation, under the supervision of a faculty member with expertise in the area, in the form of a literature survey and review. Students will be required to identify relevant sources of information and to develop a comprehensive understanding of their topic, in addition to submitting a final paper. Students will also be expected to design a research experiment and offer hypotheses based on their literature review. The final paper for this course will be useful for subsequent development of a thesis in PSYC 5010. In addition, students will attend a class that deals with thesis issues and graduate school applications.
Prerequisites: PSYC 4200 and 4400
credit change:Implementation Jan.2004
Honours Thesis II
Students will review literature on a topic in community, work place, or related areas of psychology. They will carry out applied research under the supervision of a faculty member with expertise in the area selected. Students will use the information obtained from the literature review in PSYC 5000 to help identify specific issues for applied research. Students will, using appropriate methods, collect and interpret data, and write a thesis report on the results of the project.
Prerequisites: PSYC 5000
