Why Study Psychology at TWU?

The psychology program is one of the most popular majors at TWU. Psychology courses examine a thorough understanding of human experience and behaviour through systematic observation and research.

The department is highly interdisciplinary; students have the opportunity to study the psychology of education, sport, religion, and leadership. The program provides a solid foundation for those considering service-oriented work.

• Psychology honours program
• Masters of Counselling Psychology
• The majority of TWU’s psychology faculty are practicing psychologists
• Undergraduate Psychology Student Initiative (UPSI) promotes community amongst students within the psychology department

Courses

• PSYC 105, 106 Introduction to Psychology

  A broad introduction to the field of psychology as a science. The practical, life-oriented application of scientific principles of psychology. Development, learning, biological bases of behaviour, motivation and emotion, perception, measurement and fundamental statistics, personality, behavioural disorders and mental health, and group and social processes.

• PSYC 201 Experimental Psychology

  Problems in research and experimentation in the context of sub-areas of psychology such as learning, memory, social influence, perception, and psycho-physics. Experimental, correlational, and observational methods are all considered.

• PSYC 204 Social Psychology

  The relationship between the individual and society. Motivation, interpersonal relationships, attitude formation and change, communication, effective group dynamics, and leadership.

• PSYC 207 Data Analysis

  The logic and the application of data analysis techniques suitable for the behavioural sciences. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including measures of central tendency, variability, probability and sampling theory, correlation, regression, and non-parametric statistics.

• PSYC 214 Psychological Foundations of Teaching and Learning

  An evaluation of psychological theories and research relating to learning and teaching, with a focus on learning theories, motivation, classroom management, evaluation, developmental stages, individual differences, and the needs of exceptional children.

• PSYC 215 Lifespan Development

  The physical, mental, emotional, and social growth from infancy through adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Death and bereavement.

• PSYC 301 Theories of Personality

  The major theories of personality, traditional and contemporary, with a view to demonstrating their usefulness in accounting for human behaviour.

• PSYC 305 Abnormal Psychology

  The symptoms, causality, and treatment of psychopathological and behavioural problems. Examination of research findings as well as theoretical explanations.

• PSYC 309 Sensation and Perception

  Research involving basic sensory and perceptual processes with theoretical accounts.

• PSYC 310 The Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom

  The identification, etiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of various exceptionalities such as learning and physical disabilities, visual and auditory impairments, behaviour disorders, mental handicaps, and giftedness.

• PSYC 315 Psychology of Gender

  Exploration of the biological, psychological, and cultural influences on gender differences and the implications of gender differences and roles for women and men in our society. Emphasis is on research and theory exploring differences and/or similarities and the origins of differences.

• PSYC 320 Tests and Measurement

  Psychometric theory and principles of test development. Reliability, validity, item analysis, and use of tests in educational, industrial, and counselling settings.

• PSYC 322 Research Methods

  Issues and methods related to the conduct and analysis of psychological research. Internal and external validity, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, research ethics, and analysis of variance. Projects involve both library and empirical research components.

• PSYC 326 Cognitive Processes

  Using the "information-processing" approach, higher cognitive activities such as attention, memory, language, and thinking are examined in the light of current theory and research.

• PSYC 330 Leadership in Organizations and Small Groups

  Comprehensive understanding of leadership. Theories, models, facets of leadership, and characteristics of effective leaders. Leadership development and current issues.

• PSYC 331 Theories of Counselling

  A survey of selected theories of counselling and psychotherapy: their theoretical base, view of the nature of the person, key concepts, goals, roles of therapist and client, techniques, and overall effectiveness.

• PSYC 339 Mental Health and Adjustment

  A psychological perspective on the experiences and problems humans encounter in daily living. Self-understanding in such areas as love, work, religion, sexuality, values and meaning, and interpersonal relationships. Growth models and health.

• PSYC 340 Interpersonal and Helping Skills

  Skills for developing helping relationships from a Christian perspective. A problem-management approach to helping: helping theory and skills practice.

• PSYC 342 Psychology of Adolescence

  The physical and psychological processes that take place during adolescence. Issues of identity formation, moral development, physical development, changes in family relationships and development of independence, sexuality in adolescence, a perspective on peer relationships and pressures, and anticipation of vocational preparation.

• PSYC 345 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

  This course focuses on major forms of atypical development in childhood and adolescence. These include disorders of behaviour and emotion, developmental and learning problems, and problems related to physical and mental health. The focus is on the child, not just the disorder, and the biological, psychological, developmental, socio-cultural, and spiritual influences.

• PSYC 350 Brain and Behaviour

  An overview of the relationship between the nervous system and behaviour. Human behaviour and clinical problems. Biological bases of emotion, learning, memory, sexual behaviour, and homeostatic motivations. Biochemical theories of schizophrenia, autism, and mood disorders.

• PSYC 360 Psychology of Sport

  The need for and purpose of psychology in sport and physical activity. An examination of the research focusing on psychological and social psychological factors influencing athletic and motor performance.

• PSYC 361 Practicum

  To equip student leaders with the knowledge, skills and experience that will enable them to build community and lead effectively in a residence hall setting. Class and assignments are structured to encourage personal growth, teamwork, and leadership development through the process elements of empowering messages, empowering opportunities, empowering reflections, and solution-focused thinking.

• PSYC 365 Psychology and the Correctional System: Prison and the Person

  A critical look at how the individual is impacted by the prison environment. Through readings, lectures, class discussions, guest speakers and field interactions the student encounters various perspectives on the Canadian correctional system. The student becomes familiar with current theories of discipline and punishment and explores alternatives to imprisonment.

• PSYC 390 Special Topics in Psychology

  An examination of selected issues, theories, or topics within the field of psychology.

• PSYC 408 History and Systems of Psychology

  Historical roots of modern psychology. Major systems of thought within the discipline in the context of a Christian view of humans and the world.

• PSYC 409 Learning

  Classical and operant conditioning processes as well as motor learning, observational learning, and the acquisition of concepts and language.

• PSYC 411 Psychology and Spirituality

  Examines the notion of spirituality in light of the psychological theories of Jung, Frankl, Maslow, May, Fromm, contemporary Transpersonal psychologists and Christianity as well as several Eastern religions. Includes exploration of spiritual themes such as suffering, surrender and relinquishment, forgiveness, love and unity, ecstatsy and peak experience, mysticism and sacredness, creativity, meaning, meditation and serenity, authenticity and truth, and birth and death.

• PSYC 412 Strategies for the Exceptional Child

  Strategies for integrating exceptional students, particularly within the regular school system. Identification of the variety of support services and personnel available to exceptional students.

• PSYC 415 Human Sexuality

  Concepts and materials treating the meaning and significance of human sexuality. Owing to the discussion-oriented format, preparation, attendance, and full participation are required.

• PSYC 416 Psychology and the Law

  A consideration of human behaviour within the legal system, including issues related to giving testimony, jury decision-making, and defense pleas.

• PSYC 418 Memory and Attention

  Current models of the human memory system. Practical mnemonic aids and theoretical issues and models.

• PSYC 420 Adult Development and Aging

  An introduction to the developmental tasks, issues, and experiences common to human development from young adulthood through old age. Theories of adult development and aging; the role of genetic and environmental factors in aging; the effects of aging on sensation and perception, learning and cognition, personality and adjustment; and the issues of death and bereavement.

• PSYC 431 Introduction to Career Counselling and Development

  A critical introduction to the theory and practice of career counselling. An overview of major factors affecting career development. Current trends and how to meet developing needs. The importance of effective career counselling in the lifelong development of the individual.

• PSYC 440 Psychology of Religion

  An application of the tools of empirical psychology to the study of the development and function of religious experience. An analysis of the role of religious experience in the human personality. Specific religious experiences (e.g., conversion, prayer, glossolalia, miracles) are examined with a view to understanding their function in the normal individual.

• PSYC 450 Behavioural NeuroScience

  An examination of the cellular organization of the brain and the role of physiological processes in human thought, emotion, and behaviour. Laboratory experiments on recording bioelectric potentials in invertebrates and humans. Emphasis on the interactions between physiological and psychological processes.

• PSYC 490 Personhood: An Interdisciplinary Examination of the Individual

  A consideration of the function of worldviews, the meaning of a Christian worldview, and the implications of a Christian worldview for the understanding of persons and their role in modern society. Inasmuch as contemporary worldviews have been shaped extensively by developments in science, as well as by historical influences from philosophy and religion, an interdisciplinary approach is taken.

• PSYC 497, 498 Senior Thesis

  Under supervision of the departmental faculty, students conduct a careful review of the literature on a topic of their choice as well as an empirical study of some portion of the topic. The final written result is submitted in thesis form.

Highlights

TWU offers two psychology degrees. In both programs students will learn from a wide selection of courses, which examine the human experience.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.)

Psychology students investigate principles derived from research. Students focus on topics such as personhood, worldview, and how people interpret and respond to various events in life. A Bachelor of Arts in psychology provides flexibility for students who wish to complete a minor or concentration in other studies.

Honours Program in Psychology, B.A. (Honours)

Students who want to take their academics to a higher level can take the honours program in psychology. An honours degree in psychology is an extension of a B.A. in psychology, where students can work on a master thesis project. In addition, the honours program provides students with a thorough grasp of the field, preparing them for graduate studies.

Minors & Concentrations

A concentration and minor in psychology are offered for students seeking an addition to their major. By taking a concentration or minor in psychology, students can apply human behaviour and personality concepts to their degree.

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CACREP = Council for Accreditation of Counselling and Related Educational

Masters of Counselling Psychology