Psychology: Introduction

Course Code

PSYC 150

Academic Year

2016-2017

How many times in the course of a day do we wonder about human behaviour? We shake our heads and ask why the person in the car ahead of us cut us off. We try to explain why our boss blew up at a co-worker over an insignificant issue. We are challenged to explain the behaviour of those around us, and indeed, ourselves. Most often we do so using "common sense", based on our limited experience, our socialization and our own biases. Psychology examines human behaviour scientifically. This course will introduce the student to psychological theories and a variety of psychological research topics, including the biological bases of behaviour, learning and memory, psychopathology, social attitudes and behaviour. Students will be encouraged to be introspective and to apply what they learn to their personal behaviour in order to gain a better understanding of themselves and others.