Social psychology
Social psychology is a broad field that includes the study of individuals' cognitions, feelings, and behaviours in self-reflection and interaction with others.
The department's program in social psychology includes faculty who conduct research at a broad range of levels of analysis (i.e., individual, interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, and societal levels), giving students the opportunity to master multiple perspectives on human behaviour.
Students are expected to seek a PhD once they complete an MSc and, in general, to work in a topic area that is compatible with the expertise of at least one faculty member (see their web pages).
For further information about applying (including on-line application forms), visit the Department's graduate admissions page.
Core faculty
Frederick Grouzet, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Motivation, goals and self-regulation
- Self-determination theory
- self and identity
- Well-being and flourishing
- Ecological well-being and sustainability
- Research Methods and Structural Equation Modeling
Kelci Harris, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Friendship
- Personality and Personality Development
- Intergroup Relationships
- Life Transitions
- Latent Variable Analysis
- Multilevel Modeling
Nigel Mantou Lou, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Motivation
- Intergroup Relations
- Intercultural Communication
- Immigration
- Language learning
- Beliefs
- Identity
Danu Stinson, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Self-Esteem
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Health
- Research Methods
Emeritus faculty
Janet Bavelas, Ph.D., Professor
- face-to-face dialogue
- microanalysis of communication
- psychotherapy and medical interactions
- research methods
Facilities and resources
The department has a Social Interaction Lab that is equipped with a control room, audiovisual and video recording equipment, and group testing facilities. Individual faculty members also have computer-equipped laboratory space for interviews and small-group studies, plus equipment for conducting reaction-time studies and assessment of neuroendocrine responses (i.e., salivary cortisol testing). Facilities are also available for conducting web-based survey research.
Graduate students also have the opportunity to participate in regular area discussion meetings (e.g., to present and receive feedback on their research), and we have a speaker series in which experts are invited to speak to our program area.
Masters degree program
18 units (15 units for students with an undergraduate Honours degree) (where 1.5 units is awarded for a course that meets for 3 hours per week for a 13-week term), including these required courses:
- PSYC 502: Research Apprenticeship (3.0 units)
- PSYC 520: Survey of Social Psychology (1.5 units)*
- PSYC 527: Research Methods in Social Psychology (1.5 units)*
- PSYC 532: General Linear Model - Univariate (1.5 units)
- PSYC 533: General Linear Model - Multivariate (1.5 units)
- PSYC 599: Thesis (3.0-6.0 units)
Plus 1.5 units of elective courses:
- PSYC 507: Personality (1.5 units)
- PSYC 518: Psychometric Methods (1.5 units)
- PSYC 521: Human Motivation (1.5 units)
- PSYC 522: Cultural Psychology (1.5 units)
- PSYC 526: Special Topics in Personality and Social Psychology (1.5 units)
- PSYC 530: The Social Self (1.5 units)
- PSYC 531: Environmental Psychology (1.5 units)
- Other courses in the Department, and relevant courses in other Departments, may be used as elective courses. The full program is decided in consultation with the student's supervisory committee.
* If offered during the first or second year of student's master's training.
PhD program
30 units are required, including:
- PSYC 520: Survey of Social Psychology (1.5 units)*
- PSYC 527: Research Methods in Social Psychology (1.5 units)*
- Two comprehensive examinations (3.0 units)
- PSYC 699: PhD Dissertation (18.0 units)
- Other courses as decided by the student and supervisory committee, in consultation.
* If not taken during student's Master's training.
Graduate students
Desgrosseilliers, Elysia: MSc Social Psychology Program (supervisor: Dr. Stinson)
- Close relationships
- Women in the Canadian Armed Forces
Lowey, Erin: MSc Social Psychology Program (supervisor: Dr. Stinson)
- Close relationships
- Well-Being
Maillet, Myles: PhD Social Psychology Program (supervisor: Dr. Grouzet)
- Eating behaviours
- Self-regulation
- Mindfulness & well-being
- Motivational Profile
- Self-Regulation
- Self-Determination Theory
Abrami, Jessica
(MSc; supervisor: Grouzet)
Bezeau, Colleen
(PhD; supervisor: Grouzet)
Carey, Tyler
(PhD; supervisor: Grouzet)
Durocher, Lisa
(MSc; supervisor: Grouzet)
Fisher, Alexandra
(PhD; supervisors: Stinson, Sakaluk)
Gibson, Taylor
(MSc; supervisor: Grouzet)
He, Theresa
(MSc; supervisor: Stinson)
Healing, Sara
(MSc; supervisor: Bavelas)
Hoplock, Lisa
(PhD; supervisor: Stinson)
Huang, Eric
(PhD; supervisor: Stinson)
Joordens, Chantele
(MSc; supervisor: Stinson)
Kalajdzic, Anastasja
(MSc; supervisor: Stinson)
Lee, Elliott
(PhD; supervisor: Grouzet)
Robertson, MacKenzie
(MSc; supervisor: Stinson)
Rush, Jonathan
(MSc; supervisor: Grouzet)
Spence, Tom:
(MSc; supervisor: Grouzet)
Tomori, Christine
(MSc; supervisor: Bavelas)
Werner, Kaitlyn
(MSc; supervisor: Grouzet)