Department of PsychologyFaculty of Health

York University

ORIENTATION 2009

http://www.yorku.ca/psychology

Agenda for today:– Who are we?

– Why are we here?

– Where are we located

– What should you expect to learn in psychology?

– What can you do with a degree in psychology?

– Summary of some Do’s and Don’ts

Who are we?

• Dept of Psychology Chair: »Dr Suzanne MacDonald

– Director, Undergraduate Program: »Dr. Susan Murtha,

– > 80 full-time faculty and > 50 contract faculty

Neuropsychology• Schizophrenia• Rehabilitation• Memory & aging & dementia• Spatial ability• Higher order cognition & memory

•

Adult Clinical Psychology : scientist-practitioner training model, Clinical Psychologists engage in assessment, treatment, teaching, and research

Health psychology• Heart disease & depression• Pain perception

Psychological Assessment & Intervention• Personality & Depressive mood disorders• Boredom and depression• Eating disorders and body image• Anxiety disorders • Autobiographical memory & emotion processes in Depression• Process-outcome & qualitative research methods• Culturally sensitive couples therapy

Who are we, cont: > 80 full-time faculty

Clinical psychopathology and treatment approach • trauma therapy• pain assessment• parenting• attachment disorders•The Impact of Child Maltreatment on Adolescent and Adult Health Outcomes

Professional function• neuropsychological assessment• expert witness issues• program evaluation• Promoting relationships and eliminating violence

Diagnostic population• Autism• ADHD • developmental & learning disabilities• conduct disorders

Clinical/developmental: developmental approach to understanding clinical issues in children, adolescents and families.

Who are we, cont: > 80 full-time faculty

Clinical PopulationsStroke

MigraineParkinson’s

Macular DegenerationAlzheimer’s

Psychophysics & Action

Neurophysiology

Computational Modeling

Brain, Behaviour & Cognitive Sciences uses physiological and information- processing approaches to understanding behaviour, cognition and perception

Orientation inUnusual environments

Neuro-imagingAnimal behaviour

Space station, NASA research Face perception

Gait recognition

• Neuropsychology• Educational Applications• Early identification of latent giftedness• Bilingualism et cognitive functioning

Developmental Cognitive Processes : investigating cognitive, social, emotional processes from infancy to old age

• Social Processes in Infancy

• How parent-child relationships shape children's social/emotional and brain development. Milton and Ethel Harris Research Initiative (MEHRI)

Who are we, cont: > 80 full-time faculty

The Journal of the history of the Behavioural Sciences.

History and Theory of Psychology investigates historical topics in psychology and in psychological theory.

http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/

“THIS WEEK IN THE HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY”, PODCAST

Classics in the History of Psychology web resource

• Culture• Forgiveness• Health and coping • Legal decision making• Personality processes eg., perfectionism• Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination• Driving rage

Social and Personality Psychology: social and cognitive processes and personality, or the way in which people perceive, influence and relate to others and themselves.

Who are we, cont: > 80 full-time faculty

Who are we, cont? – Undergraduate program staff

Admin Assistants:

Valerie ThomasDonna Rosenfeld

Student advisor:

Anita Helman

Program Secretaries:

Ling, Jessica, Lorraine

Why are we here?

advice about your psychology degree requirements – Specialized Honours BA/BSc (must apply)– Honours BA/BSc (Double major, Major/minor)– BA/BSc

help with enrolling, when necessary– Book an appointment– Or Call 416 736 5117 or 416 736 5202– Or Email psyc@yorku.ca – or drop in

• During drop in advising hours (Wed/Fri: 9:15, Tue/Thur: 1:15)• Hours of operation: 9:30-3:30, 4:30-6:30

– Or come during group advising times in the spring.

Undergraduate studies staff provides:

Why are we here, cont?

Advice about where to seek non-academic services E.g.,

– Counselling and Development Centre (CDC)

• Tel: 416-736-5297

• Location: N110 Bennett Centre

• Or go to http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/ for info on workshops & online resources on topics such as time/stress management, exam prep, study strategies, etc.

Undergraduate studies staff provides:

Where is the Psyc. dept. located?

• Undergraduate Office: Room 291/292 BSB

Calumet College

Behavioral Science Building (BSB)

Campus Walk

What should you expect to learn in Psychology?

1000 level courses - Introductory Psychology 1010 6.0 - covers breadth of topics in psychology-details offered by 1010 course director - Dr. Myriam Mongrain

Introduction to Psychology

(PSYC 1010G)Prof.: Myriam Mongrain, Ph.D. C.

Psych.

Today!• 1) Formal definition of Psychology

• 2) What’s your sign?– Demonstration with Astrology

1) Formal Definition of Psychology

• “Scientific study of behaviour and its causes.”– Overt (directly observable) and covert behaviours

• Psychologists study:– How you act (behaviour/overt)– How you think (mental/covert)– How you feel (covert & overt)– How your brain and body respond (physiological/covert)

2) What’s your sign?

A. The Homebody

Nurturing, traditional,

emotional, shy, good memory

A. The Homebody

Nurturing, traditional,

emotional, shy, good memory

B. The HedonistIndulgent, creature of

comfort, independent,

persistent, reliable

B. The HedonistIndulgent, creature of

comfort, independent,

persistent, reliable

C. The Intellectual

Witty, intelligent, restless, adaptive,

curious, wishy-washy

C. The Intellectual

Witty, intelligent, restless, adaptive,

curious, wishy-washy

D. The Perfectionist

Detail-oriented, hard-working, modest, logical, critical

D. The Perfectionist

Detail-oriented, hard-working, modest, logical, critical E. The Leader

Energetic, driven, fearless, bossy, blunt

E. The LeaderEnergetic, driven,

fearless, bossy, blunt

F. The ExtravertAmbitious, creative,

dramatic, overbearing,

organized

F. The ExtravertAmbitious, creative,

dramatic, overbearing,

organized

2) What’s your sign?

G. The IntrovertSpiritual, private, imaginative, easy-

going, self-sacrificing

G. The IntrovertSpiritual, private, imaginative, easy-

going, self-sacrificing H. The Detective

Solution-focused, intuitive, resourceful,

need for control

H. The DetectiveSolution-focused,

intuitive, resourceful, need for control

I. The PhilosopherOpen-minded,

meaning-seeking, argumentative, like

to explore

I. The PhilosopherOpen-minded,

meaning-seeking, argumentative, like

to explore

J. The HumanitarianVisionary, social,

unconventional, clever

J. The HumanitarianVisionary, social,

unconventional, clever

K. The Peacekeeper

Just, objective, enjoy company, dislike

conflict

K. The Peacekeeper

Just, objective, enjoy company, dislike

conflict

L. The WorkerDetermined,

industrious, strive to succeed, disciplined

L. The WorkerDetermined,

industrious, strive to succeed, disciplined

2) What’s your sign?E – The Leader Aries (March 21 – April 19)

B – The Hedonist Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

C – The Intellectual Gemini (May 21 – June 21)

A – The Homebody Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

F – The Extravert Leo (July 23 – August 22)

D – The Perfectionist Virgo (August 23 – September 23)

K – The Peacekeeper Libra (September 23 – October 22)

H – The Detective Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

I – The Philosopher Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

L – The Worker Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

J – The Humanitarian Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

G – The Introvert Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

What should you expect to learn in Psychology, cont?

2000 - Stats, research methods, developmental,social, personality, learning, perception, motivation, biological basis of behaviour

3000 - Research methods, stats, abnormal, health, cognition, animal behaviour, infancy, psychology of women/family, evolution, educational….

4000 - social, behaviour modification, research methods, atypical development, neuropsychology, independent research project….

What should you expect to learn, cont?

Describe behaviour Interpret and understand the causes of

behaviour Communicate this information

accurately and reliably

When you graduate you should be able to:

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology?

– a liberal arts or science education prepares you for other professional degrees

Education

To become a Clinical psychologist you need

To become any other psychologists

Undergraduate BA or BSc

(4 yrs honours)

BA or BSc

(4 yrs honours)

Graduate Master’s (2 yrs)

PhD (6 yrs)

Master’s (2 yrs)

PhD (6 yrs)

And beyond Registration in province (C.Psyc)

-Post-doctoral fellowship

-Academia

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology, cont?

– General research, statistical, critical reading/thinking/communication/interpersonal skills are useful in many jobs

Abnormal, counseling, – Rehabilitation counselors (certificate program)– Masters degree: Psychology specialist/associate

through education or social work grad programs– Social services, child care worker, day care

supervisor, youth counsellor

– Knowledge gained from specific psyc courses supplement these skills

• E.g.,

Developmental -– Education/teaching– working with youth or elderly– Research assistant

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology, cont?

Biological/Neural Basis of behavior– Research assistant– Drug companies– Technical writers– Medical school

Social Psychology– marketing– Human resources and management– Business– Research assistant

What can you do with an undergraduate degree in psychology, cont?

Summary of Do’s and Don’ts

• Do seek advice about degree requirements at the end of first year

• Do know your prerequisites for all upper level psyc courses.– Includes a grade of C in Introductory Psyc (1010)– Pick up the supplemental calendar for details!

• Don’t wait until your last year to figure out your career goals