Courses and Timetable 2016-2017
Fall Term (September 12 – December 2, 2016)
| Course | Title | Instructor | Day | Time | Location |
| PSY1000HF | Directed Studies (MA) | | | | |
| PSY2001HF | Design of Experiments I: General Linear Model | Cunningham | Mon | 10-1 | SS560A |
| PSY5101HF | Mechanisms of Behaviour: Sex Differences in Brian and Behaviour | Monks | Tue | 10-12 | SS4004 |
| PSY5110HF | Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience I: Emotional Memory Formation | Josselyn | Mon | 3-5 | SS560A |
| PSY5203HF | Higher Cognition: Cognitive Neuroscience | Moscovitch | Thur | 9:30-12 | SS560A |
| PSY5221HF | Advanced Topics in Cognition II: Exploring Networks in the Brain | Grady | Wed | 10-12 | SS560A |
| PSY5222HF | Advanced Topics in Cognition III: Differing Perspectives on Visual Cognitive Representation | Cant | Wed | 10-12 | SS4004 |
| PSY5305HF | Social Development: The Development of Social Cognition and Morality | Helwig | Thur | 1-3 | SS560A |
| PSY5403HF | Social Cognition:Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination | Chasteen | Tue | 10-12 | SS560A |
| PSY5431HF | Advanced Topics in Social Psychology III: Psychology of Morality | Inbar | Tue | 1-3 | SS560A |
| PSY5433HF | Advanced Topics in Social Psychology IV: | Vartanian | Wed | 2-4 | SS560A |
| Reading week: February 20-24 | | | | | |
Spring Term (January 9 - April 7, 2017)
| Course | Title | Instructor | Day | Time | Location |
| PSY2002HS | Design of Experiments II: Advanced Statistics | Page-Gould | Tue | 12-2 | SS560A |
| PSY3001HS | Professional Psychology: Research Ethics and Survival Skills | Erb | Wed | 10-12 | SS560A |
| PSY5111HS | Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience II: Neurobiology of Mental Health Disorders: Focus on Animal Models | Ito | Mon | 12-2 | SS560A |
| PSY5212HS | Advanced Topics in Perception III: Pattern Analysis in Neuroimaging | Nestor | Wed | 1:30-3:30 | SS560A |
| PSY5311HS | Advanced Topics in Development II: Imaging Brain Development | Taylor | Mon | 2-4 | SS560A |
| PSY5430HS | Advanced Topics in Social Psychology II: Foundations of Contemplative Science | Farb | Tue | 10-12 | SS560A |
| PSY5432HS | Advanced Topics in Social Psychology II: Psychology of Friendship | Dion | Wed | 1-3 | SS4004 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
FALL TERM (September 14 to December 4, 2016)PSY1000HF Directed Studies Instructors: Faculty
Under the direction of a two-person committee, students in the M.A. year will (a) complete a programme of prescribed reading in their general area of specialization (b) prepare a major paper, which will include a proposal for M.A. thesis research (c) defend the paper to the satisfaction of the two-person committee.
PSY2001HF Design of Experiments I: General Linear Model Instructor: Cunningham
This course is designed to introduce the student to the General Linear Model and two of its most common expression: Analysis of Variance and Multiple Regression. Additionally, student we be asked to familiarize themselves with some of the current theoretical issues in realm of data analysis itself, e.g., the value of testing the null hypothesis.
PSY5101HF Mechanisms of Behaviour: Sex Differences in Brain and Behaviour Instructor: Monk
This course will deal with biological theories concerning the origins of neuroanatomic, psychological and behavioural differences between males and females. The course will consider both mechanistic as well as evolutionary theories and will reply heavily on evidence drawn from comparative studies of wild and captive species. The developmental contribution of genetics and hormones to sex differences will be emphasized.
PSY5110HF Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience I: Emotional Memory Formation Instructor Josselyn
In this behavioral neuroscience course we will examine the molecular, circuit and systems basis of emotional memory formation across species. We will discuss current literature but also some classic papers. The format of this course will be an interactive seminar style.
PSY5203HF Higher Cognition: Cognitive Neuroscience Instructor: Moscovitch
The core course in cognitive neuroscience will cover a variety of functions, including memory, attention, face and object-recognition, spatial cognition, language, emotion and consciousness, as well as touch on topics in social cognition such as theory of mind, decision making and empathy. Evidence for the involvement of specific brain areas in these functions from human lesion and neuroimaging studies will be addressed. A brief overview of brain anatomy and neuroimaging techniques will be included.
PSY5221HF Advanced Topics in Cognition II: Exploring Networks in the Brain Instructor: Grady
This course will cover the recent use of network analysis to understand brain function and cognition. We will discuss topics such as how to define a brain network, functional connectivity within and between the most commonly studied networks (e.g. the default network), and how network activity underlies cognitive processes such as memory and cognitive control. Applications of network analysis to lifespan experiments and to neurological and psychiatric disorders will also be covered.
PSY5222HF Advanced Topics in Cognition III: Differing Perspectives on Visual Cognitive Representation Instructor: Cant
This course will explore differing viewpoints regarding the nature of cortical representation, with a focus on cognitive representation. A number of different topics will be discussed, including (but not limited to): the nature of visual cortical organization (e.g., modular vs. distributed visual representations); the nature of face representation in the ventral stream of visual processing (e.g., face specificity vs. visual expertise hypotheses); the nature of representation in parahippocampal cortex (e.g., representing scenes using high-level visual features vs. representing scenes using low-level visual features vs. the processing of contextual associations); the ‘perception vs. action’ debate (e.g., the degree to which perceptual and visuomotor processing are dissociated and independently segregated to ventral and dorsal visual streams, respectively), and the nature of representation in early visual cortex (e.g., does primary visual cortex exclusively represent visual information?). A brief background will be presented for each topic, which will be followed by a class discussion of the assigned readings, and students will ultimately have the opportunity to choose one side of an issue and engage in an open class debate.
PSY5305HF Social Development: The Development of Social Cognition and Morality Instructor: Helwig
This course explores the development of social cognition—or children’s thinking about the social world. We will pay particular attention to the development of morality across a wide age span, although other areas also will be considered. Some other areas to be examined include the development of conceptions of the self, personal autonomy and agency, and religion and the supernatural. Issues to be addressed include (as appropriate) the universality or relativity of social concepts like the self and morality, nativist (innate) versus developmental perspectives on origins, and debates about the limitations of cognitive or rationalist explanations of morality. We will examine these issues from a variety of perspectives, including comparative (animal) studies, biology (neuroscience), cultural psychology, and social-cognitive developmental approaches.
PSY5403HF Social Cognition: Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination Instructor: Chasteen
This course will examine contemporary issues in stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, both from the perceiver’s and the target’s perspective. The focus will be on understanding current trends in the field by focusing on what has been recently published over the past few years. Connections with classic issues and research will be made through weekly presentations and discussions led by discussion facilitators.
PSY5431HF Advanced Topics in Social Psychology III: Psychology of Morality Instructor: Inbar
This course provides an introduction to the field of moral psychology. The course will incorporate perspectives from a variety of disciplines including philosophy, animal behavior, neuroscience, economics, and almost every area of scientific psychology (social psychology, developmental psychology, evolutionary psychology, and cognitive psychology). By the end of the course students will be well versed in the primary issues and debates involved in the scientific study of morality.
PSY5433HF Advanced Topics in Social Psychology IV:Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity Instructor: Vartanian
The objective of this course is to shed light on the psychology of creativity by examining notable recent contributions from the cognitive neuroscience of creativity. To set the stage there will be an introduction to the psychological study of creativity, including a review of modern theories of creativity. Core themes will include how creativity is assessed, individual differences in creativity, creativity in the arts and sciences, and the relationship between intelligence and creativity. To facilitate an informed discussion of the neuroscientific findings, the course will also include a brief review of neuropsychological and neuroimaging approaches.
PSY2002HS Design of Experiments II Instructor: Page-Gould
This course will provide a practical introduction to advanced statistical methods used in modern psychological research. Specifically, the course will cover the following topics: (1) Path analysis and Mediation; (2) Multilevel modelling, also known as HLM; (3) Non-gaussian statistics and bootstrapping; (4) Bayesian Hypothesis Testing; (5) Factor analysis, including exploratory factor analysis/principal components analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and cluster analysis; (6) Structural Equation Modelling; and, (7) Time-based analysis like time series, lagged regression, and latent growth curves. The course will place a strong emphasis on practical application, such that every class will include demonstrations, electronic copies of sample syntax in SPSS and R, and brief computer-based data analysis exercises. You will also learn to be an active consumer of quantitative psychology articles, as well as develop generalizable strategies for statistical reporting. You will only need to be familiar with one of the following statistical packages: SPSS, R, or SAS. The course will have a final project where you will be required to use one of the analyses you learn in class to analyze your own data or public data and then write methods, results, and discussion sections that describe your findings. You will also be expected to complete lab assignments that involve conducting analyses on example datasets in the statistical software package of your choice. The goal is for you to leave the class with an understanding of when and how to apply each of the statistical techniques you learn. Knowledge of these modern statistical tools will increase the flexibility of your research designs and the statistical rigour with which you analyze your data.
PSY3001HS Professional Psychology: Research Ethics and Survival Skills Instructor: Erb
This course will deal with issues surrounding ethical conduct in research, intellectual property, ethical treatment of data, identifying and dealing with scientific misconduct. In addition, we will discuss how to prepare effective presentations, how to apply for scholarships, postdoctoral positions and/or jobs (academic and non-academic). These are all skills which will help you in writing your PhD proposal. Members of the Department with expertise in particular areas (e.g., journal editors, members of granting councils, people fresh from the job market) will contribute. Primary requirements are participating in class discussions and completing occasional short written pieces on the required readings.
PSY5111HS Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience II: Neurobiology of Mental Health Disorders: Focus on Animal Models Instructor: Ito
This course will involve a critical review of current research into the neurobiological substrates of mental health disorders, focusing particularly on the validity of preclinical (animal) models. We will discuss recent advances in our understanding of the underlying psycho- and neuropathologies of diseases ranging from addiction, mood disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, to autism. A principal goal of the course throughout will also be to examine the notion that many of the disorders share common neuropathologies, and involve dysfunction of the neurotransmitter systems/neural circuits underlying reward and punishment processing. Course evaluation will be based on a class presentation, class participation throughout the semester and a final paper.
PSY5212HS Advanced Topics in Perception III: Pattern Analysis Neuroimaging Instructor: Nestor
The course will explore computational approaches to the analysis and interpretation of neuroimaging data. Particular emphasis will be placed on pattern analysis in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as applied to the study of visual perception. Specific topics will include pattern classification, subspace projection methods, reverse correlation as well as their application to stimulus categorization and reconstruction. Various techniques will be discussed at a conceptual and technical level. Familiarity with basic fMRI analysis and upper-level statistics is encouraged.
The brain undergoes dramatic growth over childhood and these structural changes are critical for the development of cognitive functions. Neuroimaging techniques, now increasingly used in developmental research, allow the detailed investigations of maturing structure and a wide range of cognitive functions from infancy through to adulthood. Current research in this burgeoning field will be presented, with a focus on the relation between brain structure and the development of cognitive abilities over childhood and adolescence. The course will include the presentation of various neuroimaging techniques (e.g., MRI, fMRI, MEG, ERP), paradigm design and testing in typical and atypical paediatric populations and discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the different neuroimaging approaches.
PSY5430HS Advanced Topics in Social Psychology I: Foundations of Contemplative Science Instructor:Earb
The course will introduce the emerging field of contemplative science, a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary subfield of psychology whose purpose is to understand the effects of introspective practices aimed at cultivating well-being. The curriculum will review successes and challenges across several mechanistic lines of inquiry, including research on attention, self-reference, emotion regulation, and body awareness. Interdisciplinary evidence will be addressed, beginning with the establishment of clinical effects and then branching out into investigations using cognitive, social, developmental and neuroscientific paradigms. A brief overview of historical contemplative traditions will be included and contrasted against scientific areas of focus.
PSY5432HS Advanced Topics in Social Psychology III: Psychology of Friendship Instructor: Dion
Friendship is a fundamental type of relationship. This seminar course will examine social psychological theory and research on the interpersonal processes (such as, intimacy, trust, self-disclosure) contributing to friendship at different phases of the life span. Also, research on important social issues concerning the nature of friendship (e.g., the impact of social media on friendship and inter-group friendship) will be discussed.