Psychology is about understanding the behaviour and cognitive processes of people and animals in their physical, social and organisational environment. As a behavioural science, it examines the way behaviour is learned and can be changed. As a social science, it focuses on individuals within the context of families, organisations and other groups, communities, cultures and societies. As a biological science, it studies the senses (hearing, vision, touch) and how the brain and physiological systems relate to behaviour. As a cognitive science it studies perception, attention, memory, thinking and language understanding. The study of development, personality, learning and motivation are also part of Psychology.

Psychology is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Psychology may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Psychology as a single major for the BA, BSc or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points in papers listed for Psychology, including PSYCH100, PSYCH101, PSYCH211, plus a further 30 points at Level 200, and at least 60 points at 300 level.

To complete Psychology as part of a double major for the BA, BSc, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points in papers listed for Psychology, including PSYCH100, PSYCH101, and PSYCH211. 90 points must be above 100 level and at least 45 points above 200 level.

To complete a minor in Psychology, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Psychology major, including at least 15 points at 200 level and at least 15 points at 300 level.

Kaupapa Māori Psychology is also available as a minor, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled. Please see Kaupapa Māori Psychology for further information.

Note:

Students taking Psychology as part of a double major should discuss paper selection with one of the Psychology Undergraduate Advisors.

The Master of Applied Psychology in Organisational Psychology is not available for new enrolments from 2023 onwards.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

Psychology papers

100 Level 200 Level 300 Level 500 Level 800 Level 900 Level
Code and paper title Points
PSYCH100 Brain, Behaviour and Cognition right arrow

This paper introduces perceptual systems, mechanisms of learning, emotions and motivation, the biological basis of psychology, such as brain...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
PSYCH101 Social Psychology, Health and Well-being right arrow

This paper will introduce major issues in psychology particularly as they relate to health, wellbeing, mental illness, forensic psychology, lifespan...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH110 Psychology Goes to the Movies: What Blockbuster Films Get Right and Wrong About the Science of Human Behaviour right arrow

In this course we examine the scientific integrity of popular movies with psychological themes, addressing questions such as “How well does this film...

15 25G (Online)
Code and paper title Points
PSYCH202 Mauri Ora: Social Psychology of Human Flourishing right arrow

The paper will examine important conceptual frameworks and theory within social psychology and the social sciences generally. Māori perspectives and...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
PSYCH203 Cognitive Neuroscience right arrow

This paper will provide students with an overview of current findings and theories of cognitive neuroscience, cognitive development, and cognitive...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH204 Learning and Perception right arrow

This course is intended to give students an introduction to behavioural psychology and to the psychology of perception. Students will learn about the...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
PSYCH206 Social Psychology and Development right arrow

Social psychology topics include group behaviours, social relationships, and helping and hindering others. Developmental psychology investigates why...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH211 Understanding Psychological Research right arrow

This paper will cover the basic methodological approaches relevant to psychological and social science research, including research design, data...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
Code and paper title Points
ALPSS390 Directed Study right arrow

This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...

15 25X (Hamilton)
HMDEV340 Perspectives on Counselling right arrow

This paper examines the philosophical, psychological and sociological principles that underpin the aims and methods of the helping professions in...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
PSYCH302 Community, Culture and Diversity right arrow

The focus of this paper is the study of social justice, intersectionality, transformative interventions, and social change strategies that are...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH303 Indigenous Psychology right arrow

Students develop a critical analysis of the positions of contemporary Indigenous peoples through discussion and examination of the Western world and...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH307 Psychological Research Methods right arrow

The paper covers research theory and methods, making students critical consumers of psychological research. It expands on concepts taught in PSYCH211...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH314 Behaviour Analysis right arrow

This course is intended to give students an understanding of the philosophy of behaviourism, experimental methods used in the study of behaviour, and...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH317 Organisational Psychology right arrow

This course offers a general introduction to how psychology can be used to build better workplaces and work lives. It takes a problem-solving...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
PSYCH319 Infant and Child Development right arrow

The objective of this paper is to provide students with an understanding of infants' and children's cognitive, emotional, and social development from...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
PSYCH322 Memory and Cognition right arrow

Research, theories and principles in memory and cognition, with an emphasis on the applications to real-world problems, such as the overlap of...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH337 Individual Differences and Measurement right arrow

This course will cover measurement issues in psychology, and a range of basic measurement techniques. It will include coverage of theories of...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH338 Mental Health and Well Being right arrow

This course offers an introduction to the definition, assessment, and treatment of mental disorders.

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
Code and paper title Points
ALPSS500 Academic & Professional Research & Writing right arrow

In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills...

30 25A (Online) & 25B (Online)
FPSYC502 The Psychology of Crime and Criminality: Theories and Approaches right arrow

What is it about people that causes them to commit crime or become criminal? This paper introduces an integrative psychological perspective on...

15 25A (Online)
PSYC521 Professional Issues in Clinical Practice right arrow

This first year clinical paper introduces the science and practice of clinical psychology. It is designed to provide an entry into the profession and...

20 25D (Hamilton)
PSYC522 Bicultural Approaches to Clinical Practice right arrow

This first year clinical paper provides knowledge of bicultural theory and practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand and of the implications of biculturalism...

20 25D (Hamilton)
PSYC523 Clinical Practicum 1: Fundamental Clinical Skills right arrow

The aim of this paper is to enable students in the 2nd year of the clinical psychology program to work sensitively, ethically, competently...

20 25A (Hamilton)
PSYC524 Clinical Practicum 2: Advanced and Specialist Skills right arrow

The aim of this paper is to enable students in the 2nd year of the clinical psychology program to work sensitively, ethically, competently...

20 25B (Hamilton)
PSYC541 Case Study Analysis in Community Psychology right arrow

This paper contributes to the suite of papers that comprise a supervised internship focused on learning to apply community psychology theories...

40 25X (Hamilton)
PSYC542 Professional Issues in Community Psychology right arrow

This paper contributes to the suite of papers that comprise a supervised internship focused on learning to apply community psychology theories...

20 25X (Hamilton)
PSYCH502 Community, Culture and Diversity right arrow

This paper offers students an advanced exploration of the different approaches and actions encompassed within community psychology, and in related...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
PSYCH511 Evaluation Research Design right arrow

This paper provides a theoretical grounding in programme evaluation, with an emphasis on the evaluation of programmes in the not-for-profit sector...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH513 Evaluation Research Analysis right arrow

This paper provides an introduction to evaluation praxis with a major focus on completing a small scale evaluation of a social service or health...

30 25X (Block)
PSYCH526 Clinical Internship: Assessment-Focused right arrow

This paper consists of a supervised clinical internship focused on learning basic clinical psychology skills and principles. Students also attend...

30 25I (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)
PSYCH527 Clinical Internship: Treatment-Focused right arrow

This paper consists of a supervised clinical internship focused on learning basic clinical psychology skills and principles. Students also attend...

30 25I (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)
PSYCH536 Eyewitness Memory, Psychological Science and the Law right arrow

In this course, we learn about the legal system; the impact of eyewitness testimony; wrongful convictions; perceiving and remembering real world...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH538 Applications of Behaviour Analysis right arrow

This paper focuses on the implementation of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in practice. Behavioural interventions and programmes, including common...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online)
PSYCH539 Graduate Research Methods in Psychology right arrow

This paper will give students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and skills base in research methods in Psychology. Its focus is in assisting...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH543 The Practice of Community Psychology right arrow

This paper contributes to the suite of papers that comprise a supervised internship focused on learning to apply community psychology theories...

60 25X (Hamilton)
PSYCH545 Special Topic: The WTF seminar: Facts, Fiction, Fake news right arrow

Can the world no longer distinguish among fact, fiction, and fake news? Join us—calibrate your WTF detector, explain why a claim is wrong, and help...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH551 Case Study Analysis in Applied Psychology ABA right arrow

This 45-point course teaches students to critically analyse and apply theoretical knowledge of behaviour analysis to psychological practice within a...

45 25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Online)
PSYCH552 Ethical Issues in Psychology (ABA) right arrow

This 15-point course provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills concerning ethical issues in the professional practice in Psychology...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
PSYCH553 The Practice of Psychology ABA right arrow

60 25X (Hamilton)
PSYCH555 Environmental Psychology right arrow

Provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge in Environmental Psychology, the study of the transaction between humans and their natural...

15 25A (Online)
PSYCH560 Applied Behaviour Analysis: Theory and Issues right arrow

This paper closely examines the conceptual and philosophical foundations of behaviour analysis. Commonly accepted behavioural concepts and principles...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online)
PSYCH561 Behaviour Analysis: Concepts and Principles right arrow

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the conceptual foundations and core principles of behaviour analysis, including research and theory...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
PSYCH562 Theories of Psychotherapy right arrow

This paper surveys the prominent systems of therapy in order to provide students with knowledge of how each type of therapeutic school conceptualizes...

15 25B (Hamilton)
PSYCH564 Developmental Psychopathology right arrow

This paper considers research on major childhood syndromes including conduct disorder, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD...

15 25B (Hamilton)
PSYCH575 Kaupapa Māori Psychology right arrow

Students develop a critical understanding of Kaupapa Māori psychology, and how it is sensitive to context, conscious of history and responsive to...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH577 Single Subject Research Design right arrow

This course covers research methodologies used in the field of behaviour analysis, including collection of data, experimental design, data...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
PSYCH579 Applying Psychology to Work right arrow

This paper is designed to help students develop a critical awareness of psychological contributions to how our work and workplaces are designed. It...

15 25B (Hamilton)
PSYCH580 The Psychology of Crime and Criminality: Research and Practice right arrow

This paper builds on the introduction to the psychology of crime and criminality provided by FPSYC502. Drawing on foundational knowledge from that...

15 25B (Hamilton)
PSYCH581 Psychological Assessment right arrow

This paper covers the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of a range of psychological and behavioural assessments that are commonly...

15 25A (Hamilton)
PSYCH582 Community Health Psychology right arrow

This paper provides an introduction to community health psychology and the theoretical and practical dilemmas faced by psychologists working with...

15 25X (Block)
PSYCH583 Foundations of Community Psychology right arrow

This paper emphasises the application of community psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand, especially in relation to its emergence as a bicultural...

15 25X (Block)
PSYCH586 Behaviour Analysis Practicum right arrow

This 30-point course provides the opportunity to gain practical clinical skills by administering a criterion-referenced assessment tool, the VB-MAPP...

30 25D (Online)
PSYCH591 Honours Research Project right arrow

A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.

30 25D (Hamilton)
PSYCH592 Dissertation right arrow

A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.

60 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
PSYCH593 Psychology Thesis right arrow

An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

90 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
PSYCH594 Psychology Thesis right arrow

An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

120 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
Code and paper title Points
PSYCH800 Psychology MPhil Thesis right arrow

120 25X (Hamilton)
Code and paper title Points
PSYCH900 Psychology PhD Thesis right arrow

120 25I (Hamilton) & 25I (Tauranga) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
time

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 25 Dec 2024 01:00am