Psychology
Psychology is about understanding the behaviour and cognitive processes of people and animals in their physical, social and organisational environment.
As a behavioural science, Psychology examines the way behaviour is learned and can be changed. As a social science, Psychology focuses on individuals within the context of families, organisations and other groups, communities, cultures and societies. As a biological science, Psychology studies the senses (hearing, vision, touch) and how the brain and physiological systems relate to behaviour. As a cognitive science, Psychology studies perception, attention, memory, thinking and language understanding. The study of development, personality, learning and motivation are also part of Psychology at Waikato, as is animal behaviour and welfare.
Major areas of study in Psychology at Waikato include:
- Animal Behaviour
- Behaviour Analysis
- Clinical Psychology
- Community, Kaupapa Māori and Applied Social Psychology
- Health and Mental Health Services
- Psychology and Management specialisation
- Organisational Psychology
The following specialisation is available:
Psychology and Management
Psychology and Management is an undergraduate specialised programme of study linking a Psychology major with key papers within Waikato Management School, preparing students to apply psychology in business as well as not-for-profit organisational settings.
Career Opportunities
- Behaviour Analyst
- Clinical or Community Psychologist
- Community Programme Coordinator
- Human Resource Adviser
- Private Practitioner
- Research Scientist
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
School subjects required
There are no specific subjects you need to study at secondary school to study Psychology at Waikato, although mathematics, English or biology could be an advantage.
PLANNING YOUR DEGREE
Year 1
100 Level – Papers are worth 15 points.
It is highly recommended that you complete both PSYC102 Social and Developmental Psychology and PSYC103 General and Experimental Psychology.
Prerequisites
» PSYC102 – Social and Developmental Psychology
» PSYC103 – General and Experimental Psychology
Year 2
200 Level – Papers are worth 20 points unless specified.
Compulsory papers
» PSYC208 – Psychological Research: Analysis, Design and Measurement
» PSYC225 – Behavioural Psychology and Learning (10 points)
» PSYC226 – The Psychology of Perception (10 points)
» PSYC227 – Physiological Psychology (10 points)
» PSYC230 – Cognitive Psychology (10 points)
It is highly recommended that you complete all six 200 Level 10 point Psychology papers. Make sure that you include prerequisite papers, including 100 Level papers needed for the following year of study. If you intend to continue to a professional career in Psychology you should include PSYC228 Culture, Ethnicity and Psychology in your degree.
Year 3
300 Level – Papers are worth 20 points unless specified.
Choose 60 points from Level 300 Psychology papers.
Listed below are some combinations of third-year papers for various areas in Psychology. You are encouraged to consult academic staff for further recommendations.
To continue to graduate study in Psychology (ie BSocSc(Hons), MSocSc, BSc(Hons), the Postgraduate Certificate/Diplomas or the Master of Applied Psychology) you must have passed PSYC307 Research Methods, and meet any other criteria for entry to those specific programmes (refer to the Psychology Graduate Handbook). You are also advised to read the Graduate Handbook for 300 Level prerequisites required for specific graduate papers.
Animal Behaviour
BSc students should take PSYC206 Animal Behaviour: Principles and Applications, PSYC314 Behaviour Analysis, PSYC390 Directed Study. Students should also take Biological Science papers, including BIOL333 Advanced Animal Behaviour, and its prerequisites. Students of the BSc or BSc(Tech) degrees may also take Animal Behaviour as a major subject (see page 24).
Applied Cognitive Science
PSYC307 Research Methods, PSYC340 Applied Cognitive Psychology, PSYC341 Visual Neuroscience and its Applications, PSYC344 Physiology of Human Performance and Development and PSYC390 Directed Study.
Behaviour Analysis (including Applied Behaviour Analysis)
PSYC307 Research Methods, PSYC314 Behaviour Analysis, PSYC337 Psychological Measurement and PSYC390 Directed Study. Which other psychology papers are relevant will depend on your area of interest.
Clinical Psychology
PSYC301 Community, Culture and Diversity, PSYC307 Research Methods, PSYC314 Behaviour Analysis, PSYC337 Psychological Measurement and PSYC338 Abnormal Psychology are the papers required for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.
Applied Social and Community Psychology, and Organisational Psychology
If you are interested in these areas of Psychology you should consult the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Handbook, or academic staff for recommendations.
Note that Directed Study papers will not be counted towards the 120 points required for a major in Psychology.
