Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - History, Quantitative and Theoretical Psychology

Simon Fraser University

The Department of Psychology's History, Quantitative & Theoretical area brings together faculty members with critical focus on the Theoretical and Methodological foundations of Psychology. The area represents one of the Canadian Psychological Association's sections (History and Philosophy of Psychology), and five of the American Psychological Association's divisions (Division 1, General Psychology Division 3, Experimental Psychology Division 5, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics Division 24, Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology and Division 26, History). It covers those aspects of Psychology that define it as a distinct discipline, since it is a common foundation in theory and methods that holds Forensic Psychology, Neuropsychology, Social Psychology, etc. in a single department. Without this common foundation such areas of specialized study could be absorbed by other departments, such as Criminology, Biological Sciences, and Sociology. The History, Quantitative & Theoretical faculty might therefore be considered the gate-keepers of the Psychology program offering fundamental prerequisite and required courses for admission and continuation in all areas and programs in the Department. Importantly, in addition to providing foundational training for students within the Department, it should be noted that the History, Quantitative & Theoretical area has its own philosophy and research programs. In addition to providing core curriculum, faculty also offer specialty courses in areas of expertise including data visualization, multivariate analysis including structural equation modeling, questionnaire design and critique, and special topics offerings in history and theory.