Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Research

1915-2015: A Century of Psychology at UBC

BannerCenturyofPsych2

On September 30, 2015, exactly 100 years after welcoming its first class of students, UBC launched a year of Centennial celebrations. The year 2015 also marks a historical time for psychology at the university; it’s the 100th anniversary of when the first psychology class was offered. Now psychology is the most popular undergraduate major at UBC, with over 1800 students working toward their BA degree and over 150 studying for their BSc degree. Take a look back on how student life has changed over 100 years in this infographic.

The largest department in the Faculty of Arts, UBC Psychology ranks among the top programs for psychology in Canada and the world according to the 2015 QS World University Rankings, jumping ahead six spots in the past year.

HallThumb150x150“Our future builds on our past,” says Dr. Geoff Hall, Professor and Head, Department of Psychology. “We’ve grown from a department of humble beginnings into one that is conducting cutting-edge research across the spectrum of psychology. Our research has local and global impact and we continue to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, both at UBC and beyond. At the same time, we continue to provide a rich learning experience for our undergraduate and graduate students.

EichThumb150x150UBC Psychology Professor Eric Eich, former department head and co-editor of the book UBC Psychology at 50, can speak to the rich history and contributions of the department. “The groundwork, resolve, and dedication of the members of our department have made it what it is today, one the leading psychology departments in Canada and in the world,” says Dr. Eich. “By emphasizing excellence and encouraging collegiality, we are a department that that continues to thrive on account of its people – our talented students, faculty and staff.”

There have been many historic moments over the past 100 years for the Department of Psychology at UBC. Explore the timeline below to see photos and a glimpse into our past. (Source: UBC Psychology at 50)

The first psychology course at UBC is offered in 1915 by the Department of Philosophy. It is a single-semester course titled ‘Philosophy 1A: Elementary Psychology’.

Original design of the UBC crest

UBC adopts its coat of arms, based on design ideas provided by UBC’s first president Frank F. Wesbrook. The UBC crest depicts ocean waves below a setting sun, and the motto Tuum Est, meaning “It Is Yours.”

 

Dr. Jennie Wyman Pilcher becomes the Department of Philosophy’s first female professor and develops a new course titled ‘Philosophy 8: Social Psychology’. Pilcher also teaches introductory, developmental, and educational psychology.

Tests of children's mental and motor skills used by Jennie Pilcher

Tests of children's mental and motor skills used by Jennie Wyman Pilcher

Joseph Morsh

Joseph Morsh

Joseph Morsh, a doctorate in experimental psychology from John Hopkins University, joins the Department of Philosophy as a psychology lecturer. Extremely popular, Morsh routinely attracts large numbers of students to his classes.

With enough psychology courses added, the Department of Philosophy changes its name to the Department of Philosophy and Psychology. The psychology courses offered are abnormal, clinical, elementary, experimental, personality, and social psychology.

A hand dynamometer, used to measure grip strength circa 1930s

A hand dynamometer, used to measure grip strength circa 1930s

The newly created Department of Philosophy and Psychology awards its first MA degree in psychology to Jean Archibald for her thesis ‘Some behaviour problems and their treatment’.

James Irving

James Irving

The Department Head, Dr. James Irving, develops and introduces a new course on Cultural Psychology; the only course in Canada and one of the first in the western world. Cancelled a year later, it is reintroduced 55 years later when the Department of Psychology emerges as a world leader in the field of cultural cognition.

Sperrin Chant

Sperrin Chant

Sperrin Chant, a former group captain in the Royal Canadian Air Force, replaces James Irving as Head of the Department of Philosophy and Psychology. Similar to the university, the department enters a period of rapid growth.

Professor Chant persuades the university to make available a number of temporary huts to be used for administrative, teaching and research purposes. This acquisition marks the first move towards department centralization.

Psychology_hut

UBC Psychology Hut

The Psychology Club, a forerunner of the Psychology Students’ Association (PSA), is founded.

A Harrower Lantern slide of a Rorschach inkblot circa 1940s

A Harrower Lantern slide of a Rorschach inkblot (circa 1940s)

The temporary psychology huts catch fire and burn to the ground. The University of Toronto’s psychology department donates equipment to help the department resume its research and training mission.

Psychology_lab_orchard_huts_fire (1)

Psychology Huts after the fire

UBC Psychology alumnus Albert Bandura, who is considered one of the most influential psychologists of all time, graduates with a BA in psychology from UBC, winning the Bolocan Award in psychology.

Albert_Bandura

Albert Bandura

The Department of Philosophy and Psychology is authorized to grant a PhD in clinical psychology, although the first degree was not awarded until 1968.

An electromagnetic coil used to power a flicker-fusion device circa 1950s

An electromagnetic coil used to power a flicker-fusion device (circa 1950s)

The Department of Psychology becomes an autonomous academic unit when the UBC Senate votes to separate the Department of Philosophy and Psychology into two distinct departments.

Nystagmus drum used to induce rhythmic, oscillating movements of the eye circa 1950s

Nystagmus drum used to induce rhythmic, oscillating movements of the eye (circa 1950s)

Douglas Kenny

Douglas Kenny

Dr. Douglas T. Kenny is appointed Head of the Department of Psychology. Dr. Kenny works to strengthen the department’s research standing by recruiting scientists, attracting funding and revamping the graduate program at a doctoral level.

The department locates into the Henry Angus Building, representing a considerable increase in teaching, research and administrative space. The department enters a period of rapid expansion.

Dr. John Huberman becomes the first candidate to successfully meet the requirements for a PhD in clinical psychology.

Astro Lite strobe generator used in vision research circa 1960s

Astro Lite strobe generator used in vision research (circa 1960s)

Douglas T. Kenny resigns as Head of Psychology to become Dean, Faculty of Arts at UBC. Dr. Edro Signori replaces him as temporary Acting Head.

Brain stimulator used in animal learning research (circa 1960s)

Brain stimulator used in animal learning research (circa 1960s)

The new Biopsychology Annex opens to provide space for animal and physiological laboratories.

The Psychology Club, circa 1970s

The Psychology Club (circa 1970s)

Dr. Peter Suedfeld is appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology. Dr. Suedfeld remains Head until 1984.

Jim Gove (L) and Peter Suedfeld (R) in front of new Psychology building

Jim Gove (L) and Peter Suedfeld (R) in front of the new Douglas Kenny Building in 1984

At the May 1974 commencement ceremony, more BAs are awarded in psychology than in any other academic unit in the Faculty of Arts.

The Psychology Annex opens as the new home of the developmental and social areas.

Psychology_Annex (1)

The Psychology Annex

The BSc in Psychology is introduced.

Model of the Trapezoidal Room Illusion, built for Professor Stanley Coren to represent a miniature version of a full-scale room (1977)

Model of the Trapezoidal Room Illusion, built for Professor Stanley Coren to represent a miniature version of a full-scale room (1977)

UBC Senate approves a budget of $8,960,000 for a new, stand-alone building for the Department of Psychology.

Construction of the Kenny Building

Construction of the Kenny Building

Opening of Douglas Kenny Building

Opening of Douglas Kenny Building

On February 27, after years of planning, Psychology faculty, staff, and students move into the newly constructed Douglas T. Kenny Building.

On July 1, Dr. Richard Tees begins his tenure as Head of the Department of Psychology.

Dr. Anthony Philips relieves Dr. Tees as Department Head.

Anthony Philips

Anthony Philips

In the Review of the Faculty of Arts, psychology is cited as ‘special strengths’, ‘first-class’, and ‘represented by internationally competitive scholars’. Similar statements are made the following year in an external review of UBC Psychology.

The Douglas Kenny Building. Photo: Geoff Lister

The Douglas Kenny Building. Photo: Geoff Lister

Richard Tees

Richard Tees

Dr. Richard Tees assumes another term as Head of Psychology.

The Psychology Students’ Association holds its first annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC).

An External Review Committee concludes that UBC Psychology is a highly successful science department in the Faculty of Arts. Its strongest recommendation is that the university ‘do everything possible to retain Psychology faculty and to provide clear and tangible support for their research programs’.

The department begins to reinvent itself with seven new faculty recruits, and sees growth in graduate student fellowships and scholarships.

Dr. Eric Eich begins his term as Head of Psychology, replacing Richard Tees.

Nobel laureate and former UBC Psychology professor Daniel Kahneman receives an honorary UBC degree alongside his wife Anne Treisman, also a former UBC Psychology professor.

Daniel Kahneman speaking at the Congregation ceremony

Daniel Kahneman speaking at the Congregation ceremony

Michael Quinn

Michael Quinn

UBC Psychology receives a generous endowment from the estate of alumnus Dr. Michael J. Quinn to fund the annual Quinn Memorial Lecture and several student research and travel awards.

The department’s commitment to engaging undergraduates in research is evident by the $560,000 in research grants that the faculty spends to support the 140 students in Undergraduate Research Assistant positions.

In a Times Higher Education Supplement, UBC ranks 33rd in the world and UBC’s social sciences departments, including psychology, rank 14th in the world.

Plans take shape and resources are acquired to significantly revise the psychology undergraduate curriculum.

UBC Psychology celebrates the 50th anniversary that the department became an autonomous unit. To mark the occasion, Dr. Eric Eich, along with Andrew Witt and Joanne Elliot, edit and publish the book ‘UBC Psychology at 50’.

Dr. Alan Kingstone begins a three-year term as Head of Psychology, replacing Eric Eich.

Dr. Eich is appointed the Editor-in-Chief of Psychological Science and embarks on ground-breaking scientific publishing reforms.

The Department of Psychology receives a $2-million investment from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Government of B.C. to establish a new Centre for Gambling Research at UBC.

The department continues to see rapid growth and undergoes serious modernizations of the Kenny Building and it expands into two new locations, CIRS and the Audain Centre.

Dr. Geoff Hall begins a five-year term as Head of Psychology.

The Centre for Gambling Research at UBC officially opens.

CGRSpotlight

UBC_CENT_Vert_RGBMaclean’s has ranked the best universities in 10 program areas—including psychology—and UBC Psychology ranks number one in Canada.

The Department of Psychology ranks second for psychology in the world according to the 2015 QS World University Rankings.

UBC marks its Centennial from fall 2015 (the anniversary of its opening) to spring 2016 (the anniversary of its first graduating class).

-Bonnie Vockeroth

Acknowledgements

This story would not be possible without the historical contributions of Dr. Eric Eich in the book he created and co-edited, UBC Psychology at 50. In addition, we thank UBC Communications and MarketingUBC Centennial Office and UBC Library Digital Collections for the images and assets used in this article.

UBC Social Integration and Well-being Project

Take part in the UBC Social Integration and Well-being Project! We want to know how new students develop friendships and how they feel about their first months in university. You’ll be asked to complete a 10-min online survey at the start of the first term (Sep-Nov 2018) and another 10-min online survey at the start of the second term (Jan-Mar 2019). The online surveys are completely anonymous.

Participants must be first-year UBC students (full time). We especially encourage students who identify as heterosexual/straight or LGBTQI2SA+ to participate.

Participants will have the chance to enter a prize draw for one of the five $100 cash awards and ten $50 cash awards. Students who participated in both surveys will be entered into two prize draws.

To participate visit: https://goo.gl/YDS6PC

Hoarding Cognition Study

Recruitment for this study has ended.

 

Overwhelmed and crowded out by heaps of stuff at home? Is stuff getting in your way? Embarrassed or ashamed to bring people home? Are possessions starting to take over your home?

The Centre for Collaborative Research on Hoarding is conducting studies to help us to better understand clutter and hoarding. Join our research study on cognition and receive $40!

Eligibility: Fluent English speakers ages 19+.

Procedures: About 4 hours of confidential interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive activities in-person.

Please provide your phone number and some days/times that would be good for us to give you a call back.

Call or email us today!
604-822-8025
cognitionstudy@psych.ubc.ca

 

Social Cognition and Emotion Lab

Wondering how time impacts you and your partner’s decision making? Take part in this new study and find out! The lab is collecting data for a study investigating how time impacts couples’ daily decision making. There are no restrictions to participate in this study; the only requirement is that participants are in a current romantic relationship. More.

Social Cognitive Development Lab

Want to learn about child development through fun and innovative research? Join the Social Cognitive Development Lab as a Research Assistant! Contact the Social Cognitive Development Lab for more details.
Web: childdevelopment.psych.ubc.ca
Email:  baronlabmgr[at]psych.ubc.ca

PULSE Study

This project invites stroke survivors and their partners to participate in a study on everyday health behaviours, such as physical activity and diet. Take part in our research and help us understand how we can promote the health of stroke survivors and their spouses in the future! After participating in our study, you will receive a health feedback letter that includes health measurements you complete with us. Couples participating in the study will be able to keep one tablet between them or they can choose to receive monetary reimbursement for their time.

Website
Phone: 604-822-3549
Email: pulse[at]psych.ubc.ca

Human Subject Pool

The Human Subject Pool (HSP) is an essential and valuable component of UBC Psychology’s teaching and research. Undergraduate students can also earn extra credits by participating.