Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - PSYC 361 D100

Individual Differences in Social Psychology (3)

Class Number: 3538

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Yuthika Girme
    ygirme@sfu.ca
    Office: RCB 8307
    Office Hours: TBD

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201, 260.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Predicting people’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and happiness is complicated – it largely depends on people’s unique personality characteristics, beliefs, expectations, and motivations. Students will learn about the development and consequences of key individual differences in social psychology. Students with credit for PSYC 391 under the title "Individual Differences in Social Psychology" may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The major objectives of this class are to understand how individual differences/personality traits have a distinct impact on peoples’ personal and interpersonal wellbeing.

In this course, you will learn about the development and consequences of key individual differences in social psychology such as peoples’ attachment insecurities, self-esteem, endorsement of sexist attitudes, destiny versus growth beliefs, approach versus avoidance social goals, and more.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Topics: The Big 5, Fixed and Growth Mindsets, Approach and Avoidance Motivations, Self-Determination Theory, Regulatory Mode, Attachment Insecurities, Self-Esteem, Prejudiced Beliefs, Sexist Beliefs

Grading

  • Group Worksheets: 7%
  • Writing Assignments: 10%
  • Final Exam: 20%
  • Weekly Mastery Quizzes: 63%

NOTES:

MASTERY GRADING: This course is designed to provide students multiple opportunities to try, face setbacks, figure out what they did not understand as well as they thought they did, and then succeed. Students demonstrate mastery by achieving 90% on a series of Mastery Quizzes and get THREE opportunities to master each quiz.

Lectures are designed to be highly interactive. Attendance and participation are STRONGLY encouraged. No lecture recordings are available, but an educational podcast is available as an additional resource for learning outside of class.

PEER PODS: Students will be expected to sit with a peer pod every week for class activities.

WAITLIST POLICY: This course uses standard departmental waitlist policies (see the Undergraduate FAQ).

PREREQUISITE WAIVERS: No prerequisite waivers are accepted for this course.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There is no textbook for this course. Students will have the opportunity to read/watch/listen/explore resources that are freely available online. Students will also use a FREE polling app and may wish you bring with them a personal device (e.g., phone, tablet, laptop) to participate.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.