Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - PSYC 376 E100

Selected Topics in Experimental Psychology and Law (3)

Judgement & Decision-Making

Class Number: 6512

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Mon, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Adele Quigley-McBride
    aquigley@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-6727
    Office: RCB 6317
    Office Hours: TBD

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201W and PSYC 268. Recommended: PSYC 210.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The roles of experimental developmental, cognitive, and social psychology in the understanding of behaviour and perceptions of individuals in legal contexts. Topics may include eyewitness testimony, children and the law, interviewing, deception detection, wrongful convictions, interrogations and false confessions, and forensic science. Course can be repeated for credit when taught under a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:

The legal system relies on people to make judgments and decisions that directly affect outcomes related to civil and criminal law. Yet, the people making those judgments and decisions are subject to the same cognitive constraints studied in any psychology laboratory. This course examines how psychology can inform, and sometimes challenge, core judgments at the heart of the legal system.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Topics covered in this course include how the legal system creates environments that leave decision-makers vulnerable to inconsistency, bias, and error. We will cover the decision thresholds created by the legal system, rules that ask decision-makers to infer intent, legal requirements that rely on subjective similarity judgments to determine liability or guilt, and the policies that permit wide discretion in situations with potentially serious consequences. Solutions to these problems, grounded in psychological science, will be explored.

Grading

  • In-class participation: 15%
  • Quizzes: 15%
  • Infographic: 20%
  • Written Assessments: 50%

NOTES:

This offering of PSYC 376 is a different topic than the PSYC 376 topics previously taught by Dr. Ryan Fitzgerald and Dr. Deb Connolly. It is also different from previous offerings of PSYC 376 taught by Dr. Adele Quigley-McBride (Experimental Psychology and Law/Wrongful Convictions). Students can take PSYC 376 multiple times for credit, as long as the topics are different.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

None - Readings will be provided prior to class on Canvas.

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.