Faculty of Arts

Department of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It is also the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems.

Student research participation Our faculty and staff
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What's New

Annual Graduate Psychology Research Conference

Friday, March 21, 2025
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Multi-Purpose Room and Marshall McLuhan Hall, 2nd floor UMSU University Centre

2:00 p.m. - Poster presentation, MPR
3:00 p.m. - Vineberg Award talk
4:00 p.m. - Reception 

Each year, UM’s Psychology Department hosts the annual Graduate Psychology Research Conference where graduate students share their research projects with faculty members, undergraduate students, and their fellow graduate students.

The event will begin with a poster presentation followed by a talk presented by the 2024 Vineberg award winner, Scarlett Horner. Following the talk, there will be a reception with catered food, a ‘cash bar’ (card payment only), and additional time to view the posters.

All welcome!

  • Department of Psychology Colloquium: Vineberg Award 

    Ambivalence, Intensity, and Emotion Regulation Choice

    Scarlett Horner, PhD student, Psychology and 2023-24 Vineberg Award Winner

    Friday, March 21, 2025
    3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Marshall McLuhan Hall, UMSU University Centre

    Previous research has found that people choose to reappraise low intensity images more often than high intensity images. However, this research does not account for image ambivalence, which is presence of both positive and negative cues in a stimulus. The purpose of this research was to determine differences in ambivalence in high intensity and low intensity images used in previous research, and if ambivalence played a role in emotion regulation choice in addition to intensity. It was found that the low intensity images from prior research were more ambivalent than the high intensity images. Furthermore, there was a positive relationship between ambivalence of an image and reappraisal affordances. In the context of negative images, it was found that people chose to reappraise ambivalent images more often than non-ambivalent images, and they also chose to reappraise low intensity images more often than high intensity images. In the context of positive images, however, ambivalence seemed to have little effect on emotion regulation choice, and people were more likely to chose to reappraise high intensity images compared to low intensity images. These experiments support the idea that ambivalence is a factor in emotion regulation choice when people are down-regulating negative emotion. Future research should consider the impact ambivalent stimuli have on emotion regulation, including the potential for leveraging ambivalent stimuli to improve one’s emotion regulation ability.

    The talk will be preceded by the Psychology Graduate Research Conference poster viewing at 2:00 p.m. next door in the Multi Purpose Room, and followed by a reception at 4:00 p.m. in Marshall McLuhan Hall.

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Clinical psychology graduate program to double

Each year, between 60 to 80 applicants from across Canada apply to the University of Manitoba’s clinical psychology graduate program. That’s 10 times the amount that can currently be accepted into the program. On July 21, 2024, the Province of Manitoba announced it will invest $412,000 to double the number of seats in the training program with the initial added seats opening in fall 2024. This is the first significant increase in student seats to this program in decades and will do much to help fill the urgent need for clinical psychologists in Manitoba. 

Applications for the fall 2024 intake of the clinical psychology graduate program are now closed.

Read more about how the program expansion will help Manitobans

Programs of study

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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

This program offers a broad foundation in the study of psychology, including content areas, research methods and career related skills. General, advanced and honours degrees are offered. A co-op education program is a component of the Advanced degree option. You can pursue a Psychology major through either the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Science (see link).

Become a graduate student in Psychology at UM

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Together, the students, faculty, and staff of the Department of Psychology have developed an outstanding learning and research environment. We have an energetic, productive and caring department that will provide the support, education and research opportunities you need to reach your goals. Our students have an outstanding record of success in funding and awards, achievements in research and scholarship and placement in academic and professional careers.

Once you settle on an area of specialization for graduate studies, it is a good idea to contact a professor or two with whom you might like to work both to introduce yourself and to ask for more information about their interests and research.

Learn more about being a psychology graduate student at UM

Opportunities and resources for students

Research

The Department of Psychology, the University of Manitoba and the greater Winnipeg community combine to provide excellent opportunities for both basic and applied research. In most areas of psychological interest, research opportunities are limited only by the creativity and initiative of the investigator.

There is tremendous value in collaboration between UM-based researchers and community settings in addressing important applied and basic research problems. This collaboration is an important asset for staff and students.

Working relationships have been developed with government departments, schools, daycare centres, treatment facilities, social agencies and other community organizations.

Research labs, projects and groups

Student research participation

Students in PSYC1200 Introduction to Psychology earn a percentage of their final grade either by participating in research studies or by studying for and writing an exam in lieu of participation.

Psychological Service Centre

The Psychological Service Centre provides therapy and assessment services to the community free of charge.

The Psychological Service Centre (PSC) is a training clinic for UM graduate students studying Clinical Psychology. These student clinicians deliver a range of psychological and related services to the public, supervised by registered psychologists.

Learn more about our services

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Contact us

Department of Psychology
Room P404 Duff Roblin Building
190 Dysart Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

psych-info@lists.umanitoba.ca
204-474-9338