PSYCH 253Social Psychology
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Psychology
- Cross-listed
- PSYCH 253R
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to the scientific study of social behaviour and social influences on behaviour. Theories and research on such topics as attitude change and persuasion, stereotypes and prejudice, conformity and obedience to authority, altruism, conflict, attraction, and love may be introduced.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3606 | 189 / 300 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 081 | 8911 | 148 / 160 | Online or by arrangement |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3677 | 0 / 300 | TTh 16:00–17:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1405 | 150 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
90% liked it77% easy83% useful
From 201 ratings and 51 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I took this course after reading all the reviews that said it's a fun bird course. Don’t fall into the trap like I did. Starting with the positives, the course content was very interesting and I enjoyed reading through the modules but they were very long and dense, taking a lot of time to read through if you truly want to learn the content, the quizzes and final exam were pretty easy too. Where my problems with this course occur are the way it is run. Having a group project worth 50% that lasts practically the entire term in an online class doesn't make much sense. People are in different locations, different time zones, and have different availability, all adding to the difficulty to…
Dec 2025 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Interesting material in general. Highly recommend to take it.
Jan 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Almost all the concepts are things you can see in daily life. Helps give a new perspective when looking at things. Actual content is fairly easy.
Dec 2014 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Took online: Essay was worth less and bonus marks were easy to get but the quizzes were cheap and poorly designed, contained content not even in the lecture/text.
Dec 2014 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
compared to other psych classes, this is one of the easy ones. 3 multiple choice tests and bonus worksheets at the end of lectures. The content was ok but it felt very boring at times, repetitive from other psych classes
Jun 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
60 posts and comments in 51 threads mention PSYCH 253, January 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
Psych 253 or 256 1 point, 5 comments
u/LS_reader: “One is social psychology and the other one is psychopathology. I think they would both be interested but I can only choose one. So I’ll do whichever one is easier in terms of work load and tests. Which one would you guys recommend?”
u/Weekly-Friend-66: “I took psych 257 (psychopathology) last semester and am currently taking psych 253 (social) this semester. Personally I would choose psychopathology over social.”
Spring 2024
Should I take Psych 211 (with Liz Attisano ONLINE) OR Psych 253 (with Cameron ONLINE) 5 points, 1 comment
u/notracemepls: “… Psych 211- has one paper due worth 30% Psych 253- has a 50% group paper due Nervous about 253 because of the paper being worth 50% and don't know how my group will be yet, i don't mind carrying the group but also 50% for a group assignment is scary. …”
u/Soggy-Energy3145: “I took PSYCH 253 course w Cameron in Fall’23 & I didn’t find it to be a super heavy course. Just complete the readings & all & you’re good to go”
u/kashk3ver: “what did u end up tasking I wanted to know how psych 253 was especially the group assignment?”
what’s the best social sci class to take? 1 point, 4 comments
u/B0b-loblaww: “… I also enjoyed psych 253 and it was a good gpa booster.”
Winter 2024
Calling all Psych students: Which Psych course should I take (Psych 211 vs Psych 253) 2 points, 0 comments
Fall 2023
Struggle 1 point, 1 comment
u/Tryingpositiv97: “… I took PHIL and PSYCH253. I don’t like any of my courses but i still have to finish them. Its online . I don’t know what to do. I also have personal problems going on. I have got good marks in my previous courses but these are very annoying for me. I really wanna pass them . …”
Spring 2023
What's a course that you think everyone should take? 50 points, 41 comments
“Just curious about people's experiences, and why they think everyone should take it. also i'm looking for first year electives and open to any ideas lol”
u/OrchidNo795: “PSYCH 257 Psychopathology - Really changed the way about how I think about people with mental illnesses and how to interact with them, changed my feelings about drugs too and made me much more open …”
u/Yakitorigem: “Yupp this and PSYCH 253 (social psych) would benefit alot of people”
PSYCH 101 Online 1 point, 2 comments
u/Anal_Iverson: “Psych 101 isn't a bird course, you gotta put time into it, but it's easy enough. But once you take it, you unlock some much easier (imo) courses like Psych 211 (developmental psych), Psych 253 (social psych), and Psych 238 (organizational psych).”
Bird spring 2023 courses? 3 points, 4 comments
“Anyone have any suggestions for bird courses this term (spring 2023) or fall 2023 term? Please list suggestions below, I've completed all my pre reqs and have so much room for electives.”
u/elliemkiki: “Psych 253”
Fall 2022
psych 253 online 3 points, 0 comments
u/rewhy: “anyone who’s taking psych 253 rn can you share what the assessment/grade breakdown is?”
Spring 2022
Psych course recommendations? 3 points, 6 comments
“I'm looking to fulfill a social science requirement and I think I want to go with psych. I've already taken psych 101 and I found it pretty interesting, though it was only online and just consisted …”
u/jackie1414seal: “Psych 253 & 257 are fun and I found them interesting, its social and abnormal psych.”
u/Uwaterloostudentidk: “Psych 253”
Winter 2022
see you all on february 7th 88 points, 10 comments
u/Dimtar_: “… Jerome’s) PSYCH 211 PSYCH 238 PSYCH 253 (St. …”
Psych 253 1 point, 1 comment
u/Mysterious-Tourist44: “Hi, I do not live in Canada and am not planning to return for the winter term. The covid cases are bad where I live. The online section is full and has been for a while. I took the one with Dr.R Blackie. I saw the syllabus and the tests are online. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them