PSYCH 357Psychology of Good
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Psychology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
What does it mean to "be good"? How does one "do good"? What makes "doing good" easier or harder? This course examines (1) the biological and psychosocial foundations of prosocial behaviour and (2) associated facilitators and obstacles at both interpersonal and organizational levels. Topics may include empathy, social responsibility, volunteerism, community intervention, activism, and heroism.
Prerequisites
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3691 | 0 / 100 | Th 18:30–21:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1419 | 14 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
40% liked it17% easy33% useful
From 5 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I have never been more disappointed with a class in my life. Reading the course description this class sounded so interested and I thought it would be my favourite course this term. Where do I even begin? The overall structure of the course is 6 quizzes weighing between 7%-24% and a poster presentation worth 33%. Their online lectures were very disorganized, and it was made evident that they don't have a great grasp on how Learn works and everyone was so lost. I also wanted to mention that they do not post their lecture slides, and some students have talked to them about this and they still didn't post them. Their actual lectures were them rambling on and on, and they were not that easy to…
Dec 2020 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
If you want to take a course about an abstract or symbolic topic, I'd suggest other courses offered by one of the instructors (Dr. Burris) for PSYCH 218/231/232 (death and dying, religious experience, evil). Because they are better at having nuance rather than trivial things. But it was still a good extension to them, and the opportunity to discuss what's "good" in a group project was interesting.
May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
5 posts and comments in 4 threads mention PSYCH 357, November 2017 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 2023
3XX is a 3rd year course? 1 point, 2 comments
u/royalevogue: “Would any course that starts with 3XX be considered a 3rd year course? For example, PSYCH 357 would be considered a 3rd year course, right? Double-checking for my degree requirements. Thanks.”
Spring 2020
How is PSYCH 357? 1 point, 0 comments
Spring 2018
What courses are you taking next term? 13 points, 54 comments
u/Transcendate: “For next study term (after upcoming 3rd coop): CS 341, CS 350, CS 370, STAT 231, PSYCH 357 Maybe 1 more course so I can graduate early”
Fall 2017
Easiest 300 PSYCH course? 2 points, 3 comments
u/sdfjkllkjfds1: “… 339 (Personnel Psychology) PSYCH 340 (Training and Development) PSYCH 356 (Personality) PSYCH 357 (Psychology of Good) PSYCH 361 (Evolutionary Psychology) PSYCH 372 (Environmental Psychology)”
u/sanzoidy: “Psych 357 is a brand new course. If it's similar to Burris' Psych 232 (Psychology of Evil), then it'll be readings + 3 tests. But he's doing it in collaboration with John Rempel, so not sure.”
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