School of Psychological and Social Sciences

Discover the fascinating world of human behaviour, social structures, and the intricate dynamics that shape our lives. The School of Psychological and Social Sciences offers a comprehensive exploration of the mind, society, and the interplay between them. Our subjects in Anthropology, Criminology, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Work and Sociology are designed to understand and address complex social issues, offering insights into human behaviour, societal structures, and the mechanisms of social change.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour of humans and non-human animals. It's about understanding what makes people tick and how this understanding can help us address many of the problems in society today. As both a thriving academic discipline and a vital professional practice, psychology is dedicated to the study of human behaviour and how we act, react and interact - and the thoughts, feelings, and motivations behind it.

Social Sciences is an academic discipline focused on the study of human society and social relationships. It encompasses a wide range of fields that examine the intricate patterns of human behavior, societal structures, and the factors that influence social change. By exploring the diverse aspects of human life, Social Sciences seeks to understand how individuals and communities interact, evolve, and address complex issues.

In our School, we have strong connections to a range of other subjects such as medicine, sport, management and education. We specialise in the most critical areas of psychology and social sciences, where we can make a real difference to New Zealand society.

I absolutely love the discipline of Psychology. It is an incredibly broad and diverse academic subject. As  much, it comes in all sorts of flavours and is often difficult to pin down in a definition. For me, Psychology is the science of how we understand and improve how humans and animals perceive and think. It is the study of how we act, react and interact. This field lets us make great strides in creating new knowledge that positively helps our society.

The School of Psychological and Social Sciences at Waikato contains all the flavours of Psychology – from neuroscience to social science. We are a very special community that is warm and welcoming. We continually strive to be world leading experts in our respective fields. This is reflected in the way that we teach. We bring our excitement, knowledge and passion to our lecture theatres and labs. This means that our students learn about the most up-to-date advances in psychology together with how psychology can be applied in the modern world.

Professor Vincent Reid
Head of School