Te Kura Whatu Oho Mauri
School of Psychology
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 and issues 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.
In our School, we have strong connections to a range of other subjects such as medicine, social sciences, sport, management and education. We specialise in the most critical areas of psychology, where we can make a real difference to New Zealand society.
Success stories
Psychology is one of the most popular subjects at university and our graduates go on to a wide range of careers and further study. Hear from our current and previous students about their time studying here and how it prepared them for their careers.
Scott Drabble
Bachelor of Social Sciences, Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours, Master of Social Sciences
Olivia McIntyre
Bachelor of Social Sciences, Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours
Reremoana Chase
Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi
Leah Owen
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Hannah Cleland
Master of Social Sciences, Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (Clinical)
Leny Thomas
Master of Applied Psychology
Kristoffer Lavasi'i
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Social Sciences
Ryan Burnell
PhD
Aurand Tou
Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours
Rereahu Collier
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Amy Marfell
Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance, Master of Sport and Leisure Studies, PhD
Our Research
We ensure psychology is scientific and accountable, producing world-leading research in a friendly and welcoming environment. Our staff and research students are engaged in collaborative research that aims to improve our understanding of how people function and to contribute to the welfare of individuals, communities, and the non-human animals with which human beings interact.
News
Covid-19 and the impact on our wellbeing - 48 countries compared
A University of Waikato academic has played a key role in an international study researching human experience, behaviour and attitudes towards the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Taciano Milfont joined the COVIDiSTRESS global survey which gathered data from participants across the globe in the early months of the pandemic last year.
Waikato psychologists receive international honours
Two University of Waikato academics have been recognised by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), one of the world’s leading international bodies for psychology. In the announcement this month, Professor Vincent Reid was made a Fellow of the APS, while Dr Aleea Devitt received a Rising Star award.
App to help prevent postnatal depression and anxiety among expectant mothers
An app designed to help prevent postnatal depression and anxiety among expectant mothers has been relaunched by the University of Waikato to help women find the support and strategies they need for positive mental health.
Psychologists urged to do more on climate change
Psychologists should be doing more to mitigate the health effects of climate change, according to an extensive new report from the American Psychological Association (APA) – the largest organisation for psychologists in the US and with influence around the world.
University of Waikato Fulbright Scholar to study how kava can be used to reduce PTSD
Dr Apo Aporosa, a former police officer who left policing with PTSD, has received a Fulbright Scholarship to work for three months with institutes in Hawai’i on two projects. One of the projects will investigate the potential of kava’s effectiveness in reducing PTSD symptoms among post combat soldiers, which recent studies report is at ‘epidemic’ levels
$3.6m given to Waikato University in an attempt to reduce prison violence
An opportunity to understand and reduce the amount of violence in our prisons has been given to Waikato University.
Research funding of $3.9 million over five years was awarded to Dr Armon Tamatea to continue his work on reducing violence in prisons
Non-pilots think they can land a plane after watching a YouTube video
A psychological study shows that people can be overconfident in their ability to perform tasks for which they have no formal training
Image: Pilot working through a simulation exercise. Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Wire/Alamy
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