Yasmeen Mirza is in their fourth year of the Honours Social Psychology program. Here’s what Yasmeen had to say about choosing a degree in Social Psychology.
What led you to choose the Honours Social Psychology program at McMaster? What is your ideal future path with this degree?
I was drawn to the Honours Social Psychology program because I’ve always been fascinated by human behaviour and the ways people interact in their everyday lives. I wanted a program that would allow me to explore these patterns in a rigorous, research-based way, while also giving me the flexibility to apply my learning to real-world contexts. In the future, I hope to use this degree as a foundation for a career in law, where I can apply insights about human behaviour to support communities and inform decision-making.
What is one aspect about the Honours Social Psychology program that you love?
One aspect I really love about the program is how relevant the content is to day-to-day life. It’s like developing a “sixth sense” for understanding people, learning about social perception, influence, and decision-making has helped me see interactions and behaviours in a whole new way. The material isn’t just theoretical, it directly applies to how we navigate the world and connect with others.
As part of the Honours Social Psychology program, students complete a capstone group research project. Can you give a brief description of your capstone research project?
For my capstone project, my team is studying the dating app activity of McMaster students. Specifically, we are examining how users present themselves, whether they show their authentic selves or create more strategic versions of themselves, and how this affects their interactions and perceived attractiveness. Our goal is to better understand online self-presentation and social behaviour in the context of modern dating.
What would you like to say to prospective students thinking of an Honours BA in Social Psychology?
If you’re curious about people and want a program that combines rigorous research with practical insights into everyday life, this is a great choice. It’s challenging, rewarding, and gives you a unique perspective that applies to almost any career path.
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