PSY4122 - Psychology 1B - 2019

This unit introduces students to the scientific discipline of psychology and provides foundational knowledge in several key topic areas including theories of social behaviour, emotion and motivation and the cognitive processes underlying human memory. Weaved throughout the unit there will be discussion on cross-cultural similarities and differences and the potential pitfalls of applying mainstream understandings of psychology beyond the culture from which those insights were derived.

Students will also examine how psychologists develop theories and test their understanding of the mind and behaviour using the scientific method. This will involve an introduction to research methodology, including research design and descriptive and inferential statistics. Finally, students will learn how to justify their research to others in the form of a research proposal.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Differentiate key psychological theories related to social behaviour, emotion and motivation and memory.
2. Compare and contrast intercultural psychology and mainstream psychological understandings.
3. Apply psychological principles and theories to real-world situations.
4. Describe the research process and explain the basic principles of research design and hypothesis testing.
5. Design a simple research study and justify the project aim, methodology and outcomes in the form of a research proposal.

• Critical evaluation tasks (15%)
• Research proposal (45%)
• 6 x Secure online quizzes (40%) (hurdle)

Students should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on this unit to achieve the learning outcomes.

This time will cover:

1. video lecture materials;
2. synchronous & asynchronous discussion;
3. synchronous web-based 'class-time' for skills-based activities;
4. weekly readings;
5. weekly skills-based assessment tasks; and
6. content-based assessment, including revision and formative assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

Psychology