WEL1340

Behavioural studies B

Maurie Hasen

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Caulfield and Clayton
* Prerequisite: WEL1320

Objectives On completion of this subject students should be familiar with the stages of development in human transition from childhood to adulthood; be aware of various theoretical perspectives which have been developed in order to understand human personality and abnormal behaviour; be able to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of these perspectives and be aware of the influence of political and social context on their development; understand some of the relationships between these perspectives and the various approaches to the treatment of behaviour disorders derived from them.

Synopsis Introduction to the study of human behaviour. Life span development and complex human processes. Prenatal development, childhood, adolescence, early middle and late adulthood. Personality theories, testing, abnormal behaviour, therapies, social psychology.

Assessment Case study (2000 words): 40%
* Class presentation: 10%
* Weekly journal (2000 words): 50%
* An examination of two hours may be an alternative to the weekly journal: 50%

Prescribed texts

Philipchalk R P and McConnell J V Understanding human behaviour 8th edn, Harcourt Brace, 1994

Recommended texts

Peterson C Looking forward through the life span: Developmental psychology 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1996
Gething L Life span development 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, 1995