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Social and Organisational Psychology

Unit code: PYB202
Credit points: 12
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People are social beings. Their thoughts, feelings and actions are influenced by the real, imagined or implied presence of others. To obtain greater insight into people's behaviour, it is essential to investigate scientifically the relationship between the individual and the group. We will study the effects of the individual within the group and the group within the individual and also consider the influence of these processes in the organisational setting.

Availability
Semester Available
2012 Semester 1 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

People are social beings. Their thoughts, feelings and actions are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others. To obtain greater insight into people's behaviour, it is essential to investigate scientifically the relationship between the individual and the group. We will study the effects of the individual within the group and the group within the individual and also consider the influence of these processes in the organisational setting.

Aims

PYB202 is designed to provide a basic introduction to social and organisational psychology. Three broad areas of social and organisational psychology are covered:

  1. group processes

  2. interpersonal processes and

  3. individual processes

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the unit, you should:

  1. possess coherent, extensive and practical knowledge of the main concepts, theories and models encompassed by social and organisational psychology.

  2. demonstrate the ability to utilise such concepts, theories and models.

  3. demonstrate the ability to critique social and organisational psychology research.

  4. be able to retrieve, evaluate and use relevant information.

  5. be able to use current technologies to advance their own learning.

  6. possess effective written communication skills.

  7. be able to write scientific reports in accordance with the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Content

  1. Introduction

  2. Social influence

  3. People in groups and group decision making

  4. Intergroup behaviour

  5. Prejudice and aggression

  6. Leadership

  7. Motivation and performance

  8. Prosocial behaviour

  9. Social cognition and attribution

  10. Attitudes

  11. Attitude change

  12. Overview

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You are required to attend class for 3 hours every week. The unit has two components:

  1. A lecture program that emphasises research and theory. Lectures are scheduled to last for approximately 2 hours each week.

  2. A laboratory-based program which will primarily involve information and practical guidance relevant to the two research reports. Labs will last for approximately 1 hour each week.

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: Report One: A full research report of a social psychological investigation. The report will comprise an Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results and Discussion section.
Word limit: 1500 words.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 7.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: Report Two: A research proposal for a social psychology investigation. The proposal will include a detailed introductory rationale and methodology section.
Word limit: 2000 words.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 7
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: A 2-hour examination of the whole course. The examination will consist of 60 multiple-choice questions and 2 essay questions. The questions will assess material covered in lectures and from the assigned chapters in the Vaughan and Hogg textbook and the assigned readings.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 4 & 6
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials


  • Vaughan, G.M., & Hogg, M.A. (2010). Social Psychology (6th ed.) Sydney: Prentice-Hall.


  • assigned readings available on CMD.

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-May-2012