Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Psychology is a broad-ranging discipline encompassing the scientific study of human behaviour and its physiological, cognitive, and social bases, and the systematic application of this knowledge to applied problems. The goal of the first-year units in psychology is to introduce the major subfields and perspectives in psychology, and to develop an understanding of the research methods used in psychological research. These units lay the foundation for more specialised study in later years. Introduction to Psychology 1B (PYB102) focuses on biological and cognitive aspects of psychology, while the areas of developmental psychology, social psychology, individual differences, and psychopathology are introduced in Foundation Psychology (PYB100).

Aims

The unit aims to provide a firm foundation for understanding the theories, concepts, methods, and basic findings in the areas of biological, behavioural, and cognitive psychology. In addition to acquainting you with factual information gained from psychological research in these areas, the program aims to foster an appreciation of how these facts were acquired - that is, to encourage you to think scientifically by critically assessing the strengths and weaknesses of psychological research. You will be given the opportunity to participate in psychological research in the practical sessions, and will demonstrate understanding of the research process by writing a laboratory report.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the major concepts, issues, and theories in the areas of biological, behavioural, and cognitive psychology.


2. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of the scientific method and the ability to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of basic research designs in psychology.


3. Demonstrate the ability to access and evaluate research reports and other relevant information about topics in psychology.


4. Show effective written communication skills, including skills in writing psychology research reports according to APA style.

Content

• Introduction - Unit Overview "Biological Bases of Behaviour"


• The Nervous System


• Control of Behaviour Sensation and Perception


• The Visual System, Sensation and Perception


• The Auditory System, Consciousness and Learning


• Motivation & Emotion


• Problem-solving and Decision-making


• Storage, Retrieval, and Forgetting in Human Memory


• Memory Systems, Language and Communication in Problem-solving

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit comprises a 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial each week. The lectures will introduce you to the theories, concepts, methods, and basic findings in the areas of biological (physiological), behavioural, and cognitive psychology. Videotapes of all lectures will be available for viewing in the library's Course Reserve a few days after the lecture. Lectures will also be videostreamed through the unit's QUT Blackboard site. In tutorials, you will participate in exercises and activities designed to clarify and deepen your understanding of important concepts covered in the lectures, as well as discussing essential information to help you complete the laboratory report.

Assessment

In addition to submitting hard copies of your assessment you are required to electronically submit all written assignments through SafeAssign for content matching checks.

Assessment name: Mid-Semester Exam
Description: An exam consisting of 60 multiple choice questions examining material from lectures, compulsory reading, group activities (including laboratory practicals, videos and demonstrations), and tutorial material presented in the first half of the semester. This exam takes place during one of the regular lecture times.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Laboratory Report
Description: The report will be based on an experiment carried out in the first few weeks of the semester (often week 2 or 3) by you. Your task is to write a research report introducing and discussing the experiment, using the data collected and analysed. This assignment is designed to further your skills in the writing of research reports in psychology, following the format for scientific writing developed by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early Semester

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: A 2-hour final exam, consisting of 90 multiple choice questions. Emphasis will be on material from lectures, compulsory reading, group activities (including laboratory practicals, videos and demonstrations), and tutorials presented throughout the entire semester.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Assessment name: Applied Research Participation
Description: Participation in actual research projects being undertaken within the School provides you with a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the types of methods which psychological researchers employ and the range of issues which they address. You will be required to accumulate a total of five hours of research credits over the semester in order to qualify for the full 5% allocated to this activity.
Relates to objectives: 2.
Weight: 5%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

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

Text

Westen, D., Burton, L., Kowalski, R. (2006) Psychology: Australian and New Zealand Edition. Wiley:Australia.

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: 11-Jul-2012