Overview
This unit provides an introduction to the primary philosophies and key theories and frameworks that are fundamental to the study of psychology. You will examine the interplay of biological and social factors that underpin our understanding of people and behaviour. The biological content of the unit explores the structures and functions of the brain and nervous system, sensory and perceptual processes, learning and behaviour, and states of consciousness. The social content of the unit introduces you to motivation and emotion, human lifespan development, social cognition and perception and cross-cultural psychology, personality, psychological disorders, and intelligence. This unit is applicable to students studying a psychology course and those students from a variety of courses.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
The lectures in 2021 were on a Friday afternoon, which made it difficult to meet the Monday morning due date for the weekly Stop and Review questions. This meant that these questions needed to be completed at the same time or shortly after the content was being delivered.
Take into account class timetabling when setting the due date of the weekly Stop and Review questions. If the class is again timetabled late in the week, amend the due date so that it is later the following week (rather than Monday morning).
Feedback from Student feedback
More example concept maps available to explain the marking and assessment requirements.
Provide additional concept maps on Moodle from previous years to demonstrate assessment requirements.
- Describe the biological and social contributors to human behaviour.
- Discuss the major principles and theories related to the study of human behaviour.
- Reflect on, and engage with, key psychological concepts in an objective manner.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 60% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
Psychology Fifth Australian and New Zealand Edition
Edition: Fifth (2019)
Authors: Burton, Westen & Kowalski
Wiley
Brisbane Brisbane , Queensland , Australia
ISBN: 9780730363262
Binding: Other
Additional Textbook Information
The textbook can be purchased either as a hard copy or an ebook. Both the paper and eBook text can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop. Click on the Check for eBook link to be directed to Vitalsource. Search on the unit code here:http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.wilcoxson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Psychology: Key Theories
Chapter
Chapter 1 - Psychology: The study of mental processes and behaviour
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Biological Bases of Behaviour
Chapter
Chapter 3 - Biological bases of mental life and behaviour
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Motivation and Emotion
Chapter
Chapter 10 - Motivation and emotion
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sensation and Perception
Chapter
Chapter 4 - Sensation and perception
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Social Psychology
Chapter
Chapter 13 - Social development
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Vacation week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Learning and Behaviour
Chapter
Chapter 6 - Learning
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1 - Opens Thursday 21/04/2022, 12.01 am - Closes Friday 22/04/2022, 11.45 pm
Module/Topic
Development
Chapter
Chapter 12 - Physical and cognitive development
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Consciousness
Chapter
Chapter 5 - Consciousness
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Health, Stress, and Coping
Chapter
Chapter 14 - Health, stress, and coping
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Psychological Disorders
Chapter
Chapter 15 - Psychological disorders
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Personality
Chapter
Chapter 11 - Personality
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Intelligence
Chapter
Chapter 9 - Intelligence
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 2 - Opens Thursday 02/06/2022, 12.01 am - Closes Friday 03/06/2022
1 Online Quiz(zes)
You will complete two online quizzes. Both quizzes are multiple-choice and completed via the Moodle site.
Once you start the quiz, you have 60 minutes to complete all 60 questions.
- There are 60 questions in each quiz.
- It is usually best to skip questions you do not know and come back to them if you have time.
- At the end of the 60 minutes, the quiz will close and the system will submit all answered questions for grading.
Assessment 1a
Quiz 1:
- Opens on Thursday the 21st of April at 12:01 am and closes on Friday the 22nd of April at 11:45 pm (Week 6)
- Will cover content from Weeks 1-6
Assessment 1b
Quiz 2:
- Opens on Thursday the 2nd of June at 12:01 am and closes on Friday the 3rd of June at 11:45 pm (Week 12)
- Will cover content from Weeks 7-12
2
Other
Quiz 1: Opens on Thursday the 21st of April at 12:01 am and closes on Friday the 22nd of April at 11:45 pm (Week 6) Will cover content from Weeks 1-6 Quiz 2: Opens on Thursday the 2nd of June at 12:01 am and closes on Friday the 3rd of June at 11:45 pm (Week 12) Will cover content from Weeks 7-12
There are two quizzes.
- Each quiz is worth 30% of the final grade.
- Each quiz has 60 questions.
- Each question is worth 0.5 marks per correct answer.
- Describe the biological and social contributors to human behaviour.
- Discuss the major principles and theories related to the study of human behaviour.
2 Written Assessment
Concept maps are learning tools that help you organise information and make connections between facts and ideas. They are intended to help you identify the inter‐relationships between concepts, thereby replacing rote memorisation with a more meaningful understanding of the material that you are learning. This assessment is designed to strengthen your understanding of the concepts and themes explored in this unit by getting you to think about these in relation to other concepts learnt in this unit and applying some of these to ‘real-world’/practical examples. This assignment also encourages you to think about how different concepts from different lectures are related, and how some of these can be applied outside of the unit.
A concept map includes core concepts, usually enclosed in circles or boxes (nodes), with relationships illustrated by directional lines connecting the nodes AND linking words and statements on those connecting lines that explain the nature of the relationship between nodes.
Concept maps reflect your own ideas and way of thinking therefore, there is no such thing as a 'correct' concept map. However, there are elements that you will need to include and you will need to ensure that you demonstrate a correct understanding of the selected concepts. The maps will not be judged one against another, nor will they be compared to an ideal type. It is expected that everyone's concept map will be different to each other, both in content and presentation.
You will need to:
1. Select a lecture topic covered during the first six weeks of the unit (see list below), to use as the basis of the first theme in the concept map. This could be a lecture that you found particularly interesting, or it could be one that you are really struggling to understand and you hope that mapping it will help give the material clarity. The date and title of the lecture you select should appear on the Concept Map Assignment Detail Form (available on the unit Moodle site) which MUST be submitted along with your concept map.
First six weeks lecture topics:
Week 1 Introduction to psychology - Key theories
Week 2 Biological bases of behaviour
Week 3 Motivation and emotion
Week 4 Sensation and perception
Week 5 Social psychology
Week 6 Learning and behaviour
2. Identify a central concept from that lecture.
3. Select at least 10 other key concepts from your chosen lecture. These will help form the main framework of your map. The concepts may be single words, ideas, phrases or even pictures. Organise these on your map in such a way that you can use additional words or phrases to 'link' the concepts to each other and/or to the central theme. Each linking word/phrase (proposition) should be associated with a line or arrow. Linking words and phrases are a fundamental aspect of a concept map that help demonstrate the associations between selected concepts.
4. Now add at least 8 concepts from at least one other lecture in the unit. These will form the second theme in your map. Use links to show how this material relates to the concepts from your central theme.
5. Finally, for the third theme, add at least 8 additional concepts that relate the lecture material to a 'real-world' or any practical application that you wish. These concepts need not come from a particular lecture or even any aspect of the unit they just need to be relevant to the topic and appropriately linked to the rest of your map. (Hint: you may find it particularly useful to make these relevant to the professional field you are aiming for).
You can add extra concepts and themes should you so wish. However, must have no more than 50 concepts in total included in your map.
You are required to use some sort of a system to distinguish the different themes (for example, different coloured font or different shapes around the concepts).
The Concept Map Assignment Detail Form must be completed and submitted with your assignment.
In order to allow sufficient time for lectures given later in the unit to be included, your concept map will be due at the start of Week 11. Earlier submission is allowed but the official due date is Monday, 23/05/2022, at 9.00 am AEST. Should you require an extension please submit a request via the unit website prior to the due date. Marks will be deducted for late submission at a penalty rate of 5% each day late.
We will be covering constructing concept maps during the unit, so do not worry too much if it is the kind of task you have never done before.
The format for your concept map should be as follows:
· Your map must be presented on an A4 page, you can use either a portrait or landscape page set up.
· Clearly denote the major concepts in clearly labelled boxes, ovals, or other geometric shapes.
· You need to use different formats/colours etc. to identify your three different areas e.g. blue - biology lecture, red - emotion lecture, yellow - real-world application.
· Concept mapping software is available to download from the web. Some sites allow you a free trial and others will let you access the software for free. The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) provides free concept mapping software for both PC and Mac http://cmap.ihmc.us/cmaptools/cmaptools-download/
· Please note The IHMC does ask if you would like to donate $10 for use for the software but this is not a mandatory donation. You will still be able to access the software without donating but please bear in mind that sites such as this struggle to operate without the support of users.
Week 11 Monday (23 May 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Exam Week Monday (13 June 2022)
Total Grade out of 40 marks
The breakdown of marks for each section is outlined below:
Layout – 5 marks
· No organisation or consideration is given to the layout of concepts – 1
· Scattered layout of items, main themes difficult to identify – 2
· Concept map is reasonably organised and legible. Connected nodes presented are mostly coherent – 3
· Concept map is well organised, with clear connections between nodes – 4
· Clear thought to the pattern. The entire map is very well organised and legible. The intended purpose is achieved skilfully – 5
Graphics – 4 marks
· Minimal or inconsistent use of colour/geometric shapes used to highlight themes, font fairly legible. Some themes clearly identifiable. Clear font but no legend included – 1
· Geometric shapes/ colours used somewhat consistently to differentiate themes. Legend included but has errors – 2
· Geometric shapes/colours used consistently to differentiate themes. Clear font. Legend included – 3
· Effective use of geometric shapes/ colours used to clearly differentiate topics and focus the reader on key terms. Clear font. Legend included - 4
Connecting words/phrases – 4 marks
· Very few relevant words/phrases used to demonstrate connections between nodes – 1
· Less than half of the connecting lines have relevant linking words/ phrases – 2
· Majority of connecting lines have relevant words or phrases to demonstrate relationships - 3
· All connecting lines have relevant words or phrases to demonstrate relationships - 4
Central focus - 5 marks
· Over half but less than the required number of appropriate concepts identified, or more than 50 concepts included – 1
· Required number of concepts (min 26) and themes identified, but half or more inappropriately used – 2
· Required number of concepts (min 26) and themes identified, but less than half inappropriately used – 3
· Required number of concepts (min 26) and themes identified, few inappropriately used – 4
· Required number of appropriate concepts (min 26) and themes identified - 5
Levels of hierarchy and cross-links - 5 marks
· No hierarchy demonstrated. No cross-links between themes – 1
· Only primary terms used. Basic relationships between concepts identified. No hierarchy demonstrated – 2
· Use of secondary level hierarchy but lack of coherent links across all levels – 3
· Multiple level hierarchy used but lack of cross-links to identify complex relationships -4
· Multiple level hierarchy used with clear, cross-links used to identify complex relationships - 5
Evidence of understanding connections between concepts and themes - 5 marks
· Connecting words/phrases used correctly but simple and repetitive – 1
· Connecting words/phrases demonstrate a good understanding of the relationship between concepts and/or themes – 2
· Connecting words/phrases demonstrate substantive understanding of connections between concepts and/or themes – 3
· Connecting words/phrases demonstrate a deep understanding of the relationships between concepts and/or themes – 4
· Propositions used effectively to demonstrate relationships between nodes - 5
Understanding of the selected concepts - 5 marks
· Very little understanding of selected themes/concepts – 1
· Basic understanding of selected themes/concepts – 2
· Good understanding of selected themes/concepts – 3
· Very good understanding of selected themes/concepts – 4
· Excellent understanding of selected themes/concepts - 5
Presentation - 5 marks
· Basic presentation with several errors in spelling and punctuation – 1
· Good overall presentation with several errors in spelling and punctuation – 2
· Good overall presentation with few errors in spelling and punctuation – 3
· Very good overall presentation with very few errors in spelling and punctuation – 4
· Excellent presentation no spelling or punctuation errors - 5
Assignment detail form and presentation - 2 marks
· Relevant detail form not submitted – 0
· Assignment detail form submitted but incomplete/inaccurate - 1
· Assignment detail form submitted, fully complete and accurate - 2
- Describe the biological and social contributors to human behaviour.
- Discuss the major principles and theories related to the study of human behaviour.
- Reflect on, and engage with, key psychological concepts in an objective manner.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
