Overview
In this unit you will learn practical skills and develop your knowledge relevant to the professional practice of psychology as an evidence-based scientific discipline and how these skills can be applied across multiple contexts. You will develop an understanding of how social, historical, professional and cultural factors influence the science and practice of psychology. This will include knowledge of psychometric theory applied to diverse assessment scenarios, and demonstration of culturally responsive interpersonal and interviewing skills. You will learn about the application of relevant legal frameworks and codes of ethical practice relevant to the discipline of Psychology and the importance of these frameworks for working in professional practice and allied health settings.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must be enrolled in CC42 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours).
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 - 2023
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.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional judgement in the selection and application of psychological assessment within diverse contexts
- Critically evaluate the application of principles of professional psychology practice within diverse contexts and communities
- Competently apply relevant interpersonal and interviewing skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice
- Apply and evaluate ethical decision-making strategies across multiple professional contexts, particularly as they relate to applications of the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society
Learning outcomes have been designed to address the level 2 pre-professional competencies required by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The learning outcomes also meet the study criteria as specified by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and are appropriate for study at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 8 . The specific APAC competencies which will be demonstrated by students in completing this unit are:
2.2 Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
2.3 Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
2.4 Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Group Work - 35% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 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
There are no required textbooks.
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.
a.m.carter@cqu.edu.au
k.j.burke@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit and assessment in practice
Chapter
Unit Profile
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Foundations of professional communication: Interpersonal skills
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethics across diverse contexts
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
What do assessments mean? Psychometric theory in practice settings
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cultural diversity in interpersonal skills
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No class due to Vacation Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Module/Topic
Intake interviews, Mental Status Examination and self-reflection
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cultural diversity in assessment and psychotherapy
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Bio-psycho-social-spiritual model: Introduction to the 5 Ps
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Grief, death and risk assessment
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Trauma informed communication
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Working within a multi-disciplinary team
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Challenges and complexities of practice
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for reading content and learning resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Group Work
In week 1 you will be allocated into groups of approximately 4 students by the Unit Coordinator. You will be notified by the Unit Coordinator of your group members in week 2. With your group members you will work together to support each other on an individually assessed Video Recording and Interpersonal Communication Reflection of a simulated therapy session, as well as a group Written Assessment piece that shows your understanding of how interpersonal communication skills differ in diverse communities. Finally, all group members will submit a Group Work Assessment Form that assesses the performance of each group member on their contribution to the group.
Week 6 Monday (17 Apr 2023) 9:00 am AEST
All assessment items for Assessment 1 are due on Monday at 9am (AEST) in Week 6. This includes the individual Video Recording, Therapist Reflection Document, Group Work Assessment Form and the Group Written Assessment. All group members will receive the same grade on the Group Written Assessment piece and late penalties will apply to all students if submitted after the due date and time.
Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023)
Marks and feedback will be provided individually through Moodle (and will be accessed where you submitted the assessment).
Students will be assessed on the application and implementation of communication skills appropriate for professional psychological practice within a diverse community and context. In addition, the ability to evaluate and apply relevant interpersonal interviewing skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice will be assessed.
- Critically evaluate the application of principles of professional psychology practice within diverse contexts and communities
- Competently apply relevant interpersonal and interviewing skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice
2 Written Assessment
Infographics are a useful resource in practice. They are a powerful vehicle commonly used in health settings to raise awareness of health issues and their management. The aim of this task is to build skills in visual communication, as well as develop your understanding of how communication differs between contexts and settings. You will develop two infographics – one for a professional setting and the other for a client, based on a diverse population of your choice. In the infographic you will identify the population, a challenge within that population, the need of that population, an appropriate assessment and recommendations.
Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Assessment 2 is due on Monday at 9am (AEST) in Week 9. Late penalties will be applied if assessment is submitted after the due date and time without an approved extension.
Week 12 Monday (29 May 2023)
Marks and feedback will be provided individually through Moodle (and will be accessed where you submitted the assessment).
You will be assessed on the ability to apply appropriate professional judgement in the selection and application of psychological assessment within diverse contexts, the ability to critically evaluate the application of principles of professional practice within diverse contexts and communities as well as the ability to apply and evaluate ethical decision-making strategies.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional judgement in the selection and application of psychological assessment within diverse contexts
- Critically evaluate the application of principles of professional psychology practice within diverse contexts and communities
- Competently apply relevant interpersonal and interviewing skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice
- Apply and evaluate ethical decision-making strategies across multiple professional contexts, particularly as they relate to applications of the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society
3 Online Quiz(zes)
Two multiple choice quizzes will be used to assess your knowledge of the teaching content throughout the unit. You will be required to complete two 30 minute online multiple-choice quizzes that will assess your knowledge of the lectures and required readings for this unit. The quizzes will consist of 20 questions that will be based on Week 1 to Week 5 (Quiz 1), and Week 6 to Week 12 (Quiz 2).
2
Other
Quiz 1 will be opened from 9am (AEST) Monday Week 7 for 24hrs. Quiz 2 will be opened from 9am (AEST) Monday in the Exam week for 24hrs.
Students will be provided with marks immediately after the Quiz has closed.
You will be assessed on: i) the ability to demonstrate appropriate professional judgement in the selection and application of psychological assessment within a diverse context, ii) the ability to critically evaluate the applications of principles of professional psychological practice within diverse context and communities, and iii) competency in applying and evaluating ethical decision-making.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional judgement in the selection and application of psychological assessment within diverse contexts
- Critically evaluate the application of principles of professional psychology practice within diverse contexts and communities
- Apply and evaluate ethical decision-making strategies across multiple professional contexts, particularly as they relate to applications of the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society
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?
