PSY1011 · Foundations in psychology

Overview

This unit provides you with an introduction to the broad foundations of psychology as a scientific discipline. It begins with an exploration of psychology's historical origins. The unit introduces theories related to cognitive and biological psychology, and you will be familiarised with key aspects of cross-cultural psychology. Concepts related to mental health (psychological disorders, stress, motivation, emotion, etc.) will also be introduced. Finally, you will learn academic writing and presentation skills to formulate evidence-based reasoning from multiple scholarly sources.

Areas of study: Psychology Psychological science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the key stages in the historical development of psychology and approaches to modern psychology, like cross-cultural psychology.
2. Explain key psychological concepts and theories across major areas such as biological, cognitive, social, organisational and Indigenous psychology.
3. Outline a range of psychological disorders and discuss how they impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people in everyday settings.
4. Develop critical thinking skills in basic research methods and psychological concepts and apply them to real world situations.
5. Effectively communicate psychological ideas with diverse audiences, across various modes.

Workload

Two hours of seminars per week. Two hours of tutorials 10 times per semester. Induction tutorial: One hour in Week 1 of semester. Eight hours background reading/preparation for seminars, tutorials and assessment tasks per week.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.