Bachelor of Psychology

This unit introduces students to the discipline of psychology and to the role of the scientific method in acquiring knowledge in psychology. The unit equips students with a basic understanding of of psychology by examining a range of psychological domains and determinants of behaviour. Psychological literacy, applying psychology knowledge and making psychology relevant to one’s own life is also introduced.

This unit appraises research and theories of motivation and emotion that address the fundamental question of why people behave as they do. A range of motivational explanations of behaviour are discussed from multiple theoretical perspectives. The importance of emotion in guiding our response to the world around us is also examined, along with the role of cognitive processes. This unit emphasises the application of theories of motivation and emotion to a wide range of contexts, including health, work, education and sport.

This unit focuses on the biopsychological and physiological bases of human behaviours, emphasising the influence of psychology on biology. In addition, the unit covers how nervous system structures, functions, and processes allow humans to have sensory and perceptual experiences, emphasising psychophysical methods of investigation.

This unit examines the influence that other people, rules, customs, and the environment have on our behaviour. A particular emphasis is on applying the findings of social psychology to a wide range of human activities and settings. A social cognition framework will be applied to consider people in social situations.

This unit introduces fundamental methods of inquiry used in psychology research, focusing on theoretical and contextual approaches to generate psychology knowledge. The measurement of psychological constructs and how this contributes to the scientific method used to understand human thought and behaviour is emphasised. Considerations of correlational, quasi-experimental and experimental designs along with parametric and non-parametric methods of analysis used to generate psychology knowledge are broadly and specifically taught. Finally, the unit delivers practical skills including assessing the design of psychology experiments, using psychological instruments to collect data, analysing data with statistical software, and communicating research outcomes according to the academic style of the American Psychological Association (APA).

This unit introduces students to individual differences from a psychological perspective, with a particular emphasis on describing the major theories, methods, research findings, and debates about personality and intelligence. The unit integrates previous learning in psychology through discussion of the complex ways in which individual differences in human development are influenced by biological, interpersonal and socio-cultural factors.

This unit reviews theories of the acquisition and organisation of knowledge and information processing. The unit covers major area of importance within modern cognitive science: Implicit and explicit processing; attention; memory; skill acquisition; expertise; language; communication; creativity; sex and aggression.

This unit takes a lifespan perspective in considering developmental psychology, emphasising contemporary theories and models of growth. The unit looks at the course of human growth and development from conception to adolescence as well as growth and development through adulthood and old age to the end of the life cycle. Research strategies that have been developed to validate the theories of development will be critiqued.

This unit builds on previous knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods typically used in generating psychological knowledge. In discussing methodologies the ethical conduct of research is emphasised, particularly in relation to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines. Understanding is consolidated through critical evaluation of published studies and the development of psychology research proposals.

This unit examines the continuum of mental health and introduces different types of psychological disorders. Diagnostic classification systems, epidemiology, and aetiological models pertaining to different psychological disorders are explored. Psychological intervention strategies used to treat psychological disorders and improve psychological wellness are introduced with reference to relevant scientific literature and clinical application.

The unit introduces students to cultural issues in psychology. We will draw on theoretical frameworks and concepts from cross-cultural and cultural psychology to critically examine psychology’s cultural roots and to examine the ways in which culture influences psychological functioning. The role of culture, worldview, and other contextual factors in shaping realities and adaptations to contexts will be considered. In particular, a major aim of the unit will be to explore our own cultural makeup and to promote the development of a psychology that is sensitive to cultural diversity.

Psychological literacy is the adaptive ability to apply psychology knowledge and skills. This unit enables students to become more psychologically literate as it is designed to be the culminating learning experience of the degree, by integrating the knowledge, skills and experience from previous studies in psychology and applying that to the world of work. The unit emphasizes the importance of values identification and clarification, knowing and being able to describe personal strengths and weaknesses, and ethical, values-based, reflexive and culturally appropriate practice.