Students

PSY 440 – Psychology of Driving

2015 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Julia Irwin
Eugene Chekaluk
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
PSY490 or PSY495
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is concerned with the application of psychology theories in the context of driving. How do theories of perception, attention and risk-taking explain why some road accidents occur? What effect does a driver's age have on their risk of having an accident, and why? How can we develop methods to change risky attitudes and behaviours?

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Assignment 1 60% 02/11/2015
Seminar Presentation 30% 19/10/2015
Class participation 10% Weeks 27 and 43

Assignment 1

Due: 02/11/2015
Weighting: 60%

There is a choice of topics. One essay requires students to examine different methodological approaches used in studying driver behaviour; and the other topic requires students to identify an unsafe road-user behaviour and discuss it from a human factors perspective.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Seminar Presentation

Due: 19/10/2015
Weighting: 30%

Students can slect a topic either from those covered in the unit or one of their choosing, with approval from units chairs. PowerPoint file and any accompanying notes will be submitted on the day of your presentation. Each presentation be be 15 minutes in length + 5 minutes for discussion afterwards


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Class participation

Due: Weeks 27 and 43
Weighting: 10%

It is expected that students will attend lectures and participate in seminars


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Delivery and Resources

This unit is taught as a workshop. There are three consecutive days of lectures presented by the unit convenors and guest lecturers. The lectures are not recorded so attendance at the workshop is compulsory; but students will have access to material from the course posted on iLearn. Later in Session 2 there will be a fourth day of the workshop when students will give a presentation based on a topic in the area that they have researched.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Seminar Presentation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Seminar Presentation
  • Class participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Seminar Presentation
  • Class participation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Seminar Presentation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Seminar Presentation
  • Class participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment task

  • Assignment 1

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Seminar Presentation
  • Class participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
  • use theoretical models to conceptualise the behaviour of road users
  • understand the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Presentation
  • Class participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
  • appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
  • distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors

Assessment task

  • Class participation

Changes since First Published

Date Description
22/06/2015 I amended the description of Assignment 1 - the 3,00 word essay