Students
PSYX3350 – The Psychology of Human Relationships
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Julie Fitness
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
PSYX234 or PSYX2234 or PSY234 or PSYU2234
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Human beings are fundamentally social creatures who depend on one another for their survival and well-being, both physical and psychological. Everyone is born with powerful needs for love, friendship and belonging; similarly, we fear and avoid rejection, loneliness and the disapproval of others. Despite the central role they play in our lives, however, developing and maintaining happy and healthy relationships with family members, spouses, friends and even workmates is not easy, and professional psychologists spend the bulk of their time dealing with clients' relationship problems. This unit examines a variety of relationship topics from a social psychological perspective including attraction, love- and mate selection; kinship, friendship and enemyship; jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness; communication, conflict and aggression; and the processes involved in relationship breakdown and repair. Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on critically examining so-called 'pop' psychological approaches to relationships, and students are encouraged to examine the complexities of relationship structures and processes from different cultural perspectives.
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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:
- ULO1: Demonstrate your ability to explain contemporary issues in human relationships from a psychological perspective, with reference to relevant literature.
- ULO2: Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations of issues in the field of human relationships.
- ULO3: Demonstrate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of research methods used in relationship research.
- ULO4: Apply findings from empirical research on relationships to real-world relationship issues in a reflexive, culturally-sensitive manner.
- ULO5: Analyse and critique so-called pop-psychological approaches to relationships from an informed, scientific perspective and effectively communicate findings.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Report | 25% | No | 28/8/20 |
| Essay | 35% | No | 6/10/20 |
| Final Examination | 40% | No | Final examination period |
Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 28/8/20
Weighting: 25%
Students submit an 800 word report critically reviewing relevant psychological literature on a relationship-related issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate your ability to explain contemporary issues in human relationships from a psychological perspective, with reference to relevant literature.
- Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations of issues in the field of human relationships.
- Apply findings from empirical research on relationships to real-world relationship issues in a reflexive, culturally-sensitive manner.
- Analyse and critique so-called pop-psychological approaches to relationships from an informed, scientific perspective and effectively communicate findings.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 6/10/20
Weighting: 35%
The essay of 1300 words assesses students’ ability to critically evaluate scientific knowledge and formulate a coherent and intelligent discussion of a relevant issues within the psychology of human relationship.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate your ability to explain contemporary issues in human relationships from a psychological perspective, with reference to relevant literature.
- Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations of issues in the field of human relationships.
- Demonstrate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of research methods used in relationship research.
- Apply findings from empirical research on relationships to real-world relationship issues in a reflexive, culturally-sensitive manner.
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 44 hours
Due: Final examination period
Weighting: 40%
Final examination held within the University’s formal exam period, in accordance with relevant requirements.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate your ability to explain contemporary issues in human relationships from a psychological perspective, with reference to relevant literature.
- Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations of issues in the field of human relationships.
- Apply findings from empirical research on relationships to real-world relationship issues in a reflexive, culturally-sensitive manner.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Prescribed text:
Fletcher, G., Simpson, J., Campbell, L., & Overall, N. (2013). The science of intimate relationships. New York: Wiley-Blackwell.
Note: 2nd edition is available but a second-hand copy of the 1st edition is fine.
Important reference text:
Simpson, J., & Dovidio, J. (Eds.) (2015). APA Handbook of personality & social psychology: Volume 3: Interpersonal relations. American Psychological
Association: Washington, DC.
Useful sources (there are many more in the library):
Ciarrochi, J., Forgas, J., & Mayer, J. D. (Eds.) (2006), Emotional intelligence in everyday life (2nd ed.). New York: Psychology Press.
Fletcher, G. J. O., & Clark, M. (Eds.) (2001), Blackwell handbook of social psychology (Volume 2): Interpersonal processes. MA: Blackwell.
Forgas, J. P., & Fitness, J. (Eds.) (2008). Social relationships: Cognitive, affective, and motivational processes. NY: Psychology Press.
Hart, S. L., & Legerstee, M. (2010). Handbook of jealousy. UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Leary, M. (Ed.) (2000). Interpersonal rejection. NY: Oxford University Press.
Noller, P., & Feeney, J. (Eds.) (2006). Close relationships: Functions, forms, and processes. New York: Psychology Press.
Noller, P., & Karantzas (2012) (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of couples and family relationships. UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Reis, H., & Rusbult, C. (Eds.) (2004). Close relationships: Key readings in social psychology. New York: Psychology Press.
Sprecher, S., Wenzel, A., & Harvey, J. (2008). Handbook of relationship initiation. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Sternberg, R., & Weis, K. (2006). The new psychology of love. NH: Yale Uni. Press.
Vangelisti, A. (Ed.) (2013). Routledge handbook of family communication. NY: Routledge.
Vangelisti, A., & Perlman, D. (Eds.) (2018). The Cambridge handbook of personal relationships. NY: Cambridge University Press.
Useful Journals:
Journal of Family Psychology
Journal of Marriage and the Family
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
Personal Relationships
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Personality and Social Psychology Review
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 22/07/2020 | Change to staff contacts. |