Students
PSYM7740 – Psychology of Driving
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
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
Julia Irwin
Ian Faulks
Lecturer
Mel Taylor
Joanne Bennett
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is concerned with the application of various psychological 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 do drugs: prescribed or 'recreational' affect driving? 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:
- ULO1: Understand the human factors that contribute to road crashes among different road users
- ULO2: Appreciate the interaction between human, road environment and vehicle factors contributing to road crashes
- ULO3: Distinguish the role of psychomotor, perceptual and cognitive skills in road use and the influence of drugs, developmental, attitudinal and motivational factors
- ULO4: Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours
- ULO5: Appraise the technological advances in transport and how they change our travel options and behaviours
General Assessment Information
Attendance to all the lectures during the 4 days of the course is compulsory. In the event of unavoidable non-attendance then students must submit an “Application for Special Consideration” which requires documentation after 3 days of absence. See relevant course administrator for the appropriate form to complete (Donna Keeley).
The essay will be submitted via Turnitin link on iLearn page. Requests for extensions should be made via ask.mq.edu.au
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online quiz | 10% | No | Throughout the session |
| Seminar presentation | 35% | No | Week 12 - October 26 |
| Essay | 55% | No | Week 13 2nd November |
Online quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Throughout the session
Weighting: 10%
There will be an online quiz relating to the lecture content in the course.
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
- Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours
- Appraise the technological advances in transport and how they change our travel options and behaviours
Seminar presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 12 - October 26
Weighting: 35%
Give a 20 minute talk on a pre-approved chosen topic relevant to the content of the unit.
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
- Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours
- Appraise the technological advances in transport and how they change our travel options and behaviours
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 49 hours
Due: Week 13 2nd November
Weighting: 55%
A 2500 word essay in which the student writes an evaluative review of two journal articles on a topic relevant to those covered in the course. This review will examine each article's methods, conclusions and contribution to our knowledge of traffic psychology
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
- Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques for studying road user behaviours
- Appraise the technological advances in transport and how they change our travel options and behaviours
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
Lectures will be presented on three continuous days of the unit (June 29, June 30 & July 1). Powerpoint slides of the lectures and any relevant additional readings will be available on the iLearn website. Zoom recordings of the lectures will be available in Echo on iLearn.
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 from Previous Offering
The face to face lectures have been replaced by Zoom lectures