Students
PSYX1101 – Introduction to Psychology I
2021 – Session 1, 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 activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mehmet Mahmut
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to the discipline of psychology through a focus on the physiological bases of behaviour; learning; motivation; the nature of personality and psychopathology; and cross-cultural and Indigenous psychology. The unit conveys information about substantive material, and assumptions of theory associated with the science and profession of psychology through lectures and tutorial/practical classes. A further important aim of the unit is to develop students' competency in critical thinking and essay writing in psychology. |
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 research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
- ULO2: Apply communication, interpersonal and team skills in written assignments and by working with fellow students on group tasks and discussions on assignment tasks.
- ULO3: Apply information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
- ULO4: Demonstrate critical thinking skills through discussion of competing theories of psychological phenomena.
- ULO5: Display an appreciation of Ethical Issues from class discussions and participating in research.
- ULO6: Demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of key concepts in psychology.
General Assessment Information
Essay
Due: Week 8 (may change) Weighting: 30%
An essay examining a key concept in psychological research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- By the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
- By the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills (developed through written assignments, interactions in tutorial groups, and working with class members on assignment tasks).
- By the end of the unit, students will have developed information technology skills (developed through practical assignments and experience with the web-based elements of the course).
- By the end of the unit, students will have developed critical thinking skills (developed through discussion of competing theories and application of the scientific method to understand psychological phenomena).
Research Participation
Due: End of Week 13 Weighting: 10%
Four hours of research participation in studies being conducted by staff members, research assistants, postgraduate students and honours students in the Department.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- By the end of the unit, students will have developed information technology skills (developed through practical assignments and experience with the web-based elements of the course).
- By the end of the unit, students will have developed an appreciation of Ethical Issues (developed in class discussion of ethical issues in research and exposure to actual participation in research).
Final Exam
Due: Session 1 exam period Weighting: 45%
A 2.5 Hour Multiple-Choice Exam of 100 Questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- By the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
Lecture Quizzes
Due: Week 7 and Week 13 Weighting: 15%
Two quizzes (worth 7.5% each) on lecture and related readings. Each quiz consists of 25 multiple-choice questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- By the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research participation | 10% | No | Week 13 |
| Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training | 0% | Yes | Week 2 |
| Essay | 30% | No | Week 8 |
| Online Quizzes | 15% | No | Week 7 and Week 13 |
| Final Examination | 45% | No | Week 13 |
Research participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
Participation in research studies (or an alternate research activity).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
- Display an appreciation of Ethical Issues from class discussions and participating in research.
Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 2
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Completion of an online module for Cultural Safety Training
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply communication, interpersonal and team skills in written assignments and by working with fellow students on group tasks and discussions on assignment tasks.
- Apply information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
- Display an appreciation of Ethical Issues from class discussions and participating in research.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
A psychology essay, critically reviewing a key concept or finding in psychological research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
- Apply communication, interpersonal and team skills in written assignments and by working with fellow students on group tasks and discussions on assignment tasks.
- Apply information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills through discussion of competing theories of psychological phenomena.
Online Quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7 and Week 13
Weighting: 15%
Two online multiple choice quizzes testing understanding of unit content.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
- Apply information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of key concepts in psychology.
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 45%
Final examination held within the University’s formal exam period, in accordance with relevant requirements.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate research and study skills (developed through planning research assignments, achieving study goals, and meeting deadlines).
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills through discussion of competing theories of psychological phenomena.
- Display an appreciation of Ethical Issues from class discussions and participating in research.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of key concepts in psychology.
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
Delivery:
1 x 2-hour lecture each week
1 x 1.5 hour tutorial most weeks
Required Textbooks*:
1. Title: Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding (Revel).
2. Publication manual of the American psychological association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2001. Available via MQ Library
*Note that required texts may change so check the iLearn page for list final required textbooks before making any purchases.
Online resources:
iLearn website: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
This unit was previously called PSYX1104, and included a strand of learning content called Research Design, which no longer exists in the current (and future) offerings of the unit.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook