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PSYX1101 – Introduction to Psychology I

2022 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mehmet Mahmut
mem.mahmut@mq.edu.au
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%

The format of the final exam will be questions with multiple-choice response options..

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 content and related readings. Each quiz consists of 25 multiple-choice questions and students have 35 minutes to complete each quiz.

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).

Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours Due: Week 1 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.

 

Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty including weekends and public holidays, unless an extension has been granted through special consideration. No late submissions will be accepted more than 5 days after the submission deadline, unless special consideration has been granted. No further submissions will be accepted after the marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students.

All extensions need to be formally requested in line with the special consideration policy.

Students are expected to make themselves available for the final exam, at the date and time set by the University, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. 

 Word count penalty: 5% of the possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for the assessment task. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.

Submitting an essay and sitting the final exam is compulsory in order to be eligible to pass the unit. Any student who does not submit an essay and/or does not attempt the final exam will be granted a Fail Absent grade.

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research participation 10% No Week 13
Essay 30% No Week 8
Online Quizzes 15% No Week 7 and 13
Final Examination 45% No Final exam period
Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training 0% Yes Week 1

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.

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 information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
  • Apply communication, interpersonal and team skills in written assignments and by working with fellow students on group tasks and discussions on assignment tasks.
  • 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 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: Final exam period
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.

Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 1
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 information technology skills through practical assignments and using the web-based elements of the unit.
  • Apply communication, interpersonal and team skills in written assignments and by working with fellow students on group tasks and discussions on assignment tasks.
  • Display an appreciation of Ethical Issues from class discussions and participating in research.

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 Texts*:

1. Title: Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding (Revel).

2. Title: How to Write in Psychology (Findlay & Kaufman).

*Note that required texts may change so check the iLearn page for the final list of required texts 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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Grading

Macquarie University follow standards-based assessment of student performance. All individual assessment tasks are subject to moderation, consistent with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. A student’s final mark for this unit, and associated grade, must reflect their attainment of the unit learning outcomes, and isn’t necessarily a simple summation of their individual assessment items.

OUA policies

For information and administrative processes specific to OUA studies, please see this website: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 PSYU1104, 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 2022.02 of the Handbook