HPS121 - Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 1: Online
Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Community Based Delivery (CBD)*, Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Travis Harries
Trimester 2: Ashlee Curtis
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: HPS662, HPSM121
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 2 hour online lecture per fortnight
1 x 1.5 hour on-campus seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 2 hour online lecture per fortnight
1 x 1.5 hour online seminar per week

Note:

*National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only.

Drop-in Q&A online sessions will be scheduled throughout the trimester; see the unit cloud site for more details. 

Content

Introductory to Psychology: Individual and Social Development focuses on the science of the human individual in context. Different theoretical perspectives of psychological concepts relating to how we function as individuals in a social world are contrasted and evaluated throughout the unit.

We begin by looking at how we - as both biological and social beings - develop throughout the lifespan as we explore the complex interaction between biological and environmental influences. Various theoretical perspectives are applied to explore what makes up our individual personalities, and how personality is assessed. The impact of psychological disorders on individual and societal wellbeing is considered, and the different therapeutic approaches used to treat these disorders are analysed. We then examine the power of situational, societal, and cultural influences on behaviour.

The Introductory to Psychology: Individual and Social Development teaching team aim to deliver challenging and fascinating psychological concepts in a way that you can apply to your own personal experiences, future study and career. In the class series, the unit will incorporate the content areas into a holistic understanding of the interactions and relationships between the topics, all within the context of psychology as a scientific discipline. The seminar series will enable you to develop real-world applied skills that will help you work through the unit as well as expose you to some of the processes involved in working as an allied health professional. The assessment tasks are designed to help you develop industry-related skills and knowledge.

Students may do the two introductory psychology units in either order or do either unit individually.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Demonstrate an understanding of core psychological concepts, theories, and models in relation to individual and social development, with a focus on Indigenous perspectives.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO2

Develop research literacy, by sourcing and understanding appropriate journal articles relevant to a research topic.

GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management

ULO3

Construct and effectively communicate a rationale for an empirical study in the form of a written report.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Accurately describe the research process for an empirical study in the form of a written report such that a technically qualified person could follow.

GLO2: Communication

ULO5

Accurately interpret and present statistical output from an empirical study in the form of a written report.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO6

Develop critical thinking in evaluating the findings and communicating the limitations and implications of an empirical study in the form of a written report.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Trimester 1, Trimester 2 and Trimester 3:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: (Individual) APA-style lab report assignment
Part A: Introduction and method
1000 words 35%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2:  (Individual) APA-style lab report assignment
Part B: Results, discussion, and abstract
1200 words 35%
  • Week 10
Assessment 3: End-of-unit assessment 90 minutes 30%
  • End-of-unit assessment period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS121 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.