PSY2010 Social Processes of Behaviour

PSY	2010	74665	1, 2008	ONC	Social Processes of Behaviour	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOSCI
Academic org:	FOS005
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	090701

Staffing
Requisites
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Nola Passmore
Moderator: Andrea Lamont-Mills

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: PSY1010 or Students must be enrolled in the following Program: GDPS

OTHER REQUISITES

Recommended pre-requisites: PSY1020 and STA2300. Email and internet access to USQConnect.

RATIONALE

This course introduces students to the scientific study of social behaviour, and to the process of empirical research and report writing as an essential skill for applied psychology.

SYNOPSIS

Social behaviour is introduced as the study of social processes at a number of levels from the individual level through to more broadly based social phenomena. Some of the major concepts and areas of social psychology are introduced (e.g., social research methods, socialisation, self-esteem, altruism, aggression, attitudes, communication, interpersonal relationships, family issues, prejudice, group processes, cultural considerations, leadership and social influence. This course has a strong research component and students will be required to write a research report in a style suitable for psychology as part of their assessment. Students will also require email and internet access to USQConnect for this course.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

identify major theories, concepts and facts from social psychology relating to social processes of behaviour which operate at the level of individuals, groups and society (Exam);
analyse and interpret social life by application of relevant theoretical concepts (Exam);
identify the effects of social influences on individuals in interpersonal, group, and other social settings (Exam);
apply scientific methods to selected areas covered in practical project (Practical Report);
write a research report that follows the style requirements of psychology (Practical Report).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Social processes of behaviour: Definitions, cultural considerations, and the social self.	8.33
2.	Socialisation, social cognition, and attribution theory.	8.33
3.	Environmental psychology.	8.33
4.	Language and communication.	8.33
5.	Attitudes and attitude change.	8.33
6.	Affiliation, attraction, and loneliness.	8.33
7.	Love, marriage, and family issues.	8.33
8.	Aggression.	8.33
9.	Prosocial behaviour.	8.33
10.	Groups, leadership and group decision-making.	8.33
11.	Social influence.	8.33
12.	Intergroup behaviour, prejudice and discrimination.	8.37

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

DeC Study Materials for PSY2010, which include an Introductory Book, Study Book, and Selected Readings.

Burton, LJ 2007, An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld.

Vaughan, G & Hogg, M 2008, Introduction to social psychology, 5th edn, Pearson Education, Frenchs Forest, NSW.
(Students can use either the 4th or 5th editions of the textbook by Vaughan & Hogg.)

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Other reference materials, including information relating to the practical report, are included in the Selected Readings.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Examinations	2.00
Lectures	24.00
Private Study	94.00
Report Writing	40.00
Tutorials	12.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
PRACTICAL REPORT		30.00	30.00	04 Apr 2008
2 HR RESTRICTED EXAM (M/C)		70.00	70.00	END S1	(see note 1)

NOTES

1.: Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures and tutorials) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. Students are also strongly advised to regularly access the online discussion group and course home page via their Study Desk on USQConnect.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course. The following cut-offs will be used in assigning grades: HD 85%, A 75%, B 65%, C 50%, F < 50%.
Examination information:
In a Restricted Examination, candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); Translation dictionary. Students whose first language is not English, may take an appropriate non- electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal by the exam supervisor and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the Semester 3 examination period.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9.	Students who do not qualify for a Passing grade may, at the discretion of the Examiner, be assigned additional work to demonstrate to the Examiner that they have achieved the required standard. It is expected that such students will have gained at least 45% of the total marks available for all summative assessment items.
10.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
11.	Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the Examiner.
12.	The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
13.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
14.	The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
15.	Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
16.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
17.	Students will require access to email and internet access to USQConnect for this course.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Email and internet access to USQConnect.

This version produced 27 May 2008.