Foundations of Psychology 2

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Abstract

PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2 complements with the introduction of core areas of psychology commenced in PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1. PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2 includes the following topic areas: i) motivation and emotion, ii) personality, iii) human development, iv) health, stress, and coping, v) psychological disorders and treatments, vi) social psychology, vii) cross-cultural psychology, and viii) Indigenous psychology with a focus on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Fundamental principles, theories, methods and research findings are studied. This subject also introduces students to basic statistics and research methods. A key aim of the subject is to develop students' competencies in interpreting basic statistical concepts and reporting research projects following the American Psychological Association guidelines.

Syllabus

The historical, theoretical, and methodological backgrounds to psychologyLife-span developmentSocial psychologyHealth psychologyMotivationEmotionPersonalityPsychological disorders and therapiesPsychology and cultureBasic research methodsStatisticsPresentation of empirical research findings

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge of the nature and the historical and philosophical development of psychology as a scientific discipline and as a profession;

be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge in the following core areas of psychology: i) motivation and emotion, ii) personality, iii) human development, iv) health, stress, and coping, v) psychological disorders and treatments, vi) social psychology, vii) cross-cultural psychology, and viii) Indigenous psychology with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge and critically reflect on cross-cultural and Indigenous psychology with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

be able to understand and apply a range of psychological theories, concepts, principles, and research findings, with the ability to communicate this effectively to others in various formats;

be able to develop and apply critical thinking skills in evaluating psychological literature and questioning claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions;

be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic statistical and research methods concepts and apply these to communicate the outcomes of a psychological research study;

be able to demonstrate an ability to critically reflect on and understand the ethical and practical aspects and processes of psychological research; and

be able to correctly apply the structure and conventions of a psychological research report following the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA).