Unit description
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
This unit provides students with a sophisticated appreciation of the foundations of statistical and methodological techniques in psychological research, as well as their application. Advanced statistical procedures will be addressed, including causal models in the form of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), the general linear model, multilevel modelling and models with latent variables, including factor analysis and structural equation
modelling.
In addition to gaining a conceptual understanding of these procedures, students will apply them to the practical analysis of data using statistical software.
Introduction to Cultural Psychology
This unit demonstrates the interdependent nature of human psychology and culture, how psychological processes and human behaviour are influenced by culture, and how culture is influenced by individuals and groups. It examines the relationship between culture and many of the topics that will be studied in future units such as cognition, developmental processes, personality and psychological disorders. The unit also introduces students to social psychological principles around group norms, interactions and stereotyping within and between groups.
Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
This unit introduces students to methods of research used to answer psychological questions. Students will explore basic approaches to research design and analysis, and epistemological issues that influence research. The aims of this unit are to provide a foundation of epistemological, historical and methodological issues in psychological science for understanding the process of psychological inquiry and to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to critically evaluate studies in the psychological literature.
Introduction to Psychological Science
Psychological science seeks to explore and understand the realms of human behaviour, emotion and thought using scientific methods that allow us to pose and answer questions about ourselves and our societies. Do IQ tests really measure intelligence? Why can I see colours? What causes schizophrenia? Why are some people intolerant of others? These and many other questions are addressed in modern scientific psychology, with this unit providing an introduction to the discipline of Psychology.
Psychology of Ageing
Psychology of Ageing is an advanced-level unit in developmental psychology, providing an overview of the field of psychology of ageing or geropsychology, including neuroscientific, psychological and social aspects of ageing. Psychology of Ageing will introduce theory and research on the psychology of ageing and will discuss clinical and practical issues pertaining to this aspect of human development.
In addition to pathological, psychological and social changes associated with ageing, this unit will discuss healthy ageing and how psychologists can contribute using psychological assessment, rehabilitation and treatment methods.
Psychology:
Abnormal Behaviour
This unit will introduce how abnormal behaviour is
defined, and will explore the symptoms, causes and treatment of common and less
common psychological disorders. These disorders and their treatments will be
conceptualised through various theoretical frameworks, including behavioural, cognitive,
neuropsychological and systemic
approaches. Current issues relevant to both clinical practice and research will
also be explored.
Psychology:
Biological Bases of Behaviour
This unit introduces students to the biological
foundations of human behaviour. Topics include the organisation and functions
of the nervous system, the role of drugs and neurotransmitters in this system,
the psychophysiology of motivational states such as sleep, temperature and
eating, and the biology of learning, addiction and mood disorders. Biological
influences on emotion and psychopathology and the impact of negative emotions
on health will also be addressed.
Psychology:
Cognitive Processes
In this unit, we will explore how the mind works,
aiming to understand basic processes such as how memories are encoded and
retrieved, and how our attention is focused and allocated. We will also work to
understand higher-level processes, such as how we create language and how our
experiences shape our perception. Broadly, we will investigate topics relevant
to our everyday experience, including attention, illusions, language, learning,
memory, neuroscience, perception and thinking.
Psychology:
Human Development
This unit examines human life span development from
conception through to death. The developmental theories are presented and the
biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial influences on the individual are studied
and integrated to understand the developing person. The unit aims to 1) provide
an overview of the nature and scope of developmental psychology, including
theories, research methodologies and applications, 2) promote understanding of
the developing person at different periods in the lifespan, and 3) develop
analytical skills regarding the application of human development research.
Psychology:
Individual Differences and Performance
This unit explores the major psychological
determinants of human performance with a focus on personality and motivation.
In the unit, we will consider the issues associated with conceptualising
and measuring performance and the lack of it.
The
complex relations between individual differences in personality, situational
factors and relationships, and motivation will be discussed. The application of
theory to practice will be investigated in various contexts where people seek
to optimise human performance.
Psychology: Measurement, Design and Analysis
This unit will provide students with knowledge of
fundamental concepts involved in data analysis, interpretation of published
research, psychological methods and research design. Students will develop
skills in assessing which designs and methods are appropriate to test different
hypotheses, understanding which types of analyses are most appropriate to
analyse different types of data, conducting analyses using statistical software
and communicating their results clearly.
Psychology: Social Bases
of Behaviour
This unit explores how we make sense of ourselves and
others, and how the “actual, imagined or implied” presence of others
influences our thoughts and behaviours. We will examine what social
psychology can tell us about fundamental questions like “who am I?” as
well as “real-world” topics like “why are people cruel (and when will
they be kind)?”. In doing so, students will learn about the major theories,
methods and classic studies of social psychology.
