HPS121 - Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: 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 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2 hour online lecture per fortnight |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2 hour online lecture per fortnight |
| 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. |
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.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| ULO2 | Develop research literacy, by sourcing and understanding appropriate journal articles relevant to a research topic. | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO3 | Construct and effectively communicate a rationale for an empirical study in the form of a written report. | GLO2: Communication |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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% |
|
| Assessment 2: (Individual) APA-style lab report assignment Part B: Results, discussion, and abstract | 1200 words | 35% |
|
| Assessment 3: End-of-unit assessment | 90 minutes | 30% |
|
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 HPS121 can be found via the University Library.
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.