| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Introductory Psychology A: Biological and Cognitive Psychology |
| Unit ID: | PSYCB1101 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (ATSGC1359 and BEHAV1002 and PSYCB1001) |
| ASCED: | 090701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit is designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the key psychological principles and theoretical underpinnings in contemporary psychology. The aims of the unit is to provide students with a foundational understanding of human behvaviour and its application in a variety of contexts. Unit content is delivered through a combination of online materials, textbook readings, and online classes. This material may be supplemented with other online resources. Online learning introduces significant theories and methodologies, while classes focus on applied skills in research, critical thinking, and writing, and prepare students for assessment work. Topics introduce students to the study of psychology and its application in a modern world. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify and describe theories, principles, and concepts in several major areas within psychology |
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| K2. | Review, discuss and appraise major psychological terms, methods, and research findings |
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| K3. | Identify, describe and interpret research techniques |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Critically review and evaluate the literature and interpret experimental findings |
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| S2. | Conduct, analyse, and communicate psychological research at a basic level |
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| S3. | Choose and apply the appropriate American Psychological Association (APA) conventions when describing psychological research |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Critically evaluate psychological literature and concepts |
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| A2. | Prepare a written assignment using APA conventions |
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| A3. | Communicate an understanding of key psychological principles and concepts |
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| Unit Content: |
This unit is designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the key psychological principles and theoretical underpinnings in contemporary psychology. Topics may include: Introduction to and research in psychology, biological psychology, sensation and perception, learning and memory, consciousness, cognition and language. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | N/A - Not Applicable |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Produce a written assignment requiring critical evaluation of the literature and following the appropriate conventions | Written Assignment | 30-50% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, S3, A3 | Online Tests: Review of lecture, laboratory, and readings content | Examination(s) and/or Online Tests | 10-30% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, S3, A3 | Final Exam or Online Test: Review of lecture, laboratory, and readings content | End-of-Semester Examination and/or Online Test | 20-40% | | 4. | K3, S2 | Practical or Written: Appreciation of Research Practice | Participation in Research or Short Review | 5-10% |
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