# Introduction to psychology/Psy102

Subject classification: this is a psychology resource.
Educational level: this is a tertiary (university) resource.
Completion status: this resource is considered to be complete.
Overview
Psy102 is a first-year undergraduate introductory psychology unit which was taught by James Neill, University of Canberra, July-Nov., 2009, with some materials free and open to all.
Websites
Moodle
Wikiversity
ucspace
MyPsychLab - Register
Unit description
This unit provides an overview of the following introductory topics in psychology:
motivation,
sensation and perception,
variations in consciousness,
intelligence,
cognitive processes,
therapies,
learning,
social processes,
intercultural and
indigenous psychology.
This unit is the second part of an Introduction to psychology sequence (see Psy101).
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit it is expected that students will be familiar with some of the major topics in psychology and be able to demonstrate knowledge of theory and research related to these topics. It is also expected that students will be able to communicate about behaviour and mental processes in a format acceptable for psychological writing.
Workload
The nominal expected workload is 150 hours (including in-class time, out-of-class study time, and assessment tasks).
Assessment
Assessment consists of:
Essay (45%)
Final exam (45%)
Fortnightly quizzes (10%)
Bonus marks (5%).
Yes, that could add up to 105% if you get the bonus marks!
Textbooks
Gerrig, R. J., Zimbardo, P. G., Campbell, A. J., Cumming, S. R., & Wilkes, F. J. (2008). Psychology and life (Australian edition). Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.
Smyth, T. R. (2004). The principles of writing in psychology. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Help/Support
For learning support, contact James Neill and/or post to the unit's talk pages. :

## Lectures
### Overview

* There were 11 x 2 hour lectures held at the University of Canberra, Semester 2, 2009.
* Lectures were presented by James Neill and a variety of guest lecturers from the Centre for Applied Psychology, University of Canberra.
* Lectures were largely based around corresponding chapter readings from the Gerrig et al. (2008) textbook.
* Some of the slides and handouts are available via the links to the lecture pages.
* Video and audio was streamed and recorded and was available to University of Canberra students. Lecture recordings by James Neill can be made available by request.

### Lecture topics
## Tutorials
### Overview

* Timetable: There will be 6 x 2 hour fornightly tutorials.
* Goal: The tutorial program aims to provide some practical experiences, expansion, and reinforcement of key topics covered in lectures and readings, although not necessarily in the same order.
* Attendance: Tutorial attendance is strongly recommended, but is not compulsory.
* Preparation/Reading: Students do not generally need to prepare or read ahead for tutorials (unless specifically instructed to do so). However, it would be advantageous to at least familiarise yourself with, and ideally read, the corresponding textbook chapter(s) beforehand and/or afterward.
* Correspondence between lectures and tutorials: Tutorial topics do not necessarily coincide with the timing of the corresponding lecture in part due to the availability of guest lecturers.
* Assessment: Assessment of content covered during the tutorials will be in the following fortnight's online quiz and the exam. There is no in-class assessment during tutorials.

### List of tutorial topics

| Week | Tutorial | Title |
| 02 | 01 | Consciousness and learning |
| 04 | 02 | Therapies for psychological disorders |
| 06 | 03 | Sensation and perception |
| 10 | 04 | Cognitive processes and intelligence |
| 12 | 05 | Motivation |
| 14 | 06 | Social processes, society and culture |

## Assessment

* An overall mark of 50% or higher is required to Pass the unit.
* All assessments are optional.
* Non-completed assessments will be awarded 0.

### Essay

* Psychology 102 Essay Writing Guide
* In theory, everything you need to know (including the marking criteria) about writing the Psychology 102 essay can be found in this guide! In practice, of course, that may or may not be true. So, if you can't find what you want, post to the Essay discussion forum. Also see the essay section on Moodle.
* Download: APA style template and cover sheet
* Ready to submit? Use the essay drop-box
* Overview
* Weighting: 45% of your final mark for this unit.
* Topic: Address one of the listed topics.
* Style: APA style
* Word count
* Maximum: 1,500 words plus 10% (i.e., 1,650 words). There is no minimum word count, but it is unlikely that short essays will succeed in answering the question(s).
* The word count is for the body of the essay - i.e., it does not include the Cover Sheet, Title Page, Abstract or the list of References. To work out your word count, highlight everything from the end of the Abstract to the start of the References (thus, yes, in-text citations are part of the word count).
* A penalty of 10% (of the total possible essay mark) per 200 words over the maximum limit may be applied.
* Submission
* Drop-box: Submit a single file electronically via the unit's Moodle website. If you do not know how to submit your essay electronically, please seek help from Moodle support or Library services.
* Due date: 5pm Monday 21 September 2009 (Week 10) - Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
* Include the unit’s official assignment coversheet as page 1-2; this includes a declaration of originality. Download the APA style essay template with cover sheet
* Acceptable file formats: .rtf, .doc, or .docx format
* Only submit an electronic copy - do NOT submit a hard copy.
* Late submission penalty: Late submissions (without an approved extension) will incur a 5% penalty per day (7 days/week), i.e., after 20 days no marks are available.
* File name: Name the file Firstname Surname Topic.doc (or .docx or .rtf) e.g., Kevin Rudd Dreaming.doc
* Marking and feedback
* You will receive feedback via Moodle.
* Feedback and marking of essays submitted on time will be returned via Moodle approximately 4-5 weeks after submission.
* Essays submitted after the due date, regardless of whether an extension was granted, will be returned at a later date than those submitted on time. This may mean that students submitting a late essay will not have their essay results before the final examination.
List of essay topics
Topic
Question
Category
1
How can behaviour modification be used to break a habit? Explain with reference to psychological theories and research.
Learning
2
What are "smart drugs" (also see "cosmetic neurology")? Do smart drugs "work" and if so, how and for what types of tasks and people? What are the risks? Discuss with reference to psychological theories and research.
Neuroscience, Learning
3
Why do we dream? Discuss with reference to psychological theories and research.
Consciousness
4
What are the short and longer-term psychological effects of physical exercise and what causes these effects? Discuss with reference to psychological theories and research.
Therapies, Sport psychology
5
What are the human psychological effects of contact with animals? Discuss with reference to psychological theories and research.
Therapies, Environmental psychology
6
What is pain? What psychological treatments are recommended for physical pain management and how effective are they? Discuss with reference to psychological theories and research.
Therapies, Physiological psychology
7
What are the effects of "sensory deprivation"? Discuss sensory deprivation research in relation to sensation and perception theories.
Sensation and perception :
Marking criteria (100%)
Your essay will be marked according to the following weightings and marking criteria:
Abstract & title (10%)
A unique, descriptive title which accurately indicates the content of your essay - should appear on the Title Page
Abstract effectively summarises the essay
150 words maximum
Argument (20%)
Answers all parts of the question
Clearly states argument and main points
Logical argument, with progression of ideas
Draws essay together in a sound and concise conclusion
Theory (20%)
Argument of essay is supported by theory
Relevant psychological theories are summarised in appropriate detail
Critically evaluated cited theories
Research (20%)
Argument of essay is supported by research
Relevant psychological research is summarised in appropriate detail
Critically evaluated cited research
Referencing (10%)
References are cited in appropriate places using APA style
Reference list is presented in APA style
Appropriate reference material is used (see tips below)
For further information, see the recommended text (Smyth, 2004) or the 5th edition of the APA Publication Manual (available in the library)
Referencing tips
The core content of the essay should be based on peer-reviewed journal articles and/or edited book chapters. Remember, you should be striving to demonstrate that you've accessed and used the highest quality academic material in relation to the essay question.
However non-peer-reviewed articles and textbooks may be used as supplementary references. Supplementary references (e.g., non-peer reviewed references, secondary sources) provide adjunct support for your argument, but your main conjectures should preferably be supported by the citation of peer-reviewed, primary references.
Can the textbook be cited? Yes, but remember that the textbook is not a primary source, i.e., it summarises primary sources (such as journal articles and edited book chapters). Access and cite primary references as much as possible, but you can use the textbook as a supplementary reference.
There is no age restriction for references in Psychology 102. What matters primarily is the relevance and quality of the references used. However, it would also be desirable for meeting the theory and research requirements that you demonstrate familiarity with recent/current literature.
How many references should be used? What really matters is not the number of references, but rather their quality and also how well they are used to help address the topic / answer the question. A relatively small number of number of high quality references (e.g., references that are directly related to the topic, are relatively recent, and are based on theory and/or research from peer-reviewed sources) which are used to support support the essay's claims would be far preferable to a relatively large number of somewhat tangential or low quality references which are dumped into the essay rather than integrated into the argument. For those who want a more precise rule of thumb - probably each paragraph should include one or more references and/or roughly use at least one reference per 150 words.
Presentation (20%)
Overall impression
Neatness
Layout
Minimal use of quotes
Written in third person (not I/me/my/us/we/our/you/your)
Spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Paragraph construction and quality of written expression
Followed APA style :
* Extensions
* Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Extensions will not be granted on the grounds of:
* Academic or employment workload.
* Computing problems (e.g., hard drive failure). It is strongly recommended that you keep multiple backups of your essay drafts and material.
* Requests will require appropriate documentary evidence e.g.,
* Medical: A medical certificate signed by a registered medical, dental, or health practitioner, with:
* The registered provider number
* Provider’s contact details
* Duration of the student’s incapacity to study, and
* Date(s) of consultation; or
* Compassionate: A bereavement notice, letter from employer, statutory declaration, or copy of accident report
* Extension requests can be submitted in either of two forms:
* Via email message to the unit convener. The email must include:
* Student Name and ID and Unit name
* Student contact details: Email and phone
* Reason for requested extension
* Length of requested extension
* Attached documentary evidence (e.g., scanned medical certificate)
* Via a hard copy "Request for Extension" form
* Obtain this form from the Centre for Applied Psychology administrative assistant (Room 3B25).
* Fill out the form, attach documentary evidence and place it in the unit convener’s mailbox.
* You will receive an email reply to indicate whether or not your request is approved.
* Lecturers may grant an extension beyond the end of the semester only until the first day of the examination period. The Head of Centre must approve all extensions beyond this date. Such extensions will be granted only in very exceptional circumstances.
* FAQ
* See also: Essay discussion forum
* Can I focus on an example?
* Use some examples - but be selective - the examples should be chosen so as to illustrate the essay's main points.
* If done well, this can be an interesting and effective way of addressing the essay question. However, be warned - do not overly indulge in examples to the detriment of addressing the broader aspects of the essay. The #1 mistake in undergraduate essays is not addressing the question - and overly focusing on examples is one way the essay question is sometimes avoided. If the question doesn't ask you to focus specifically on one example, then a more general answer is probably expected (with some illustrative examples along the way).
* 1,500 words isn't enough
* Be (carefully) selective - aim to focus only on the key points and main features of the related research and theory literature. Writing a 1,500 word essay is, in many ways, harder than writing a 3,000 word essay. Choosing what to focus on (and what not to focus on) is really important.
* Whose my audience?
* Imagine the target audience is 1st year psychology students - e.g., aim your essay as a new section in an introductory psychology textbook. What would you want to read? I would like a concise overview of the issue/topic, an explanation of the main theory and research in the area and the conclusions that can be drawn, with referencing along the way to the key primary sources and perhaps some examples where they help to explain key points.
* I can't access some articles
* If you identify possible references that you can't access through the university library, send the details to the convener who will arrange to get the article or chapter added to e-Reserve.
* How to get help proofreading
* The unit convener and tutors are not available for proofreading draft essays. You may be able to discuss and get general advice from the convener and tutors about your approach to the essay and/or you may wish to ask more specific questions. If you would like to get your essay proofread, then several possible options exist, including but not limited to:
* The Health Learning Resource Centre
* The Academic Skills Program
* A fellow student / study buddy

### Exam

* Weighting: The final exam for is worth 45% of your final mark for this unit.
* The final exam will take place Wed 18 Nov 2-4pm (Gym)
* The exam will assess knowledge of the lectures, tutorials, and associated reading content from the entire unit.
* No materials (books, notes and calculators) will be allowed - however, a general English language or foreign dictionary is permitted (Unannotated Non-Electronic Dictionary (English/Foreign)), plus please bring your student ID card, several pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener.
* The exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions (in 2 hours).
* Practice exam questions are available at the end of each chapter in the Gerrig et al. (2008) textbook, MyPsychLab and the six fortnightly quizzes.
* Requests for deferment should be directed to the examinations office.
* Further details about the exam were provided during the final lecture and on Moodle

### Quizzes

* Weighting: The quizzes are worth 10% of your final mark. Your best five quiz scores will each count for 2% (i.e., your worst quiz score is dropped). Non-completed quizzes will get 0.
* Schedule: There will be 6 x 10 minute fortnightly online Moodle quizzes (available in Weeks 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-16).
* Quiz content: Each quiz will:
** Assess knowledge of content covered in the preceding fortnight's lectures, tutorials, and readings.
** Consist of approx. 10 questions randomly selected from a larger test bank.
** Have a 10 minute time limit.
** Be available for a fortnight (Sunday midnight to Sunday midnight).
** Allow one attempt per student.
* Practice quizzes: See MyPsychLab.
* Extensions None available.

#### Online fortnightly quiz schedule
### Bonus marks

Students may earn up to an extra 5% towards their final mark via research participation and by completing their Moodle profile.

#### Research participation

* Research participation: 1% per study or hour (for long studies). Staff members, honours and postgraduate research students often require participants for their psychology research projects. In return for participation in approved research projects this semester, you will receive up to 5% towards your total mark for this subject. Note: There is no guarantee how many studies will be available or how long each study will be available for - this is at the discretion of the researchers conducting the studies. Most studies will run early in semester. Evidence of participation must be submitted by the end of semester (Friday October 30 5pm, Week 15).
* A list of research studies. Availability of new studies will be announced via Moodle. Studies may also be advertised on the Psychology noticeboard, outside room 3B25 (the Psychology administration office) and/or during lectures.
* To get credit for online studies, submit your student ID details online at the end of the survey. Your ID details will then be given to the Unit Convener who will upload the research participation marks into the Moodle gradebook for you to check. This should be done in the week after semester ends - an announcement will be sent out when these marks become available.
* To get credit for offline studies, at the end of the research session, the researcher will provide the student with a Research Project Participation (RPP) slip which must be signed by the researcher. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all details are correctly recorded on the RPP slip. Students are required to collate the RPP slips they acquire throughout the semester. Please DO NOT submit individual RPP slips. Submit all your offline research participation slips together with a signed Assignment Cover sheet to the Centre for Applied Psychology Assignment Box (3B25) by the end of semester (5pm Friday October 30, 2009, Week 15). You may also use any Semester 1, 2009 RPP slips which weren’t used for credit in Psychology 101. Students are strongly advised to keep a copy of RPP slips for their own records.

#### Moodle profile

Moodle profile: 1%. Provide a complete Moodle profile by the end of the end of Week 7 (5pm Friday September 4, 2009). The unit convener will systematically grade all profiles after the due date (there is no need to "submit" your profile). A complete Moodle profile (examples: James Neill, Samantha Jarvis, Amelia Thomsett) will be considered to consist of all of the following:
* A profile picture (preferably of yourself)
* A minimum 200 word profile of yourself
* A minimum of 10 interests (in the separate interests box, separated by commas; this allows you to connect with others who list similar interests)
The main point of the exercise is to encourage/facilitate you relatively early on in your university student career to carve out a little bit of social identity for yourself and to set yourself up to network electronically with other students and staff.
For more info, see (docs.moodle.org)
Return to Moodle @ UC

#### Examples of bonus marks

* Case 1: 0% bonus marks: Jemima didn't participate in any research studies and didn't add a Moodle profile.
* Case 2: 3% bonus marks: Jeff participated in a three hour long research study (3%) and did not add a complete Moodle profile (0%).
* Case 3: 5% bonus marks: Jenny participated in four research studies (4%) and added a complete, meaningful Moodle profile (1%).