University of Sydney Handbooks - 2018 Archive

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Psychology

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology program

A program in Psychology requires 60 credit points from this table including:
(i) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(ii) 6 credit points of 3000-level core units
(iii) A 48 credit point major in Behavioural Sciences. Note that the above units must be taken in addition to those chosen in the major

Units of study

The units of study are listed below.

2000-level units of study

Selective
PSYC2010 Brain and Behaviour

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3x1hr lectures and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2011, PSYC2911, PSYC2910 Assessment: 1x2hr examination, 1x1500 word report, 1 x quiz, 1 x oral presentation/debate (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This Unit of Study examines a range of phenomena and principles in behaviour, learning and perception, abnormal psychology and their relations to underlying neural substrates. The emphasis in learning is on instrumental conditioning and the principle of reinforcement, ranging from applications of this principle to its neural substrates. Also covered are motivational aspects of behaviour, such as punishment and avoidance. The Abnormal Psychology section will focus on emotional and motivational disorders, such as anxiety and depression, addiction, sex and appetite, together with related neurochemical mechanisms and the effects of various psychopharmacological agents on these processes. A number of perceptual phenomena will be studied, such as motion detection, recognition of faces, identification of emotion, hearing and hearing loss, taste discrimination, and chronic pain. The practical classes are designed for students with an interest in clinical and therapeutic Psychology, and will allow students to design and implement a behaviour modification programme.
Textbooks
Bouton, M.E. (2007). Learning and Behavior: A Contemporary Synthesis. Sinauer.
PSYC2910 Brain and Behaviour (Advanced)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ian Johnston Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3x1hr lectures and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: A mark of at least 75 in PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2011, PSYC2911, PSYC2010 Assessment: 1x2hr examination, 1x1500 word report, 1 x quiz, 1 x oral presentation/debate (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This Unit of Study focuses on the Behavioural Sciences, Neurosciences, Abnormal Psychology and the study of perception. The lecture content is the same as PSYC2011, and examines a range of phenomena and principles in behaviour, learning and perception, and their relations to underlying neural substrates. The emphasis in learning is on instrumental conditioning and the principle of reinforcement, ranging from applications of this principle to its neural substrates. Also covered are motivational aspects of behaviour, such as punishment and avoidance. The Abnormal Psychology section will focus on emotional and motivational disorders, such as anxiety and depression, addiction, sex and appetite, together with related neurochemical mechanisms and the effects of various psychopharmacological agents on these processes. A number of perceptual phenomena will be studied, such as motion detection, recognition of faces, identification of emotion, hearing and hearing loss, taste discrimination, and chronic pain. The practical classes differ from PSYC2011, as it is targeted for those who would like to learn more about the experimental study of behaviour and the neurosciences. Students will gain hands-on laboratory experience in how the principles and phenomena of behavioural neuroscience may be studied experimentally.
Textbooks
Bouton, M.E. (2007). Learning and Behavior: A Contemporary Synthesis. Sinauer.
PSYC2013 Cognitive and Social Psychology

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, major assignment (1500-2000 word essay/report), minor assignment (short written practical exercise and/or tutorial quiz) (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit expands the depth and range of topics introduced in the first year lectures on Cognitive Processes, Social Psychology and Developmental Psychology. The section on Cognitive Processes focuses on current theories of memory, attention, and reasoning and discusses the methods and issues involved in investigating these processes in both healthy individuals and people with cognitive dysfunctions. The second section on Social Psychology examines salient social constructs such as impression management, and prejudice, and explores how mental processes affect social judgment and behaviour. The final section on Developmental Psychology presents and evaluates evidence about the early influences on children's social and cognitive development.
PSYC2014 Personality and Psychology Assessment 1

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, major assignment (1500-2000 word essay/report), minor assignment (short written practical exercise and/or tutorial quizzes and/or class presentation) (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The main aim of this course is to introduce students to a number of influential theories in personality and intelligence. Students will be exposed to some conceptual analysis and will be expected to gain an understanding and be able to examine critically the various theories covered. Furthermore, students will be introduced to key topics in the scientific study and assessment of individual differences (Psychometrics) in personality and intelligence. The course will cover both conceptual (e.g. validity and reliability) and applied (e.g. Factor Analysis) elements of statistical psychometric inference.

3000-level units of study

Core
PSYC3010 Advanced Statistics for Psychology

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC2012 plus at least one other Intermediate Psychology Unit of Study from PSYC2010, PSYC2910, PSYC2011, PSYC2911, PSYC2013, PSYC2014 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, class tests, practical exercises (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study expands upon students' knowledge of the general linear model and its applications in the analysis of data from psychological research. The first half focuses on multiple regression and its extensions, which are used when the primary interest is to predict or explain a particular variable based on a set of other variables. The second half of the course introduces students to contrast analysis as an extension of ANOVA, which allows for more focused analysis of data where group comparisons are the primary interest.
Textbooks
Keith, Z. T. (2006). Multiple Regression and Beyond. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.