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Unit outline_

PSYC3011: Learning and Behaviour

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit addresses the fundamental concepts and more important research findings related to contemporary theories of associative learning in animals and humans. It examines the application of such fundamental research to issues such as drug use and food choice, as well as their extension into AI development. It is designed to foster skills in reading primary sources in this area, and provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in carrying out a research project.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2010 or PSYC2910 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915) and PSYC2012
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PSYC3911
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Justin Harris, justin.harris@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Justin Harris, justin.harris@sydney.edu.au
Winston Tan, winston.tan@sydney.edu.au
Jessica Lee, jessica.c.lee@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
See the 'Assessment summary' below and Canvas site for details.
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz 1
See the 'Assessment summary' below and Canvas site for details.
5% Week 04 See Canvas for more details.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz 2
See the 'Assessment summary' below and Canvas site for details.
5% Week 06 See Canvas for more details.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz 3
See the 'Assessment summary' below and Canvas site for details.
5% Week 09 See Canvas for more details.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment AI Allowed Research Report
See the 'Assessment summary' below and Canvas site for details.
30% Week 10
Due date: 04 May 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Jun 2025
See Canvas for more details.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Tutorial Quiz 4
See the 'Assessment summary' below and Canvas site for details.
5% Week 12 See Canvas for more details.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial Quizzes (20%): Students will complete 4x Tutorial Quizzes (worth 5% each) based on the lecture content. If you miss any of the Tutorial Quizzes, you may apply for Special Consideration, from which the only outcome is a 'mark adjustment' of the Tutorial Quiz(zes) you missed. If you do not complete any of the Tutorial Quizzes and are not awarded Special Consideration, you will just receive 0 for the Tutorial Quiz(zes) you missed.

Research Report (30%): Students will write an APA-formatted report about an experiment ran in the unit. If you do not attempt the Research Report by the closing date, you may apply for Special Consideration, from which the only outcome is an 'replacement', details of which will be sent to you by the Unit of Study Coordinator by the end of the semester. If you do not attempt the Research Report by the closing date and are not awarded Special Consideration, you will just receive 0 for the Research Report. 

Final Exam (50%): Each lecture series will be assessed in a two-hour closed book exam held after the teaching period ends. The initial version of the Final Exam will consist of a mixture of multiple-choice and short answer questions. If you are approved by Special Consideration to miss the initial Final Exam, the Replacement Exam structure may vary. The Final Exam is a compulsory assessment, so if you do not attempt it, you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to learning and behaviour; History of associative learning, I Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 02 1. History of associative learning, II 2. The content of conditioning Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Introduction and laboratory Experiment 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 03 What conditions are necessary for conditioning?: contiguity and contingency. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Laboratory Experiment 2; and Experimental design discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Theories of conditioning: Variations in processing the CS or US. The Rescorla-Wagner model. Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Trial spacing and learning Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Learning about non-reinforcement: extinction and conditioned inhibition. Machine learning Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Discussion of laboratory experiments 1 and 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Latent inhibition; Perceptual learning and discrimination Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Initial Report Discussion; Using models of learning Pt 1 - Simple acquisition and extinction Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Generalisation Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Using models of learning Pt2 - Cue competition Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 08 Learning and attention; Contingency learning and causal reasoning Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Conditioning and cognition Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Final report discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Learning and drug use; Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Critical discussion: Conditioning and awareness Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 The placebo effect Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Drug use, tolerance & learning discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Food aversion learning; Flavour preference learning Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Recap, preparation for exam and short-answer question writing Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Social learning Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

For this Unit of Study, students are expected to attend a minimum 80% of tutorials.

Please note, the Tutorial Quizzes are held during tutorials, so to achieve the marks associated with the Tutorial Quizzes, you will need to attend the relevant tutorial, however failure to attend will simply result in forgoing the marks associated with the relevant Tutorial Quiz, there is no other consequence.

Also, as noted in the Assessment table, the Final Exam is a compulsory assessment, so a student who does not attend it and is not approved to miss it will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. gain an in-depth knowledge of the history of comparative psychology from Darwin to contemporary learning theory
  • LO2. understand contemporary learning theory and its application to the analysis of behavior in laboratory and applied settings
  • LO3. gain knowledge of basic conditioning phenomena and an understanding of the necessary and sufficient conditions to produce them
  • LO4. develop skills in designing, conducting, interpreting experimental research in associative learning
  • LO5. develop skills in critically evaluating research, theory, and their application
  • LO6. gain an understanding of how basic learning principles can be applied to clinical, health and other issues in human behavior.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - APAC
1.1.1. the history and philosophy underpinning the science of psychology and the social,
1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
LO2
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - APAC
1.1.12. research methods and statistics.
1.1.5. learning and memory
1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
LO3
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - APAC
1.1.12. research methods and statistics.
1.1.5. learning and memory
1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
LO4
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - APAC
1.1.12. research methods and statistics.
1.1.5. learning and memory
1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
LO5
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - APAC
1.1.12. research methods and statistics.
1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
LO6
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - APAC
1.1.12. research methods and statistics.
1.1.5. learning and memory
1.2. Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
1.4. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
1.6. Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The lecture programme is being extensively changed to introduce new content.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.