512-121 Social, Develop. & Clinical Psychology 1

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject comprises five units.

Human development introduces issues concerning the nature of development across the lifespan: understanding development in terms of change and constancies; the forces which influence development; some major concepts and theories used in describing and explaining cognitive and social-emotional development.

Individual differences provides an introduction to the study of personality and intelligence. The four main approaches to personality are examined: psychoanalytic; type/trait; social-cognitive; humanistic. Issues in the measurement of personality are considered and issues associated with the conceptualisation, measurement and empirical investigation of intelligence are discussed.

Social psychology is an introduction to social psychology, with the following objectives: understanding of what the field of social psychology entails; understanding of what social psychologists do; broad coverage of representative samples of topics in social psychology; and understanding of the procedures, methods, and language of social psychology.

Introduction to clinical psychology aims to raise issues regarding the nature of abnormal behaviour and its social context in Victoria, including the impact of the Burdiken Report. It aims to explore different ways of conceptualising abnormal behaviour, understanding its aetiology and treatment options. In particular, the psychological problems of schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse will be examined.

Introduction to inferential statistics is taught in the laboratory program, and covers methods for drawing conclusions about populations from samples of data. Specific topics include confidence intervals; hypothesis generation and testing; student's t-tests; and an investigation of correlation and causation.

Assessment

An examination of not more than 2 hours comprising 105 multiple choice questions and covering all five components of the subject (75%).

Laboratory report or essay of not more than 2000 words (25%).

Participation in 3 hours of experimental work and attendance at 80% or more of laboratory classes (hurdle requirement). In the event that the hurdle requirement is not met, additional work will be required before a passing mark can be awarded.