Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

School of Psychology

Subject Outline
PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B
6cp

Spring Session 2011

Mode of delivery: On-campus
Campus: Wollongong
Pre-requisite(s): PSYC 121
Co-requisite(s): PSYC 123

Section A: Subject Information

Subject Description
This subject is a prerequisite for enrolment in second year psychology subjects. The subject examines the
way in which individuals perceive and learn about their world, the ways in which personality influences
behaviour, the nature of psychological dysfunction, and the role of psychology in influencing health. Topics
covered include perception, learning, cognition, intelligence, indigenous psychology, personality, and
psychology of abnormality.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
(a) describe and apply psychological theories concerning the relationship between the person and their world
(b) be able to conduct a research project, write research reports, analyse and interpret research findings

Subject Contacts
Subject Coordinator
Name: Dr Christopher Magee
Location: School of select School , Building 31, Room 131
Consultation times: Check Office Door
Telephone: 61 2 4221 3716
Email: [email protected]

Lecturer
Name: Dr Nadia Crittenden
Location: School of select School , Building 41, Room 145
Consultation times: Check Office Door
Telephone: 61 2 4221 4515
Email: [email protected]

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

© University of Wollongong 2011. All rights reserved.
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 Lecturer
Name: Dr Harold Hill
Location: School of select School , Building 41, Room 133
Consultation times: Check Office Door
Telephone: 61 2 4221 4073
Email: [email protected]

Lecturer
Name: Dr Nadia Solowij
Location: School of select School , Building 41, Room 150
Consultation times: Check Office Door
Telephone: 61 2 4221 3732
Email: [email protected]

Lecturer
Name: Dr Leonie Miller
Location: School of select School , Building 41, Room 128A
Consultation times: Check Office Door
Telephone: 61 2 4221 4454
Email: [email protected]

Head Tutor
Name: Priscilla Almada
Location: School of select School , Building 41, Room 139B
Consultation times: TBA
Telephone: 61 2 4221 4511
Email: [email protected]

Subject Timetable
All timetable information is subject to variation, with last minute room changes due to change in enrolment
numbers being the most common. Check the latest information on the university web timetable at via the
Timetable link under Study Resources on the Current Students webpage or log into SOLS to view your
personal timetable prior to attending classes, particularly in the first few weeks of session.

Attendance/Study time
On-campus students: It is expected that students will allocate 12 hours per week to this
subject, including class attendance. Class attendance is not an assessable component for the purposes of
accumulating marks, but attendance at certain classes may be compulsory and failure to meet attendance
requirements may result in a Technical Fail for the subject– please see Section B: Assessment Information for
details.

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

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Timetable of Topics
Week Week Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Tutorial Assessment Task
start date
1 25/07/2011 Introduction Personality No Classes
(Dr Crittenden) (Dr Crittenden)

2 01/08/2011 Personality Personality Introduction

(Dr Crittenden) (Dr Crittenden)

3 08/08/2011 Personality Indigenous Report Writing 1

(Dr Crittenden) Psychology
(Dr Gillies)

4 15/08/2011 Learning Learning Lab Exercise 1 Data

(Dr Hill) (Dr Hill) Collection

Report Writing 2

5 22/08/2011 Perception Perception Learning Quiz – Report

(Dr Hill) (Dr Hill) Demonstration Writing (10%)

6 29/08/2011
RESEARCH WEEK RESEARCH WEEK RESEARCH WEEK
No classes No classes No classes

7 05/09/2011 Perception Perception Lab Exercise 1 Lab Exercise 1:

(Dr Hill) (Dr Hill) Discussion Introduction and
References
Visual Perception (10%)

8 12/09/2011 Abnormal N Abnormal Dot point

Psychology Psychology introduction and
(Dr Solowij) (Dr Solowij) Hypotheses

Clinical Vignettes

9 19/09/2011 Abnormal Abnormal Clinical Vignettes

Psychology Psychology
(Dr Solowij) (Dr Solowij)

Brea 26/09/2011
k
10 03/10/2011* Abnormal Abnormal Lab Exercise 2 Data Lab Exercise 1:
Psychology Psychology Collection Results and
(Dr Solowij) (Dr Solowij) discussion
(12%)
11 11/10/2011 Cognition Cognition Lab Exercise 2 Data
(Dr Miller) (Dr Miller) Return

12 17/10/2011 Cognition Cognition Cognition

(Dr Miller) (Dr Miller)

13 24/10/2011 Cognition Cognition Lab Exercise 2 Quiz Lab Exercise 2

(Dr Miller) (Dr Miller) Quiz (15%)

* Monday 3rd October is a NSW Public Holiday

Textbooks and Supplementary Materials

Prescribed Text

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

© University of Wollongong 2011. All rights reserved.
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Weiten, W. (2010). Psychology: Themes and variations (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

O’Shea, R.P., Moss, S.A., & McKenzie, W.A. (2007). Writing for psychology (5th ed.). South Bank, Vic:
Thomson.

Supplementary Materials to Be Purchased by Students

None

eLearning Space
This subject has materials and activities available via eLearning. To access eLearning you must have a UOW
user account name and password, and be enrolled in the subject. eLearning is accessed via SOLS (student
online services). Log on to SOLS and then click on the eLearning link in the menu column.

For information on eLearning, click on the eLearning@UOW link on the Current Students page.

eReadings
Electronic readings for this subject are available through the library website. Visit the Catalogue via the
Library link on the UOW homepage or see staff at the Information Desk in the Library for information and help
with eReadings.

Graduate Qualities
Information on the UOW Graduate Qualities can be found at via the Learning and Teaching link on the UOW
homepage. The University of Wollongong has developed five graduate qualities which it considers express
valuable qualities that are essential for UOW graduates in gaining employment and making an important
contribution to society and their chosen field. Student development of the following graduate qualities in
particular will be enhanced by their participation in this subject:

1. Informed: Have a sound knowledge of an area of study or profession and understand its current
issues, locally and internationally. Know how to apply this knowledge. Understand how an area of
study has developed and how it relates to other areas.
2. Independent learners: Engage with new ideas and ways of thinking and critically analyse issues.
Seek to extend knowledge through ongoing research, enquiry and reflection. Find and evaluate
information, using a variety of sources and technologies. Acknowledge the work and ideas of others.
3. Problem solvers: Take on challenges and opportunities. Apply creative, logical and critical thinking
skills to respond effectively. Make and implement decisions. Be flexible, thorough, innovative and aim
for high standards.
4. Effective communicators: Articulate ideas and convey them effectively using a range of media.
Work collaboratively and engage with people in different settings. Recognise how culture can shape
communication.
5. Responsible: Understand how decisions can affect others and make ethically informed choices.
Appreciate and respect diversity. Act with integrity as part of local, national, global and professional
communities.

The Student Guide is available on the HBS Central website, which is accessed by navigating the links
on the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences homepage.

Recent Improvements to this Subject

Change: Assessments more closely integrated with PSYC 123.

Reason: To facilitate a better understanding of psychological research, report writing, and how statistics and
research methods play an important role in psychology.

Other Information
Students should refer to the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences Student Guide for general
advice and information.

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

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Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B
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Section B: Assessment
Minimum Requirements for a Pass in this Subject
To receive a clear pass in this subject a total mark of 50% or more must be achieved. In addition, students
must meet all of the minimum performance requirements as listed below. Failure to meet any of the minimum
performance requirements is grounds for awarding a Technical Fail (TF) in the subject even where total marks
accumulated are greater than 50%.
A mark of 45-49% will be awarded a grade of Pass Conceded (PC) or Pass Restricted (PR).

Minimum Academic Performance: A Technical Fail (TF) grade will be awarded for the subject even where a
student gains a total mark that would otherwise allow a passing grade if a student meets one or more of the
following criteria:

 does not attempt all assessment tasks

Minimum Attendance: student attendance at tutorials, practicals seminars and/or simulations is

compulsory and students must attend at least 80% of classes. Absences will require a medical certificate
or other suitable documentation which must be presented to your tutor as
soon as practical after the absence has occurred. Students who do not meet minimum attendance
requirements may be awarded a Technical Fail (TF) for this subject.

Minimum Participation: Student participation in tutorials, practicals and/or seminars is not an

assessable component of this course. Students who do not meet minimum participation requirements may be
awarded a Technical Fail (TF) for this subject.

Students who do not meet the overall minimum performance level requirements outlined above may be given
a Technical Fail (TF) grade on their academic transcript even where the total marks accumulated are 50% or
higher. Where a Technical Fail is awarded, the grade is displayed as TF but a mark is not displayed on the
academic transcript. For the purposes of calculating a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) a TF is allocated a
mark of 44.

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

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Details of Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1 Report Writing Quiz

Format In-class test
Due date Week 5 tutorial
Weighting 10%
Length 20 multiple choice questions
Details More information will be provided in tutorials

Assessment 2 Lab Exercise 1: Introduction and Reference List

Format Written report in APA Style
Due date Week 7
Weighting 10%
Length 750 words max. (this word count does not include the reference list)
Details of this assessment will be supplied in class and through the PSYC 122 eLearning
Details
site
Submit hardcopy of your assignment
Submission
to your tutor/demonstrator in class

Assessment 2 will be marked using the following criteria:

1. Correct format for in-text citations 2%
2. Correct format for reference list 2%
3. Logical organisation of material 2%
4. Appropriateness of material to hypotheses 3%
5. Hypotheses in correct form 1%

Assessment 3 Lab Exercise 1: Abstract, Results, Discussion, and Revised Introduction

Format Written report in APA Style
Due date Week 10 tutorial
Weighting 12%
Length Up to 1000 words
Details of this assessment will be supplied in class and through the PSYC 122 eLearning
Details
site
Submit hardcopy of your assignment
Submission
to your tutor/demonstrator in class

Assessment 3 will be marked using the following criteria:

1. Revised introduction, which incorporates all corrections suggested by the tutor 2%
2. Abstract 1%
3. Appropriate organisation of results section 2%
4. Discussion (interpretation of results, linking findings back to the research reviewed in the introduction) 5%
5. Presentation (e.g., clarity of writing) 2%

Assessment 4 Quiz : Lab Exercise 2

Format In-class test
Due date Week 13 Tutorial
Weighting 15%
Length 30 multiple choice questions
Details More information will be provided in tutorials

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

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Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B
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 Assessment 5 Research Participation
Format Research Participation
Due date End of Week 13
Weighting 3%
Length 3 hours of research participation during session
In recognition of the time off you get during research week (Week 6), Psyc122 students
are invited to contribute three hours’ research participation at any time during this
semester (i.e., participation need not necessarily be during research week). Up to 3% of
course credit will be awarded for research participation (0.5% for each ½ hour of
participation). Information on research participation and the online sign-up system will be
Details discussed in tutorials.

Please see
http://www.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@health/documents/doc/uow02545
7.pdf
for an alternative to participation.

Assessment 6 Final Exam

Format Final exam
Due date Exam Period
Weighting 50%
Length 115 Multiple Choice Questions
Details The final exam will cover all lecture material and relevant textbook chapters

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

© University of Wollongong 2011. All rights reserved.
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Submission of Assignments
Specific submission instructions have been included in the “Details of Assessment Tasks” section of this
outline. A School of Psychology assignment cover sheet (available from the
pamphlet board in Building 41 foyer) must be attached to all assignments and all sections of the cover sheet
must be completed. Receipts will be issued on submission of assignments and students are required to retain
this receipt until they have received the final mark for that assessment task. The receipt is the only proof of
submission of assignments and students will be required to produce this in the event that an assessment task
is considered to be lost. Students are also expected to keep a copy of all their submitted assignments in the
event that re-submission is required.

Students must submit their assignments personally. Posted, emailed or faxed submissions will NOT be
accepted.

Due Date
Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due in class on the due date specified for the assessment task.

Late Submission
Late submission of an assessment task without an approved extension of the deadline is not acceptable.
Marks will be deducted for late submission at the rate of 5% of the total possible marks for that particular
assessment task per day. This means that if a piece of work is marked out of 100, then the late penalty will be
5 marks per day (5% of 100 possible marks per day). The formula for calculating the late penalty is the total
possible marks x 0.05 x number of days late. For example:

Student A submits an assignment which is marked out of 100. The assignment is submitted 7 days late. This
means that a late penalty of 35 marks will apply (100 x 0.05 x 7). The assignment is marked as per normal out
of 100 and is given a mark of 85/100, and then the late penalty is applied. The result is that the student
receives a final mark of 50/100 for the assignment (85 (original mark) – 35 marks (late penalty) = 50/100 (final
mark)).

Student B submits a report which is marked out of 20. The report is submitted three days late. This means that
a late penalty of 3 marks will apply ((20 x 0.05 x 3). The report is marked as per normal out of 20 and is given
a mark of 17/20, and then the late penalty is applied. The result is that the student receives a final mark of
14/20 for the report (17 (original mark) – 3 marks (late penalty) = 14/20 (final mark)).

For the purposes of this policy a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) will be regarded as two days.

No marks will be awarded for work submitted either: a) after the assessment has been returned to the
students or b) more than two weeks after the due date, whichever is the sooner. Notwithstanding this,
students must complete all assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard and submit them, regardless of
lateness or loss of marks, where submission is a condition of satisfactorily completing the subject.

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

© University of Wollongong 2011. All rights reserved.
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Extensions
An extension of time to submit assignments can only be granted by the subject coordinator in exceptional
circumstances. Pressure of work, either from employment or from other studies, is not an acceptable reason
for seeking an extension of time. Carefully note the due date for each assignment and plan your work so that
deadlines can be met.

Students seeking an extension must submit an application for academic consideration through SOLS with
appropriate documentation PRIOR to the deadline for submission of the assessment task.

Assessment Return
Marked assignments will be handed out in class or be available for collection during academic consultation
hours OR according to the arrangement announced by the Subject Coordinator. In accordance with University
Policy marked assignments will usually only be retained by the Subject Coordinator/Tutor for 21 days after the
declaration of the marks for that assignment. After that time any uncollected assignments will be destroyed.

Supplementary Examinations
Supplementary examinations may only be permitted in extenuating circumstances such as verified illness
beyond the student’s control or for religious reasons. Students should log on to SOLS, click on the Academic
Consideration link, and request a supplementary examination.

Once students attempt any examination held in this subject, they are no longer eligible to sit a supplementary
examination for that specific assessment item. If performance in the exam was impaired due to illness or other
events, an academic consideration application should be submitted and these circumstances will be
considered.

Information on the process and dates for supplementary examinations is available via the Exams & Results
link on the Current Students webpage..

Students will not be permitted to sit supplementary examinations prior to the University’s scheduled
examination period.

Student Academic Consideration Policy

Academic Consideration is a process intended to help minimise the impact of serious or extenuating
circumstances beyond a student’s control which significantly impair a student’s ability to complete an
assessment task on or by the due date as stipulated in the Subject Outline or to progress academically in a
subject relevant to their course of study. Academic consideration may be granted on the basis of medical
grounds, compassionate grounds and/or extenuating circumstances.
It is not possible for academic consideration to compensate for every consequence of illness, injury, other
serious cause, or extenuating circumstance affecting a student’s academic progress. However, academic
consideration, where appropriate, may help to minimise the impact of such circumstances by providing a
mechanism to vary assessment requirements of a subject or to avoid some of the usual consequences of
failure in a subject.

To apply for academic consideration you must submit an application via SOLS, as well as relevant
documentation which is submitted in person to Student Central in Bld 17. The Subject Coordinator will be
automatically notified of your request once you have submitted documentation and they will approve or
decline your application. Students should log on to SOLS to see if their request has been approved. In the
event of a genuine emergency, you must notify the Subject Coordinator as soon as possible by whatever
means practical at the time, and follow with a formal academic consideration request as soon as you are able
to.

The full policy on Student Academic Consideration is found in the Policy Directory on the UOW website.

System of Referencing Used for Written Work

The School uses the American Psychological Association (APA) system of referencing, unless otherwise
specified for a particular assignment. A summary of this style can be accessed at

http://www.library.uow.edu.au/resourcesbytopic/UOW026631.html

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

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Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B
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Use of Internet Sources
Students are able to use the Internet to access the most current information on relevant topics and
information. Internet sources should only be used after careful critical analysis of the currency of the
information, the role and standing of the sponsoring institution, reputation and credentials of the author, the
clarity of the information and the extent to which the information can be supported or ratified by other
authoritative sources.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism means using the ideas of someone else without giving them proper credit. ALL work submitted for
assessment MUST BE YOUR OWN. The other person may be an author, a lecturer or another student. The
work may previously have been published in print or on the Web.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in the imposition of severe penalties. The University of
Wollongong has the power to reprimand and penalise any student found guilty of such offences. If plagiarism
is suspected, this will result in appropriate investigations.

“Students are responsible for submitting original work for assessment, without plagiarising or cheating, abiding
by the University’s Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy as set out in the University Handbook, the
University’s online Policy Directory and in Faculty Handbooks and subject guides. . Re-using any of your own
work (either in part or in full) which you have submitted previously for assessment is not permitted without
appropriate acknowledgement. Plagiarism has led to the expulsion from the University.”

To avoid plagiarism when using other people’s work, take care to reference appropriately. For assistance with
correct referencing technique, consult with your tutor or lecturer. The Learning Development Centre also
provides assistance to students on how to correctly reference.

Please note that you are required to sign a declaration on the assignment cover sheet, stating that you have
read and met the requirements for the assignment, that (except for group assignments) you have not
collaborated with other students, that you have not plagiarised and that, where you have used the work of
others, you have referenced it appropriately. Academic staff will return your assignment unmarked if you have
not signed the declaration.

The full policy on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism is found in the Policy Directory on the UOW website.

Section C – General Advice

Students should refer to the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences Student Guide for information
on policies, learning and support services and other general advice

The HBS Student Guide is available on the HBS Central website, which is accessed by navigating the
links on the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences homepage.

Students should also refer to the School of Psychology website for further guidelines and general
information. Students should make themselves familiar with the School Student Policy, also known
as the “Green Sheet” which is available on the School’s website.

Subject Outline: PSYC 122 Foundations of Psychology B

© University of Wollongong 2011. All rights reserved.
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