Unit Outline

This unit integrates behavioural science principles with design methodologies to address complex "wicked problems" rooted in human behaviour. Students will explore how attitudes, values, habits, and decision-making processes influence individual and collective actions, and how design can effectively intervene to facilitate positive change. The unit examines cognitive processes including perception, heuristics, and decision-making frameworks, alongside the frictions and motivations that drive or inhibit behavioural patterns.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Explain how cognitive processes, heuristics, and social factors influence human decision-making using behavioural science theories.
2	Apply behavioural frameworks to diagnose barriers and identify intervention opportunities in real-world problems.
3	Evaluate behavioural interventions by assessing their effectiveness, ethics, and potential unintended consequences.
4	Design and prototype evidence-based interventions that address barriers and create measurable behavioural change.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Behavioural Analysis and Opportunity Mapping	Week 6	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Behavioural Intervention Design and Prototype	Week 10	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Behavioural Design Strategy and Impact Evaluation	Week 12	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Behavioural Analysis and Opportunity Mapping

Task Description:

Conduct a comprehensive behavioural analysis of a specific climate-related or social equity challenge. Choose from the following scenarios:
1. Transportation choices in urban environments
2. Household energy consumption behaviours
3. Food waste and consumption patterns
4. Fast fashion consumption and disposal
5. Digital equity and access behaviours

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Depth of understanding of behavioural science concepts	LO1
2	Application of appropriate frameworks to analyse behaviour	LO2
3	Quality of research and behavioural insights	LO2
4	Identification of meaningful intervention opportunities	LO4
5	Critical thinking about ethical considerations	LO3
6	Communication and visual presentation of behavioural analysis	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Behavioural Intervention Design and Prototype

Task Description:

Based on one of the behavioural opportunities identified in Assessment 1, design and prototype a behavioural intervention that addresses the climate or social equity challenge. Your intervention should apply evidence-based design approaches to facilitate measurable behaviour change.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evidence-based application of behavioural design principles	LO2
2	Innovation and appropriateness of intervention design	LO4
3	Quality of design execution and prototype	LO4
4	Critical evaluation of intervention effectiveness and ethics	LO3
5	Consideration of implementation feasibility and context	LO4
6	Communication of design decisions and rationale	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Behavioural Design Strategy and Impact Evaluation

Task Description:

Develop a comprehensive behavioural design strategy for creating long-term sustainable change in your chosen problem space. Your strategy should incorporate your intervention from Assessment 2 within a broader system of behavioural touchpoints and include a detailed impact evaluation framework.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Strategic integration of behavioural science and design principles	LO1
2	Comprehensiveness of behavioural change approach	LO2
3	Quality of evaluation framework and measurement approach	LO3
4	Critical analysis of ethical implications and mitigation strategies	LO3
5	Feasibility and potential impact of proposed strategy	LO3
6	Professional communication and presentation of complex behavioural design strategy	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.