Unit Outline

The lectures examine aspects of overt social behaviour, such as two-person encounters, behaviour in small and large groups and inter-group relations. Research in social cognition, which studies people’s perceptions and interpretations of the social world, will also be presented. Unit topics include: attribution theory, decision-making, and social dilemmas; social aspects of emotion; the development and measurement of attitudes; aggression; pro-social behaviour; and prejudice. Practicals provide experience in social psychological research, placing an emphasis on the areas covered in lectures, and the applied nature of social psychology is emphasised throughout the unit.

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	Identify and explain social psychology phenomena and research
2	Apply social psychology theories and concepts to explain cognitions, emotions, and behaviours, and how these may be influenced by culture
3	Apply skills in research design, critical thinking, and analysis to investigate social psychology constructs
4	Communicate social psychology concepts and research to lay and academic audiences

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	PSY111 AND an additional 12.5 points at introductory level
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KHA207

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	Online Quizzes	Week 4	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Applied Responses	Week 4	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Proposal Plan Review	Week 7	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Research Proposal	Week 11	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes

Task Description:

3 x Online, multiple choice quizzes assessing content from the modules and textbook content.
Quiz 1: 10 Questions assessing module and textbook content - Due Week 4
Quiz 2: 10 Questions assessing module and textbook content - Due Week 8
Quiz 3: 10 Questions assessing module and textbook content - Due Week 12

Task Length:

3 x 10-item multiple choice quizzes with an enforced time limit of 30 minutes per quiz.

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify, define, and explain social psychology concepts	LO1
2	Apply social psychology theories, constructs, and research to explain cognitions, emotions, and behaviours, and solve problems	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Applied Responses

Task Description:

Prepare written responses for 3 set questions related to unit content between Weeks 3 and 13 (questions are subject to change each semester and are provided to students on MyLO in Week 1). 550 words absolute maximum per response (including citations to relevant unit content throughout each response).
All 3 (THREE) of the submitted responses will be marked, worth 10% each.

Three applied responses will be due in Week 4, Week 7 and Week 10

Task Length:

Absolute maximum of 550 words per response (including citations to relevant unit content throughout each response)

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define and describe and effectively communicate relevant social psychology concepts	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Apply relevant social psychology concepts and methods to analyse and explain real-world scenarios	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Reflect, problem solve, and devise recommendations in the context of real-world scenarios	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Proposal Plan Review

Task Description:

This is a task that provides you with an opportunity to received feedback to inform the preparation of your Research Proposal assessment.
You should prepare a brief outline of your research plan for your Research Proposal Assessment to discuss at a synchronous practical session for feedback from instructors and peers.
This task receives the full 10% mark if submitted. The goal here is to ensure you have made sizeable and timely progress on your proposal planning, and to give you the opportunity to receive some early guidance on the quality and feasibility of these plans.

Task Length:

Complete provided template (approximately 300-400 words)

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Integrate evidence to define a research question, logical aims, and hypotheses for your proposed study.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Apply knowledge of research methods in social psychology to explain an appropriate design to address your hypotheses.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Research Proposal

Task Description:

Write a research proposal for an original experimental or quasi-experimental study dealing with some aspect of a set social psychology topic (topic subject to change each semester).’
1500 words absolute maximum (excluding title page, reference list, and appendices).

Task Length:

1500 words absolute maximum

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Integrate evidence to provide a rationale for the study, within the context of existing empirical research.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Develop and state research aims and hypotheses, which logically follow the rationale.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Apply knowledge of research methods in social psychology to explain an appropriate design to address your hypotheses.	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Scholarly communication and formatting	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.