Understanding how people think and behave is one of the greatest challenges facing science. Considering brain processes and the biological constraints on behaviour is vital in discerning human behaviour and subsequent behavioural pathology. There are three lecture streams: Cognitive Psychology, The Biological Basis of Behaviour, and Research Design & Statistics.

Some of the questions that we would cover would be: The ethics of human and animal research - do scientific gains justify human and non-human research? Scientific theory and objectivity - can you become a more clever consumer? Heredity and behaviour - is behaviour hardwired, are people born bad? Phineas Gage lost the entire front of his brain: he survived but it changed his behaviour - what does brain damage tell us about brain function and human behaviour? In two minds - what happens to behaviour when the pathway between the two brain hemispheres is cut? Brain plasticity - can different parts of the brain assume new behavioural roles if other areas are damaged? Smoking, spiders, rats and sex - how do positive and negative consequences shape behaviour? Memory and memory processes - why do we remember, how do we forget, and what is the best way to study for an exam? Language and communication - does language shape thought? We know about 60000 words, how do we recognise, read and manipulate these words, how does the brain deal with it? Chomsky vs. Skinner - is language innate? 10% of the population has dyslexia - what is dyslexia and what do we know about it? Attention and attentional blindness - it is what you see but don't perceive that is important.

Can you study the mind scientifically? In compulsory laboratory classes you will develop skills in the planning, implementation, analysis and presentation of psychological research.

No prerequisite knowledge is required for this course, nevertheless it is anticipated that students enrolling in PSYC1003 will also enrol in PSYC1004. Completion of both PSYC1003 and PSYC1004 is required for most later year psychology courses. All lectures are digitally streamed and lecture content is available on line. 

Honours Pathway Option

Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course convenor. The Department of Psychology has major research strengths in three fields: social psychology, cognition and perception, and clinical/health psychology. In the Honours Pathway Option (HPO), first year students have the opportunity to explore work on advanced topics related to one of these broad areas. PSYC1003 students who take the HPO are required to prepare and develop a scientific presentation on an area of psychological science relating to cognition and perception. (PSYC1004 offers similar opportunities in other areas of psychology).

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Report, analzye and integrate information on the biological basis of behaviour, cognitive process, and research methods and statistics in psychology
2. Express a knowledge of the foundations of research and methods in cognitive and biological psychology
3. Review and integrate the relevant material in cognitive psychology or biological psychology; construct an argument; develop hypothesis. Report properly an experiment in cognitive psychology or the biological basis of behaviour
4. Discuss research findings in cognitive and biological psychology
5. Use statistical and research methods
6. Understand and report on the nature and practice of psychological research in an ethical environment.

• Laboratory quizzes (30%; LO 2, 5, 6)
• Research report (25%; LO 1- 6)
• Research participation (5%; LO 6)
• Final exam (40%; LO 1, 2, 5)
• HPO students: a poster presentation is an additional assessment item in 2009.

Three hours of lectures per week and nine 2-hour laboratory classes spread across the semester, plus four hours of research participation (or equivalent).

PSYC1001A and PSYC1001B

Burton, Westen, & Kowalski (2009). Psychology: Australian and New Zealand Edition (second edition) (text) + study guide + CD + Writing Guide (PACKAGE)

Haslam & McGarty (2003). Research Methods & Statistics in Psychology, Sage.