BEHV 1021 The Individual in Society

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101557

Coordinator Sky Hugman Opens in new window

Description This unit introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding the 'individual in society', including: humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and socio-cultural explanations of individual behaviour. These perspectives are further understood through application of the 'levels of analysis' framework. The content then moves on to social psychology and covers topics such as: self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience, prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships. Students explore the relevance of these topics to everyday life and contemporary issues.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Psychology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

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Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects BEHV 1002 - Interpersonal Interaction BEHV 1006 - Introduction to the Psychology of Health BEHV 1023 - The Individual in Society

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Identify the major perspectives in psychology and key social psychological theories and concepts;
Summarise levels of analysis and selected social psychological theories and concepts;
Apply key theories and concepts to everyday life and contemporary issues.

Subject Content

1. Major perspectives in psychology
2. Levels of analysis framework
3. Self and identity
4. Attitudes and attitude change
5. Prejudice and discrimination and inter-group behaviour
6. Social influence
7. Aggression and pro-social behaviour
8. Attraction and close relationships
9. Language, communication and culture

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item	Length	Percent	Threshold	Individual/Group Task
Reflection	800 words	25	N	Individual
Log/Workbook	Approx. 200 words per tutorial for 5 tutorials (monitored in-class)	20	N	Individual
Reflection	2000 words	40	N	Individual
Quiz	10 weekly quizzes, approx. 1 hour	15	N	Individual

Prescribed Texts

Griffin, T. (Ed.) (2016). The Individual in Society (3rd Ed.). North Ryde: McGraw-Hill. Https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/wsudt/detail.action?docID=4770233

Teaching Periods