Social and Personality Psychology

About this subject

What you'll learn

• Topics covered

  • 1. Introduction to the unit; Introduction to Personality Research
  • 2. Post-Freudian Psychodynamic Accounts; Attachment Theory and Personality
  • 3. Neuropsychoanalysis; Trait Approaches
  • 4. Evolutionary Theory and Personality; Humanistic and Positive Psychology
  • 5. Personal Construct Theory; Application and Revision
  • 6. New Directions and Evaluation; Personality Theory and Assessment
  • 7. Introduction to Social Psychology Research
  • 8. The Social Self ; Person Perception
  • 9. Attributions; Errors and Biases in Judgement
  • 10. Emotion; Disgust
  • 11 Group Influence
  • 12. Power and Status

• Description

  This is an introduction to theory, research and applications in the scientific study of social and personality psychology. The personality section of the unit provides an in-depth background to the prominent theories of personality and examines recent developments in personality research. The section on social psychology covers foundational scientific research in social psychology, focusing on developments in the three general domains of social thinking, social influence and social relations. The objectives of this subject involve acquiring a basic understanding of the principal theories, key empirical research, and basic issues in the fields of social and personality psychology. Overall, the following specific knowledge and skills are expected to be acquired from this unit:- an understanding of how the scientific approach to personality and social psychology differs from common sense or lay understanding;- an awareness of research methods used in personality and social psychology research; an ability to construct an overall critical evaluation of current scientific knowledge within personality or social psychology;- an understanding of the principal personality theories, research, and the controversies that arise in this field; and- an understanding of the key theories and research in the domains of social cognition, social influence and social relations.

• Assessments

  • Tutorial - Participation in fortnightly tutorial activities (Pass/Fail)
  • Qualitative analysis task (20%)
  • Mid-session online test (30%)
  • Invigilated examination (50%)

• Textbooks

  For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).

• About Macquarie University

  This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.

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Entry requirements

Part of a degree

To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:

Core

• MAQ-PSY-DEG-2023 - Bachelor of Psychology

Prior study

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

one of

• MAQ-STAX1103-Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics

• MAQ-PSYX1105 (Not currently available)

and one of

• MAQ-PSYX104 (Not currently available)

• MAQ-PSYX1104 (Not currently available)

• MAQ-PSYX1101-Introduction to Psychology I

and one of

• MAQ-PSYX105 (Not currently available)

• MAQ-PSYX1105 (Not currently available)

• MAQ-PSYX1102-Introduction to Psychology II

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• MAQ-PSYX234 (Not currently available)

Others

Additional requirements

• Other requirements -

  Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.