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Social and Personality Psychology
UndergraduateMAQ-PSYX22342024
Previously MAQ-PSYX234
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Learn to bring a scientific lens to personality and social psychology using theories and research. Take a critical approach as you consider differences in the two fields, evaluate existing knowledge and look into controversies within these areas.
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Social and Personality Psychology
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Analyse, critique, and discuss topics and research related to the study of social and personality psychology
- Effectively communicate a breadth of understanding of social and personality psychology to convey thoughtful, scientifically driven information
- Apply personality and social psychology knowledge with cultural sensitivity, recognising the influence of broader contextual factors on diverse individuals
- Apply ethical knowledge and skills to concepts related to the study of social and personality psychology as reflective scholars
- 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
In this unit, you will be introduced to the scientific study of social and personality psychology, and how it differs from common sense or a lay understanding of the field. 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. You will gain an ability to critically evaluate the current scientific knowledge within personality or social psychology, including current controversies in the field.
- Audio recorded group presentation (20%)
- Qualitative analysis task (30%)
- Course capabilities reflection (10%)
- Invigilated examination (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
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-2024 - 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
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PSYX234, PSY234
Pre-requisite (PSYX104 and PSYX105) or (PSYC104 and PSYC105) or (PSYU1104 and PSYU1105) or (PSYX1101 and PSYX1102 and STAX1103)
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
PSYU2234 Social and Personality Psychology
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.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-PSY-DEG