Mind, Brain & Behaviour 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

512-120 Introductory Experimental Psychology 1 & 512-125 Mind, Brain & Behaviour 1

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1 focuses on the workings of the individual from a psychological perspective. It includes detail of the neural components constituting the brain, the operation of the sensory systems underlying interaction with the external environment and the cognitive processes that construct the internal world experienced by the individual. Careful consideration will be given to the nature of this internal world and the importance of its relationship to the external world.

The course is designed to raise significant questions prompting students to think about behaviour and to explore possible answers. Students will be introduced to the tools used in psychology to find answers to these questions. A common research-centred framework is adopted and the statistical tools that support this framework are introduced and developed as an integral part of the course. Psychology derives its approaches and questions from both science and the arts.

One three hour examination comprising multiple-choice questions to be undertaken in the University examination period. (60%)

Laboratory assignment(s) of not more than 2000 words to be submitted during the semester. (40%)

Students must complete all components of the assessment and achieve an aggregate score of 50% in the subject to be eligible for a pass.

Participation in three hours of research activities and attendance at 80% or more of laboratory classes are hurdle requirements.

Eysenck, M.W. (2004) Psychology: An International Perspective Hove, Sussex, UK: Psychology Press/Palgrave Macmillan

Smyth, T.R. (2004) The Principles of Writing in Psychology Basingstoke, Hampshie, UK: Palgrave Macmillan

Gravetter, F.J. & Wallnau L.B. (2004) Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences (6th ed.). Belmont CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1 students should be able to:

• apply analytical skills to new issues;
• apply a hypothesis testing approach to new questions, including formulation of a research question, collection of relevant observations, analysis and interpretation of data using basic descriptive statistics to arrive at a conclusion; communicate the findings of empirical studies.