Course coordinator
Dr Hannah Harley
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Music School
Music psychology involves the scientific study of how people think, feel and behave in relation to music. How and why people engage with music will be explored from different fundamental psychological perspectives including perception, emotion, thought, development, learning, and social processes. Prominent themes examined through the course include music performance, music learning, and music in everyday life. You will be active in developing and co-creating knowledge through participatory experiences in music psychology research and research process.
This course provides an introduction to the psychologyﾠof music. The course introduces theory and research relevant to developing an understanding of how people think, feel and behave in relation to music.ﾠ
In this course,ﾠyou learn how scientific approaches have helped to develop our understanding of music and musical processes within and across social and cultural contexts. Psychological perspectivesﾠincluding perception, cognition, emotion, development, and social processes will be overviewed. These perspectives will be explored as we focus on themes such as music performance, music learning, and music in everyday life.ﾠ
You will develop your understanding of music psychology topics and concepts with short pre-readings, in-class and music-based experiential learning activities, group discussions, research experiment participation, and critical reflection on learning.
Course requirements
Restrictions
Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 10 students enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Hannah Harley
Tutor
Dr Hannah Harley
Ms Olivia Cosham
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Project Week
The School of Music has a week dedicated to performances and projects. During this time, you take a break from regular classes run by the School of Music. Details are provided in Blackboard.
Aims and outcomes
This course developsﾠa base understanding of the psychology of music. This includes broad coverage of how theory and methods from the psychological sciences have helped to buildﾠour understanding ofﾠmusic,ﾠmusical processes, and human thought, feeling, behaviourﾠwithin and across different social and cultural contexts.
Through the course, students are introduced to research in music psychology in areas such as perception andﾠcognition, emotion, development, social processes, wellbeing and health, cultural perspectives, and music performanceﾠand education. Experiential learning activities will assist students to learn conceptsﾠand develop a first-hand understanding of the scientific approach to research and research processes.
This introduction to the psychology of music gives students a solid foundation from which to question, explore, and understand music as a multi-faceted,ﾠintegral component of life.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of the psychology of music field: scope, theory, key concepts and applications.
LO2.
Reflect critically on, and discuss psychology of music research as it relates to the various ways in which humans engage with music.
LO3.
Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific approach to research in the psychology of music: an ability to synthesise and critically discuss relevant research; conduct, report and discuss the findings of research.
LO4.
Demonstrate an ability to participate and engage in group activities, and critically reflect on learning and engagement through these activities
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Tutorial-Based Learning Reflection
|
20% |
2/03/2026 - 29/05/2026
The assessment is to be completed each week during your tutorial time. Each week is worth 2.5 marks, requiring only 8 out of 10 tutorials to receive full marks. |
| Quiz |
Quizzes
|
30% |
2/03/2026 - 30/05/2026
Secure assessment - quizzes completed during Weeks 5, 8 and 13 lecture sessions. |
| Essay/ Critique | Written Assignment | 20% |
2/04/2026 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Individual Research Report of Class Project | 30% |
29/05/2026 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Tutorial-Based Learning Reflection
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
2/03/2026 - 29/05/2026
The assessment is to be completed each week during your tutorial time. Each week is worth 2.5 marks, requiring only 8 out of 10 tutorials to receive full marks.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Tutorials run from Weeks 2-13, with the exception of the School of Music Project Week.
Students are expected to attend the tutorial sessions and engage fully in the activities, which are designed to assist their learning of course content. The tutorial activities are also designed to provide students with opportunities to work in groups and develop team work skills that are transferable to future study and career paths.
Each week students submit a short response to the questions presented in the tutorial. Questions focus on students’ reflections of their engagement and tutorial learning activities.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the assignment via Blackboard.
All assignments submitted electronically need to have a receipt to prove the submission date and time. Without a receipt, the Course Coordinator will consider that your assignment hasﾠnotﾠbeen submitted. Students are advised to check their emails for this receipt andﾠto verify the successful submission of the assignment in Blackboard.ﾠStudents encountering technical difficulties are advised to take screenshots of the issues encountered and contact the ITS Help Desk for support.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions are not available, as the assessment is based on engagement in weekly tutorials.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Marks will be forfeited for tutorials that are not attended.
Quizzes
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
2/03/2026 - 30/05/2026
Secure assessment - quizzes completed during Weeks 5, 8 and 13 lecture sessions.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
There will be three quizzes to complete in lecture time during the semester:
Quiz 1 will take place during the Week 5 lecture. Questions will be based on Weeks 2-5 pre-readings and lecture content.
Quiz 2 will take place during the Week 8 lecture. Questions will be based on Weeks 6-8 pre-readings and lecture content.
Quiz 3 will take place during the Week 13 lecture. Questions will be based on Weeks 10-13 pre-readings and lecture content.
The quizzes will include multiple-choice and short answer questions.
The multiple-choice questions (0.5 mark each) test your knowledge and understanding of course content. The short answer questions (2 marks each) assess your ability to apply a particular concept or theory to different situations or individual experiences.
Each quiz is worth 10 marks and will be open for 30 minutes.
Once all quizzes have been completed, marks will be aggregated to provide one overall result for the quizzes assessment.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission information for each quiz will be provided during the lecture session.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
An alternative supervised quiz will be arranged for students who can demonstrate exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the course coordinator.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Marks will be forfeited for lectures that are not attended.
Written Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
2/04/2026 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Choose a concept from the first half of Introduction to Music Psychology (Weeks 2-6) and use a generative AI tool to generate an initial informative essay on that concept. You will provide a clear and specific prompt for a generative AI tool, and receive its response in the form of an initial essay. You will read and evaluate this initial essay, provide suggestions for improvement, and revise the essay by incorporating your suggestions. You will also provide a summary of the changes and improvements that you made during the revision process and reflect on your personal learning outcomes from this assignment.
The aim of the informative essay is to educate the reader on a particular concept in the psychology of music field. Outline the key points on the concept, supported by relevant high-quality scholarly literature. The final essay must include at least six recent book chapters or journal articles (e.g. within the last 10 years). Do not rely on the textbook as a reference, but you may use the textbook to identify the original research on the chosen concept.
Essay Submission Structure
Your submission must be a single document, formatted with the following headings:
1. Title Page
- Assignment title
- Your name
- Student ID
- Course code and name
2. Chosen Concept and Prompt
- Clearly state the chosen concept from one of the 5 weekly lectures (Weeks 2-6) in relation to the psychology of music. Be sure to choose a concept (e.g., adaptations) from one of these lectures, not the entire topic of the lecture (e.g., evolutionary origins of music).
- Formulate a clear and specific prompt for a generative AI tool based on the chosen concept. Make sure to demonstrate what you’ve learned in the tutorial activities about how to formulate a decent prompt using a generative AI tool.
3. Initial Generative AI tool Generated Essay (length determined by tool) and your evaluation (400 words)
- Present the initial essay generated by the generative AI tool based on your prompt,
- Evaluate the initial essay by identifying its strengths and weaknesses,
- Provide specific suggestions for improvement.
4. Revised Essay (800 words)
- Include your revision of the initial essay produced by the generative AI tool. This means you rewrite the essay in your own words, making improvements according to your critical evaluation of the initial AI-generated Essay,
- The reference list (formatted according to APA 7th edition style) is not included in the word count for this section.
5. Personal Reflection (200 words)
- Reflect on your personal learning outcomes from this assignment,
- Discuss the potential and limitations of AI chatbots as learning tools
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
General Presentation
Format the Essay assignment as follows:
- Include page numbers in the top right-hand corner, beginning with the cover sheet
- Referencing style must use the APA system 7th edition style guide (in-text citation and reference list)
- Use 12 pt Times New Roman font
- Use 1.5 line spacing
- Margins 2.54cm (top, bottom, right, left)
For the assessment task, use an appropriate scholarly writing style and ensure that the material is appropriately referenced, and any uses of AI tools are referenced or acknowledged appropriately.
Submission guidelines
Submit the assignment via Turnitin by the due date.
All assignments submitted electronically need to have a receipt to prove the submission date and time. Without a receipt, the Course Coordinator will consider that your assignment hasﾠnotﾠbeen submitted. Students are advised to check their emails for this receipt andﾠto verify the successful submission of the assignment in Blackboard.ﾠStudents encountering technical difficulties are advised to take screenshots of the issues encountered and contact the ITS Help Desk for support.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension requests must be received on or before the due date. No extensions will be grated afterwards.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Individual Research Report of Class Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
29/05/2026 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Students will participate in a class experiment and prepare a laboratory report based on their work. Data from all students will be combined and provided for the development of the report. Guidance on conducting the study, analysing results, and discussing findings will be provided during class.
Laboratory Report Length
1,500 words
Laboratory Report Structure
1. Introduction (about 500 words)
Clearly identify the research topic and aim. Synthesise relevant research around key points to build an argument for the class project (present study). You must include at least 4 pertinent scholarly research articles.
Include a statement of aims for the present study, design and research questions/hypotheses.
2. Method
Use the standard subheadings:
Participants - Describe who the participants were using relevant demographic variables, and how they were selected e.g. undergraduate university students, number of participants, number of females versus males, average age.
Materials - Describe the equipment used in enough detail so that someone could replicate the study.
Procedure - Describe in detail how the study was carried out so that it could be replicated.
3. Results
Here the aggregated data is reported as evidence relevant to the research questions/hypotheses. State how the results answer your research questions/hypotheses. A combination of words, descriptive statistics (e.g. percentages, averages), and figures or tables may be used as appropriate.
4. Discussion
The Discussion addresses the research aim and questions/hypotheses in light of the Results. Results are interpreted and discussed in relation to previous research literature (e.g. synthesised in the Introduction). Note limitations, and directions for further research. Conclude with a summary of the study findings, and discussion of broad implications for the research (e.g. 'real-world' relevance).
6. References
References conform to the APA 7th edition style (in-text citations and reference list) and begin on a separate page following the Discussion.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Presentation
Presentation
The Laboratory Report assessment task must include a cover sheet. The cover sheet must include:
- A concise title for your laboratory report
- Your name
- Student ID
- Course code and name
Format the assessment task documents as follows:
- Include the first five words from the concise title as a header
- Include page numbers in the top right hand corner, beginning with the cover sheet
- Referencing style must use the APA system 7th edition style guide (in-text citation and reference list)
- Use 12 pt Times New Roman font
- Use 1.5 line spacing
- Margins must be 2.54cm (top, bottom, right, left)
For the assessment task, use an appropriate scholarly writing style and ensure that the material is appropriately referenced, and any uses of AI tools are referenced or acknowledged appropriately.
Submission guidelines
Submit the assignment via Turnitin by the due date.
All assignments submitted electronically need to have a receipt to prove the submission date and time. Without a receipt, the Course Coordinator will consider that your assignment hasﾠnotﾠbeen submitted. Students are advised to check their emails for this receipt andﾠto verify the successful submission of the assignment in Blackboard.ﾠStudents encountering technical difficulties are advised to take screenshots of the issues encountered and contact the ITS Help Desk for support.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy all of the basic requirements. Responses to assessment tasks do not demonstrate understanding of course content and submissions do not meet minimal expectations for scholarly communication and length. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy most of the basic requirements. Responses to assessment tasks demonstrate very limited and/or faulty understanding of course content; lack required length, and reveal very limited awareness of scholarly communication and referencing skills. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fails to satisfy some of the basic requirements. Responses to assessment tasks reveal less than adequate understanding of basic concepts; limited and/or faulty integration of ideas and multiple errors in application of scholarly communication and referencingﾠskills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic requirements.ﾠResponses to assessment tasks reveal adequate understanding of basic concepts; coherent integration of a range of relevant ideas to address the topic; and few errors inﾠapplication of scholarly communication and referencing skills. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Responses to assessment tasks demonstrate: understanding of key concepts and their interrelationships; awareness of related issues; analysis, synthesis and application of relevant information to address the topic; and appropriate use of scholarly communication and referencing skills with minimal errors. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Responses to assessment tasks demonstrate: comprehensive and deep understanding of course content and insight into relevant issues and problems; use of critical analysis and synthesis of a range of pertinent ideas in addressing the topic; and very effective use of scholarly communication and referencing skills. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Responses to assessment tasks demonstrate: deep, comprehensive, and complex understanding of course content, and its application in varied contexts; insight into related issues and problems, and critical,ﾠcreative and effective ways of addressing these; sophisticated use of scholarly communication and referencing skills. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
For written assessment tasks:
- Use an appropriate scholarly style in communication.
- Ensure that material is appropriately referenced. The referencing style must be APA, 7th edition (in-text citation and reference list).
- Ensure that any uses of AI tools are acknowledged or referenced appropriately. Refer to the UQ Library guides for help.
- You must submit written assessment electronically via Turnitin using the assignment link on the course website. By submitting your assignment, you are certifying that it is your original work and that it has not been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at university (unless resubmission is part of the requirements for the course assessment).
- If you have not already done so, it is recommended that you complete the university’s academic integrity module before you submit your assignment. The module can be found at: https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity
- ALWAYS keep a copy of your submitted assignment and electronic receipt of successful submission.
For the Quizzes and Tutorial assessment tasks:
ALWAYS keep a copy of your answers to each question in the weekly online quizzesﾠin case technology fails. Take screenshots of your answers and issues encountered if you experienceﾠtechnical problems.ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Internet Websites
Australian Music and Psychology Society (AMPS):ﾠhttp://www.ampsociety.org.au/
Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC):ﾠhttp://www.musicperception.org/
European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music (ESCOM):ﾠhttp://www.escom.org/
TheﾠAsia-Pacific Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music (APSCOM):ﾠhttps://apscom.weebly.com/about.html
Music acoustic basics - an excellent website by Joe Wolfe and his team at UNSW:ﾠhttp://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/basics.html
Selected Journals
- Music Perception
- Psychology of Music
- Musicae Scientiae
- Empirical Musicology Review
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Emotion
- Science
- Nature
- Journal of Mathematics and Music
- Computer Music Journal
- Contemporary Music Review
- Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
- Australian Journal of Music Therapyﾠ
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction and Overview Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (02 Mar - 08 Mar) |
Lecture |
Evolutionary Origins of Music Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Evolutionary Origins of Music Tutorials focus on learning concepts through group-based, practical activities, such as percussion playing, and group discussions. No prior musical or percussion experience is required. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 3 (09 Mar - 15 Mar) |
Lecture |
Music Foundations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Music Foundations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 4 (16 Mar - 22 Mar) |
Lecture |
Perception of Musical Structures Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Perception of Musical Structures Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Lecture |
Musical Capacities: Innate and Acquired Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Musical Capacities: Innate and Acquired Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 6 (30 Mar - 05 Apr) |
Lecture |
Music and Wellbeing Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Music and Wellbeing No Friday tutorials due to Good Friday. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 7 (13 Apr - 19 Apr) |
Lecture |
Music and Emotion Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Music and Emotion Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 8 (20 Apr - 26 Apr) |
Lecture |
Effects and Benefits of Learning Music Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Effects and Benefits of Learning Music Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
Lecture |
Music and the Brain Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Music and the Brain Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Lecture |
Music Performance and Movement Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Music Performance and Movement Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Lecture |
Cross and Intercultural Perspectives Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Cross and Intercultural Perspectives Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
Tutorial |
Composition and Creativity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Additional learning activity information
Active Learning
Students are expected to complete the weekly pre-reading and lecture content prior to attending the weekly tutorial session. Tutorials are designed to build on students' knowledge of course content gained through these learning resources and activities. Weekly tutorials support student understanding of course content through active learning experiences. The tutorial sessions focus on learning concepts through group-based, practical activities, such as percussion playing, and group discussions. No prior musical or percussion experience is required. Active engagement with resources and during tutorials is central to optimal learning in this course. Messages relating to the course and responses to common student queries will also be included tutorial sessions.
Blackboard Website
Additional learning resources, important announcements, and notes and resources relating to assignments are included on the Blackboard website. It is imperative that students access the course information on the Blackboard website at least twice a week.
Guest Lecturers
To be announced on Blackboard.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:
- School of Music site