Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
We all prepare food, play cooperative games, romance each other, etc. But how we do so depends on our cultural background - we are, by far, the world's most "cultural animal". So what was the 'X-factor', the magic ingredient of culture that took humans out of the general run of mammals and other highly social organisms? By emphasising research in developmental psychology and integrating perspectives from comparative, social and evolutionary psychology this course explores contemporary answers to this question.
We will be focussing on how an understanding of social and observational learning is critical to any answer, and to do so we will study the following populations: (a) typically developing infants and children; (b) children with autism; (c) adults; (d) non-human primates; and (e) other animals.
Please note the Short course title that appears on your academic transcript is PSYC3282 "Child Dev & Cultural Cognition".
Course requirements
Assumed background
There are no prerequisites for this course. It is nevertheless strongly recommended that you have completed PSYC2030.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PSYC2030
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
1. To review classic and contemporary literature on the evolution of human cultural cognition. 2. To provide an in-depth understanding of the literature on non-human animals, and in humans across the life span, including typical and atypical development, that is needed to understand how we have become who we are. 3. To develop and explore arguments relating to the origins of cumulative culture. 4. To explore research methods, techniques & problems in the study of the evolution of human culture. 5. To encourage students to think critically about theoretical and empirical research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand classic and contemporary literature on the evolution of human cultural cognition
LO2.
Critically appraise research and theory on the evolution of human cultural cognition.
LO3.
Have a flexible notion of the evolutionary origins of human culture
LO4.
Apply theoretical perspectives on social and observational learning to a wide variety of research questions
LO5.
Design and conduct research on issues relating to the evolution of human cultural cognition.
LO6.
Give and appraise oral presentations
Assessment
Assessment summary
Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz |
Online knowledge acquisition tests
|
54% |
5/08/2025 - 30/10/2025
Each test will open at 12pm each Tuesday and close at 12pm the Thursday immediately following (i.e., there is a 48 hour window to log-on and complete the quiz). |
Presentation | PechaKucha Presentation | 14% |
18/08/2025 - 31/10/2025
Presentations will take place in Tutorials |
Quiz | In-Class Quiz #1 | 16% |
1/09/2025 - 5/09/2025
You will complete the quiz during the tutorial class. |
Quiz | In-Class Quiz #2 | 16% |
13/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
You will complete the quiz during the tutorial class |
Assessment details
Online knowledge acquisition tests
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 54%
- Due date
5/08/2025 - 30/10/2025
Each test will open at 12pm each Tuesday and close at 12pm the Thursday immediately following (i.e., there is a 48 hour window to log-on and complete the quiz).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
These are short on-line tests consisting of between 3 and 6 Multiple Choice Questions designed to tap content from previous weeks. They take place weekly from Week 2 through to Week 13 inclusive.
Once you begin you will have 25 minutes to complete. Once you start you WILL NOT be able to re-start.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
The best 9 of 11 quizzes will count toward the final mark.
Late submission
No late submissions accepted.
PechaKucha Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 14%
- Due date
18/08/2025 - 31/10/2025
Presentations will take place in Tutorials
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Students will present a version of a PechaKucha 12x20 in which they will summarise a paper (allocated in tutorials) using 12 slides (+ a title and end slide), each of which are displayed for 20 seconds each and must advance automatically. These will be either delivered live in class or watched as pre-recorded presentations.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If you are unable to present on the set date you should contact your Course Coordinator directly
Late submission
If you are unable to complete your presentation you should submit your appropriate documentation (as per the extension policy) to your tutor and/or course coordinator to arrange for an alternate time to complete your presentation.
In-Class Quiz #1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 16%
- Due date
1/09/2025 - 5/09/2025
You will complete the quiz during the tutorial class.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The quiz will consist of 8 Short Answer Questions (4% each) covering all preceding lectures and tutorials. This is a paper and pencil quiz completed during tutorial class. You will have the full class time to complete it.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
In-Class Quiz #2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 16%
- Due date
13/10/2025 - 17/10/2025
You will complete the quiz during the tutorial class
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The quiz will consist of 8 Short Answer Questions (4% each) covering all preceding lectures and tutorials. This is a paper and pencil quiz completed during tutorial class. You will have the full class time to complete it.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
---|---|---|
1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
4 (Pass) | 50 - 69.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
5 (Credit) | 70 - 79.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
6 (Distinction) | 80 - 89.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
7 (High Distinction) | 90 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
All necessary resources and information will be provided via the PSYC3282 Blackboard site.
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 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 - Overview and Introduction Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2 - Social Learning in Nonhuman Animals Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 - Introduction to Cumulative Culture Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
No Lecture - Ekka Public Holiday |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No Tutorials - Ekka Public Holiday |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3 - Social Learning in Children Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 - Social Information Transfer Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4 - Teaching/Pedagogy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 - Contemplating Cultural Learning Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 - Social Learning in Adults Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
In-class Quiz 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 - Innovation and Hominins Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 - Stereotyping and Nonconscious Imitation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 - Mirror Neurons and Population Dynamics Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 - Anthropology Museum Guided Visit Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8 - Grandparents and Childhood Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 - Reflecting on the Social Animal Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9 - Childhood and Pretending Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Not Timetabled |
NO TUTORIALS THIS WEEK due to King's Birthday |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Tutorial |
In-Class Quiz 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Lecture 10 - Intentionality, Social Intelligence and Autism Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11 - Culture and Religion Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 - Exploring Conformity and Culture Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 - Final PechaKucha Presentations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L06 |
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
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: