Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- 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 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 emphasizing 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 | Quiz #1 | 18% |
14/08/2024 8:00 pm
The quiz will open at 11am on the set date |
| Presentation | PechaKucha Presentation | 14% |
18/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
Presentations will take place in Tutorials |
| Quiz | Quiz #2 | 32% |
11/09/2024 8:00 pm
The quiz will open at 11am on the set date |
| Quiz | Quiz #3 | 36% |
23/10/2024 8:00 pm
The quiz will open at 11am on the set date |
Assessment details
Quiz #1
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
14/08/2024 8:00 pm
The quiz will open at 11am on the set date
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
10 Multiple Choice Questions (1% each) and 2 Short Answer Questions (4% each) from Lectures 1 - 3 and Tutorials 1 and 2.
Once you begin you will have 60 minutes to complete. Once you start you WILL NOT be able to re-start.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
PechaKucha Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 14%
- Due date
18/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
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.
Quiz #2
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 32%
- Due date
11/09/2024 8:00 pm
The quiz will open at 11am on the set date
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
20 Multiple Choice Questions (1% each) and 3 Short Answer Questions (4% each) from all preceding lectures and tutorials.
Once you begin you will have 90 minutes to complete. Once you start you WILL NOT be able to re-start.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Quiz #3
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 36%
- Due date
23/10/2024 8:00 pm
The quiz will open at 11am on the set date
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
20 Multiple Choice Questions (1% each) and 4 Short Answer Questions (4% each) from preceding lectures and tutorials.
Once you begin you will have 120 minutes to complete. Once you start you WILL NOT be able to re-start.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this 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 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 - Overview and Introduction Overview and Introduction Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2 - Social Learning in Nonhuman Animals Social Learning in Nonhuman Animals Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 - Introduction to Cumulative Culture Introduction to Cumulative Culture Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3 - Social Learning in Children Social Learning in Children Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 - Social Information Transfer Social Information Transfer Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4 - Teaching/Pedagogy Teaching/Pedagogy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 - Contemplating Cultural Learning (part 1) Contemplating Cultural Learning (part 1) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 - Social Learning in Adults Social Learning in Adults Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 - Contemplating Cultural Learning (part 2) Contemplating Cultural Learning (part 2) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 - Innovation and Hominins Innovation and Hominins Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 - Stereotyping and Nonconscious Imitation Stereotyping and Nonconscious Imitation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 - Mirror Neurons and Population Dynamics Mirror Neurons and Population Dynamics Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 - Reflecting on the Social Animal Reflecting on the Social Animal Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8 - Grandparents and Childhood Grandparents and Childhood Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 - Mirror Neurons and the Empathic Civilization Pt I Mirror Neurons and the Empathic Civilization Pt I Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9 - Childhood and Pretending Childhood and Pretending Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 - Mirror Neurons and the Empathic Civilization Pt II Mirror Neurons and the Empathic Civilization Pt II Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 10 - Intentionality, Social Intelligence and Autism Intentionality, Social Intelligence and Autism Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9 - Exploring Conformity and Culture (part 1) Exploring Conformity and Culture (part 1) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11 - Culture and Religion Culture and Religion Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10 - Exploring Conformity and Culture (part 2) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 12 - Rituals and Review Review/Summary Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 11 - Reflecting on Ritual Reflecting on Ritual Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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 - 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: