Course coordinator
Professor Winnifred Louis
Thursdays 4-5pm onlineLink advertised on BB.
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
Enrolment Note:This course has a delayed enrolment date and will open following the allocation of Honours streams. Students will be advised of the specific date each year when their Honours stream is confirmed and should contact the School of Psychology for further information. The course will focus on the use of social psychological research paradigms to evaluate theory-based applications in areas such as health behaviour, psychology and law, inter-group relations and prejudice, and environmental issues.
Aims: This course aims to give students an up-to-date understanding of applied social psychology and group processes as they relate to a range of issues in society at large.
Intended Learning outcomes: At the end of the course students should have an extensive and deep knowledge of research in social psychology and its application to contemporary social issues, be able to evaluate research in this area and appreciate how ideas can be used to understand and address relevant social issues.
Transferable skills: Emphasis will be placed on the development of presentation (oral and visual) and discussion skills. In addition to presenting and discussing research in small groups, students will also be encouraged to develop their questioning skills. Students will also gain familiarity with theories and practices currently employed in applied settings including individual and collective decision-making and action.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is strongly recommended that you have completed any third-level social psychology course before undertaking PSYC4181. Please note that although the School of Psychology allows enrolment in the course without the suggested prerequisite, an advanced grounding in social psychological theory and research provided by a third-level social psychology course is considered advantageous for satisfactory achievement in PSYC4181. ﾠﾠ
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Any third-year social psychology course
Restrictions
BPsySc(Hons), BSc(Hons) in Psychology, BArts(Hons) in Psychology
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This module aims to give students an up-to-understanding of social psychology and group processes as they relate to a range of issues in society at large.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
Weekly Reflection and Feedback
|
20% |
29/08/2025 - 31/10/2025 |
| Presentation |
Video presentation (self-change)
|
20% |
20/08/2025 1:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Advocacy for Change
|
20% |
10/09/2025 1:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
Weekly Reflection and Feedback
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
29/08/2025 - 31/10/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students should participate actively in all tutorials and play a role in supporting their classmates by helping to make classes engaging (i.e., participating in discussions and activities) and offering constructive feedback. Each week there is a reflective feedback activity marked out of 4 completed during the tutorial time. The best five activities' marks will be summed to produce a score out of 20.
The peer-marking activities will see students divided into groups in the tutes of up to five. Individual students are randomly assigned to give feedback on one of the groups presenting (not their own). Each peer-marking activity consists of 1-3 paragraphs (100-250 words) submitted online. The tutor will collate the feedback for each group and distribute anonymously, for their own learning. However, the tutor will also mark each feedback in terms of its comprehensiveness, accuracy, constructiveness, and insight.
Each online reflection activity consists of 1-3 paragraphs (100-250 words) about any of the lectures of that week or prior, submitted online. These will be graded against the criteria of accurately summarising and reflecting key aspects of the lecture(s), offering insightful and constructive comments, and suggestions for improvement and extension. You do not need to cover a whole lecture (indeed you will not be able to due to word count) – just pull out a theory, study, finding, or construct that caught your attention, describe and define it, analyse it by showing how it relates to the world or your own life, and critique it with a suggestion for improvement.
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.
Submission guidelines
Each reflective feedback activity will be submitted online during the tutorial time that week.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
The best five activities' marks will be summed to produce a score out of 20.
Video presentation (self-change)
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
20/08/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students submit a three minute 'explainer' video concerning effective principles of self-change for a topic behaviour assigned to them in the Week 2 tutorial.
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.
Submission guidelines
Submit your video via the link provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
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.
Advocacy for Change
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
10/09/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Students will submit an essay (750-1500 word) analysis of real advocacy campaigns seeking to stimulate pro-social behaviour (or undermine anti-social behaviour), which analyses the campaigns in terms of psychological principles communicated in the course. Students receive an individually-assigned target behaviour in the tute in Week 4.
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.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin on Blackboard. You should download a copy of the digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard and keep this as a record.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
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.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The final two-hour exam will have two parts: 30 multiple choice questions covering the course content and 1 integrative extended essay (choice of two topics).
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.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Exam to be completed in person at UQ during Exam period.
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 - 59.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 60 - 69.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 70 - 79.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 80 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
ﾠ 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.
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 |
Intro to applied social psychology Introduction to the course; planned behaviour and behaviour change; beyond rational decision-making: unplanned behaviour, nudges, habits, and norms; positive psychology and strength-based approaches to change. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Pro-social behaviour and allyship Motives; Forms; Outcomes; How to mobilise pro-social behaviour and allyship Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Changing the planned and unplanned self Hr 1: Small group discussions on changing individual behaviour for the self based on attitudes, social norms, perceived control, norms, nudges, and interrupting the habit loop. How can a strength-based approach be used? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Anti-social behaviour and toxicity Antisocial individuals, groups, and situations; Crimes; Antisocial behaviours in organisations; Prevention; Intervention Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Changing the planned and unplanned self Optional consult for video presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Political Psychology An introduction to social identity theory; Collective action and norms; Political opinions and identities; Ideologies Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Advocating for action Hr 1: Small group discussions on advocating to increase pro-social behaviour or decrease anti-social behaviour. Hr 2: Students receive randomly assigned behaviour, work to identify a real campaign targeting this behaviour, and write analysis of principles deployed and recommendations for more effective design (Essay). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Conflict between groups Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination; Ethnic rioting; Genocide; Prevention; Intervention. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Online reflection activity |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
The social psychology of religion Religious identities and norms: Happiness, charities, health; Prejudice, conflict, extremism. Religious identity change. Religious norm change. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Advocating for Action Optional consult for Essay Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Conflict between people Getting a GRIP: Effective communication; Building trust and strong relationships; Bullying: Risks, prevention, intervention; Rivals and enemies. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Conflict resolution Hr 1: Small group discussions on conflict resolution a) between people of good will; b) between people with unequal power and ill will; c) between groups. Hr 2: Students receive conflict topic to consider and analyse. Report back to group (peer-marking). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
The social psychology of family violence Understanding the forms; Prevalence and risk factors; Prevention; Advocacy for change Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Family violence Hr 1: Streker/Cooke videos Hr 2: Students identify real intervention campaigns and brainstorm recommmendations for change. Report back to group (peer-marking). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
The social psychology of sustainability Individual factors and behaviour change; Group identities and norms; Meat reduction; Commuting; Renewables; Policy change vs individual change. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Online reflection activity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
The social psychology of effective activism The ABIASCA model; collective action and supporters, opponents, bystanders, and third parties. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No tutorials (humane gap for thesis submission) |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Trajectories of harmful social change The DIME model; Gridliock; Radicalisation; War; Deradicalisation; Peace-building Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Online reflection activity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
The social psychology of democracy Civic participation; Trust; Alienation and Anomie; Corruption; Systemic approaches to democracy, democratic resilience, and backsliding Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Activism and social change Hr 1: Students randomly assigned contemporary social movements to research. Find 1-2 example campaigns and analyse. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Review Lecture Review of key concepts and discussion of how to approach the exam Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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: