Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge of the core topics of Psychology, including: abnormal psychology, biological bases of behaviour, cognition, information processing and language, individual differences, testing and assessment, learning, lifespan development, motivation and emotion, perception, social psychology, history and philosophy of psychology, intercultural diversity and indigenous psychology;
2. describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists and demonstrate practical skills in psychological research design and data analysis;
3. conduct studies to address psychological questions, including: frame research questions; undertake literature reviews; formulate testable hypotheses; operationalise variables; choose an appropriate methodology; make valid and reliable measurements; analyse data, interpret results, and write research reports using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions;
4. critically evaluate psychological literature, question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions, and recognise and defend against the major fallacies of human thinking;
5. demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (eg debate, group discussion, presentation) to share or impart psychological knowledge;
6. demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the most widely used psychological assessments and evidence-based approaches to psychological interventions and apply the basic skills of psychological interviewing;
7. evaluate and practise the principles of ethical behaviour in research and professional practice, in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society's Code and Guidelines, as well as the Australian 'National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce'; and
8. demonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain life-long personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.