In this course students will be asked to systematically examine the role of theory in the science of Psychology. It builds on the broader area of the Philosophy of Science. Students will seek to answer questions such as: What is theory? What are the critical features of theory development? Why is theory important for the scientific method? How does theory relate to the research enterprise in Psychology? How does psychological theory affect our evidence, and how does our evidence affect our theory? What is the relationship between psychology as a science and the broader society?

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand of the role of theory in psychology, and be able to recognise key concepts from lectures, readings, assignments and interactions with the stream convener, and peers;
2. Apply theory in psychology to identify key conceptual features of honours-level research;
3. Articulate different perspectives on the nature of scientific enquiry;
4. Apply theory in psychology to analyse theory verification and falsification;
5. Demonstrate effective written communication skills.

Research-Led Teaching

Overview of Stream

Theory in Psychology is a stream in which students will be asked to examine systematically the role of theory in the science of Psychology. It builds on the broader area of the Philosophy of Science. In this stream, we will seek to answer questions such as: What is theory? What are the critical features of theory development? Why is theory important for the scientific method? How does theory relate to the research enterprise in Psychology? How does psychological theory affect our evidence, and how does our evidence affect our theory? What is the relationship between psychology as a science and the broader society? A key aspect of the design of this stream is to help students further develop their understandings of the purpose of theory, and to enable students to practice theory development as a starting point for their own Honours research.

Learning Outcomes

On satisfying the requirements of this stream, students will be expected to:

1.   Have a broad understanding of the role of theory in psychology, and be able to recognize key concepts from lectures, readings, assignments and interactions with the stream convener, and peers.

2.   Have an ability to use their understanding of theory in psychology to identify key conceptual features of honours-level research, and communicate it in writing.

3.   Have an ability to articulate orally and in writing different perspectives on the nature of scientific enquiry.

4.   Have an ability to use their understanding of theory in psychology to analyse theory verification and falsification.

5.   Have demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills facilitated through writing and small group discussions.

Field Trips

NA

Additional Course Costs

NA

Examination Material or equipment

No permitted materials.

Required Resources

Will be provided on on-line learning platform.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and Course Overview, including Concepts Paper Lecture: Experiments in Psychology Lecture: Naïve Empiricism	In-person & recorded
2	Lecture: Theory Ladenness of Observation Lecture: Embracing Psychological Theory Lecture: Form of Theory	In-person & recorded
3	Lecture: Falsification Lecture: Research Programs Lecture: Science as Problem Solving	In-person & recorded
4	Lecture: Self-Categorization Theory & Self-Determination Theory Discussion: Self-Categorization Theory Discussion: Self-Determination Theory	In-person & recorded
5	Discussion: Surrogates for Theories & Near Tautologies	In-person (NO recording)
6	Discussion: Assumptions of Human Nature underlying NHMRC Ethics Guidelines	In-person (NO recording)
7	Discussion: Theory, Operationalization, Replication	In-person (NO recording)
8	Discussion: Psychology as History & Psychology as Politics	In-person (NO recording)
9	ChatGPT debate	In-class, in-person assessment
10	ChatGPT debate	In-class, in-person assessment

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
ChatGPT Debate	45 %	1,2,3,4,5
End of Semester (Final) Examination	55 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The University has returned to on-campus only delivery for in-person courses.

Students are expected to attend lectures and workshops, and to contribute to discussions. In addition to lectures and workshops, attendance and participation in laboratory/practical classes is crucial for successful completion of your course. The School of Medicine and Psychology considers the laboratory/practical components to be an integral part of each course. Laboratory/practical classes may supplement and consolidate material covered in lectures and/or they may introduce entirely new material pertinent to the objectives of the course.

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:

• Face-to-face component which may consist of 12 x 3 hours lectures per semester (36 total hours).
• Approximately 94 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.

Examination(s)

The final examination for this course will be administered in-person during the semester 1 final examination period. Students must be on campus to attend the exam. Information about the scheduling of the examination will be posted by the University at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable

Assessment Task 1

ChatGPT Debate

Details: Students will develop and demonstrate:

(1) skills in psychological theory construction, and

(2) both surface and deep understandings of the importance, function, and value of clear articulation of theoretical concepts, assumptions, the logical derivation of hypotheses, and the translation of abstract concepts into material operationalisations.

Word count: TBA

Value: 45%

Due Date: In class on assigned dates

Assessment Task 2

End of Semester (Final) Examination

Students will develop a deep understanding of the importance of theory in psychological research, including (but not limited to) such issues as ‘empirical progress’, historical limitations of research, direct and conceptual replications of research, ethical assumptions of human nature, and practical applications of psychological knowledge.

The final exam will assess understanding of all course content.

The final examination for this course will be administered in-person during the semester 1 final examination period. Students must be on campus to attend the exam. Information about the scheduling of the examination will be posted by the University at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable

Value:55%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments that have been submitted on time will be marked and available to download from the Turnitin link on Canvas, approximately three weeks after the due date. The exact return date will be posted on Canvas.

Late assignments (even those with formal extensions) will not be marked within this timeframe; our priority will be to mark the assignments that were handed in on time. We will aim to get the late assignments back before the end of semester. Marking of the late assignments will commence once all on-time assignments have been marked and returned.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Re-marking Policy for Coursework

From the time your assignment is available on Wattle, you have 10 working days in which to request a formal re-mark.

1. If you have any questions about the assessment of a submitted piece of work, or wish to have some of the comments clarified, email your questions to the course functional email account, the address for the course functional email account is on Wattle.
2. If you think, your assignment deserves a higher mark: It is your responsibility to outline in writing why, in your opinion, the original mark does not reflect the true worth of the work.  Submit your request by email to the course functional email account.
3. If the Course Convener agrees to a remark of your work and, as a result, the mark is altered, and you accept this change, then the procedure ends, and you will not be eligible for any further re-marking of this work.
4. If you remain unhappy with the outcome, you can formally request a re-mark by an independent marker by sending your request to the course functional email account. 
5. The mark awarded by the independent marker for your assessment will become your final mark regardless, if it is higher, lower or the same as your original mark.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students