In this course, students engage in advanced, in-depth explorations of various aspects of the social psychology of groups and group life. Students will engage in depth in the analysis of the social and psychological process of social categorization into groups, the interdependencies between individuals and groups, and the cognitive, attitudinal and behavioural consequences of both social categorization and social interdependence. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to examine current understandings of group interactions (e.g., deviance, norms, & decision making), pro-social behaviours (e.g., cooperation, helping, trust, & fairness), social change and collective action, social influence, and stereotyping and prejudice. The course, itself, strongly integrates theory with laboratory and field data, allowing students to gain a solid understanding of advanced, contemporary insights into a range of social behaviours.

A key feature of this course is its emphasis on the importance of theory in developing an understanding of group life. This emphasis on theory, however, is balanced by a rigorous laboratory program designed to complement the lectures, while simultaneously providing hands-on lessons in experimental social psychology. Throughout the course, students will design an experiment; complete a Human Research Ethics Application; and write a formal research report Introduction, hypothesis, Methods and Results. Students will learn key features of social-psychological experimental design, including the manipulation and measurement of variables of interest, scale construction, hypothesis testing, data interpretation, as well as abstract methodological concepts such as “mediation” and “moderation”.

Critically, this course not only provides students with a supported and structured environment in which to gain a deep understanding of the social psychology of group life, but it equips students with a variety of graduate attributes (also known as employability skills) identified as important for the development of a productive workforce. Specifically, students develop an ability to communicate effectively and contribute to scholarship in social psychology; to solve problems, take individual initiative, and think critically; to understand ethical values in research; and to make sense of evidence. Achieving at high levels in this course requires good self-management, planning and organization skills.

This is an Honours Pathway Course.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Have a broad understanding of the social psychology of group life, including an understanding of interdependence, categorisation, and the cognitive, attitudinal and behavioural consequences of the social psychology of group life, including interdependence and categorization.
2. Have a deep understanding of how social identity and self-categorization processes affect the pattern and progression of group life.
3. Have gained advanced insight into the manner in which a diverse set of social-psychological phenomena can be examined and understood by a single meta-theoretical framework and, in doing so, gain an appreciation for the role and value of theory in social psychology.
4. Have an advanced understanding of nature and practice of social-psychological research.
5. Be able to write key components of a social-psychological research report (Introduction & hypothesis), and complete a Human Research Ethics Application.

Research-Led Teaching

In PSYC3002, learn about the social psychology of groups and how these fundamental theories can help us to understand some of the most pressing issues faced by societies today. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to examine current understandings of group interactions and decision making, social change and collective action, extreme group behaviour and conflict, and stereotyping and prejudice. These topics will be discussed with reference to theory and empirical research, but also with an eye to the applied implications for promoting positive change and resolving real-world conflict.

A key feature of this course is its emphasis on the importance of theory in developing an understanding of group life. This emphasis on theory, however, is balanced by a laboratory program designed to complement the lectures, while simultaneously providing hands-on lessons in experimental social psychology. Throughout the course, students will design an experiment; complete a Human Research Ethics Application; and write a formal research report Introduction. Students will learn key features of social-psychological experimental design, including the manipulation and measurement of variables of interest, scale construction, hypothesis testing, data interpretation, as well as abstract methodological concepts such as “mediation” and “moderation”.

PSYC3002 is an Honours Pathway Course.

Field Trips

NA

Additional Course Costs

NA

Examination Material or equipment

Unannotated paper-based dictionary for candidates with written approval from School.

For approved dictionaries in accordance with ANU Policies, please see link  http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/assessment-arrangements-for-students-from-language

Required Resources

There is no set textbook for this course. The essential readings are prescribed journal articles and book chapters. Weekly readings will be provided that expand on lecture content.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, 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 photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings
• 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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1	Lectures will be delivered in person on the ANU campus.There will be laboratory assessment that must be completed during the scheduled laboratory times.The PSYC3002 Canvas site will outline specific details of each assessment item.
2	Lecture 2
3	Lecture 3
4	Lecture 4	Mini Quiz 1
5	Lecture 5
6	Lecture 6	Mini Quiz 2
7	Lecture 7
8	Lecture 8	Mini Quiz 3
9	Lecture 9
10	Lecture 10	Mini Quiz 4
11	Lecture 11
12	Lecture 12

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
Check Your Progress - Mini Quizzes	10 %	1,2,3
Written In Class Laboratory Exercises	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Research Report Introduction & Hypothesis	35 %	2,4,5
End-of-semester (Final) Examination (Hurdle)	35 %	1.2.3.4

* 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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 contribute to discussions. In addition to lectures, attendance and participation in laboratories/practical's is crucial to 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.

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

The final examination is a hurdle requirement. A Pass mark (50% or greater) is required in the final examination before the course can be passed as a whole.

Those failing to achieve this, but who otherwise have an overall grade of 45% or better, will be offered the opportunity to sit, and pass, a further (supplementary) invigilated examination.

Students achieving a passing grade (50% or better) in that supplementary invigilated examination will be eligible to pass the course overall, but their final recorded course mark will be 50%. 

Supplementary and Deferred Exams in Psychology

If you receive a DA or PX grade in Semester 1 there are 2 times over the course of the year that you can complete those exams. As a default, you will be assigned to the exam period that immediately follows the semester the associated course was taught:

Exam Period 1 - O-Week Semester 2 (These exams are for those who received PXs or DAs in Semester 1)

Exam Period 2 - Teaching Break Semester 2 (7 Sep to 11 Sep) restricted to those who have received a formally approved DA-PX grade.

**If you can’t attend the exam, you have been assigned to, you need to submit an ECA request for approval by the College. See details here and please read carefully: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

All deferred and supplementary exams must be completed in person where this is the format of the original exam. This means that if you wish to sit either a supplementary or deferred exam and have the opportunity to pass the course, you will need to be available to do so in Canberra during the relevant supplementary/deferred exam period.

Assessment Task 1

Check Your Progress - Mini Quizzes

4 x multiple choice mini quizzes (each worth 2.5%)

These quizzes are designed to test your knowledge of lecture material and to ensure you keep on track and up to date with content throughout the semester.

Quizzes will be completed in teaching Weeks 4, 6, 8, and 10.

There will be no opportunity to complete a quiz if you miss the scheduled deadline.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 2

Written In Class Laboratory Exercises

Four (4) Lab books (exercises)

Indicative Value: 5% each

Lab Book 1: Completion and submission will be in each class during your scheduled Lab.

Lab Book 2: Completion and submission will be in each class during your scheduled Lab.

Lab Book 3: Completion and submission will be in each class during your scheduled Lab.

Lab Book 4: Completion and submission will be in each class during your scheduled Lab.

As with lectures, it is each student's responsibility to attend laboratory classes. There will be laboratory assessment that must be completed during the scheduled laboratory times. Students must attend the laboratory class that they are enrolled in and must complete and submit the assessable work within the three-hour period allotted for the laboratory class. Submission outside of this time will be considered late.

Word Count: 250

Value: 20%

Assessment Task 3

Research Report Introduction & Hypothesis

Students will be tasked with writing a formal Introduction for a research paper (including literature review and hypotheses).

Word Count: 1500

Due Date: Anticipated Thursday, 30 April 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Returned: Up to three weeks after submission.

Value: 35%

Assessment Task 4

End-of-semester (Final) Examination (Hurdle)

The final exam will include a combination of short answer and multiple-choice questions.

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

The final examination is a hurdle requirement. A Pass mark (50% or greater) is required in the final examination before the course can be passed as a whole.

Those failing to achieve this, but who otherwise have an overall grade of 45% or better, will be offered the opportunity to sit, and pass, a further (supplementary) invigilated examination.

Students achieving a passing grade (50% or better) in that supplementary invigilated examination will be eligible to pass the course overall, but their final recorded course mark will be 50%.

 Value: 35%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

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) a 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 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.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Research Reports 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 reports will commence once all on-time Laboratory Reports 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 The Course Convener may grant extensions 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 not permitted.

Re-marking Policy

From the time, your assignment is available on Canvas; 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, this is on Canvas.
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 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 functional email account for this course. 
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 Diversity and inclusion 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 and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students