Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Cultural Issues in Psychology

• Unit Code

  PSY3217

• Year

  2017

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Justine Kate DANDY

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Description

The unit introduces students to cultural issues in psychology. We will draw on theoretical frameworks and concepts from cross-cultural and cultural psychology to critically examine psychology's cultural roots and to examine the ways in which culture influences psychological functioning. The role of culture, worldview, and other contextual factors in shaping realities and adaptations to contexts will be considered. Major aims of the course will be to explore our own cultural makeup and to promote the development of a psychology that is sensitive to cultural diversity.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from PSY1101

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded PSY1107

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply research evidence to a genuine social, cultural or community issue.
2. Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity.
3. Evaluate the role of cultural factors in human behaviour.
4. Examine how prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviours might exist in oneself and others in contemporary contexts (e.g., in the context of immigration).
5. Identify and evaluate cultural factors in psychologicalresearch and practice.
6. Identify frameworks for understanding and working with people from different cultural backgrounds.
7. Illustrate increased awareness about their own cultural values.
8. Synthesise cultural and cross-cultural research findings.

Unit Content

1. Australian Indigenous cultures.
2. Challenging western hegemony: cross-cultural, cultural, and indigenising psychology.
3. Cultural dimensions including individualism-collectivism.
4. Culture and the Self: Identitydevelopment models, white identity, biculturalism.
5. Culture, health and treatment for psychological disorder.
6. Human categories: race, culture, ethnicity, ethnic identity.
7. Immigrants, refugees,indigenous peoples: culture contact and acculturation models.
8. Immigration, Australia as a culturally plural place, patterns of pluralism.
9. Prejudice, racism andoppression.
10. Theoretical and methodological issues.
11. Ways forward: cultural pluralism, psychology and culture.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and eLearning.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Core Reading(s)

• Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2013). Culture and psychology (5th ed.). Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.
• Garvey, D. (2007). Indigenous identity in contemporary psychology. Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.

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