PSYC1100 Tutorial 1: Course Overview and Group Dynamics

Course Introduction and Personnel Information

The course, titled The Psychology of Communication (PSYC1100), is led by a team including the tutor, Mel (Melinda), and the course coordinator, Phi. Mel serves as the lead tutor for the entire course and provides a background of both academic and personal experience to the role.

Tutor Profile: Mel

• Educational Background: Mel completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Queensland (UQ).

• Current Research: Mel is currently completing a PhD under the supervision of Phi and Dr. Michael Tai (School of Psychology). The PhD research focuses on the minority experiences of interracial contact and the mental health implications of being a minority in predominantly white spaces.

• Upbringing and Cultural Background: Mel is half Thai and half Australian. Growing up involved moving frequently, with residences in the United States, Egypt, China, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Australia. This international background contributes to a variable accent and a deep interest in human interaction.

• Personal Interests:

  • Athletics: Mel plays volleyball and tennis, preferring competitive sports over non-competitive exercise like marathons.

  • Axel the Dog: Mel has a dog named Axel, a half German Shepherd and half Border Collie mix who is $11$ years old (often referred to as a puppy in denial of his senior status). Axel is present during the marking of all student assignments.

Detailed Assessment Overview

The course grade is comprised of four main components based on the Electronic Course Profile (ECP). All marking rubrics and task sheets are available on Blackboard.

1. Final Exam ($40\%$)

• Timing: Conducted during the official exam period.

• Accessible Content: The exam is strictly based on UQ Extend content (online lectures). Content from additional workshops run by Phi is not examinable.

• Format: Purely written based on lecture content.

2. Essay ($30\%$)

• Due Date: October.

• Objective: Students must identify a specific problem area within communication and propose evidence-based solutions.

• Resources: Detailed information and guidelines are available on Blackboard.

3. Presentation/Speech Assessment ($10\%$)

• Timing: Presented during tutorial 9 (Week 10) and tutorial 10 (Week 11).

• Nature: This is a group-based project, but students are assessed and marked individually.

• Duration: Approximately $5$ minutes per person.

• Basis: The speech is a recount of a mini-study conducted by the group.

4. Tutorial Workbooks ($20\%$)

• Structure: There are 10 worksheets total, each worth $2.5\%$ of the final grade.

• Calculation: Only the best 8 out of 10 worksheets are counted, allowing students to miss up to two classes without a grade penalty.

• Components of a Worksheet ($2.5\%$ total):

  • Lecture Reflection ($1\%$): Obtained by completing the question at the end of the UQ Extend content and receiving a receipt.

  • Participation ($1.5\%$): Obtained by attending the tutorial, engaging in class, and filling out the physical workbook.

• Constraint: If a student does the lecture but misses class, they receive $0\%$. If they attend class but missed the lecture, they can still earn the $1.5\%$ participation mark.

Support Services and Grading Philosophy

Psychology Student Support Tutors (PSST)

• Personnel: A group of experienced tutors specific to the School of Psychology.

• Scope of Help:

  • Developing assignment ideas and planning.

  • Drafting essay structures and arguments.

  • Providing general writing and study tips (e.g., effectively studying for multiple-choice exams).

• Limitations: They cannot assist with specific course content or explain models of communication.

• Booking: Recommended to book transitions $2$ to $3$ weeks before deadlines as they fill up quickly.

Marking Approach

• Starting Point: Tutors do not start students at $100\%$ and deduct points. Instead, students start at $0$ and earn points by satisfying criteria in the rubric.

• High Marks: A score of $100\%$ or extremely high marks is reserved for work that is outstandingly high quality, exceptionally well-written, clear, and demonstrates high-level critical thinking.

Group Dynamics and Teamwork

The Psychology of "Group Hate"

• Definition: A recognized field in psychology addressing the aversion people have to working in groups, often stemming from previous