Overview
In this unit you will examine the relationships between cultural contexts and human behaviour. You will gain understanding of the similarities and differences in behaviour as influenced by various cultures, particularly perspectives of First Nations Peoples. You will learn about key cross-cultural theories, common research methods used in cross-cultural psychology and examine how these are relevant in research and applied settings. In this unit you will learn how to apply your psychological knowledge and skills in a manner that is culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of others.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-Requisite Completion of 96 credit points in CC43, CF59, CG93, CL51, CL55, CM62 or CC13.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student unit evaluations, informal student feedback
Students commented that the use of guest lecturers sometimes made the unit and its content feel disjointed.
Unit scheduling and content will be reviewed to ensure coherence in the content being presented.
Feedback from Unit coordinator reflections
Some pre-recorded lectures recorded by guest lecturers in 2022 make reference to particular dates or issues that date the videos.
Pre-recorded lectures will be reviewed and replaced with new videos or live lectures to ensure content is current.
- Critically apply cross-cultural perspectives to key theories and concepts in psychology.
- Critically evaluate psychological research for appropriate acknowledgement of sociocultural influences and perspectives on diversity and inclusion.
- Apply perspectives of cross-cultural psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
This unit addresses Foundational Competencies as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The unit specifically aligns to the following APAC graduate competencies:
1.1 Comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including the following topics: i. the history and philosophy underpinning the science of psychology and the social, cultural, historical and professional influences on the practice of psychology; ii. individual differences in capacity, behaviour and personality; iv. psychological disorders and evidence-based interventions; v. learning and memory; vi. cognition, language and perception; vii. motivation and emotion; viii. neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour; ix. lifespan developmental psychology; x. social psychology and xii. research methods and statistics.
1.2 Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
1.3 Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
1.4 Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
1.6 Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 40% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 3 - Presentation - 20% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- CQUniversity Library
- CQU Library hosted Literature Databases
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.filgueirasgoncalves@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Understanding Cross-cultural Psychology
Chapter
Chapter 1. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Available at: CQU Library Link
Or at: Authors' Research Gate Link
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Critical Thinking in Cross-cultural Psychology
Chapter
Chapter 2. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Available at: CQU Library Link
Or at: Authors' Research Gate Link
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Methodology of Cross-cultural Research
Chapter
Chapter 3. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cognition: Sensation, Perception and States of Consciousness
Chapter
Chapter 4. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Cross-cultural Self-reflection Video Due: Week 4 Monday (31 Mar 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Intelligence
Chapter
Chapter 5. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Emotion
Chapter
Chapter 6. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Motivation and Behaviour
Chapter
Chapter 7. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Human Development and Socialisation
Chapter
Chapter 8. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
First Nations Peoples' Perspectives on Psychology
Chapter
Guest Lecturer Dr Tessa Benveniste <t.benveniste@cqu.edu.au>
Refer to Moodle for reading/s associated with this topic.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Psychological Disorders
Chapter
Chapter 9. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Social Perception, Social Cognition and Social Interaction
Chapter
Chapter 10. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Personality and the Self
Chapter
Chapter 11. Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2020). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications. Routledge.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation
Task description
This is your first assessment in PSYC13018, Cross-cultural Psychology. In this task, you will be asked to select at least one media source from a list of recommendations available on Moodle (e.g., news stories, movies, podcasts). Then, you will be asked to self-reflect on your cultural biases based on your perceptions and reactions to the media stimulus. You will record a short presentation (≤ 5 minutes) in which you will present your self-reflection and reasoning. This is a way to reflect and behave culturally appropriately.
The video content
- Brief presentation of your cultural background and heritage (e.g., "I was born in..., my parents/grandparents are from..., I identify myself as...")
- Brief description of the media chosen (e.g., "I watched the comedy movie Crocodile Dundee about an Australian bushman called Mick Dundee, who is brought to New York City. The film depicts the contrast between Dundee’s bush survival techniques and how they fit into the complexities of urban life.")
- Brief self-reflection based on what you have seen so far in this unit regarding culture, critical psychology, and biases (e.g., "I caught myself laughing about the stereotypical representation of Australians. I felt that the Representativeness Bias was present in the humour of this movie and sometimes I laughed even though I should not have. This bias creates erroneous categories that can be detrimental to people by reducing them to certain expected behaviours, neglecting their individuality.")
Video format
- You need to show yourself at some point in the video (for identification purposes).
- If any part of the video utilised Generative AI (including the script or narration), please, explicitly state in the video.
- The video length should not be longer than 5 minutes.
- You can edit your video (if needed) and use your creativity to make the presentation clear and impactful.
Use of Generative AI
You can utilise AI to assist with this task if explicitly stated in the video. Please refer to the respective section on this Unit's Moodle site to understand how to utilise AI tools ethically and responsibly. Remember that it is plagiarism to directly copy and paste material produced by Generative AI tools into assessments. Beyond the "AI tools for research and study" section on this Unit's Moodle site, if you need further guidance on using Generative AI in assessments, please access the resources developed by the Academic Learning Centre (ALC): GenAI Student Resources (ALC) and Referencing Guidelines for Large Language Models or AI in Assignments (ALC). If you have questions about Generative AI material and plagiarism, please speak with your unit coordinator and/or contact an ALC advisor.
Week 4 Monday (31 Mar 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Week 6 Friday (25 Apr 2025)
Assessment Criteria
The following marking criteria will be applied:
Mark sums up to 20%
- Description of self-identity (2%)
- Description of the chosen media source (2%)
- Self-reflection of self-identity and the media source (6%)
- Identification of biases (4%)
- Antidotes for biases (4%)
- Reflections for your future self (2%)
- Critically apply cross-cultural perspectives to key theories and concepts in psychology.
- Apply perspectives of cross-cultural psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
2 Written Assessment
Task description
This is your second assessment in PSYC13018, Cross-cultural Psychology. In this task, you will be asked to select at least three descriptions of real-world simulated situations from a list of five available on Moodle. Each situation will have multiple cultural perspectives and problems associated with it. Your task will be to use this Unit's content to analyse the situation and propose a solution for that problem. This is a way to show cultural sensitivity and responsiveness.
Requisites of the task
Each situation will require:
- A Critical Cultural Analysis
- Reasoning on why the problem is culturally related
- A solution based on this Unit's content
Format of the task
Each situation will have:
- Between 400 (minimum) and 500 (maximum) words
- Text in academic and formal English
- At least two in-text citations with their respective references (APA format)
Use of Generative AI
You can utilise AI to assist with this task. Please refer to the respective section on this Unit's Moodle site to understand how to utilise AI tools ethically and responsibly. Remember that it is plagiarism to directly copy and paste material produced by Generative AI tools into assessments. Beyond the "AI tools for research and study" section on this Unit's Moodle site, if you need further guidance on using Generative AI in assessments, please access the resources developed by the Academic Learning Centre (ALC): GenAI Student Resources (ALC) and Referencing Guidelines for Large Language Models or AI in Assignments (ALC). If you have questions about Generative AI material and plagiarism, please speak with your unit coordinator and/or contact an ALC advisor.
Week 10 Monday (19 May 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025)
Assessment Criteria
The following marking criteria will be applied:
Mark sums up to 40%
- Analysis of the problem from different cultural standpoints (10%)
- Theoretical foundations of the cross-cultural psychology framework utilised to understand the problem (12%)
- Clarity and applicability of the proposed solution (6%)
- Adequacy of the proposed solution to the proposed framework (8%)
- Written expression and grammar (2%)
- APA formatting (2%)
- Critically evaluate psychological research for appropriate acknowledgement of sociocultural influences and perspectives on diversity and inclusion.
- Apply perspectives of cross-cultural psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
3 Portfolio
Task description
This is your third assessment in PSYC13018, Cross-cultural Psychology. In this task, you will be asked to make a portfolio of critical reflections towards this Unit's sessions (from Week 1 to Week 11). After each session, you will be asked to choose one topic, use the critical psychology framework to discuss the relativism of multicultural scenarios within the chosen topic, self-reflect on your biases and propose an antidote. This is a way to increase your cultural awareness and improve your ability to apply psychological knowledge and skills in a manner that is culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of others.
Requisites of the task
Each reflection will require:
- A summary of the session's chosen topic
- A Critical Cultural Analysis of the topic (with respective in-text citations and references)
- Self-reflection on your biases
- Proposition of an antidote for your future self
Format of the task
Each reflection will have:
- Between 200 (minimum) and 300 (maximum) words
- Text in academic and formal English
- At least one in-text citation with its respective reference (APA format)
- There will be 11 reflections, one for each session, from Week 1 to Week 11.
PS: Week 12 will not be included nor considered for this assessment.
Use of Generative AI
You can utilise AI to assist with this task. Please refer to the respective section on this Unit's Moodle site to understand how to utilise AI tools ethically and responsibly. Remember that it is plagiarism to directly copy and paste material produced by Generative AI tools into assessments. Beyond the "AI tools for research and study" section on this Unit's Moodle site, if you need further guidance on using Generative AI in assessments, please access the resources developed by the Academic Learning Centre (ALC): GenAI Student Resources (ALC) and Referencing Guidelines for Large Language Models or AI in Assignments (ALC). If you have questions about Generative AI material and plagiarism, please speak with your unit coordinator and/or contact an ALC advisor.
Week 12 Monday (2 June 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
Assessment Criteria
The following marking criteria will be applied:
Mark sums up to 40%
- Description of the chosen topic (6%)
- Theoretical background of the critical reflection (6%)
- Critical perspective of the chosen topic (8%)
- Self-reflection on your biases (8%)
- Antidote for your future self to avoid biases (8%)
- Written expression and grammar (2%)
- APA formatting (2%)
- Critically apply cross-cultural perspectives to key theories and concepts in psychology.
- Critically evaluate psychological research for appropriate acknowledgement of sociocultural influences and perspectives on diversity and inclusion.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
