ABB202 Design Psychology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABB202 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 84 credit points of completed Architecture study (ABB% or D% units) |
| Equivalent(s): | DTB205 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,436 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABB202 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 84 credit points of completed Architecture study (ABB% or D% units) |
| Equivalent: | DTB205 |
| Coordinator: | Debra Cushing | debra.cushing@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Drawing on environmental psychology theory and concepts relevant to spatial design, this unit provides the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the transactional nature of the relationship between people and the built environment. You will learn core theoretical and technical knowledge to support evidence-based design, and inclusive and sustainable practice. Designers require an understanding of how people and the built environment engage physically and psychosocially and existentially if they are to help produce individually meaningful and socially responsive environments. They also require skills to explore person-environment interactions relevant to practice-based projects. This unit builds on introductory understandings of the nature of human engagement and inhabitation and, in so doing, prepares you to consolidate your design knowledge and skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate broad understanding of design psychology relevant to the built environment professions.
- Demonstrate competent skill in using environmental psychology concepts to analyse person-environment interaction in a range of existing built environments.
- Use introductory gathering and analysing skills in reporting on person-environment behaviour.
- dentify and communicate design implications from research involving people and their interaction with the built environment.
Content
Content covered in this unit may include:
- environmental psychology theories and frameworks
- design psychology theory emphasising psychosocial dimensions
- research methods for analysing environments and exploring everyday lived experience.
Learning Approaches
This unit engages you in learning through a theory-to-practice approach. In undertaking the unit you will develop your knowledge of design psychology and relevant methodological skills through lectures, readings, interactive teaching exercises, blended material, case studies, and a research project. Strategies to be adopted in teaching the unit and facilitating your learning include: applying theory to interpret observations and material of person-environment interaction; using real cases and a range of techniques to develop skills in collecting and analysing data related to human behaviour and experience; translating research outcomes to the design context; reporting on and sharing learning outcomes through verbal, written and graphic presentation. Both content and its organisation are designed for you to assess your progress in the unit and the course and for you to gather evidence of meeting unit and course outcomes. The unit is structured to introduce you to relevant theory followed by teaching activities where you and your peers will discuss theoretical readings, practice procedural techniques and the application of theory; and obtain progressive feedback from teaching staff on projects undertaken independently.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit will be provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises undertaken and discussed during the teaching activities
- feedback from peers for formative exercises
- criteria sheet grading with written comments for summative assessment including opportunities for further discussion and clarification during teaching activities
- comments to all students via QUT Canvas.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment will be summative with assignment grades contributing to a final grade for the unit. Each assignment will be assessed using criteria and standards provided to you as part of the assignment information with opportunity for clarification. You will be encouraged to use the assessment criteria to help guide your progress.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study
A presentation of observational studies of selected cases that provide evidence of theoretical knowledge and technical skills covered to date.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Research Paper
A research report, including text and graphics, that presents the outcomes of collecting and analysing first-hand observational data of person-environment interactions through the integration of theory and exploration of implications for future design practice.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Key literature and resources relating to the substantive content of the unit will be provided or referenced on Canvas. You also will be encouraged to access additional resources relevant for informal or formal learning activities and projects.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing Faculty of Engineering students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
Relates to: Case Study, Research Paper - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Case Study, Research Paper - Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Research Paper - Plan, develop and complete research and other projects.
Relates to: Case Study, Research Paper - Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
Relates to: Case Study, Research Paper