PYB260 Psychopharmacology of Addictive Behaviour

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit aims to develop and extend your understanding of issues relating to behavioural pharmacology with a focus on substances commonly associated with addiction. It introduces the principles of behavioural pharmacology, and critically examines prevailing theories and models of addiction, and related research methods, and how they apply to diverse perspectives. Computerised programs specifically designed for psychology experiments are examined and underlie the authentic assignment of a psychopharmacological experiment journal manuscript, as do other digital technologies (e.g., learning management system, psychology journal database searches, and data presentation and word processing software). Tutorial group activities promote collaboration and the development of knowledge and skills relevant to a research career in psychology. This unit complements and could be combined with other units of addiction (e.g. PYB159, PYB360) to constitute a minor sequence.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Describe, apply, and critically compare the prevailing theories and models of substance dependence.
2. Describe the psychopharmacology of substances associated with addiction and explain their corresponding neurobiological, physiological and behavioural effects.
3. Identify research methods used in behavioural pharmacology and analyse the strengths and limitations associated with these.
4. Critically assess, compare, and synthesise evidence from psychopharmacological experiments on a target substance.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is designed around a series of lectures and tutorials, using a blended delivery model of face to face and online modes. Lectures, which are delivered face-to-face, recorded, and available to view online, are intended to introduce you to the theories, concepts, methods, and basic findings in this subject area. The tutorials are available in both face-to-face and online modes and will be focused around supporting and preparing you to complete assessment tasks. The format of tutorials will include activities and small group discussions based around key concepts and issues in this area. Tutorial group activities promote collaboration and the development of knowledge and skills relevant to a research career in psychology, including further understanding of diverse perspectives. Key resources for supporting your learning in this unit will be made available on Canvas.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback in this unit through formative and summative feedback. General formative feedback will also be provided in the lectures and tutorials. Lectures encourage self-reflection in linking new content to your own experience. The tutorials will provide an opportunity to understand the summative assessment and gain informal feedback about your mastery of the tasks involved. Tutorials also encourage self and peer reflection, in small and larger groups, on some aspects of this (e.g., research design and literature review tables), as well as self and peer reflection on responses to interactive exam preparation activities. Summative feedback will be provided through the assessment tasks detailed below.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment consists of a written assignment and a final exam. The assignment is psychopharmacological journal experiment manuscript reporting on a real-world design experiment examining the effects of a designated substance on human behaviour. All key aspects of this experiment and its results will be communicated in tutorials and online via Canvas. In writing up this assignment, you will need to describe the psychopharmacology of the designated substance and its associated effects (see UO2 for more detail), identify which research methods have been used and critically justify their use (UO3), and critically review the relevant literature and evidence base for relevant psychopharmacological experiments on this substance (UO4). This authentic assessment will promote the development of knowledge and skills relevant to a research career in psychology. You will be required to submit this assessment electronically and via online content-matching software. Assessment will be marked online and your feedback will be supplied via Canvas.

The final exam will assess your knowledge, application, and understanding of content from across the semester in this unit. This includes the prevailing theories and models of substance dependence (UO1), the psychopharmacology of substances covered in this unit including their profile of effects (UO2), and research methods applied in behavioural pharmacology (UO3).

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Report

Your laboratory report (up to 2000 words) will be based on a real world experiment designed to examine the effects of a target substance on human behaviour. The format of the report is designed to authentically align with a psychopharmacological journal manuscript written from the perspective of an expert researcher in this field. Information concerning the design, conduct, and writing up of this experiment will occur in tutorials.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Final Examination

An examination consisting of multiple choice questions drawn from all information covered in the unit, held in the central examination period.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Hancock, S.D. & McKim, W.A. (2018). Drugs & Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioural Pharmacology (8th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson. An e-book version is available

Risk Assessment Statement

You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY45 Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

1. Describe and evaluate the core scientific perspectives of psychology with reference to theories, methods and research, from diverse perspectives, including first-nations perspectives.
   Relates to: Report, Final Examination
2. Critically examine the scientific discipline of psychological research and theories using oral, written and digital communication to address psychological issues in a respectful, ethical and professional manner.
   Relates to: Report, Final Examination
3. Implement a range of digital capabilities to access, examine and utilise evidence-based information in the context of effectively responding to, and communicating, real world problems.
   Relates to: Report