PSYC11-116: Love, Sex and Relationships

Description

 This subject explores human love and relationships from a scientific perspective. It also examines biological and behavioural aspects of sexuality, including sexual anatomy, gender, sexual orientation, erotica and pleasure. Students learn how to build and maintain healthy relationships, improve relationship communication and explore the science of love and attraction.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: PSYC11-116
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:
  • January 2026 [Standard Offering]
  • May 2026 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Psychology, Criminology, and Social Sciences
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2025: $4,460.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $4,600.00
  • Commencing in 2027: $4,810.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $5,990.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $6,260.00
  • Commencing in 2027: $6,550.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Explain the major theories, empirical findings, and historical trends in the psychology of love, sex and relationships, including sexual behaviour, attraction, romantic attachment, and relationship dynamics.
  2. Apply psychological principles to personal and interpersonal contexts.
  3. Apply knowledge and skills of Psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
  4. Apply ethical principles and the Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct when engaging with sensitive psychological topics.
  5. Analyse theory and research in relationship psychology.
  6. Present psychological research findings orally to a tutorial audience.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

All Psychology programs are accredited in the sequence presented and designed to provide students with learning and graduate outcomes in line with APAC accreditation standards. In order to meet these outcomes, students in the Undergraduate program should complete PSYC11, then PSYC12, and finally PSYC13 subjects in the order sequenced.
Restrictions:

Subject outlines

Subject dates

January 2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
Semester start: 19/01/2026
Subject start: 19/01/2026
Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
Teaching census: 13/02/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026
May 2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 22/03/2026
Semester start: 18/05/2026
Subject start: 18/05/2026
Last enrolment: 31/05/2026
Teaching census: 12/06/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 13/06/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 04/07/2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
Semester start: 19/01/2026
Subject start: 19/01/2026
Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
Teaching census: 13/02/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026