BEHL1034: UO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology

Assessment 

Assessment Description

This assessment is designed to demonstrate your understanding of the consequences of colonisation. Based on material from Weeks 3-6 and drawing upon your Reflective Journal entries, this assessment requires you to respond to 2 key questions. The focus is on showing you have critically engaged with the material and comprehended it in ways that reflect relevance to your studies in psychology. The work you undertake for this submission will assist you down the track in your final assignment: Project 2, where you can utilise your comprehension of this material to consider further content for your presentation.
Through this assessment you will be demonstrating you have critical understanding of the consequences of colonisation that have been explored in the course. You will submit a 1500-word response, including at least one complete reflective cycle, to set questions that draw upon your experience of learning in the weeks prior to the submission date. The response should focus on weeks 3 - 6 demonstrating the links across the material.

Aims

The weeks related to this assessment are about exploring the historical contexts that have led to the contemporary issues experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities and the impact on race relations in Australia. This assessment provides a space to apply the knowledge in a succinct way, by demonstrating the work you have undertaken on topics related to history and contemporary issues. The work consolidating your knowledge in this assignment, along with your first Continuous Assessment, can all be translated in your final assignment for the course: Assessment 2 Project.

Develop a 1500-word written essay in response to the following questions:

What are some of the ongoing effects of colonisation on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities today?

• Include discussion about what aspects of colonisation relate to or caused the contemporary issue(s).
• Integrate at least one reflective cycle.
• Be specific by using examples to show your knowledge of content.
  This section should be approximately 750 words.
  How did colonisation affect relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples?
• Be specific by using examples to show your knowledge of content.
• Integrate at least one reflective cycle.
• Include discussion about the ways these effects relate to practice in psychology.
  This section should be approximately 750 words.

Assessment Summary

This assessment focuses on developing a critical understanding of the consequences of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities. Students are required to produce a 1,500-word written essay responding to two key questions, integrating knowledge from Weeks 3–6 of the course.

The key components of the assessment include:

1. Question 1: Discussing the ongoing effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities.

   • Identify specific aspects of colonisation causing contemporary issues.
   • Use real-world examples to demonstrate understanding.
   • Integrate at least one reflective cycle (e.g., Gibbs’ or Kolb’s model).
   • Approximate word count: 750 words.

2. Question 2: Exploring how colonisation has affected relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples.

   • Provide examples to illustrate understanding of historical and social impacts.
   • Include one reflective cycle linking learning to psychological practice.
   • Approximate word count: 750 words.

The aim is to ensure students can link historical contexts to current realities, demonstrate critical engagement with course material, and reflect on the relevance to psychology.

Mentor’s Step-by-Step Approach

The Academic Mentor guided the student through a systematic process to ensure the assessment was approached with clarity, reflection, and academic depth.

Step 1: Understanding the Task

The mentor began by helping the student interpret the assessment brief, highlighting the need for:

• Critical engagement with course readings and reflective journals.
• Integrating evidence-based examples from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts.
• Maintaining balance between historical analysis and psychological implications.

The mentor encouraged reviewing Weeks 3–6 lecture materials, focusing on colonisation, displacement, cultural loss, and intergenerational trauma.

Step 2: Structuring the Essay

Next, the mentor assisted in developing a clear essay structure:

• Introduction: Define colonisation and its psychological implications. State both questions briefly and outline the reflective framework used.
• Body Section 1: Discuss ongoing effects of colonisation using contemporary examples (health disparities, educational inequity, systemic bias). Apply a reflective cycle to show personal learning.
• Body Section 2: Analyse how colonisation affected relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples (loss of trust, stereotyping, cultural misunderstanding). Relate findings to psychological practice and ethical engagement.
• Conclusion: Summarise insights and link to future implications for culturally safe practice in psychology.

Step 3: Integrating Reflection

The mentor guided the student in using a reflective model (e.g., Gibbs’ cycle) to connect theory and personal insight. This involved:

• Describing key learnings from lectures and readings.
• Analyzing emotional and cognitive responses to colonial histories.
• Drawing conclusions about how these understandings influence professional behaviour in psychology.

Step 4: Academic Writing and Referencing

The mentor reinforced academic writing standards, emphasizing:

• Using scholarly references from course readings and credible Indigenous authors.
• Maintaining a critical yet respectful tone when discussing sensitive cultural issues.
• Proper citation in APA style to ensure academic integrity.

Step 5: Reviewing and Refining

Finally, the mentor helped the student review the draft for:

• Logical flow and coherence across both questions.
• Accurate integration of reflection and examples.
• Word balance between sections (approx. 750 words each).
• Proofreading for grammar, tone, and APA referencing accuracy.

Outcome and Learning Achievements

By following this guided process, the student successfully produced a comprehensive, well-referenced, and critically reflective essay. The final work demonstrated:

• Deep understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation.
• Ability to apply reflective practice to connect learning with professional identity in psychology.
• Competence in linking Indigenous perspectives to contemporary psychological contexts.
• Development of critical analysis, academic writing, and cultural awareness skills—all aligning with the course learning outcomes on ethical, reflective, and culturally safe professional practice.

Get Inspired, But Stay Original – Download Your Sample Solution Now

Looking for guidance on how to structure and present your assignment effectively? Our professionally written sample solution is here to help you understand key concepts, formatting styles, and the right approach to meet academic standards. Use it as a reference tool to strengthen your own research and writing skills.

Important: This sample is meant for reference and study purposes only. Submitting it as your own work may lead to plagiarism issues and academic penalties. Always use the sample responsibly to learn, not to copy.

If you need a fresh, 100% original, plagiarism-free assignment crafted according to your specific requirements and university guidelines, our expert academic writers are ready to assist. You’ll receive a custom-written solution tailored to your topic, ensuring accuracy, credibility, and guaranteed originality.

Why Choose a Fresh Custom Solution?

• Written from scratch by qualified academic professionals
• Plagiarism-free and checked with advanced tools
• Structured as per your university’s marking criteria
• On-time delivery with full confidentiality

Take the next step towards academic success today!

Download Sample Solution  Order Fresh Assignment