Psychology

OVERVIEW

This study enables students to:

• Apply psychological models, theories and concepts to describe, explain and analyse observations and ideas related to human thoughts, emotions and behaviour
• Examine the ways that a biopsychosocial approach can be applied to organise, analyse and extend knowledge in psychology
• Understand the cooperative, cumulative, evolutionary and interdisciplinary nature of science as a human endeavour, including its possibilities, limitations and political and sociocultural influences
• Develop a range of individual and collaborative science investigation skills through experimental and inquiry tasks in the field and in the laboratory
• Develop an informed perspective on contemporary science-based issues of local and global significance
• Apply their scientific understanding to familiar and to unfamiliar situations, including personal, social, environmental and technological contexts
• Understand and apply the research, ethical and safety principles that govern the study and practice of the discipline in the collection, analysis, critical evaluation and reporting of data
• Communicate clearly and accurately an understanding of the discipline using appropriate terminology, conventions and formats.
• To better understand ourselves in order to further develop our God-given potential
• To have a better understanding of the behaviour of others in order to relate more effectively in personal and professional life
• Through an understanding of “scientific” Psychology, to appreciate its relevance to Biblical principles

SUBJECT LENGTH

Each Unit is 1 semester long. Units 3 & 4 must be completed together in a calendar year for a study score to be generated.

TOPICS INCLUDE

Unit 1:

• What Influences Psychological Development?
• Student-Directed Research Investigation

Unit 2: 

• How Are People Influenced To Behave In Particular Ways?
• Student-Directed Practical Investigation

Unit 3:

• How Does The Nervous System Enable Psychological Functioning?
• How Do People Learn And Remember?

Unit 4:

• How Do Levels Of Consciousness Affect Mental Processes And Behaviour?
• What Influences Mental Wellbeing?
• Practical Investigation

PREREQUISITES

• None

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1:

• Outcome 1: Test
• Outcome 2: Empirical Research Activity on Piaget’s Theory of Development
• Outcome 3: Report of an investigation
• Internal Examination

Unit 2:

• Outcome 1: Test and Visual perception annotated presentation
• Outcome 2: Social behaviour media analysis
• Outcome 3: External influences on behaviour scientific poster

Internal Examination

• School Assessed Coursework Unit 3 (16%)
• School Assessed Coursework Unit 4 (24%)
• External Examination (2.5 hours) (60%)