VCE Psychology is for students who are interested in exploring how people think, feel and behave. It uses a biopsychosocial model that includes the study of brain functions that underpin behaviour and its social context. Students will also learn how to learn and to critically evaluate research.
Students examine how our understanding of brain structure and function has changed over time and how the brain enables us to interact with the external world. They explore the effects of brain plasticity and brain damage on a person’s functioning. Students consider the interaction of hereditary and environmental factors and investigate factors that may lead to typical or atypical psychological development. Students investigate a question related to brain function. Students build connections between scientific research methods and human thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Area of Study includes:
What influences psychological development?
How are mental processes and behaviour influenced by the brain?
How does contemporary psychology conduct and validate psychological research?
Students explore vision and taste and consider how biological, psychological and social factors can influence a person’s perception of different stimuli. Students explore the interplay of biological, psychological and social factors that shape the behaviour of individuals and groups. Topics include individual and group behaviours, such as attitude formation, prejudice, discrimination, helping behaviour and bullying. Students examine classical and contemporary research that explains individual and group behaviour. Students design and conduct a practical investigation related to perception.
Area of Study includes:
How are people influenced to behave in particular ways?
What influences a persons perception of the world?
How do scientific investigations develop understanding of influences on perception and behaviour?
Student assessment will be based on internally set and corrected school-assessed coursework. Assessment tasks may include:
research investigations
maintaining a logbook of practical activities
practical reports
tests
media analyses
analyses of data
problem solving tasks
end of semester examination
For more detailed information, please click on the link/s below:
Students will order the textbook and workbook from the booklist
Edrolo Units 1 & 2 Psychology Resource will be purchased and distributed to students by the school (this will be charged on your College account)