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Psychology

Outline: In VCE Psychology, students explore complex human behaviours and thought processes. They develop an understanding of brain development and of mental health issues and are given the opportunity to apply psychological principles to everyday situations.

Recommendations: It is of benefit to students to have studied units 1 and 2 before studying units 3 and 4 and this is strongly recommended.

Unit 1: Students develop an understanding of brain structure and function, and identify the varying influences of nature and nurture on a person’s psychological development. There is a major investigation related to brain function and/or development, including reference to at least two contemporary psychological studies and/or research techniques.

Unit 2: In this unit students investigate how perception enables a person to interact with the world around them. Students also explore a person’s attitudes, perception of themselves and relationships with others that can influence the behaviour of an individual and groups. A student practical investigation related to internal and external influences on behaviour is undertaken in this unit.

Unit 3: In this unit students examine the functioning of the nervous system to explain how a person can interact with the world around them. They explore how stress may affect a person’s psychological functioning and consider the causes and management of stress. Students investigate mechanisms of memory and learning and they consider the limitations and fallibility of memory and how memory can be improved.

Unit 4: In this unit, students examine the nature of consciousness and how changes in levels of consciousness can affect mental processes and behaviour. They consider the role of sleep and the impact that sleep disturbances may have on a person’s functioning. Students explore the concept of a mental health continuum and apply a biopsychosocial approach to analyse mental health and disorder. They use specific phobia to illustrate how the development and management of a mental disorder can be considered as an interaction between biological, psychological and social factors. They also design and undertake a practical investigation related to mental processes and psychological functioning, and present methodologies, findings and conclusions in a scientific poster.

Where might this course lead? The study of Psychology may lead to

2023 VCE, VM & VET Course Descriptions 55