Length: Semester
Recommended background: Successful completion of a full year of Year 10 Science
Content:
Psychology aims to describe and explain both universal human experiences, as well as individual and cultural diversity. It addresses the ways in which behavior, thoughts and feelings can be studied and changed. It also offers ways to advance the wellbeing of individuals, groups and societies.
Psychology is based on evidence gathered as a result of planned investigations following the principles of scientific inquiry. The skills learnt through Psychology are parallel to those learnt in other science subjects: how to be a critical consumer of information; how to identify psychological processes in everyday experiences; how to apply knowledge to real-world situations; how to investigate psychological issues; and how to be an effective communicator. The ethics of research and intervention are also an integral part of psychology.
There are three topics covered in this semester:
An inquiry approach enables students to broaden the scope of their learning by identifying investigable questions, deconstructing and designing their research, collating data, analysing and critiquing their findings. The issues investigated in Psychology A include:
Assessment:
Student performance will be determined according to the subject’s Performance Standards as described in the Subject Outline. Grades A to E will be used for reporting purposes.