Year 12 Psychology

This semester, Year 12 Psychology students have been exploring the fascinating world of memory through a range of engaging hands-on activities. 

As part of their study of learning theories, students experienced classical conditioning firsthand. By repeatedly pairing a specific word with a light spray of water, they discovered how associations can be formed, just as the famous psychologist Ivan Pavlov demonstrated in his research. 

Students also investigated memory by learning about the well-known case of patient H.M., whose hippocampus was removed, leaving him unable to form new long-term memories. 

To better understand the distinction between different types of memory, students completed the challenging task of tracing a star while viewing it only through a mirror. This activity demonstrated how procedural skills can be learned even when explicit memory is impaired. 

These interactive experiences brought key psychological concepts to life and provided students with a memorable way to deepen their understanding of learning and memory.