Psychology
Units 1 & 2

Year 12

What is the subject about?

In Unit 1, students examine psychological development including the idea of ‘nature vs nurture’ and our development of thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Students investigate the structure and function of the brain and the influence that brain damage may have on a person’s psychological functioning. In Unit 2, students evaluate the social cognition plays in a person’s attitudes, perception of themselves and relationships with others and investigate how perception enables a person to interact with the world around them and how these perceptions can be distorted. Students also complete one student-led research investigation and one long-form student-led practical investigation as assessment tasks throughout the year.

Units

Unit 1: How are behaviour and mental processes shaped?

Unit 2: How do internal and external factors influence behaviour and mental processes?

Skills you will develop

Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions
Plan and conduct investigations
Generate, collate and record data
Analyse and evaluate data and investigation methods
Construct evidence-based arguments and draw conclusions
Analyse, evaluate and communicate scientific ideas

Assessment

Media Analysis on behaviour
Practical investigation report
Portfolio reflection of perception activities

Pathways

Studying Psychology can lead to the following careers

Psychologist/counsellor
Social work
Mental health support worker
Behavioural neuroscientist
Sports psychology
Developmental psychologist
Marketing/advertising
Human resources

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3.

If you are interested in this subject please see Mr Alldis or Laura Edmonds

Kristian Cerovac – “Psychology is really interesting – especially because there’s nothing really like it I’ve done at Year 9 and 10. I find it a really interesting balance of how the body and brain work along with how the mind works. I also really enjoy that we still find ways to learn practically in the class and not just entirely through bookwork!”