PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is a multifaceted discipline that seeks to describe, explain, understand and predict human behaviour and mental processes. VCE Psychology applies a biopsychosocial approach to the systematic study of mental processes and behaviour. Students study contemporary research, models and theories to understand how knowledge in psychology has developed and how this knowledge continues to change in response to new evidence and discoveries in an effort to solve day-to-day problems and improve psychological wellbeing.

Unit 1: How are behaviour and mental processes shaped?

Students consider and explore:

1. Influences of hereditary and environmental factors; concepts of normality, neurotypicality and neurodiversity; the diagnosis and treatment of selected mental disorders.

2. The role of the brain; neuroplasticity; the impact of acquired brain injuries (ABIs) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

3. Critical and creative thinking and scientific inquiry skills to explain the relevant psychological concepts

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

Students consider and explore:

1. Cognitive biases and heuristics; stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and stigma; research on individual behaviour, including obedience and conformity; influences of media on mental wellbeing and group behaviour

2. Human perception – vision and taste; perceptual distortions; forms of agnosia

3. Scientific investigation into the internal or external influences on perception and/or behaviour

Unit 3: How does experience affect behaviour and mental processes?

Students consider and explore:

1. The nervous system; neurotransmitters; gut microbiota and stress; models that explain stress; strategies for coping with stress and improving mental wellbeing

2. Learning and memory; mnemonics; songlines; neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease

Unit 4: How is mental wellbeing supported and maintained?

Students consider and explore:

1. Sleep as an altered state of consciousness; REM and NREM sleep; sleep deprivation compared to blood alcohol concentration; sleep hygiene to improve the sleep-wake cycle and mental wellbeing

2. Mental wellbeing; levels of functioning; resilience; specific phobia; factors that contribute to an individual’s mental wellbeing

3. A student-designed scientific investigation to generate primary data relating to mental processes and psychological functioning