What is it and why should I do it?
Psychology is a subject for students who are interested in people and the mind. Topics covered include the Nervous System, Stress, Learning, Memory, Sleep and Mental Wellbeing, so very relevant to the lives of teenagers in Year 11 and 12. The course builds on the science skills covered in Unit 1 & 2 but is not a pre-requisite to study Unit 3 & 4. Many students who complete Psychology love it so much they go on to study it at university, or regardless, find it very useful gaining more insight into their own and behaviours of others around them.
How much homework/study will I have?
All Unit 3 and 4 subjects require 3 – 5 hours of study per week.
Much of the homework in Psychology is based around the online platform called Edrolo. This involves viewing tutorial videos and completing practice questions to further understanding of content taught in class. It is expected that students will finish off work each night after class, and more homework will be required leading up to ned of topic tests and assessments.
What contributes to my study score?
SACs 50% and the end of year exam 50%.
The SACs are weighted as follows:
| SAC | Topic | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| SAC 1 | Unit 3: Nervous System and Stress Case Study | 10% |
| SAC 2 | Unit 3: Learning and Memory Comparison of 3 Experiments | 10% |
| SAC 3 | Unit 4: Student-Led Practical Investigation | 10% |
| SAC 4 | Unit 4: Analysis of Primary and Secondary Sleep Data | 10% |
| SAC 5 | Unit 4: Mental Wellbeing Media Analysis and Comparison | 10% |
How do I satisfactorily complete the unit?
To pass any VCE unit you need to demonstrate that you have met the Outcomes.
In Psychology you meet the Outcomes, primarily through completion of coursework, participation in class discussion an your results SAC assessments.
Unit 3
Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse how the functioning of the human nervous system enables a person to interact with the external world, and evaluate the different ways in which stress can affect psychobiological functioning.
Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply different approaches to explain learning to familiar and novel contexts and discuss memory as a psychobiological process.
Unit 4
Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the demand for sleep and evaluate the effects of sleep disruption on a person’s psychological functioning.
Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the concept of mental wellbeing, apply a biopsychosocial approach to explain the development and management of specific phobia, and discuss protective factors that contribute to the maintenance of mental wellbeing.
Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to design and conduct a scientific investigation related to mental processes and psychological functioning, and present an aim, methodology and method, results, discussion and conclusion in a scientific poster.