Psychology Unit 1: How are Behaviour and Mental Processes Shaped?

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Course Description

Students examine the complex nature of psychological development, including situations where psychological development may not occur as expected. Students examine the contribution that classical and contemporary knowledge from Western and non-Western societies, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, has made to an understanding of psychological development and to the development of psychological models and theories used to predict and explain the development of thoughts, emotions and behaviours. They investigate the structure and functioning of the human brain and the role it plays in mental processes and behaviour and explore brain plasticity and the influence that brain damage may have on a person’s psychological functioning.

Areas of Study

What Influences Psychological Development?

This area of study explores the interactions between biological, psychological and social factors, and how these factors influence different aspects of a person’s psychological development. They explore psychological development across the life span through the lens of emotional, cognitive and social development, including the consideration and evaluation of relevant models and theories. Students explore concepts of normality and neurotypicality and consider how typical or atypical psychological development in individuals may be culturally defined, classified and categorised. The role of mental health workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and organisations in supporting psychological development and the diagnosis and management of atypical behaviour is considered, and depending on interest and context, students may extend their understanding of atypical behaviour to explore the diagnosis and treatment of selected mental disorders.

How are Mental Processes and Behaviour Influenced by the Brain?

In this area of study students explore how the understanding of brain structure and function has changed over time. They develop their understanding of how the brain enables humans to interact with the external world around them and analyse the interactions between different areas of the brain that enable the processing of complex sensory information, the initiation of voluntary movements, language, decision-making, and the regulation of emotions.

Students consider how the brain changes with age and experience, and subsequently how mental functions adapt. Students explore neuroplasticity as the result of experience and brain trauma. They investigate ways to maintain brain functioning and an opportunity is provided to investigate the impact of acquired brain injuries (ABIs), to consolidate students’ understanding of brain functioning. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is also considered as area of contemporary research into progressive and fatal brain disease.

Student-Directed Research Investigation

How does contemporary psychology conduct and validate psychological research?

Students will investigate how science is used to explore and validate contemporary psychological research questions. The investigation involves the exploration of research, methodology and methods, as well as the application of critical and creative thinking to evaluate the validity of a research study by analysing secondary data. The investigation draws on the key science skills and key knowledge from Area of Study 1 and/or Area of Study 2.

Assessment

Outcomes	Assessment Tasks
Outcomes	(school-assessed coursework)
On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss complexity of psychological development over the life span, and evaluate ways of understanding and representing psychological development.	For each outcome, one task is selected from the following: Analysis and evaluation of an experiment or case study A data analysis of generated primary and/or collated secondary data Reflective annotations of a logbook of practical activities Media analysis of one or more contemporary media texts A literature review Response to a psychological issue or ethical dilemma A modelling or simulation activity Problem-solving involving psychological concepts, skills and/or issues A report of a scientific investigation, including the generation, analysis and evaluation of primary data.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the role of the brain in mental processes and behaviour and evaluate how brain plasticity and brain injury can change biopsychosocial functioning.
On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify, analyse and evaluate the evidence available to answer a research question relating to contemporary psychology.	A response to an investigation into contemporary psychological research and how science can be used to explore and validate psychological research questions.

Overall Final Assessment

End of Semester Examination – 1.5 hours.