Psychology Year 9/10 200 hours Board Endorsed Course
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches
PSY5-4 explains a range of psychological theories and identifies the application of these theories to everyday life
PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms
Core 1 – What is psychology? 20- 30 hours minimum 8 weeks
Students will identify psychology as a scientific discipline which studies mental processes and human behaviour, the world of the psychologist, the history of psychology and present-day theories of psychology.
Students will learn how the knowledge gained by research psychologists is used by applied psychologists in their dealings with individuals and groups. Students will appreciate the eclectic nature of psychological theories and the contributions made by psychologists of the past in formulating contemporary theories
A student:
- PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches
- PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches
- PSY5-4 explains a range of psychological theories and identifies the application of these theories to everyday life
- PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors
- PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms
| Outcome | Teaching strategy | Resources |
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Learning sequence 1 – Mental processes and observable behaviour Content Students: explain that psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and how they affect observable behaviour
recognise the historical roots of the study of human behaviour and the contributions of early psychologists, including Charles Darwin Wilhelm Wundt Sigmund Freud William James B.F. Skinner John B. Watson examine the role of the psychologist, including areas of specialisation within the field of psychology, for example clinical psychologists military psychologists environmental psychologists forensic psychologists investigate the tasks involved in some of the major fields of psychology investigate the six major approaches to present-day psychology and the theories behind them, including biopsychology behaviourism psychoanalysis humanism cognitive psychology sociocultural psychology distinguish between research and applied psychology and the roles of each.
Learning sequence 2 – Early psychologists
Learning sequence 3 – Fields of psychology
Learning sequence 4 – Major approaches to psychology |
Brainstorm the following terms, using a concept map to record responses:
Psychology Mental processes Observable behaviour. Using responses collated in the brainstorming activity, construct your own definition of psychology.
Re-examine your definition and make changes based on your increased knowledge. Discuss how the role of a psychologist is different to that of a psychiatrist or counsellor. Use a Venn diagram to differentiate between the role of psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors.
The study of human behaviour Discuss how human behaviour is different and/or similar to that of other living creatures. Research the history of Psychology and its roots in philosophy Compare the differences between the early schools of thought known as structuralism and functionalism
Complete a quick, write activity to construct answers to the following questions: Why do people behave the way they do? Why do people react differently to similar circumstances? Discuss the nature-nurture debate. How much of our behaviour is inherited and how much is the result of the world in which we live? Early psychologists Teacher note – You may choose to allocate the psychologists to students rather than students selecting. When completing the gallery walk, information can be presented in a range of formats appropriate to the student’s preferences and abilities. Select one of the early psychologists and research the contributions they made to the field of psychology Charles Darwin Wilhelm Wundt Sigmund Freud William James B.F. Skinner John B. Watson. Construct a biography for your chosen psychologist, as a poster Collaborate with other students who have researched the same psychologist to construct a presentation to contribute to a gallery walk. Conduct the gallery walk activity, and add questions to each presentation. Each group should respond to the questions posed. Compile the information gathered on each psychologist and use it to construct a timeline of contributions to psychology. Discuss the statement ‘Wilhelm Wundt is the father of academic psychology’.
Students: examine the role of the psychologist, including areas of specialisation within the field of psychology, for example: clinical psychologists military psychologists environmental psychologists forensic psychologists investigate the tasks involved in some of the major fields of psychology. Areas of specialisation Teacher note – When completing the university research, some universities do not publish their course brochure/information online and it may need to be requested in advance. Brainstorm the places that psychologist work and add responses to a class jamboard. complete the following questions: Which faculty area provided the course? How long does it take to become a psychologist? Which areas of specialisation does the university offer? What are the main areas of study within the course? Are they prerequisites for entry? What are 3 things you have discovered about the study Psychology that you didn’t know before starting this task? Briefly outline the education and training required to practice as a psychologist in Australia. Select a psychologist from the Which type of psychologist is right for me? section of the Who they assist and Tasks they may perform Discuss how the workplace environment impacts on the role performed by the psychologist and the tasks involved. Revisit the class jamboard and add any new workplaces or industries that were not included in the initial brainstorm. Tasks involved and take note of the tasks involved in each of the different areas of specialisation Complete table 1 for each area of specialisation. Table 1 – Psychology speciality – places of employment and tasks performed Psychology speciality Places of employment Tasks completed Clinical, Military, Environmental, Forensic, Students: investigate the six major approaches to present-day psychology and the theories behind them, including: biopsychology behaviourism psychoanalysis humanism cognitive psychology sociocultural psychology. distinguish between research and applied psychology and the roles of each. The six approaches to present-day psychology Take notes to assist in completion of the table below. Using the information from the video and further research, complete table 2.
Consider the differences between the fictional background created for your ‘Pat’ when compared to the other student’s fictional scenario. What are the key differences? Complete the activity for a second time, using your psychological perspective to explain the behaviour. Does the change in circumstances result in a different reasoning for Pats behaviour? Differences between research and applied psychology Construct a definition for research psychology and applied psychology. Use your definitions and further research to complete table 3 below. Table 3 – Research and applied psychology Features Research psychology Applied psychology Definition, Associated Psychologists, Tasks involved, Types of workplace/industry Identify the areas of similarity and difference between the fields of research and applied psychology. Represent your information in a Venn diagram.
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Psychology | Explorable Explanations
Watch Intro to psychology: Crash Course #1 (10:53) and make notes on some of the features of psychology
Watch The fight flight freeze response (3:05).
Watch Psychologists talks about their careers (5:22)
Access the website for a university of your choosing that offers a Psychology course,
Australian Psychological Society webpage and identify:
Watch Perspectives in Psychology (9:06) for an overview of present-day approaches to Psychology.
Table 2 – Psychological approaches and associated psychologists, tabulate – Approach, Associated psychologists, Theory Biopsychology, Behaviourism, Psychoanalysis, Humanism, Cognitive, Sociocultural, Evolutionary Case study eg Pat is a first-year student at university. Pat has been drinking a lot lately and there is concern that Pat may be an alcoholic. Review the case study of Pat (as presented in the video) and complete the following tasks: Provide a fictional background for Pat including age, gender, family background, past experiences. Offer a possible reason for Pat’s behaviour using one psychological perspective from those examined in the previous activity. Compare your reasoning with another student who used a different psychological perspective to explain the behaviour. |
Core 2 – Research methods in psychology
Students examine the scientific methods and ethics involved in psychological research and experimentation. They will investigate the types of psychological research and examine the ethical principles that are required when engaging participants in research studies.
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches
PSY5-5 demonstrates an understanding of the importance of ethics in psychology, research and the interpretation of data
PSY5-7 examines suitable research methods including procedures and critical analysis when completing action based learning
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms
| Content
Students: define the role and purpose of psychological research identify the characteristics of quality psychological research, including theoretical frameworks, standardised procedures, validity, reliability investigate the differences between various types of psychological research and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each research method, including experimental research, correlational research, descriptive research
examine the role of ethical principles and professional practice in psychology, for example informed consent, deception the role of professional associations for practising psychologists
explain the role and purpose of statistics in psychological research, including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics conduct a simple experiment to test a hypothesis and analyse the results.
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Students conduct their own research on a question of their design in order to write a report as a group or individually. Due Week 7
Students to research the background theory for their choose area. Compare scientific and psychological reports and experiments
Student then reflect on their own research to discuss the key ideas and terms of the core 2 topic
Students analyse their own experiment and report in line with standard procedures.
Students investigate correlation and causation both real and fake for joking.
Describe the difference between descriptive and inferential statics
Investigate examples of ethically poor experiments and other experiments
Use statistics in a modelled example to discuss terms like standard deviation to access significance. Do a simple experiment such as flipping a coin with fingers cross to explore that expected results are not always seen in small sample sizes.
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Youtube videos on Google classroom
Case study- psy boost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a60_qcCYHJc
Twin study unethical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a5U-yr4ESY
5 famous psychological studies you could do today
Unethical science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRwWxELXakA
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Option 1 – Biological bases of behaviour- Science
Students study the evolution and development of the human brain and what sets human beings apart from other animals. They will investigate the anatomy and physiology of the human brain and nervous system, the nature of normal brain function and the role of technology in analysing neurological disorders.
Students learn about sensation, perception and consciousness and how these biological issues affect how humans relate to the world around them. They learn to appreciate the complexity of human behaviour from a biological perspective.
Outcomes
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches.
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches.
PSY5-3 describes diversity and variation on the nature of personality, disease, disorders, intelligence and creativity and their influence on human behaviour.
PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors.
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms.
| Content
Students: describe the structure and evolution of the human brain and how it differs from those of other animals
explain how the ability to think and reason defines us as humans examine the role of the brain and nervous system in controlling human behaviour
investigate the nature of normal brain function and how science and technology can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological injuries, diseases and disorders
evaluate current research into ways of preventing, treating or curing brain injuries, diseases and disorders
examine biological rhythms and their effects on human behaviour, including:unseen forces such as biological clocks, circadian rhythms and jet lag
investigate the sleep cycle, sleep deprivation, dreams and brain changes during sleep and their effects on human behaviour.
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Examine diagram of the brain- draw labeled diagram
Use a model of axon to describe structure of myelin sheathing Use bioviewers to explore nerve cells etc
Discuss evolution
Students to use research skills present a short presentation on one key term from the technologies and current research area to their peers.
Students to also investigate each term that are being used as topics for the presentations
illusions
Other medical effects eg insulin, hormones, depression and hormones
After presentations, students to discuss issues eg is technology or medication better for solving some disorders.
Teacher to recap science eg evolution of humans and their cognitive capacity |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp1h5mlVTUM Early brain development
Phet model of neuron
Explore potential differences between humans and more primitive humans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4azGe_5to Structure of the Brain Google classroom presentation topics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHrmiy4W9C0 Brain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoTx7Rt4dig Aggression Vs Altruism
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Option 4 – Forensic psychology- Science start week 7 term 3 till week 3 or 4 term 4 2023
Students will learn about the application of psychological knowledge and methods to tasks faced by the legal system. These tasks include the role of the forensic psychologist, characteristics of violent offenders, a case study investigation of stalkers and stalking, criminal profiling, assessing defendant for insanity or competency, assessing people for risk of violence, the forensic psychologist in the courtroom, confessions and eyewitness identification.
Students will synthesise their knowledge about psychological research, the roles of psychologists and psychological profiling and its application in contemporary society.
Outcomes A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches
PSY5-5 demonstrates an understanding of the importance of ethics in psychology, research and the interpretation of data
PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors
PSY5-7 examines suitable research methods including procedures and critical analysis when completing action based learning
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms
| Content
Students: identify the roles of a forensic psychologist, areas of specialisation and where forensic psychologists work
examine the variables associated with criminality, for example socio-economic status, age, gender, employment status apply official crime statics to profile criminality
identify the role of forensic psychologists in criminal profiling differentiate between criminal profiling methods, for example inductive methods deductive methods
explain how forensic psychologists assess mental fitness and diminished responsibility identify the role of ‘expert witnesses’ in the courtroom explain how human memory works and identify factors influencing the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
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What is a forensic psychologist, Use a search engine such as seek.com to research a range of psychology based job ads including forensic
Research crime statistic trends such as BOSCAR
Factors associated with criminality Crime 20 minutes – TED talk on crime
Induction and deduction Students to discuss and determine definitions of these terms Motis Operoentis – MO- the way that the criminal does crimes leads to induction of other possible crimes Deductions- conclusions based on specific experiments leading to general principles.
Other options
Bullet analysis
Discuss the need for expert witnesses and research famous crimes where anexpert witness was employed
Research problems with memory
Experiments to allow deduction of time of death eg burying paddlepop sticks etc Fingerprinting- using carbon powder and talc powder Chromatography of different inks
Door study |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3-p1QnHrVk forensic psychologist,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMPIvOUvqPA What is a forensic psychology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq9jGdA2Tgk factors affecting criminality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5sk504Yc94 test your memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRcNQkWNWNk Deduction and Induction – reasoning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJrYwh6WyF8 youtube what sherlock holmes got wrong
And https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnkw1pVoy7E
https://www.nist.gov/video/matching-crime-scene-bullets-segment-segment bullet analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-2p86FvqF4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSycdIx-C48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTO6O0DNkgw
https://www.suecoletta.com/eyewitness-testimony-test-observation-skills/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWSxSQsspiQ door study
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Option 7 – Psychological disorders and constructs of normality- Science Start week 3 or 4 term 4 2023
Students investigate the nature and causes of mental disorders and psychological disturbances. Constructs of normality and abnormality are explored. Students are introduced to the DSM-V as a means of classifying disorders. Anxiety, dissociative, somatoform, mood, psychotic, personality disorders and disorders of childhood are examined. Approaches to treatment and therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, are also considered.
Outcomes
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches.
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches.
PSY5-5 demonstrates an understanding of the importance of ethics in psychology, research and the interpretation of data.
PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors.
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms.
| Content
Students: describe the strengths and limitations of definitions of normality and abnormality from a range of historical and socio-cultural contexts
identify a range of psychological disorders, the symptoms and treatments, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses discuss historical and contemporary attitudes towards mental illness identify the different types of mental health workers and their role in treatment explore and evaluate different approaches to the treatment of mental disorders, for example psychoanalytic treatment humanistic therapy behavioural therapy cognitive behavioural therapy group therapy biomedical treatment identify and assess the type and availability of psychological support at a local level for specific groups.
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Students to work as a group 2-4 to produce a poster about one disorder including the symptoms and treatments- list on google classroom |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E1JiDFxFGk
Disorders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhJ-GkRRQc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwMlHkWKDwM Depressive and bipolar disorder |
End year 9
Year 10- Proposed to be run through the HSIE faculty.
Option 2 – Intelligence and creativity
Students will learn about the four basic types of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning and cognitive learning. They will learn about the background to these learning theories and the psychologists associated with them.
Students will investigate how we acquire information, how it is processed and stored and how memory works. They will examine the nature of intelligence, what it is, how it is measured and issues associated with intelligence testing as well as the relationship between intelligence and creativity.
Outcomes
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches
PSY5-3 describes diversity and variation on the nature of personality, disease, disorders, intelligence and creativity and their influence on human behaviour
PSY5-4 explains a range of psychological theories and identifies the application of these theories to everyday life
PSY5-7 examines suitable research methods including procedures and critical analysis when completing action based learning
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms
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Students: define and discuss intelligence examine the role of intelligence testing and its implications explain Alfred Binet’s definition of intelligence describe the original formula for IQ explain why David Wechsler developed a performance scale examine Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences and compare and contrast it with traditional theories of intelligence explain how both environment and heredity factors contribute to intelligence describe the classifications of intellectual disability investigate intelligence in a sociological context and examine our society’s notion of what constitutes intelligence discuss creativity and its relationship to intelligence and examine the characteristics of creative thinkers.
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Option 3 – Personality and self
Students investigate different theories of personality and the usefulness of theories. Psychoanalytic, social psychoanalytic, behavioural, humanistic and trait theories are examined in detail. Students theorise about their own personality and explore ways and methods of measuring personality and personal abilities. Personality tests, projective tests, aptitude and achievement tests and vocational tests and the ethics of testing are examined.
Outcomes
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches
PSY5-3 describes diversity and variation on the nature of personality, disease, disorders, intelligence and creativity and their influence on human behaviour
PSY5-4 explains a range of psychological theories and identifies the application of these theories to everyday life
PSY5-5 demonstrates an understanding of the importance of ethics in psychology, research and the interpretation of data
PSY5-7 examines suitable research methods including procedures and critical analysis when completing action based learning
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms
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Students: describe different theories of personality, including psychoanalytic theory social psychoanalytic theory behaviourism humanism evaluate the claims of each theory of personality based on the results of psychological studies assess the impact of both heredity and environment on personality traits identify a range of personality tests and explain how they are underpinned by personality theory examine how personalities and personal abilities are measured in a range of contexts including: medical educational employment-related popular cultural identify the ethical principles in taking or giving personality tests. |
Option 5 – Psychology and society
Students investigate the social and cultural factors that guide our feelings and actions towards one another. Hidden influences on behaviour and aggression and violence in individuals and society are explored. How psychologists view the formulation of attitudes and beliefs, including cultural diversity and group influences, changing attitudes, stereotyping, prejudice, and brainwashing are examined. Students are encouraged to apply this knowledge by focusing on socio-cultural influences within their own community.
Outcomes
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches.
PSY5-5 demonstrates an understanding of the importance of ethics in psychology, research and the interpretation of data.
PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors.
PSY5-7 examines suitable research methods including procedures and critical analysis when completing action based learning.
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms.
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Students: describe a range of psychological theories that account for human behaviours identify the parts of attribution theory compare and contrast liking and loving in human relationships explain how culture and society influence aggressive behaviour assess the degree to which socio-cultural factors influence aggression and violence within communities discuss factors that contribute to, and hinder, helping behaviour examine how cultural diversity and groups influence behaviour and attitudes assess the impact of their own attitudes on their own perceptions of themselves and others, including: stereotypes prejudice and discrimination scapegoats effects of mass media discuss how persuasion and peer pressure influence behaviour due to the psychology of socio-cultural contexts.
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[[Option 6 – Psychology and gender]] It is not planned for this option to be covered as it may not suit the EHS context.
Option 8 – Psychology of success
Students identify the basic needs that drive motivation. They examine why people are motivated to perform, including examining the role of social and cultural factors that shape motivation.
Outcomes
A student:
PSY5-1 explains how the field of psychology provides scientific explanations for the mind and behaviour through research, theories and approaches.
PSY5-2 explains the main approaches to the study of the nature of human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of those approaches.
PSY5-6 recognises the applications and influence of psychology in popular culture and its importance to social factors.
PSY5-8 communicates psychological information and ideas using appropriate written, oral and visual forms.
| Content
Students: examine Maslow’s hierarchy of needs define motivation and examine factors that contribute to personal motivation, including: biological needs psychosocial needs, for example, power, achievement, relationships explain how social and cultural factors shape motivation, for example collectivism individualism describe the impact of external stimulus on motivation and emotion, including: reward punishment identify the factors that contribute to overcoming barriers to success explain the role of goal-setting theory in increasing motivation and achieving success describe the similarities and differences between measures of success in different fields, for example: athletes performers entrepreneurs scientists.
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