13 Psychology (13PSY)
13PSY Course DescriptionTeacher in Charge: Nadene Brouwer, Tabitha McGee.
Recommended Prior LearningEntry Requirements
Evidence of achievement at Level 2 Science, Maths or English, good writing skills as there is a substantial writing component to this course
13 Psychology: Deep Dive into the Human Mind
Are you ready to explore the depths of human behavior? This course offers an exciting and challenging journey into the fascinating world of psychology.
What You’ll Learn:
- Uncover how different psychological theories play out in real-life situations.
- Dive into landmark studies that have transformed our understanding of society.
- Design and conduct your own psychological experiments with expert support.
- See how psychological concepts are applied in areas like clinical, educational, and forensic psychology.
- Engage in debates and analyze various perspectives on key psychological issues.
This course is perfect for curious and motivated students eager to understand what makes people tick.
Course Overview
Term 1
(1) The Origins of Psychology & Learning from the Past
First, we build sense of what it means to be a social scientist. Students will participate in teacher led experiments, discussions, and other activities.
Next, we focus on the origins of Psychology & learnings from the past. To do this we investigate how Psychology came to be & get familiar with global pieces of research that had significant impact on society. Potential research includes: The Rosenhan Experiment; The Strange Situation; The Dunedin Study; The Car Crash Experiment. Here we also learn key terms like reliability, validity and bias and develop an understanding of different ways that research is conducted.
The assessment attached to this unit of work is worth 3 credits and due on the 22nd of March.
A.S. 91873 v1 Psychology 3.2 - Analyse the significance of a key piece of research and its impact on society 3 credits due 22 March
(2) Explanations of Human Behaviour - How Different Psychological Perspectives Explain Human Behaviour
What makes us unique? Is it nature or nurture? What has a larger impact on your life? Your environment or your genetics? How do these factors interact?
Term 2
For the very last part of Term One and into Term we focus on explanations of human behaviour – how different psychological perspectives explain human behaviour. We will investigate different explanations of human behaviour including both biological and psychological. We will choose one topic as a class, it could include: aggression, attachment, mental illness (OCD, Anxiety, or Schizophrenia), and intelligence.
The assessment related to this unit of work is worth 6 credits, and due approximately mid-way through Term Two.
A.S. 91872 v1 Psychology 3.1 - Analyse the interaction between psychological approaches 6 credits
(3) The Work of Psychologists
For the very end of Term Two and into Term Three will turn our focus to The Work of Psychologists and becoming familiar with Fields of Psychological Practice. This is your opportunity to complete an inquiry into a field of psychology you are interested in, you can choose from: (1) Developmental Psychology: Kohlberg’s theory of Moral Development; Piaget’s theory of Cognitive Development; Vygotsky’s theory of Social Development. (2) Forensic Psychology: Deindividuation; Social Control Theory; Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential (ICAP) Theory; Eysenck’s Personality Theory. (3) Health Psychology: Hauora – Te Whare Tapa Wha; Seligman’s PERMA Model; Protection Motivation Theory; Theory of Reasoned Action. (4) Industrial and Organisational Psychology: Self Efficacy Theory; Cognitive Resource Theory; Contingency Theory; Situational Leadership. (5)Educational Psychology: Cognitive Load Theory; Information Processing Theory.
The assessment attached to this unit of work is worth four credits and due near the beginning of Term Three.
Term 3
(4) Conduct Independent Psychological Research with Consultation.
Our last unit for the year will commence near the middle of Term Three and go into Term Four. Here we focus on Methodologies and Research. Here you will have the opportunity to extend your understanding of human behaviour through your own unique investigation. You will apply what you have learnt throughout the year about how scientific experiments are completed, and how to do this in an ethical and unbiased way. This unit of work involves comprehensively conducting your own independent psychological research into an aspect of psychology. Research will be presented using an accepted scientific format.
The assessment attached to this unit of work is worth 6 credits and due late October.
A.S. 91874 v1 Psychology 3.3 - Conduct independent psychological research with consultation, 6 credits
Term 4
Completion and re-assessment opportunities.
Option to self-study for external exam if internals have been completed (3crd).
Assessment Information
Possible Credits
Optional External - 3 credits
Internal - 19 credits
UE Approved