Year 11 Psychology – Preliminary Study Only
The study of psychology is the study of the mental processes and behaviour of people. All areas of human life can be studied. Psychology looks into why people act and think the way they do, who and what they are and the relationships that bind people together. In today’s complex urban, humanly disconnected, media driven societies, finding meaningful connections are becoming increasingly difficult.
All the different branches of psychology are important in helping individuals navigate these complexities. Students will learn about the meaning and development of functional psychology from its first development under Wilhelm Wundt to current theories and practices of the humanist school. Students will also learn about the physiology, structure and function, model-medical diagnosis and states of consciousness.
Students learn about what constitutes the 'normal' and 'abnormal' psychology. A range of psychological disorders, their causes, characteristics and treatments are covered. These include: mood disorders such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder; anxiety disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Students learn about the theory and practice of research design and methodology in the social sciences and particularly psychology. Students then design and conduct their own independent research in an area of psychology that interests them.