Psychology - 2022 Skyline Hatch UBS VCE Exam Revision Series

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VCE Psychology is a broad discipline that incorporates both the scientific study of human behaviour through biological, psychological and social perspectives and the systematic application of this knowledge to personal and social circumstances in everyday life.

VCE Psychology enables students to explore how people think, feel and behave through the use of a biopsychosocial approach. As a scientific model, this approach considers biological, psychological and social factors and their complex interactions in the understanding of psychological phenomena. The study explores the connection between the brain and behaviour by focusing on several key interrelated aspects of the discipline: the interplay between genetics and environment, individual differences and group dynamics, sensory perception and awareness, memory and learning, and mental health. Students examine classical and contemporary research and the use of imaging technologies, models and theories to understand how knowledge in psychology has evolved and continues to evolve in response to new evidence and discoveries. An understanding of the complexities and diversity of psychology leads students to appreciate the interconnectedness between different content areas both within psychology, and across psychology and the other sciences.

An important feature of undertaking a VCE science study is the opportunity for students to engage in a range of inquiry tasks that may be self-designed, develop key science skills and interrogate the links between theory, knowledge and practice. In VCE Psychology inquiry can include laboratory experimentation, observational studies, self-reports, questionnaires, interviews, rating scales, simulations, animations, examination of case studies and literature reviews. Students work collaboratively as well as independently on a range of tasks. They pose questions, formulate research hypotheses, operationalise variables, and collect, analyse and critically interpret qualitative and quantitative data.

They analyse the limitations of data, evaluate methodologies and results, justify conclusions, make recommendations and communicate their findings. Students investigate and evaluate issues, changes and alternative proposals by considering both shorter and longer term consequences for the individual, environment and society. A working knowledge of the safety considerations and the ethical standards and guidelines that regulate psychological research is integral to the study of VCE Psychology.

As well as an increased understanding of scientific processes, students develop capacities that enable them to critically assess the strengths and limitations of science, respect evidence-based conclusions and gain an awareness of the ethical, social and political contexts of scientific endeavours.

VCE Psychology provides students with a framework for exploring the complex interactions between biological, psychological and social factors that influence human thought, emotions and behaviour. In undertaking this study, students apply their learning to everyday situations including workplace and social relations. They gain insights into a range of psychological health issues in society.

VCE Psychology enables students to:
• apply psychological models, theories and concepts to describe, explain and analyse observations and ideas related to human thoughts, emotions and behaviour
• examine the ways that a biopsychosocial approach can be applied to organise, analyse and extend knowledge in psychology and more broadly to:
• understand the cooperative, cumulative, evolutionary and interdisciplinary nature of science as a human endeavour, including its possibilities, limitations and political and sociocultural influences
• develop a range of individual and collaborative science investigation skills through experimental and inquiry tasks in the field and in the laboratory
• develop an informed perspective on contemporary science-based issues of local and global significance
• apply their scientific understanding to familiar and to unfamiliar situations, including personal, social, environmental and technological contexts
• develop attitudes that include curiosity, open-mindedness, creativity, flexibility, integrity, attention to detail and respect for evidence-based conclusions
• understand and apply the research, ethical and safety principles that govern the study and practice of the discipline in the collection, analysis, critical evaluation and reporting of data
• communicate clearly and accurately an understanding of the discipline using appropriate terminology, conventions and formats.