Year 9 Psychology: It’s All In Your Head

TERTIARY & CAREER PATHWAYS:

Counsellor, Psychologist/Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Sociologist, Chaplain, Youth Worker, Life Coach, Sports Psychologist, Lawyer, Detective, Criminologist, Forensic Psychologist, Medical Practitioner, Mental Health Nurse, Welfare Worker, Teacher, Daycare Assistant, School Psychologist, Human Resource Officer, Market Researcher, Consumer Psychologist, 

In the first unit of this course, students will embark on an exploration of the intricate ways in which human behaviour is influenced by our social environment. From the subtle pressures of conformity to the authority we yield to, participants will examine the mechanisms through which attitudes and actions are moulded. Through a range of psychological experiments and real-world illustrations, students will gain profound insights into the impact of social dynamics on our lives.

In the second unit, learners will delve into the riveting realm of forensic psychology. Here, they will navigate through the labyrinth of criminal minds, uncovering the science behind deviant behaviour. From the intriguing nuances of criminal profiling to the chilling study of stalking behaviours, students will dissect the biological, psychological, and social underpinnings of criminality. Through engaging discussions and activities, students will unravel the mysteries of human behaviour within the context of forensic investigations.

Throughout this course, students will also hone their skills in scientific inquiry, conducting their own scientific investigation and applying their knowledge to unravel the complexities of the human psyche.

Learning Standards:

Students will be able to:‍

• Identify and analyze various social influences on human behaviour
• Analyze and evaluate the multifaceted factors contributing to criminal behaviour, including biological, psychological, and social influences
• Investigable questions, reasoned predictions and hypotheses can be used in guiding investigations to test and develop explanatory models and relationships
• Valid, reproducible investigations to answer questions and test hypotheses can be planned and conducted, including identifying and controlling for possible sources of error and bias in sampling or in making observations
• Information and processed data can be analysed and compared to identify and explain qualitative and quantitative patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies
• The validity and reproducibility of investigation methods and the validity of conclusions and claims can be evaluated, including by identifying assumptions, conflicting evidence, biases that may influence observations and conclusions, sources of error and areas of uncertainty

Assessment:

There will be a variety of tasks undertaken from the following: 

• Multimedia Presentation
• Scientific Research Investigation
• Semester Test

Contributions to class discussions and completion of class work will also be considered.