Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. The course encourages students to investigate how, when and why humans think, feel and behave as they do. In year 12, students will study four core areas of psychology, each represented by a relevant topic. They will investigate a range of key questions including: How does human memory work? Why do we forget things? How and why do children form attachments in infancy? What is normal and abnormal? What makes people obedient to authority? Students will also study a short course on research methods and approaches in psychology. In year 13, students will study three different areas of psychology: relationships, schizophrenia and forensic psychology. They will investigate a range of key theories and explanations including: virtual relationships in social media, psychological and biological explanations for schizophrenia and offender profiling. They will also study the main issues and debates in psychology.