VCE Psychology

UNIT 1

Students explore psychological development, factors that influence it, including when development does not follow typical patterns. Students study brain structure and function, brain plasticity, and effects of brain injury. Contributions from Western and non-Western knowledge, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, inform understanding of mental processes and behaviour. The unit includes a student directed research investigation analysing contemporary studies using key science skills and applying critical and creative thinking to evaluate the validity of psychological research based on secondary data. 

UNIT 2

Students explore how social cognition influences attitudes, self-perception, and relationships. They examine factors affecting individual and group behaviour, including cultural influences and the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The unit also investigates human perception, stimulus interpretation and how perception can be distorted. Students complete a scientific investigation, generating primary data related to internal and external influences on behaviour and mental processes, using key science skills and knowledge. 

UNIT 3

Students study the nervous system, neurotransmitters, neurotransmissions and synaptic plasticity. They explore how these concepts work together to understand human behaviour. They study how stress can affect mental wellbeing and investigate different psychological and biological stress models. This includes exploring the emerging research of the gut-brain axis. The concepts of learning and memory are examined by investigating classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational learning, models of memory, brain regions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. 

UNIT 4

The important concept of sleep is investigated, including changes experienced across the lifespan, the effects of sleep deprivation, and common sleep disorders. Students also explore strategies to improve sleep quality. Mental wellbeing is examined through the investigation of internal and external factors that influence it. The multidimensional and holistic perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing is studied as part of this exploration. Students learn about the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the development and treatment of phobias. As part of their studies, students design and conduct an investigation using primary data, presenting their findings in a scientific poster.