VCE Psychology is a multifaceted discipline that seeks to describe, explain, understand, and predict human behaviour and mental processes. It includes many sub-fields of study that explore and seek to better understand how individuals, groups, communities, and societies think, feel and act. VCE Psychology applies a biopsychosocial approach to the systematic study of mental processes and behaviour. Biological perspectives focus on how physiology influences individuals through exploring concepts such as hereditary and environmental factors, nervous system functioning and the role of internal biological mechanisms. Psychological perspectives consider the diverse range of cognitions, emotions and behaviours that influence individuals. Within the social perspective, factors such as cultural considerations, environmental influences, social support, and socioeconomic status are explored.
Students examine the complex nature of psychological development, including situations where psychological development may not occur as expected. Students examine the contribution that classical and contemporary knowledge from Western and non-Western societies, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, has made to an understanding of psychological development and to the development of psychological models and theories used to predict and explain the development of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. They investigate the structure and functioning of the human brain and the role it plays in mental processes and behaviour, and explore brain plasticity and the influence that brain damage may have on a person’s psychological functioning.
Students evaluate the role social cognition plays in a person’s attitudes, perception of themselves and relationships. Students explore a variety of factors and contexts that can influence the behaviour of individuals and groups, recognising that different cultural groups have different experiences and values. Students consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experiences within Australian society and how this may affect psychological functioning.
Students examine the contribution that classical and contemporary research has made to the understanding of human perception. Students investigate how the perception of stimuli enables a person to interact with the world around them and how their perception can be distorted.
Students investigate the contribution that classical and contemporary research has made to the understanding of the functioning of the nervous system and to the understanding of biological, psychological, and social factors that influence learning and memory. Students investigate how the human nervous system enables a person to interact with the world around them. They explore how stress may affect a person’s psychological functioning and consider stress as a psychobiological process, including emerging research into the relationship between the gut and the brain in psychological functioning.
Students investigate how mechanisms of learning and memory lead to the acquisition of knowledge and the development of new and changed behaviours. They consider models to explain learning and memory, as well as the interconnectedness of brain regions involved in memory. The use of mnemonics to improve memory is explored, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ use of place as a repository of memory.
Students explore the demand for sleep and the influences of sleep on mental wellbeing. They consider the biological mechanisms that regulate sleep and the relationship between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep across the life span. They also study the impact that changes to a person’s sleep-wake cycle have on psychological functioning. Students consider ways in which mental wellbeing may be defined and conceptualised, including social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) as a multidimensional and holistic framework to wellbeing. They explore the concept of mental wellbeing as a continuum and apply a biopsychosocial approach, as a scientific model, to understand specific phobia. They explore how mental wellbeing can be supported by considering the importance of biopsychosocial protective factors and cultural determinants as integral to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
