Psychology Course Catalogue
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.
The VCE study design is made up of four units:
Unit 1 : How are behaviour and mental processes shaped?
Unit 2 : How do external factors influence behaviour and mental processes?
Unit 3 : How does experience affect behaviour and mental processes?
Unit 4 : How is wellbeing developed and maintained?
