Marlborough Boys’ College

NCEA L2 Psychology - Mātai Hinengaro

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Dr E. Attridge.

Recommended Prior Learning

An ability to think scientifically together with a logical but questioning mind are ideal.

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. This course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of psychology and their applications in everyday life.

Whatever career you choose to follow, a background in psychology will enhance your employability. Studying psychology can help you understand yourself and other people by learning about aspects of human behaviour that will help you in daily life, including:

Your interactions with others
Your learning and memory performance
Your ability to cope with pressure
Your understanding of the causes of psychological disorders

Psychology is a science. The defining feature of any science is the objective approach that is used to advance our knowledge. In psychology, we use this scientific approach to learn about behaviour and mental life. This course provides excellent training in analytic thinking and understanding of how the brain works that are applicable to a broad range of careers.

In the course you will explore:

1. The scientific nature of psychology

2. Research methods in psychology

3. The debate on nature vs. nurture (which also ties in with Level 2 Biology)

4. Introduction to some of the major psychological approaches:

Behavioural
Cognitive
Psychodynamic
Biological
Humanistic

5. Cognitive processes (perception, attention, memory, and learning)

6. Ethical considerations in psychological research, including both historical and current examples

7. Applications of psychology in various fields (e.g., education, health, sports)

8. Conspiracy theories: psychological factors behind their formation and spread as well as how to stop falling for them.

Throughout, you will engage in discussions, watch and analyse videos to identify psychology in use and learn to critically evaluate psychological research. By the end of the year, you will have a solid foundation in psychological principles and their real-world applications, including an understanding of how psychology intersects with current issues like conspiracy theories.

Please be aware that we do discuss psychological issues and this may include some topics that could be disturbing.

Course Overview

Term 1
We start the year off by looking at the different Approaches in Psychology. Psychological approaches are different perspectives used by psychologists to understand human behaviour and thought processes. In this term, you'll explore six key approaches: the biological approach, which looks at how brain structures and genetics influence behaviour; the behavioural approach, examining how behaviour is learned through interaction with the environmen and the psychodynamic approach, which considers the impact of unconscious desires and childhood experiences. Each approach offers unique insights and helps build a comprehensive understanding of psychology. Throughout the term we also watch (with a psychological eye) key series (Severance) as well as documentaries.

Term 2
At the start of this term we continue with psychological approaches starting with the cognitive approach, focusing on mental processes like memory and problem-solving; the humanistic approach, emphasizing personal growth and self-fulfilment; and the socio-cultural approach, which studies how social and cultural factors shape behaviour. This leads into the second internal that focuses on how three approaches can be used to explain a behaviour, e.g. aggression. We then start looking at ethics in psychology - reflecting on historic psychological experiments that would probably not be allowed today. Throughout the term we also continue to watch with a psychological I key series (Severance) and movies.

Term 3
We start the final term looking at careers in psychology and complete an ethical study as an internal assessment. Towards the end of the term we complete the final internal which focuses on how the approaches we learned about in terms 1 and 2 are used by practicing Psychologists. We also investigate the psychology of conspiracy theories.

Term 4
The course ends with completing conspiracy theories and any second assessment opportunities.

Learning Areas:

Year 12 (NCEA Level 2), Science - Mātauranga Pūtaiao

Assessment Information

This course is internally assessed only, so is not endorseable.