Students investigate the structure and function of the human brain and the role it plays in the overall functioning of the human nervous system. Brain plasticity and the influence of brain damage on a person’s functioning are also explored. Students examine the contribution that classical and contemporary studies have made to the understanding of the human brain and its functions. The use of different psychological models and theories are explored to predict and explain thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
This unit investigates how perception enables us to interact with the world and how stimuli perception can be distorted. Students evaluate the role social cognition plays in a person’s attitudes, perception of themselves and relationships with others. They examine the contribution research has made to the understanding of human perception and why people in groups behave in specific ways.
In this unit students examine both macro-level and micro-level functioning of the nervous system to explain 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 the causes and management of stress. Students investigate how mechanisms of memory and learning lead to the acquisition of knowledge, the development of new capacities and changed behaviours. They consider the limitations and fallibility of memory and how memory can be improved. Students examine the contribution that classical and contemporary research has made to the understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system, and to the understanding of biological, psychological and social factors that influence learning and memory.
Students examine the nature of consciousness and how changes in levels of consciousness can affect mental processes and behaviour. They consider the role of sleep and the impact that sleep disturbances may have on a person’s functioning. Students explore the concept of a mental health continuum and apply a biopsychosocial approach, as a scientific model, to analyse mental health and disorder. They use specific phobia to illustrate how the development and management of a mental disorder can be considered as an interaction between biological, psychological and social factors. Students examine the contribution that classical and contemporary research has made to the understanding of consciousness, including sleep, and the development of an individual’s mental functioning and wellbeing.