Psychology
New Course
- Learning Area:
- Social Sciences / Media / Commerce
- Year(s):
- 2021 - 2022
- Qualification:
- NCEA Level 3
- Course Endorsement:
- No
- University Approved Subject?:
- Yes
- Approx Cost:
- $50 - $100 depending on trips
- Technology Requirements:
- A laptop is essential for this course
- Entry Recommendations:
The ability to cope with all aspects of human behaviour in a classroom environment, as well as the academic demands of Psychology, is expected. Students will have successfully studied either NCEA Level 1 or Level 2 Psychology. For those choosing to study Psychology for the first time at NCEA Level 3, this should be discussed with the Teacher in Charge.
- Course Outline:
Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain how people think, act and feel. Psychologist strive to learn more about the many factors that can impact thought and behaviour, ranging from biological influences and social pressures.
Psychology at LHS looks to enhance understanding about what psychology is, and what it is not. The course design has been developed to look at how psychology is used in society while also looking at ourselves in terms of what we know about the world and our place in it. It aides and encourages self-reflection. Students who understand experiences outside their own social and cultural context develop a conscience more suited to the multicultural world in which we live.
Topics include:
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Religion – why are we religious? Have we evolved to be religious or is there something in our cognition that drives the need to have a sense of religious belonging? How does our brain respond to religious practice? Note that we do not discuss whether or not God is real.
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Aggression – why is it important for those working within the field of forensic psychology to have an understanding of theories relating to aggression? You will choose whether to look at the context of youth offending, gang crimes, football hooliganism – you can decide your own to research. Ultimately, why are some people aggressive? Why do they commit crimes and others don’t? Can they be controlled or rehabilitated.
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Neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to modify its connections and rewire itself. This is important when considering some aspects of mental health, trauma and age. You will carry out research, ensuring that you follow appropriate ethical guidelines.
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Free will or determinism – which is it? Or is it both?
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- Assessment:
4 NCEA achievement standards will be on offer internally, totalling 19 credits. This is a UE approved subject.
- Where Does It Lead:
Psychology provides a strong foundation for other career areas such as mental health, education, training, marketing, leadership, management, business, law and politics.
In Year 9 students start the first year of their two year junior programme. Year 9 consists of two semesters (half year-long) with a combination of compulsory courses and option courses chosen by the students.
In Year 9 students will take 12 semester (half-year) courses that include:
a) Compulsory Courses - 2 semesters of Health & PE, Mathematics, Science, and one Semester of English and Social Studies. (the reverse happens in Year 10, the second year of the junior programme).
b) Option Courses - Four semesters of option courses (note: students choose 5 option courses in Year 10, the second year of the junior programme).
Year 10 students study five compulsory courses (English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science and Social Sciences) and six semester (half year) options (see individual course details). You can choose to do one semester course from a subject area eg: Drama - Part 1 or take two semester courses from a subject area, which is equivalent to a whole year course eg: Drama Part - 1 and Drama - Part 2. Pathways for all course at all levels are summarised on the Course Planning Chart.
A few Year 10 semester two courses require you to complete semester one first, before doing semester two.
Students won't be gaining Level 1 NCEA in Year 11. There will be up to one internal NCEA assessment per semester course, giving students the opportunity to gain approximately 45 credits but not the 80 needed for Level 1 NCEA. Some assessments maybe at Level 2 NCEA. These internal assessments will expose students to the way different subject areas assess NCEA in preparation for Year 12 and the completion of Level 2 NCEA.
Year 12 students study six year-long courses (see individual course details and Course Planning Chart). There are no compulsory courses, however, English and Mathematics are strongly recommended.
Students have the option of studying five courses. In such cases, students will be placed in the Independent Learning Project (ILP001) course, in addition to their five courses, so that they can be mentored and have their progress monitored.
Year 13 students study five year-long courses (see individual course details and Course Planning Chart) and have an Independent Study (IST). A sixth course can be selected in place of IST. Students have the option of studying four courses. In such cases, students will be placed in the Independent Learning Project (ILP001) course, in addition to their four courses, so that they can be mentored and have their progress monitored.
For students that are intending to gain University Entrance it is strongly recommended that they select at least four University Entrance approved courses. Refer to individual course details to check if a course is a University Entrance approved subject
Year 13 (IST) is independent, unsupervised learning that can take place at school or at home. Students are responsible for managing their work during this time.