Behavioural Science            *Click here for a brochure

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at Dickson College aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of themselves as individuals, and in a broader sense, as members of groups and the larger society. Behavioural Science at Dickson College comprises the two disciplines of Psychology and Sociology. The skills taught in these areas allow students to analyse human interaction and relationships in society as well as preparing them for tertiary study.

Within this context, students are able to major in either discipline of Sociology or Psychology, or a combination of the two disciplines. Courses are offered at Tertiary and Accredited levels.

PSYCHOLOGY

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive Psychology introduces students to the foundations of Psychology. Research methods, history and goals of Psychology as a science are explored before students go on to learn about human cognition. Memory, Learning and Consciousness are major areas of study covered in this unit.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology allows students to learn about human development across the lifespan. Prenatal development, Child development, Adolescence, Adulthood and aging are covered in this unit. Students are encouraged to question the forces that shaped, and will shape, their own development.

Personality Psychology

In Personality Psychology, students explore different theories of personality, each of which has a different approach to explaining the age old question: “Why am I the way I am?” Mental health and illness are also covered in this unit with an emphasis on destigmatisation of mental health related issues.

Social Psychology

Social Psychology encourages students to consider the ways in which they influence, and are influenced by, other people. Various aspects of relationships and social behaviour, both positive and negative, are examined in this unit.

SOCIOLOGY

Introduction to Sociology

This subject introduces students to the discipline of sociology as a science of the study of society and human interaction. Students are provided with an overview of the theoretical foundations of sociology and the way that the different theories or perspectives approach the study of social phenomena such as religion, education, deviance, politics and poverty and inequality.

Power, Wealth and Society

This subject examines the relationship between power and wealth and the different ways in which societies, both past and present, have handled issues of social equality and economic well-being. The subject contains an overview of a number of theories of social development, as well as an investigation of the ways in which modern democratic governments and institutions address the use of power and alleviate instances of poverty and social disadvantage. In particular, the focus will be on social stratification and emergence of class and status in society.

Social Deviance 

Social deviance examines the broad range of behaviours in society which do not conform to social rules and norms and for which individuals and groups experience social disapproval, stigma and censure. Within the area of deviance, a number of issues and ideas are studied: mental illness, gender difference, prostitution and crime. In particular, the subject examines ways in which people are labelled as deviant, and the impact that this labelling, or classification, has on their subsequent behaviour and life chances.

Sociology of Religion

Sociology of religion examines the role and importance of religion in society and the broad range of practices and beliefs that constitute religion. Among the issues discussed are the function of religion in society, both now and in the past, and the processes that lead to the emergence of religions. A major component of the subject is the examination of some of the world’s major religions – Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism – and the central tenets and beliefs at the core of these religions.