Psychology

Psychology explores the nature of the human mind and behaviours with the goal of promoting greater awareness and acceptance of the differences between individuals.

Our Psychology units are engaging and stimulating. Psychology is designed to help students reflect, create, communicate and analyse. Through our exploration of the human mind, behaviour and condition, students have the opportunity to develop their own understanding of the individuals and groups they encounter in their lives as well as applying general principles and theories to their own development.

Studying Psychology at Dickson College is for those thinking about a career not only in psychology, but any area that involves an interest in the human mind and behaviour. It is also very helpful in developing critical and creative thinking, research and writing skills that can benefit the student in any subject throughout their further studies.

Students will study from the following units:

SELF AND IDENTITY

This unit explores how the individual develops physically, socially and cognitively. The electives in this unit are designed to introduce students to Psychology and analyse how we function as human beings.

COGNITION AND EMOTIONS

This unit examines traditional and contemporary understandings of the basis of human cognition and emotion in context. Students explore how our

perception of, and feelings about, the world shapes our interaction with it.

NORMALITY AND ABNORMALITY

This unit explores the psychological and physical health of individuals and groups. The electives are designed to promote awareness around health, how it can go wrong and how positive health can be obtained.

GROUPS AND SOCIETY

This unit explores how Psychology is present in everyday society. The electives are designed to analyse how humans interact at a group level. We will look at how norms are formed and why deviance to cultural and societal norms can occur.

Students may study a Minor (two semesters) or Major (four semesters) in Psychology. Assessment for Psychology can take the form of research assignments (such as experiment reports, essays, or oral presentation), creative responses (multimedia, visual representations, portfolios, etc.) and tests (including multiple choice and extended response questions).

There are 3 to 4 major pieces of assessment throughout each semester in Psychology at Dickson College.