UNIT 1: HOW ARE BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL
PROCESSES SHAPED?
Areas of study: psychological
development, mental processes,
behaviour and psychological research
WHAT WILL I LEARN
VCE - Psychology
P A G E 6 6 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E S E N I O R S C H O O L 2 0 2 6 H A N D B O O K
SATISFACTORY COMPLETION
To achieve a satisfactory completion of
Unit 1 and 2, students will need to pass
all School-Assessed Coursework (SACs)
to demonstrate satisfactory
understanding of all learning outcomes.
These will include tests, scientific posters,
annotation of practical activities and
written responses to data and scientific
research.
To achieve a satisfactory completion of
Unit 3 and 4, students will need to pass
all School-Assessed Coursework (SACs)
to demonstrate satisfactory
understanding of all learning outcomes.
These SACs will consist of tests, practical
investigations, scientific posters, and data
analyses.
UNIT 2: HOW DO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
FACTORS INFLUENCE BEHAVIOUR AND
MENTAL PROCESSES?
Areas of study: Perception, social
cognition, prejudice and discrimination
and scientific communication
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
Psychology is the study of thoughts, feelings
and behaviour. Psychologists use
observations, experiments and scientific
method to explain why humans behave and
feel in the ways that we do.
In this study, students will use theories,
experimentation and practical analysis to
understand the human mind.
The study of Psychology is linked to careers
in therapy, social work, childcare, education,
advertising, and forensics.
UNIT 3: HOW DOES EXPERIENCE AFFECT
BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL PROCESSES?
Areas of study: Nervous system,
stress and memory and learning
UNIT 4: HOW IS MENTAL WELLBEING
SUPPORTED AND MAINTAINED?
Areas of study: Sleep, mental
wellbeing and scientific inquiry
Unit 3
80 marks
Outcome 1 - Nervous
System
40 marks (SAC)
Outcome 2 - Memory
40 marks (SAC)
Unit 4
120 marks
Outcome 1 - Sleep
40 marks (SAC)
Outcome 2 - Mental
Wellbeing
40 marks (SAC)
Outcome 3 - Extended
Practical Investigation
40 marks (SAC)
Total Units 3 & 4 SAC = 200 marks (50% of
final score)
Final 2 hour examination = 50% of final
score
ENTRY
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 Science.