Active learning ideas
This topic introduces students to the foundations of psychology as a formal science, moving beyond 'common sense' to empirical investigation. Students explore the historical shift from philosophical roots to modern perspectives like the biological, cognitive, and behavioural approaches. A critical component of the Australian Curriculum is the biopsychosocial framework, which encourages students to view human behaviour through an integrated lens. This framework is particularly relevant when considering the holistic health perspectives of First Nations Australians, where wellbeing is seen as a connection between body, mind, and community.
Activity 01
Groups are given a case study of a common behaviour, such as sleep deprivation. Each group member is assigned one domain (biological, psychological, or social) to research and then they must negotiate how these factors interact to create the overall experience.
What is psychology and how has it evolved?
Activity 02
Students are assigned to represent either the biological or behavioural perspective. They must argue which factor has a greater influence on personality development, using specific examples from contemporary Australian society.
How do different psychological perspectives explain behaviour?
Activity 03
Set up stations representing different historical schools of thought (e.g., Structuralism, Functionalism, Psychoanalysis). At each station, students complete a 5-minute task that requires them to 'think' like a psychologist from that era.
What is the biopsychosocial framework?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Psychology is just 'common sense' or 'mind reading'.
Teachers should emphasise that psychology relies on empirical evidence and the scientific method. Using a 'myth-busting' think-pair-share activity can help students see where intuition fails and data succeeds.
The different perspectives are competing and only one can be 'right'.
Students often try to pick a 'winning' perspective. Active learning through case study analysis helps them see that perspectives are complementary tools in the biopsychosocial toolkit.
Methods used in this brief
Structure and Function of the Nervous System
An examination of the central and peripheral nervous systems, focusing on the role of neurons and neurotransmitters in transmitting information.
8 methodologies
Brain Plasticity and Damage
An investigation into how the brain changes in response to experience and the psychological impacts of acquired brain injury.
8 methodologies