NZQA registered unit standard
27256 version 1
Page 1 of 3
Title
Demonstrate understanding of the application of theory to fields of
psychological practice
Level
1
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
understanding of the application of theory to fields of
psychological practice.
Classification
Social Science Studies > Psychology
Available grade
Achieved, Merit, and Excellence
Criteria for Merit
The candidate must demonstrate detailed understanding of the
application of theory fields of psychological practice.
Criteria for Excellence
The candidate must demonstrate in-depth understanding of the
application of theory fields of psychological practice.
Explanatory notes
1
Definitions
Fields of psychological practice refer to human contexts in which psychological
practice are applied. These include but are not limited to – sport, forensic, health,
education, environment, industrial and organisational, media, clinical and counselling,
human development.
Scenarios will be based on real life and refer to situations that have occurred, or are
likely to occur, in every day existence. Examples include but are not limited to –
sporting situations where motivation theory can be applied, health situations such as
smoking where theories of personal behaviour can be applied, or education
situations such as teaching where learning theory can be applied.
Theories are organising ideas or concepts that describe, explain or predict behaviour
or mental processes.
2
It is expected that scenarios will be based on a New Zealand context and should be
sensitive to safety, privacy, gender, cultural, and other individual needs.
3
Demonstrate understanding will involve the student identifying and describing
appropriate fields that can be applied to the given scenario. This includes relevant
supporting evidence and linking statements. Student must present evidence for
three fields.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27256 version 1
Page 2 of 3
4
Demonstrate detailed understanding will involve the student describing how the
theory is applied within the fields for the given scenario. This is presented in
introductory and concluding remarks.
5
Demonstrate in-depth understanding will involve the student showing a
comprehensive understanding of the theories underlying the fields and using detailed
linking statements that form a coherent whole for each field. The application of
theory to the given scenario shows the student can link concepts within the scenario
and real life in Aotearoa/New Zealand using their own ideas and references.
6
Teachers will provide a range of selected studies relating to a psychological setting
and/or from academic research. These may include summaries or extracts of
psychological research.
7
Demonstration can be conveyed using written, oral, or audio-visual presentation in
response to a given assignment.
8
Teaching and learning guidelines that inform psychology as it is taught in New
Zealand can be found at http://seniorsecondary.tki.org.nz/Socialsciences/Psychology. Assessment support material for these standards can be
found at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz.
9
Information on psychology as it is practiced in New Zealand is available from the
New Zealand Psychological Society, http://www.psychology.org.nz.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate understanding of the application of theory to fields of psychological practice.
Range
three fields of psychological practice.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Theories and their application to fields of psychological practice are described in
relation to given scenario(s).
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
21 July 2011
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0226
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27256 version 1
Page 3 of 3
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016