PSYCHOLOGY UNIT 4 SAC | 2013
PREPARATION NOTES:
Resource provided: Your Textbook PLUS Sandra Cabot’s Book
KEY KNOWLEDGE AREAS:
Keep in mind these examinable key knowledge dot points when reading
the books, and jot down notes and page references as you encounter the
information below:
•
allostasis (stability through change brought about by the brain’s
regulation of the body’s response to stress) as a model that integrates
biological,
•
psychological
and
social
factors
that
explain
an
individual’s response to stress
–
strategies
for
coping
with
stress
including
biofeedback,
meditation/relaxation, physical exercise
1 PLUS, choose ONE of the following two mental Illnesses to focus on:
Anxiety disorder: Specific Phobia
OR
Mood Disorder: Major Depression
2 As you read your book, make notes that pertain to the following key
knowledge dot points stated below:
Application of a biopsychosocial framework to understanding ONE of the
following four types of mental disorder and its management:
Anxiety disorder: specific phobia
•
biological contributing factors: role of the stress response; role of the
neurotransmitter
gammaaminobutyric
acid
(GABA)
in
the
management of phobic anxiety
•
psychological contributing factors: psychodynamic, behavioural and
cognitive models; the use of psychotherapies in treatment including
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), systematic desensitisation and
flooding
•
socio-cultural contributing factors: specific environmental triggers such
as being bitten by a dog; parental modelling and transmission of threat
information
•
the interaction between biological, psychological and socio-cultural
factors which contributto an understanding of the disorder and its
management
OR
Mood disorder: major depression
•
biological contributing factors: role of genes in contributing to the risk
of developing major depression; roles of the neurotransmitters
serotonin and noradrenaline in major depression; the function of
antidepressant medication in management
•
psychological contributing factors: learned helplessness; stress; the use
of psychotherapies in management including cognitive behaviour
therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy
•
socio-cultural contributing factors: abuse, poverty, social isolation and
social stressors as risk factors; support factors including family and
social networks and recovery groups
•
the interaction between biological, psychological and socio-cultural
factors which contribute to an understanding of the disorder and its
management
3 Assessment of levels of achievement
The student’s level of achievement for Unit 4 will be determined by Schoolassessed Coursework and an end-of-year examination.
Contribution to final assessment
School-assessed Coursework for Units 3 & 4 will contribute 40 per cent.
The level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year
examination, which will contribute 60 per cent.
End-of-year examination
All key knowledge that underpins the outcomes in Units 3 and 4 including the
underlying principles related to elements of a biopsychosocial framework, and
the set of key skills listed on page 13 of the study design are examinable,
except:
• specific details related to the study of a specific mental disorder (one of:
specific phobia, major depression, gambling or schizophrenia).
Conditions
The examination will be completed under the following conditions:
• Duration: two and a half hours.
4 The UNIT 4 SAC is worth 20%. You will have two SAC’s to do.
I will give you more information regarding your SAC near the end of Term 2.
However, as you can see above, Outcome 1 of Unit 4 SAC will be a folio of at
least 5 practical activities and annotations on selected aspects of learning,
worth 10%.
Outcome 2 of Unit 4 SAC will have two components.
•
The first being your choice of either Major Depression or Anxiety
(focusing on a phobia). This will be related to the book reading and it
will be a VISUAL Presentation on A2 poster paper. (Worth 5%)
•
The second item will be centered on STRESS. Again, the book will
provide you with valuable resources to gather information from
regarding stress. What causes stress and how can it be managed.
I will provide you with full details on how to present these SAC’s later on. For
now, start making notes that will fit into both SAC’s:
•
U4O2: SAC 1- Notes related to either Anxiety or Depression (separate
your notes into the two category, then choose which one you would like
to major in)
•
U4O2: SAC 2 – Notes related to Stress
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