Page 1 of 16
Assessment Resource
Level 2 Psychology
27690, Analyse the application of theories in fields of psychology
Credits: 6
Teacher guidelines:
The following guidelines are supplied to enable teachers to carry out valid and consistent assessment using this internal assessment resource.
Context/setting:
In this activity students will analyse the application of theories in psychology.
Students will answer focus questions in relation to a given case study. Students will have opportunity to research theories relating to the different Fields studied in class as well as use their class notes.
As part of the teaching programme you will work through three fields to demonstrate knowledge of psychological theories related to psychological practice. A range of activities needs to be offered in class which will help students understand the varied fields of psychological theory, research and practice.
You will also give students opportunities to study the human contexts in which psychological is applied. Information on psychology as it is practiced in New Zealand is available from the New Zealand Psychological Society, http://www.psychology.org.nz, and The New Zealand Psychologists Board, http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/.
Conditions:
Assessment for this standard will be to analyse a case study and apply relevant psychological theory from three different fields to explain the behaviour described. The case study will be focused on a real life situation based on a New Zealand context that has been researched and discussed by the whole class.
The case study can contain material that includes, but is not limited to -transcripts of interviews, media clippings, extracts and summaries of academic research and marketing material. These will be presented in a methodical manner and be supported by linking statements and a written introduction and conclusion.
Before assessment begins, teachers should guide students through the process of exploring texts, reading for meaning, and locating relevant information.
It is expected that teachers will spend at least one week introducing students to the concepts surrounding fields of psychological practice, the theories underpinning each, and how they are applied in real life situations.
Students will be given one week of class time to gather relevant information for their analysis of this case study. Work can also be done out of class time. As students are able to undertake research outside of class time, they will be required to complete a declaration of authenticity.
Fields refers to human contexts in which psychology is applied. These include but are not limited to - sport, forensic, health, education, environment, industrial and organisational, media, clinical and counselling.
Theories are organising ideas or concepts that describe, explain or predict behaviour or mental processes. These may include abnormal, comparative, developmental, individual differences, social psychology.
Scenarios 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.
A justified argument is one supported by published research or recognised psychological theory.
It is expected that the scenario will be based on a New Zealand context and should be sensitive to safety, privacy, gender, cultural, and other individual needs. Information on psychology as it is practiced in New Zealand is available from the New Zealand Psychological Society, http://www.psychology.org.nz.
References may be oral, visual and/ or written and may be selected from one or several text types. Texts should be appropriate to Level 7 of the NZC, or have characteristics that enable students to meet the expected level of understanding. Assessment of this standard also provides opportunities for students to develop aspects of the key competencies of the NZC.
Students need to keep a record of all the source material they use. A suggested reference record for source material has been provided. To encourage students into the habit of using citation styles as used by psychologists across the world, teachers can teach them how to cite references using the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style. Guidance on APA citation style can be found through http://www.apastyle.org/
Where student work is to be presented for assessment, constructive feedback should not compromise authenticity but can validly include suggestions about areas where further developments are needed. Students should have the opportunity to receive feedback to edit, revise and polish their work before assessment judgements are made.
Providing the scenario:
Assessment for this standard requires students to analyse how theories from three fields from within psychology explain behaviour in a given scenario. This scenario must be broad enough to allow students to explore the three fields chosen. The scenario can be based on academic research.
An example of suitable scenarios could include:
· A consideration of a local sports club and its members. Sports psychology -Motivation theory can be considered to examine how amateur players are motivated to compete after a busy weeks work. Health psychology – local clubs, due to their position at the heart of communities, can work with health initiatives like anti-drink driving programmes and Push-Play. Organisational psychology can be used to examine how clubs maintain voluntary participation and raise funds.
· A study into the issue of drugs (controlled substances) and their use and abuse in society. Clinical psychology – theories in abnormal psychology and treatment e.g. Serotonin levels and the use of anti-depressants. Health psychology – theories within individual differences, environmental factors and risks linked to drug abuse also theories as to tolerance and addiction. Sports psychology – Motivational theory to examine the pressure on athletes to take performance enhancing substances, the effect of specific banned substances within sports and their effect on athletes’ behaviour. An exploration of why athletes are at a suggested increased risk of drug abuse.
· A study of a multinational company with branches in New Zealand. Industrial psychology can be used to consider how staff are recruited, trained and rewarded. Environmental psychology can be considered to examine where branches are located in relation to socio-economic populations. Marketing psychology can be used to consider how organisations create brands, manage customer expectations, and create pricing strategies.
The given scenarios need to be supported with a range of resources to enable students to demonstrate understanding of fields of psychology and how these are applied. The supporting resources may include:
· Guest speakers
· Academic research
· Field trip
· Business and marketing textbook examples
· Advertising e.g. adverts, packaging, company mission statements, use of sponsorship
· Documentaries and news reports
· Websites
Additional information:
Teaching and learning guidelines that inform psychology as it is taught in New Zealand can be found at http://www.tki.org.nz/ncea/.
Level 2 Psychology
27690, Analyse the application of theories in fields of psychology
Credit: 6
All Blacks Do Cry: John Kirwan raising the awareness of Depression in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Student Instructions Sheet
During your Psychology programme in class, your teacher will work through three fields to demonstrate knowledge of psychological in practice. You will do a range of activities in class which will help you understand the concepts surrounding fields of psychology, the theories underpinning each, and how they are applied in different scenarios.
Your assessment task will be to analyse a given case study based on a New Zealand scenario that has been researched and discussed by the whole class.
You will be given one week of class time to gather relevant information to analyse your case study. Work can also be done out of class time. As you will be able to undertake research outside of class time, you will be required to complete a declaration of authenticity.
Your analysis of the case study can contain material that includes, but is not limited to -transcripts of interviews, media clippings, extracts and summaries of academic research, marketing material, and case studies. You will present these in a methodical manner and support them by linking statements and with an introduction and conclusion.
Before assessment begins, your teacher will guide you through the process of exploring texts, reading for meaning, and locating relevant information. As part of your Psychology programme your teacher will work with you to source reference texts or other materials.
Keeping a record of reference or sourced material
As you complete your analysis you will need to keep a record of all the source material you will use. Your source material can include books, websites, podcasts, journals, newspapers, magazines, photographs. Draw up a record sheet so that you can record your sources in an ongoing way over the course of work.. Guidance on APA citation style can be found through To get you into the habit of using citation styles as used by psychologists across the world, it is suggested you cite your references using the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style. Guidance on APA citation style can be found through http://www.apastyle.org/.
Example of reference record
Source description / APA ReferenceBook – Psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand / Weatherall, A., Wilson, M., Harper, D., McDowall, J., (2007) Psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Pearson: Auckland.
Example of an online article describing John Kirwan’s involvement with Depression awareness campaign. / http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10405228
Date accessed: 21/07/2011
Assessment guide
For achieved / For merit / For excellenceIdentify and describe, with supporting evidence, the application of theories in fields of psychological practice in terms of how they explain behaviour in given scenarios. / The analysis includes a comparison of the way that the theories explain behaviour in the given scenarios. The key points of similarity and difference between the theories within the fields of psychological practice, and their respective explanation of the behaviour, must be identified and discussed. / The analysis includes a comprehensive comparison of the way that the theories explain behaviour and a justification of the theoretical position that explains behaviour in the given scenarios. A justified position must be argued for each of at least two different fields of psychological practice.
Case study: A campaign to promote awareness of depression
Case study guidelines
To complete this assessment:
· Read through the case study background information given to you.
· Read the accompanying questions.
· You will be allowed one week of class time to gather information to support your answers and to complete the written task.
· Your answers should include relevant theories to answer the questions from the three Fields you have studied in class (Clinical, Health and Sports psychology).
Sample scenario: All Blacks Do Cry: John Kirwan raising the awareness of Depression in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Apply your knowledge of psychological theory from the different Fields you have studied (Clinical, Health and Sport psychology) to answer the focus questions.
Ensure you have answered the questions within each of the Field sections including relevant theories to support your answer.
Your answers should use psychological theory to explain the behaviour discussed in relation to the case study of John Kirwan, his battle with depression and his involvement with advertising initiatives aimed to increase awareness of the illness.
Sample Case study stimulus:
John Kirwan to front new depression campaign
Tuesday Oct 10, 2006
Former All Black John Kirwan is to front a $6.4 million government depression awareness campaign.
The three-year National Depression Initiative, announced today by Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton and paid for out of the existing Suicide Prevention Strategy budget, aims to raise awareness of depression.
"We know that up to 90 per cent of suicides are caused by depression and that each year 500 New Zealanders are dying by suicide," Mr Anderton said.
"If we can raise awareness and reduce the impact that depression has on people's lives, hopefully we can reduce the number of lives being lost to suicide every year." Former All Black John Kirwan,
who is fronting an ad campaign on depression.
He welcomed the involvement of Kirwan, who himself suffered from depression over the course of his All Blacks career, as frontman for the advertising campaign.
Mr Anderton said the World Health Organisation had projected depression would be second only to cardiovascular disease as part of the "global burden" of disease.
"We are not talking about people feeling down or moody. We know everyone feels like that at some time in their lives but some people continue to feel like that for long periods of time."
The National Depression Initiative campaign would support new and existing primary health care and mental health promotion services.
John Kirwan's depression campaign a success
Friday Aug 6, 2010
The latest initiative from the Ministry of Health - a self-help programme featuring John Kirwan - is proving a success at helping depression sufferers.
The Journal, a six-week online self-help programme featuring former All Black and depression campaigner Kirwan as a personal coach, was launched in June as part of the ministry's national depression initiative (NDI).
Figures released by the ministry today show that of the 4485 people who had signed up to the programme, 70 had completed the entire course and 660 were halfway through.
The figures also show the reported severity of participants' depression had improved for 83 per cent of participants, based on self-assessment scores prior to, during and after completing the programme.
The ministry said that while it was still early days, The Journal was proving to be a successful initiative that was reaching out to and engaging with the public.
The NDI began with the popular television advertisements featuring a variety of kiwi celebrities, including Kirwan, relating their attempts to cope with depression in their own lives.
News articles taken from NZHerald.co.nz (Date accessed: 21/07/2011)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10405228
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10664169
Sample Task:
With reference to the case study of John Kirwan, depression and campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the illness, use your knowledge of psychological theory within the following Fields to complete the three tasks.
Task 1: Clinical Psychology
How might clinical psychologists explain what causes Depression?