Psychology
Psychology learning area contacts:
- Colette Ballantyne : +61 8 9273 6727 | Colette.Ballantyne@scsa.wa.edu.au
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ATAR
In the Psychology ATAR course students will be introduced to psychological knowledge which supports an understanding of the way individuals think, feel and behave in different contexts. Students learn about major psychological theories, studies and models, and conduct scientific investigations. Students develop skills to apply their psychological knowledge to explain thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the everyday world. Students apply the principles of scientific inquiry and ethical guidelines as they analyse data used to examine phenomena, such as developmental stages, memory, attention, attitudes, personality and social influence. An understanding of psychology is very useful, both to individuals and those assisting us to improve ourselves and our relationships, and to society as a whole.
SyllabusWhat's changing- ATAR Year 11 Syllabus – For teaching from 2026 (675.7 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 2:56pmAlso available in Word Format (399.5 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 Syllabus – For teaching from 2024 (671.6 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 2:55pmAlso available in Word Format (410.6 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 Syllabus – For teaching from 2026 (692.8 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 2:56pmAlso available in Word Format (407.0 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 summary of minor syllabus changes for 2026 (269.0 KB)Last updated: 03 Dec 2025 3:05pmAlso available in Word Format (34.8 KB)
Grading Support Materials- ATAR Year 12 What's changing - General Capabilities (405.3 KB)Last updated: 22 Jan 2026 2:05pmAlso available in Word Format (315.9 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 What's changing - Rationale and Aims (389.8 KB)Last updated: 22 Jan 2026 2:05pmAlso available in Word Format (315.9 KB)
Examination Materials- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (381.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 11:38amAlso available in Word Format (212.3 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (472.2 KB)Last updated: 21 Mar 2025 1:27pmAlso available in Word Format (351.7 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (750.4 KB)Last updated: 21 Mar 2025 1:28pmAlso available in Word Format (489.3 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (523.7 KB)Last updated: 21 Mar 2025 1:28pmAlso available in Word Format (376.2 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (379.5 KB)Last updated: 08 Dec 2025 1:50pmAlso available in Word Format (351.1 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (758.2 KB)Last updated: 08 Dec 2025 1:53pmAlso available in Word Format (589.2 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (566.6 KB)Last updated: 08 Dec 2025 1:47pmAlso available in Word Format (384.5 KB)
- Ethical guidelines for the teaching of psychology in Western Australian schools (179.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:48pmAlso available in Word Format (216.8 KB)
- 2025 Summary examination report for candidates (254.1 KB)Last updated: 19 Mar 2026 2:28pm
- 2025 Examination (790.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:06pm
- 2025 Marking Key (294.4 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:06pm
- Additional Past ATAR Course Examinations
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General
In the Psychology General course students will be introduced to psychological knowledge which supports an understanding of the way individuals function in groups. Students learn about well-known psychological models and theories, and the methods used to conduct scientific investigations in the discipline of psychology. Acquiring this foundation of scientific method and critical thinking is a valuable skill which students can apply throughout their study, work and everyday lives.
SyllabusWhat's changing- General Year 11 Syllabus – For teaching from 2026 (572.8 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 2:57pmAlso available in Word Format (387.0 KB)
- General Year 12 Syllabus – For teaching from 2024 (390.4 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 2:57pmAlso available in Word Format (167.9 KB)
Grading Support Materials- General Year 12 What's changing - General capabilities (404.4 KB)Last updated: 22 Jan 2026 2:06pmAlso available in Word Format (315.6 KB)
- General Year 12 What's changing - Rationale and Aims (394.2 KB)Last updated: 22 Jan 2026 2:06pmAlso available in Word Format (316.3 KB)
Externally Set Task Materials 2026- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (381.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 11:38amAlso available in Word Format (212.3 KB)
- General Year 12 sample assessment outline (433.7 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:58pmAlso available in Word Format (347.0 KB)
- General Year 12 sample assessment tasks (511.0 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:58pmAlso available in Word Format (364.4 KB)
- General Year 12 sample course outline (463.0 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:58pmAlso available in Word Format (353.5 KB)
- General Year 11 sample assessment outline (391.6 KB)Last updated: 06 May 2025 1:46pmAlso available in Word Format (350.6 KB)
- General Year 11 sample assessment tasks (569.8 KB)Last updated: 06 May 2025 1:48pmAlso available in Word Format (395.4 KB)
- General Year 11 sample course outline (448.5 KB)Last updated: 06 May 2025 1:52pmAlso available in Word Format (359.5 KB)
- Ethical guidelines for the teaching of psychology in Western Australian schools (179.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:48pmAlso available in Word Format (216.8 KB)
- Psychology Investigation skills handbook (236.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:48pmAlso available in Word Format (280.5 KB)
Externally Set Task Materials 2025- 2026 General EST Unit 3 content (268.8 KB)Last updated: 25 Sep 2025 2:07pm
Externally Set Task Materials 2023- 2025 General EST Unit 3 content (170.4 KB)Last updated: 18 Sep 2024 9:58am
Externally Set Task Materials 2022- 2023 General EST Unit 3 Content (299.7 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:11pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2021- 2022 General EST Unit 3 Content (298.3 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 3:33pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2020- 2021 PSY General EST Unit 3 content (295.3 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 3:22pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2019- 2020 General EST Unit 3 Content (295.6 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 3:10pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2018- 2019 General EST Unit 3 content (156.3 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:50pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2017- 2018 General EST Unit 3 content (148.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:33pm
Externally Set Task Materials 2016- 2017 General EST Unit 3 content (152.4 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:24pmAlso available in Word Format (163.0 KB)
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
- General sample EST marking key (203.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:44pmAlso available in Word Format (320.4 KB)
- General sample EST (186.8 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:44pmAlso available in Word Format (304.3 KB)
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.