Beyond the classroom

Psychology is a subject which is constantly moving forward with new theories and studies being developed or new areas of focus being considered (for example the new movement in ‘Positive Psychology’). To keep up-to-date, students are taken to a conference organised by the BPS British Psychological Society which gives the opportunity to hear from leading figures in Psychology talk about their latest research. Students recently enjoyed hearing from Dr Tanya Byron who is currently investigating the impact of the media on children’s behaviour but is best known for her work in ‘The House of Tiny Tearaways’.

Alongside this, trips are organised to complement the area of study students are focusing on. To consider non-human behaviour a group were taken to observe the primates at London Zoo and listen to a lecture on evolutionary adaptation. Other trips include visiting the Freud Museum, the Science museum and to relevant pieces of theatre.

Speakers have also visited the school to talk about diverse areas including – marketing, a psychiatric nurse, a social worker, and PHd students who are keen to share their research findings and talk about their work.

LATEST NEWS:

An unexpected uprising in Father Kenny’s assembly was staged (in collusion with Father Kenny) by some of the year 10 drama students. They stormed onto the stage demanding the assembly to end! The purpose was to see how much the audience remembered of the event by the afternoon.

All year groups were given a questionnaire and it was found that younger girls believed they saw 50% more girls on the stage than there actually were! Girls were also ‘led’ by some of the questions asked – for example girls with the word RUN on their sheet thought the girls got onto the stage quicker than girls with the word WALK.

This tells us that our memories are unreliable and has implications for the use of eye-witness testimony.

What will the next whole school study entail!? Be aware!