Tertiary Catalogue

This programme begins by defining stress and its causes. Types of stressors like daily life hassles and major life events, and the psychological responses of eustress and distress are explored. The second half of the programme looks closely at the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus and Folkman) and how cognitive appraisal of experiences – how we perceive a situation – impacts stress. Show Less

We all feel stress: a response to demands that exceed our ability to cope. It’s not only psychological – biology plays a major role in the stress response. This programme details the immediate physiological processes of fight or flight responses, as well as the stages of General Adaptive Syndrome (GAS). The negative effects of prolonged stress on the body are also explored. Show Less

Psychologists have studied the cognitive and emotional strategies we use to cope with stress for decades. This programme explores the benefits and costs of two widely recognised strategies: avoidance and approach. Additional strategies of social support, exercise, drug therapy and biofeedback are also discussed. Show Less

Psychologists don’t just owe a duty of care to the participants of their research, they also have a duty to produce creative and socially useful research, and sometimes these obligations come into conflict. From this basis, an ethical case can be made even for research commonly seen as ‘unethical’. Students are given a case study and asked to discuss the ethical issues. Show Less

While most psychologists look to explain behaviour in terms of factors within individuals, others focus more on situations, and one of these is Philip Zimbardo. Here Zimbardo uses extracts from his infamous Stanford Prison Study and abuse of prisoners in Abu Ghraib to illustrate this view. Show Less

Do we have choices in life or is our behaviour determined? Recent advances in neuroscience have thrown new light on this long running issue. Here we look at, and reconstruct, Libet’s seminal experiment with Professor Patrick Haggard of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience. Show Less

When facing complex issues, psychologists often break them down into their component parts, and then identify a key cause. This approach is called reductionism, and this title explores the advantages and disadvantages of reductionism. Students are given a case study and asked to examine the utility of a reductionist approach. Show Less

Is psychology a science? Students will learn what science is and the ways in which psychology is both like and unlike a science. Two case studies are given to explore the different ways to approach psychology, and to help students formulate their own opinions Show Less

Animals have contributed to a lot of scientific advancements, but how ethical is it to use them in research? This title discusses the legality and ethical issues concerning the use of animals in research, and asks students to consider whether the use of animals is justified. Show Less

Suicide has been a taboo subject but attitudes are changing. There is a push to raise public awareness, openly discuss and seek different approaches to this complex, highly emotive issue to help prevent suicide. Unfortunately teachers, students and school communities should be prepared to deal with this tragedy. In this program, Psychiatrist Patrick McGorry and Psychotherapist Julie Lynn Evans talk about, in a sensitive and informed manner, factors that may lead to thoughts of suicide, warning signs, what to do if you suspect a student is contemplating taking their own life, how to respond to a student in distress, coping with the tragedy of a student taking her own life, and how teachers can support themselves as well as students and the school community. The short film and commentary was produced in consultation with Psychologist Susan O’Brien, MATS; CEDP. Essential for all high school teachers wanting to tackle this difficult subject matter but not sure exactly how. Show Less

*New edition with shorter video chapters. High school student Chloe is shocked to discover her best friend has taken his own life. She finds herself and those around her, struggling to cope with the complex, confusing emotions of grief and loss. The tragedy brings to the surface her own dark troubling thoughts causing her to withdraw as her life seems to slowly unravel. However, with support and understanding, there’s a way through these dark days. Commentary by mental health experts is interspersed at key points in the drama to further explore the complex emotional and psychological themes covered. It provides talking points to support class discussions. Show Less

High school student Chloe is shocked to discover her best friend has taken his own life. She finds herself and those around her, struggling to cope with the complex, confusing emotions of grief and loss. The tragedy brings to the surface her own dark troubling thoughts causing her to withdraw as her life seems to slowly unravel. However, with support and understanding, there’s a way through these dark days. Intended to open up debate and discussion around this difficult, highly emotive and confronting subject, the drama explores: what can lead to suicidal thoughts; the warning signs; how to support someone thinking about suicide, dealing with depression, and coping with tragedy when someone close takes their own life. An essential resource for teachers wanting to raise awareness about this difficult topic and encourage student discussions around mental health and emotional well being. Show Less

High school student Chloe is shocked to discover her best friend has taken his own life. She finds herself and those around her, struggling to cope with the complex, confusing emotions of grief and loss. The tragedy brings to the surface her own dark troubling thoughts causing her to withdraw as her life seems to slowly unravel. However, with support and understanding, there’s a way through these dark days. Intended to open up debate and discussion around this difficult, highly emotive and confronting subject, the drama explores: what can lead to suicidal thoughts; the warning signs; how to support someone thinking about suicide, dealing with depression, and coping with tragedy when someone close takes their own life. An essential resource for teachers wanting to raise awareness about this difficult topic and encourage student discussions around mental health and emotional well being. Show Less

It is estimated that eighty-eight percent of adolescents in the Western world are sleep deprived, compromising their academic performance and putting them at higher risk for accidents and many health related issues. During this insightful programme we hear from students, and health care professionals on the consequences of a lack of sleep, the reasons behind it and how they are changing their behaviour and at the same time improving their grades and health. This programme is essential viewing for teens of all ages to assist in navigating a sleep routine in the modern age. Show Less

Sleep – it’s something we do every day, but why do we sleep and why are psychologists so interested in sleep? What happens if we don’t sleep? Sleep has been the subject of extensive research over many years, and while our knowledge and understanding about sleep, and the role it plays in keeping us healthily alive, has advanced considerably over the past few decades, there is still much we don’t know. This film examines sleep and why human beings do it, the nature of sleep including the four stages of sleep, and looks at the causes and impact of not sleeping. It is presented by psychologist Dr Steve Taylor and includes expert comments from Prof. Kevin Morgan and Prof. Jim Horne from the University of Loughborough, and Prof. Gareth Gaskell from the University of York. It is an excellent resource for psychology students at senior secondary level, as well as those undertaking tertiary and further education studies. Show Less

You live in a world of family, friends, education, activities and work. There may be moments in a busy day when you feel stressed and it is difficult for you to think clearly. Learn the difference between good stress and unhealthy stress. More important, learn how to get rid of unnecessary stress. Learn the importance of self-esteem and the art of relaxing. Learn the benefits of taking a two minute mental break every couple of hours. Learn easy-to-use techniques that you can do right at your desk. The result will bring you a sense of calmness and clarity. Remember, stress management is essential so you can cope with a variety of stressors. Show Less

This fantastic video resource informs students about the latest research on the effects of marijuana on the brain. Animated graphics clearly shows how THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, hijacks the brain's endocannabinoid system and harms the functioning of different parts of the brain associated with coordination, cognition and intelligence, and mental illness. Clinicians who treat marijuana users forcefully explain that it's possible to become addicted to marijuana and that the risk of addiction is higher for teenagers because their brains are not yet fully developed. The author of a long-term study cites research that shows that people who started using marijuana as teens show an average loss of 8 points in IQ. Recovering marijuana addicts provide a human face to the effects of marijuana as they describe why they started using and how use led to dependency and addiction. Show Less