Psychology

EXAMINATION BOARD
AQA (Psychology is one of the courses that is changing to the linear structure this year).

AIMS OF THE COURSE
Psychology is a study of human behaviour. Its aim is to accurately defi ne and describe the causes of behaviour, so people can practically understand, predict and change it. One of the goals of the A level Psychology course is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire a better understanding of how the human mind works and how this aff ects behaviour, by studying individuals, groups and societies.

WHAT WILL I LEARN ON THIS COURSE?
I will be able to:
• Understand self, other people, moral behaviour and thought as well as cultural differences and similarities.
• Know and critically understand the explanations for human behaviour.
• Appreciate the variety and complexity of the human mind and human relationships.
• Describe and evaluate a range of research methods and their relevance within Psychology.
• Develop skills of written and verbal communication, interpretation, analysis and evaluation.

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT A LEVEL
Students will study three components over two years.
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
• Social influence; Why do we conform? Why do we obey? How do we resist social pressures?
• Memory; How does your memory work? Eyewitness testimony and how to improve your memory?
• Attachment; Why do we form attachments? How and when do we form attachments?
• Psychopathology; What is abnormality? How phobias, depression and OCD are explained.

Paper 2: Psychology in Context
• Approaches in psychology; Origins of psychology.
• Biopsychology; The nervous system and the functions of neurotransmitters and hormones.
• Research methods; What methods does psychology use to study behaviour? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology
• Issues and debates in psychology; issues include gender bias, culture bias, Nature Vs. Nurture, free will Vs. determinism
• Relationships; How do relationships form, maintain and breakdown?
• Schizophrenia; What causes schizophrenia? How do we treat it?
• Forensic Psychology; off ender profiling, why do we off end? How do we deal with off enders?

ASSESSMENT
Paper 1: 2 hrs worth 33.3.% of total A Level
Paper 2: 2 hrs worth 33.3.% of total A Level
Paper 3: 2 hrs worth 33.3.% of total A Level

WHERE CAN I GO AFTER COMPLETING THIS COURSE?
Psychology has very wide applications and is extremely popular at university and with employers. Psychology learnt at A Level can be applied in all aspects of life and work e.g. raising children, teaching, medicine, social work, office work etc.

Further details about any aspect of the course can be obtained from Mr John (Head of Social Sciences)