Psychology
Why study A Level Psychology?
Psychology is the science of the mind, the most complex machine on earth. It is the source of all thought and behaviour. So how do we study something as complex, mysterious, and invisible as the mind? Psychologists adopt a similar approach to scientists in other fields and use human behaviour as a clue to the workings of the mind. Although we can’t observe the mind directly, everything we do, think, feel and say is determined by the functioning of the mind. Psychologists take human behaviour as the raw data for testing their theories about how the mind works. Psychological research aims to understand all aspects of human behaviour and apply findings to benefit individuals in society. Research in psychology seeks to understand mental health treatment, and many other areas affecting health and daily life.
How will I study Psychology?
Our A Level Psychology course has been developed for inquisitive students who want to understand more about the human mind and what drives our behaviour. Students will study a range of topics that are interesting and stimulating and have plenty of opportunities to read published journals, key research studies and explore the strengths and limitations of its findings. Students are equipped with psychological terminology, critical thinking tools and a safe environment to explore important questions that will lead to the development of a scientific argument or an implication for groups in society. Students are offered one to one support from teachers and subject ambassadors who will aid their learning through real-world context and understand how these new skills can be applied in practice.
What will I study at Key Stage 5?
At AS Level, topics include how memory works, why people get psychological disorders such as depression, or how to treat a phobia and attachment behaviour and how this affects later child and adult development. Other topics studies in the first year are how the brain works and how to design and conduct psychological research and analyse data. Approaches in psychology are the key explanations used to explain behaviour and these are taught and explored throughout the course. There are descriptive statistics and mathematical skills that are practised to explore the significance of research findings. In the second year, contemporary topics are studied such as gender and addiction. Students will explore factors that make an individual vulnerable to nicotine and gambling addiction, analyse how the workplace can be a source of stress and consider a range of ways of managing such symptoms.
Assessment at Key Stage 5
AS PSYCHOLOGY: AQA 7181
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper 1: Written Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 72 marks 50% of AS |
Introductory Topics in Psychology: Social Influence, Memory, Attachment. A series of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions will be used in each section. |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper 2: Written Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 72 marks 50% of AS |
Psychology in context: Approaches in Psychology, Psychopathology, Research Methods. A series of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions will be used in each section. |
A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY: AQA 7182
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper 1: Written Exam: 2 hours 96 marks 33.3% of A level |
Introductory Topics in Psychology: Social Influence, Memory Attachment, Psychopathology. A series of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions will be used in each section. |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper 2: Written Exam: 2 hours 96 marks 33.3% of A level |
Psychology in context: Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology, Research Methods. A series of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions will be used in each section. |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper 3: Written Exam: 2 hours 96 marks 33.3% of A level |
Issues and Options in Psychology: Issues and Debates, Gender, Stress, Addiction. A series of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions will be used in each section. |
Enrichment
Social Sciences offer subject-specific enrichment to enhance the learning experience and nurture an intellectual curiosity amongst students. This includes, amongst others, The Sixth Form Debate Society through which students takes part in the prestigious national Mace competition; HE* Social Sciences that prepares learners for applications to Russell Group Universities; Money Matters Enhancement which explores the economic issues of the day and Ethics in Action in which students are introduced to key philosophers as they embark on academic debate on contemporary ethical issues. Trips include Chester Zoo, Media City: Salford, The Crown Courts, Parliament and being an audience member in Radio 4 Any Questions.
Careers
The Social Sciences can lead to a broad range of future careers. Alumni have graduated from Russell Group universities including University of Oxford, UCL, The University of Manchester and King’s College London and embarked on successful careers with within The Civil Service, local and national politics, medicine, psychology, international relations and law.
Useful resources and revision support
- https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/psychologyreview
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb
- https://www.univ.ox.ac.uk/applying-to-univ/resource-hub/?category=medical-sciences&subcategory=psychology
- Research Digest (bps.org.uk)
- https://www.mooc-list.com/tags/psychology
- Podcast – Research Digest (bps.org.uk)