Psychology (AS/A level)

Specific Entry Criteria

Grade C in GCSE English Language and grade D in Maths.

About the Subject

Psychology is an alternative and challenging science, which looks at behaviour, mental processes and experiences which shape who we are. We cover a wide variety of topics that will make you think very differently about everyday things such as stress, childhood and mental illness.

Course Content

Year 1

The AS specification has 2 units: the first module is examined in January and is worth 50 % of your total AS grade and 25% of your total A level. This module covers three key areas of psychology. Cognitive psychology which focuses on the structure of memory, reasons why we forget, and the reliability of eye witness testimonies in court room settings. Research methods cover all the different techniques used to study and analyse human behaviour. You will learn how to design and carry out your own experiment. Developmental psychology studies the importance of early childhood experiences and how they affect our later development, ways in which babies bond with their parents, and the effects of losing a parent and of being in day care.

The second and final module in the AS year will be examined in June and will cover another three areas of psychology. Biological psychology will look at sources of stress and how the body responds to stress, including techniques used to reduce stress. Social psychology looks at how other people influence our behaviour. We investigate reasons for conformity and obedience (could you be influenced to inflict pain on a complete stranger?) There are many studies of dubious ethical value in this section, so we need to study psychology’s ethical guidelines, which tell us what we should and shouldn’t do when conducting research. Individual differences looks at how we define psychological abnormality, including different theories about the causes of mental disorders and therapies used to treat them.

Year 2

The A2 year will consist of a further 2 exams the first exam will be sat in January and will be one and half hours long. Module 3 will consist of three of the following topics.

Relationships – how relationships begin, how we choose a potential partner, and why some relationships break down

Aggression – the effect of violent movies on society, as well as other causes of aggression and bystander behaviour.

Eating Behaviour – here we are looking at society’s obsession with food and image: the impact of magazines and other outside influences on eating behaviour, including eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.

Learning and intelligence – this consists of how animals learn and develop intelligence and how intelligence has and continues to evolve.

Module 4 will be sat at the beginning of June. It will be two hours long and will consist of three of the following subjects

Psychopathology – this looks at one of three mental disorders: schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders. The disorder will be looked at in terms of classification and diagnosis whilst also looking at its clinical characteristics. The disorder will then be investigated in terms of biological and psychological explanations and therapies.

Psychology of addictive behaviour – this module concentrates on how addictive behaviour is formed and maintained whilst also looking at how addictive behaviours can be reduced.

Anomalistic psychology – looking into people’s experiences of ghosts and why they believe in ghosts and other anomalistic experiences.

Psychological research and scientific method – this involves applying scientific methods to psychology, designing psychological investigations, and reporting on investigations.

Assessment

There is no coursework on AS/A level psychology; all modules are assessed by external examination.