PSYCHOLOGY
Examination Board: AQA
What will I study?
Psychology is considered to be the scientific study of behaviour. The course requires the candidates to use scientific terminology and try and explain aspects of human behaviour. There is emphasis on analytical, evaluative and critical thinking skills.
AS Unit 1: Assessment for Unit 1 is one exam paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cognitive psychology
- Mainly focused on human memory; different aspects of memory, why people forgot and how memory functions in a practical setting such as eyewitness testimony
- Developmental Psychology
- Early attachments between infants and primary caregivers and how lack of attachment could influence adult personality development
- Research Methods
- How psychology experiments are designed, carried out and how the findings are analysed. The reliability and validity of each method is considered.
AS Unit 2: Assessment for Unit 2 is one exam paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes
- Social Psychology
- Assessing individual behaviour in a social setting. Questioning why there are individual differences in conformity and obedience.
- Biological Psychology
- Different physiological reactions which people experience, including the action of parts of the brain and central nervous system in response to stress and treatments for this.
- Individual Differences
- Explanations of abnormality and limitations of these descriptions. Application of these definitions with particular reference to eating disorders such as anorexia
A2 Unit 4: Assessment for unit 4 is one examination lasting 1 hour 30 minutes
- Biological Rhythms and Sleep
- Physiological changes in the brain during sleep, explanations or sleep and sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep walking
- Eating Behaviour
- Factors influencing attitudes to food and eating, including cross-cultural variations, biological explanations and analysis of eating disorders
- Relationships
- Theories of the formation, maintenance and breakdown of romantic relationships, and the influence of childhood and adolescent experiences on adult relationships
A2 Unit 5: Assessment for Unit 5 is one examination lasting 2 hours
- Psychopathology
- Knowledge and understanding of depression and anxiety disorders including models, classification and diagnosis
- Psychology in Action
- The psychology of addictive behaviour. Knowledge of research methods, approaches, issues, policies and practices of applying psychology in everyday life
- Psychological Research and Scientific Method
- Research design, data analysis and data interpretation. Candidates develop an understanding of the nature of science and scientific methods
What are the opportunities after A level?
The study of Psychology provides a solid basis for careers in Law and Criminal Investigations, Personnel Management, Teaching, Counselling and in the NHS.
What are the entry requirements?
A – B passes in English (Higher Paper), Maths and Science GCSE. The Psychology course requires competency in all three subjects.