Psychology

O V E R V I E W

Why choose Psychology?

Psychology offers a wide variety of future careers, ranging from educational and occupational psychology to sport psychology. Even for those who are not interested in pursuing a career in psychology, the skills you will learn are transferable to many areas of employment. These skills include computer literacy, numeracy, problem solving and the ability to plan and carryout independent research.

The course studies the impact of social and biological factors on human development in order to explain why we act in the way we do. Designed to develop students’ understanding of human behaviour and the factors, which impact their decisions, students will get the opportunity to adopt a critically reflective approach in their studies. With the flexible and diverse nature of the course, students are given the opportunity to study a variety of areas in psychology. One example is the module on forensic psychology, giving students the opportunity to explore motivational factors behind crime and the methods used by the judicial system to process and rehabilitate offenders.

How is the course assessed?

With the statistical element of the course, students will learn to analyse a variety of both qualitative and quantitative data. They will study research methods used in the subject design before carrying out their own studies.

Paper One

33.3% of A level 2-hour paper (96 marks) • Social Influence • Memory • Attachment • Psychopathology

Paper Two

33.3% of A level 2-hour paper (96 marks) • Approaches in Psychology • Biopsychology • Research methods • Issues and debates

Paper Three

33.3% of A level 2-hour paper (96 marks) • Issues and Debates in Psychology • Gender • Stress • Forensic Psychology

Assessments

There will be three assessments at the end of year 13.

While there is no coursework, students will be expected to complete individual and group research projects.

Entry requirements

Psychology is a social science, which requires an understanding of the human anatomy and the confident analysis and application of statistical data. Therefore, a grade 6 will be required in Biology and Maths.

Due to the written nature of the course, students will also be required to have achieved a grade 6 in either English GCSE.

Head of Department

Mr T A Walker

Examination Board

AQA

Specification

7182