Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology
Year 11 → Year 12 Transition Pack
Welcome to Psychology!
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes Throughout the course, you will explore questions such as:
● Why do people obey authority?
● How reliable is human memory?
● Are criminals born or made?
● How does the brain influence behaviour?
● Can mental illness be explained scientifically?
You do not necessarily need any prior knowledge of Psychology to succeed The most important qualities are curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to think critically about evidence.
Your Summer Challenge
Choose activities from the bronze, silver and gold sections below.
You should complete at least the bronze challenge, but everyone is encouraged to attempt silver and gold too
Bronze Challenge
To read, choose one:
● ‘The Psychology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained’ OR
● Oliver Sacks’ The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
To watch, choose one:
● The Mind, Explained (Netflix) OR
● TED Talk: Amy Cuddy – Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are
To reflect, write approximately 300 words answering:
What is one thing you learned about human behaviour that surprised you?
Silver Challenge
To explore current research, visit:
● Simply Psychology
● British Psychological Society Research Digest
Read two articles that interest you.
To create, produce a one-page summary that includes:
● The research question
● How the study was conducted
● What was found
● Any strengths or limitations
Gold Challenge
Psychologists often disagree about why behaviour occurs
Choose one question:
● Is criminal behaviour caused more by biology or environment?
● Should eyewitness testimony be trusted in court?
● Does social media improve or damage wellbeing?
● Can intelligence be accurately measured?
Research both sides of the debate
Present
Create either:
● a 3-minute video,
● a one-page infographic,
● or a short presentation (3–5 slides)
You should include evidence supporting different viewpoints.
Listen While Travelling
Try one of these podcasts:
Hidden Brain
Explores fascinating psychological research through real-life stories
All in the Mind (BBC)
Discusses psychology, neuroscience and mental health.
The Psychology Podcast
Interviews with leading psychologists and researchers.
A Taste of Psychology
Consider the following question:
Two students achieve identical examination results
One studied for six months.
One revised for two weeks.
Have they achieved the same success?
There is no single correct answer.
Psychology is not about memorising facts It is about questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence and understanding why people think, feel and behave as they do.
Optional Challenge
Before your first Psychology lesson, bring:
● One psychological phenomenon you find interesting;
● One question about human behaviour you would like answered;
● One news story involving psychology
We look forward to welcoming you to Psychology in Year 12. ��
Cambridge-Endorsed Resources
These are officially endorsed by Cambridge International for the current Psychology (9990) specification.
Course Textbooks
Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology Student's Book (Hodder Education)
● Written specifically for the revised 9990 syllabus (first examination 2024).
● Covers all core studies, research methods, issues and debates
● Includes exam-style questions and study support.
Psychology for Cambridge International AS & A Level Coursebook (Cambridge University Press)
● Cambridge-approved coursebook supporting the 9990 specification
● Skills-focused approach with research methods and evaluation embedded throughout.
Official Cambridge Sources
Psychology (9990) Syllabus
Cambridge Psychology 9990 Syllabus (2024–2026)
Useful for students who want to understand exactly what they will study The syllabus states that no prior study of Psychology is required and introduces students to biological, cognitive, social and learning approaches
Cambridge Endorsed Resources Page
Cambridge Psychology 9990 Endorsed Resources
Suggested Enrichment Reading
These are not endorsed by Cambridge, but they are widely respected, accessible, and suitable for students aged 16–18.
Beginner-Friendly
The Psychology Book
A visual introduction to major psychologists, theories and studies. Excellent for students who have never studied Psychology before
Biological Psychology
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
Introduces fascinating neurological case studies and encourages students to think critically about brain-behaviour relationships.
Cognitive Psychology
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Written by a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist and economist. Explores biases, judgement and decision-making.
Social Psychology
The Lucifer Effect
Examines how situations influence behaviour and discusses the famous Stanford Prison Experiment
High-Quality Psychology Websites
Simply Psychology
One of the most commonly used introductory Psychology websites in schools and universities
Particularly useful for:
● Research methods
● Classic studies
● Psychological approaches
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Provides accessible summaries of contemporary psychological research written for non-specialists.
American Psychological Association
Useful for students wanting to explore current issues in psychology and psychological careers
Podcasts
Hidden Brain
Evidence-based psychology presented through engaging real-life stories
All in the Mind
Excellent discussions of psychology, neuroscience and mental health.
Interviews with leading researchers and psychologists.
