Psychology

The purpose of psychology is to investigate and understand key areas of human behaviour and the workings of the brain. The A Level allows students to explore each of the key strands within psychology and gives them a thorough introduction to the broad nature of the discipline. Students will learn about the wide variety of methods employed by psychologists and how to evaluate and analyse these methods. They will also be exposed to classic debates within the subject, such as the nature-nurture and gender debates. They will acquire skills to argue from many different perspectives.

Psychology has been a co-educational course across the schools for several years already. All teaching is co-educational with students from Habs Boys and is delivered by staff at Habs Girls with lessons all taking place at the Girls’ School.

Not all A Level students of Psychology go on to read Psychology at university! Psychology can be studied as a degree subject in its own right, but is also useful for a wide range of other subjects. Our A Level students go on to study a multitude of different courses.

Students will learn how to think analytically, as they will be expected to outline the strengths and weaknesses of a wide range of studies and theories. The skills acquired throughout the course enable students to work scientifically and mathematically, as well as construct coherent and well-balanced written arguments. They can discuss, debate and present confidently. Psychology students will write essays, construct graphs, calculate with statistics and apply their knowledge and understanding to novel, real-life scenarios. These abilities are desirable in a wide range of fields both in terms of subjects studied at university and careers in the future.

The course will suit students who study a range of other subjects. The breadth of skills required for psychology means that it can offer a compliment or contrast to subjects ranging from art to physics.

The first year of the course includes a topic from each of four major branches in psychology: social influence (social psychology), memory (cognitive psychology), attachment (developmental psychology), psychopathology (clinical psychology). Students will also learn about the different ways that psychologists study the brain and behaviour in approaches to psychology, as well as how our biology affects our behaviour in biopsychology.

In the second year, students have some choice over the units studied. We currently teach schizophrenia, gender and forensic psychology as our option choices. The synoptic element of the course is issues and debates, where students learn about key areas of conflict in the field (for example, the nature-nurture debate) and apply these debates to all of their previously learned content. Finally, research methods are an important element of the study of psychology and these are taught throughout the course.

Psychology is studied as a science at university; as such, A Level students will be required to understand how science works, use the scientific method and apply previously learned and new mathematical skills.

The course is assessed via multiple choice, short-answer questions and extended essays. The ability to think critically and evaluate research is essential. Lesson activities are varied and involve many opportunities for discussion and debate. Hands-on practical work and real-life data collection is an essential part of the course.