PSYCHOLOGY Psychology is about asking questions and evaluating our answers. Why do we think, feel and behave the way we do? How should we conduct psychological research that is scientific, ethical, and has practical applications? The emphasis in the course is on teaching pupils practical skills required for conducting research, evaluative skills needed to challenge established findings, and exploring the major theoretical approaches Psychology uses to explain human behaviour. Pupils will use these skills in looking at how Psychology is applied to everyday life. In all tasks we encourage a spirit of independent enquiry and a strong reliance upon scientific method. Psychology carefully and effectively bridges the gap between the sciences and humanities. It requires rigorously collected empirical evidence to be critically analysed in the form of extended answers, building on arguments and current debates. The specification has a large emphasis on the scientific nature of Psychology. 25–30% of overall assessment will assess knowledge and understanding of research methods, while 10% will require mathematical skill. Owing to this, we recommend that pupils have obtained a grade 7 or above in both IGCSE Mathematics and IGCSE Biology. All three papers will be externally examined at the end of the Upper Sixth year. Samantha Reid Head of Psychology
SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT • Paper 1: Introductory topics in Psychology
OPTIONS
A combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing. This unit consists of four sections, each focusing on a compulsory topic: Social influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology.
Gender (Gender development, sex-roles and the role of chromosomes and hormones)
• Paper 2: Psychology in context A combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing. There are three sections, each focusing on a compulsory topic: Appoaches in psychology, Biopsychology and Research Methods. Pupils need to show understanding of designing and conducting research and analysing data throughout this paper. • Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology The compulsory topic in this paper is Issues and Debates in Psychology. This will focus on Gender and culture, Free will and determinism, Nature-Nurture, Holism and reductionism and Ethical implications of conducting research. Assessment is through multiple choice and both short and extended answers.
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Schizophrenia (Classification, biological/ psychological explainations, drug treatments and CBT) Forensic Psychology (definitions of crime, offender profiling, biological/ psychological explanations, dealing with offender behaviour)
The emphasis in the course is on teaching pupils practical skills required for conducting research, evaluative skills needed to challenge established findings, and exploring the major theoretical approaches Psychology uses to explain human behaviour.
