PSYCHOLOGY

A level Psychology will give you the opportunity to look at explanations psychologists use to understand human behaviour and experiences This fascinating subject studies the complexities of human and animal behaviour

What is the course content?

Across the course, pupils will cover areas such as cognition and memory, social behaviour such as obedience and conformity, physiological processes such as how the brain affects behaviour The emphasis of the course is on applying knowledge, understanding, and developing the skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking Pupils will learn to question and challenge research findings, suggest real-world applications of research and be able to justify their ideas As a result, class work will often take the form of discussions and debates and will occasionally involve small-scale investigations

° Paper 1 – Introductory Topics in Psychology

° Paper 2 – Psychology in Context

° Paper 3 – Issues and Options in Psychology

How is the course assessed?

At the end of the Upper Sixth you will sit three written papers following the AQA specification There is no coursework component Each paper is a 2 hr written exam worth a third of the A level Psychology A level is predominantly an essay-based exam Pupils need to be able to write proficiently, answer extended discussion questions, grapple with research methods, and analyse unseen material under exam conditions

What else should I consider?

Psychology is a multifaceted subject and develops skills valued by universities and employees, such as the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely in writing, to think logically and critically Not only does it lead to a variety of Psychology-specific degree options such as Clinical Psychology, it also serves as a valuable basis for other academic study options such as Neuroscience, Law, Education and Business Management A level Psychology is not necessarily required in order to study Psychology at degree level, but it is certainly advisable

Pre-course material

This course covers a range of introductory topics and themes from the AQA A level Psychology course, including key approaches and research methods https://ondemand.tutor2u.net/ students/transitionto-aqa-alevel-psychology-skills-booster