Overview
Psychology is about studying human behaviour, for this course students will be learning about approaches and methods related to the core areas of Psychology – cognitive, social, biological, developmental, individual differences and research methods, explanations from different approaches, along with psychological issues and debates, students will be introduced to a wide range of psychology topics including Attachment, Memory and Social Influence. We are intent on delivering an engaging and interactive curriculum whereby students will fully immerse themselves into the depths of psychology, students will have the opportunity to participate in scientific research and learn about the scientific processes involved in psychology. This course would be a great opportunity for someone who is interested in a career in Social Sciences, whether that be Psychology, Criminology or even Forensic Psychology. Students will be given lots of enrichment resources to help further their knowledge and understanding of the topic, and other resources are provided to ensure students receive a well-rounded and meaningful education.
Key Stage 5 A Level
Examination Board: AQA
Units Taken:
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
Paper 2: Psychology in Context
Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology
Link to Specification: Click here.
Course Content
The course is split into three papers, each with a different focus on an aspect of Psychology. The course is 100% exam based, there are three 2 hour exam papers (33.3% weighting each).
PAPER ONE – INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Students learn about memory, how it works and what happens when it goes wrong; abnormality, what causes OCD, phobias and depression and how different approaches in psychology treat these; why people obey and conform and how our childhood affects our subsequent development.
PAPER TWO – PSYCHOLOGY IN CONTEXT
Consists of biopsychology, looking at the role of the brain and its functioning, the nervous system, hormones and neurotransmitters and how bodily rhythms all influence behaviour. It also examines the main theoretical perspectives in Psychology; the Psychodynamic, Behaviourism, Humanistic and Cognitive approaches as well as understanding the fundamental aspects of how to carry out Psychological studies (Research Methods) and analyse data.
PAPER THREE – ISSUES AND OPTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Examines the key issues and debates within the field of psychology including free will and determinism, the nature – nurture debate and ethics. In addition, students study the topics of Aggression, looking at biological and social explanations of aggression and how the media influences aggressive behaviour; Schizophrenia, how it’s caused and treated and Cognitive Developmental Psychology, looking at how we develop thinking, language, memory and perception over our lifespan and how we develop an understanding of other people’s minds and emotions.
Skills Gained from Taking this Course
Students develop some of the key skills of a Psychologist throughout the course. They learn how to plan, carry out, and analyse their own research.
They will be able to carry out observations, experiments and interviews competently. They develop the higher-order skills of synthesis and application, many of the examination questions require students to apply their knowledge to real-life situations.
They will also learn how to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence so they can make judgements and reach conclusions.
Studying Psychology delivers skills employers value, such as numerical skills, the ability to understand and work with statistics, effective communication and the ability to work productively in teams. As well as being able to effectively write focused, concise and well-balanced essays.
St Marylebone Entry Requirements
To gain entry into the sixth form at St Marylebone School, students must gain a minimum of five 9-6 grades at GCSE and a 5 grade in English and Maths GCSE.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
Grade 5 in Maths GCSE, Grade 6 in English Language GCSE and either grade 6 in Combined Science or Single Science Biology.
Entry Suggestions
Students wishing to take Psychology should:
- Have an interest in people and the world around them.
- Understand that psychology is a science and therefore will include aspects of biology – such as understanding the role of the nervous system and hormones/neurotransmitters and different functions of the brain, synapses etc.
- Be comfortable with the format of writing up or conducting an experiment – hypothesis, aim, method procedure etc.
- Be comfortable with some aspects of maths i.e. statistics: descriptive and inferential, data handling, correlations, quantitative and qualitative analysis.
- For the above two points, must gain a 6 or above in GCSE Science and a 5 in Maths.
- Be able to understand, analyse, evaluate, draw conclusions and apply ideas.
- Be comfortable expressing ideas in essay format.
You will have 6 hours of weekly lessons with flipped learning tasks included.
Compulsory content
- Social influence
- Memory
- Attachment
- Psychopathology
- Approaches in Psychology
- Biopsychology
- Research methods
- Issues and Debates in Psychology
Option 1
- Cognition and development
Option 2
- Schizophrenia
Option 3
- Aggression
If you are made an offer, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:
Preparing for Yr 12 – 2020
Resources Needed for this Course:
Online textbook provided
