A Level Psychology

Course summary

Psychology studies human behaviour and tries to understand why people behave in the way they do. Psychology is made up of a variety of approaches and, during the first year of study, students will have the opportunity to learn about the origins of psychology, as well as the key approaches. In addition, students will explore the early years of development and its effects on the rest of life, how human memory works and eyewitness testimony, the stress that people experience, why humans obey and conform and the mental disorders that people can face. In the second year, students build upon their knowledge of different approaches, and apply them to a range of behaviours. Throughout the course, students learn research method skills that will enable them to carry out their own studies relevant to the material covered. Students are encouraged to read widely; the department has an extensive reading and podcast list to help prepare students for the course.