Psychology
La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School
Course summary
YEAR 12 Cognitive Psychology includes: * Models of memory: multi-store and working memory model * Types of long term memory * Explanations for forgetting * Factors affecting the accuracy of eye-witness testimony Developmental Psychology includes: * Caregiver-infant interactions in humans * Animal studies of attachment * Explanations of attachment * Ainsworth’s strange situation study and types of attachment * Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation Social Psychology includes: * Types of conformity * Conformity to social roles * Explanations for obedience * Explanations for resisting social influence * Minority influence * The role of social influence processes in social change Approaches in Psychology: * The origins of psychology and psychology as a science * The behaviorist approach * The cognitive approach * The biological approach Biopsychology: * The divisions of the nervous system * The structure and function of neurons * The function of the endocrine system * The fight or flight response Psychopathology: * Definitions of abnormality * The characteristics of phobias, depression and OCD * The behaviorist approach to explaining and treating phobias * The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression * The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD Research Methods: * Experimental methods * Observational techniques * Self-report techniques: questionnaires and interviews * Correlations * Scientific process – sampling, variable control, ethical issues * Quantitative and qualitative data * Primary and secondary data including meta-analysis * Descriptive statistics * Graphs * Distributions * Statistical testing – the sign test YEAR 13 Research methods: Options from: * Biopsychology * Issues and debates in psychology * Gender * Schizophrenia * Forensic psychology * Aggression * Relationships * Stress LEARNING AND SKILLS: * Critical reading, analyzing and selecting of key information from long Psychological texts * Designing and carrying out research * Drawing appropriate graphs and tables based on research data * Using maths concepts and formulae * Analysing and interpreting data from research to draw conclusions * Logical structuring and coherent wording in extended writing * Drafting and redrafting extended writing based on feedback * Reading around the subject eg newspapers, reading list (provided) * Application of psychological theory and research to real life events These are just some of the skills you will learn during the course.
Entry Requirements
Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.
| Requirement | Rule | You |
|---|---|---|
Combined Science | Grade 6-6 in Combined Science | — |
Biology Alternative route | Grade 6 in Biology | — |
Chemistry Alternative route | Grade 6 in Chemistry | — |
Physics Alternative route | Grade 6 in Physics | — |
Psychology | Grade 6 in Psychology (if taken) | — |
English Literature | Grade 5 in English Literature | — |
Mathematics | Grade 5 in Mathematics | — |
English Language | Grade 5 in English Language | — |
As published by the school
* 6+ in a science in 6 in biology if taken as a triple * 6+ in psychology if taken * 5+ in math's * 5+ in English
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Assessment
Paper 1: memory, attachment and psychopathology. Written exam 2 hours 33.3% Paper 2: approaches in psychology, biopsychology, research methods. Written exam 2 hours 33.3% Paper 3: issues and debates in psychology, 3 option choices. Written exam 2 hours 33.3% All written exams include multiple choice, short answer and extended writing. Students are assessed on the following objectives: AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures AO3: Analyze, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence A level: AO1 30-33%, AO2 30-33 % AO3 36-38%
About School
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