Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Psychology A-Level is designed for students who wish to explore the various reasons and explanations behind human behaviour. A-Level is assessed via 3 exams at the end of Year 13. Students will gain a formal AS qualifacation after the first year of studyPaper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (1/3) Examination covers various topics in psychology including Social Influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology. Social Influence focuses on research into conformity and obedience. Memory focuses on models of memory and explanations for forgetting. Attachment explores the impact of childhood on development whereas Psychopathology focuses on attempting to explain the development of various abnormalities, including depression, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder. Paper 2: Psychology in Context (1/3) Examination covers three core areas: Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology and Research Methods. Approaches in Psychology ensures students gain an understanding of the various approaches, all aiming to explain human behaviour. Biopsychology focuses on the roles that various hormones and biological rhythms play in explaining aspects of human behaviour whereas Research Methods allows students to develop an understanding of techniques used for data handling and analysis. Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology (1/3) Examination consists of four sections. Issues and Debates which covers key debates of interest; the Psychology of Relationships which focuses on relationship formation, breakdown and para social relationships, such as our relationship with celebrities.; causes and treatments of Schizophrenia are also studied, as is Forensic Psychology, which covers psychological explanations of offending behaviour and ways to deal with such behaviour.