Psychology
Do our childhood experiences affect us as adults? Are males more obedient than females? Are phobias learnt? How many items can our memory hold? Are eating disorders genetically determined?
In the Psychology Department we aim to help students to develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other. Our lessons will help develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods as well as develop the competence and confidence in a variety of practical and mathematical skills related to psychological investigations.
We hope to engage student's interest in and enthusiasm for psychology, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject. Students will learn the fundamentals of psychology and develop skills valued by Higher Education and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and research.
We study Psychology A level following the AQA (A) 2015 Specification.
In lessons you will study three units that cover:
1. Introductory topics in psychology, social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology.
2. Psychology in context; psychological approaches, bio psychology, research methods and the scientific process, data handling and inferential statistical testing.
3. Issues and options in psychology; issues and debates in psychology and three topics chosen from a range of psychological concepts e.g. gender, aggression, schizophrenia, eating behaviour, stress and relationships.
The A-level specification is designed to be taken over two years with all assessments taken at the end of the course. Assessment is made up of three written exams.
Year 12
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Week No. |
Week beginning |
Mrs Coote (2 hours) |
Mrs Trezise (3 hours)
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1 |
02/09 |
Induction |
Induction |
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2 |
09/09 |
Social Influence – topic includes explaining why people conform and obey, how the minority can change the majority’s view and the impact of this in the real world
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Memory – topic includes explaining how our memory works, why people forget, and the application of this to eye witness testimonies
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3 |
16/09 |
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4 |
23/09 |
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5 |
30/09 |
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6 |
07/10 |
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7 |
14/10 |
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8 |
21/10 |
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Half term 28th Oct – 1st Nov |
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9 |
4/11 |
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10 |
11/11 |
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11 |
18/11 |
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12 |
25/11 |
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13 |
02/12 |
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14 |
09/12 |
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15 |
16/12 |
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Xmas 23rd Dec – Jan 3rd |
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16 |
6/1 |
Attachment – topic includes how babies form an attachment with their primary caregiver, cultural variations in attachment behaviour and the affect attachments in childhood have on us as adults
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Psychopathology – topic includes explaining the causes of depression, phobias and OCD and how they can be treated |
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17 |
13/1 |
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18 |
20/1 |
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19 |
27/1 |
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20 |
3/2 |
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21 |
10/2 |
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22 |
24/2 |
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23 |
2/3 |
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24 |
09/3 |
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25 |
16/3 |
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26 |
23/3 |
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27 |
13/4 |
Approaches - understanding the different psychological perspectives of explaining behaviour including the psychodynamic and humanistic approach |
Approaches – understanding the different psychological perspectives of explaining behaviour including the learning, cognitive and biological approach |
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28 |
20/4 |
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29 |
27/4 |
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30 |
4/5 |
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31 |
11/5 |
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32 |
18/5 |
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33 |
1/6 |
Issues and Debates – looking at the different issues within psychological research e.g. gender bias, cultural bias and ethical implications and the psychological debates e.g. nature vs nurture and holism vs reductionism |
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34 |
8/6 |
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35 |
15/6 |
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36 |
22/6 |
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37 |
29/7 |
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38 |
6/7 |
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39 |
13/7 |
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Year 13
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Week No. |
Week beginning |
Mrs Coote (3 hours) |
Mrs Trezise (2 hours)
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1 |
02/09 |
Schizophrenia – topic includes the classification and diagnosis of schizophrenia, explaining the causes and treatments |
Issues and Debates – looking at the different issues within psychological research e.g. gender bias, cultural bias and ethical implications and the psychological debates e.g. nature vs nurture and holism vs reductionism |
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2 |
09/09 |
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3 |
16/09 |
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4 |
23/09 |
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5 |
30/09 |
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6 |
07/10 |
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7 |
14/10 |
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8 |
21/10 |
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Half term 28th Oct – 1st Nov |
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9 |
4/11 |
Relationships – topic includes factors affecting attraction, theories of romantic relationships, virtual and para social relationships |
Bio psychology – topic includes the nervous and endocrine system, synaptic transmission, biological rhythms, brain function and recovery of the brain after trauma
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10 |
11/11 |
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11 |
18/11 |
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12 |
25/11 |
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13 |
02/12 |
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14 |
09/12 |
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15 |
16/12 |
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Xmas 23rd Dec – Jan 3rd |
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16 |
6/1 |
Aggression – topic includes biological and social explanations of aggression, aggression in prisons and media influences on aggression |
Statistical Tests – how psychologists statistically analyse data and choosing the appropriate statistical test |
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17 |
13/1 |
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18 |
20/1 |
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19 |
27/1 |
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20 |
3/2 |
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21 |
10/2 |
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22 |
24/2 |
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23 |
2/3 |
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24 |
09/3 |
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25 |
16/3 |
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26 |
23/3 |
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27 |
13/4 |
Revision and Mock Exams
Study Leave |
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28 |
20/4 |
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29 |
27/4 |
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30 |
4/5 |
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31 |
11/5 |
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32 |
18/5 |
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*Research methods is incorporated within each topic – this includes an introduction to the experimental methods used in psychology, data analysis, designing investigations, ethical issues within research and the scientific method (this makes up 40% of the exam)