Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and therefore has a wide and varied application. This includes pathways into respected professions including clinical, educational and forensic psychology as well as providing an excellent basis for other professions such as marketing, PR, teaching and nursing.
Psychology A Level is a broad course which covers the main approaches including Behaviourism and Cognitive and Biological perspectives, as well as focusing on specialist areas in Year 2, such as Schizophrenia. The course includes research into obedience and conformity, through the work of Milgram and Asch, as well as the development of attachment in children through the work of Bowlby and Ainsworth. There is also a strong focus on research methods and data analysis and statistics.
Psychology is a linear course, to be taken over two years.
10% of course marks in assessments will require the use of mathematical skills.
These will be applied in the context of A Level Psychology.
They will be at least the standard of Higher Tier GCSE Mathematics.
There will also be 16 mark extended writing questions in all 3 papers.
Skills acquired include knowledge, application and evaluation as well as appropriate handling of both qualitative and quantitative data.
The A Level will be assessed by means of three, 2 hour papers at the end of Year 2.
Paper 1: Memory; Social Influence; Attachment and Psychopathology.
Paper 2: Approaches; Biopsychology and Research Methods.
Paper 3: Issues and Debates and three further optional units. These include Cognition and Development; Schizophrenia and Aggression.
The Exam Board is AQA.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mrs Penny Hart, Head of Psychology, on phh@farlingtonschool.com