Component 2: Investigating Behaviour

What will you study?

Psychology is a science. In components 1 and 3 you will learn about lots of different theories and therapies that psychologists have developed, which all have to be backed up by evidence. In component 2 you will learn how psychologists conduct research to test out whether their ideas seem to be right. You will learn about the entire process involved, including:

Writing an aim and hypothesis
Recruiting participants
Different types of experiments
Using brain scans
How to use mathematical tests to analyse the results of research
Other less scientific methods of research including questionnaires, interviews and case studies
How to write up a psychological report
And much more!

You will get to put what you learn into practise as you also design and conduct two of your own mini psychological investigations (which you are then asked about in the exam!). Examples of past investigations include conducting an observation into the effect of gender on food choice, and an experiment into reaction times.

Have a look and try out a variety of tasks that relate to the content of this exam:

LEARN about correlation research in psychology by watching the YouTube video. You may want to write some notes down as you go along.

Have a go at DOING a practical activity on correlational research in psychology. Using the YouTube film have a go at a practical activity which looks at the formation of romantic relationships. You will need some paper, a pen, a pencil and a ruler.

EVALUATE the use of correlation studies in psychology by looking at the main strengths and limitations by watching the YouTube clip.

ASSESS how much you have learned about correlation research in psychology by doing the multiple choice questions on the Google Slide presentation.

5 Questions on Correlational Studies in Psychology