a level psychology

What will I study?

The AQA Psychology A level course covers a wide range of topics, including social influence (obedience and conformity); memory; attachment; psychopathology (definitions of abnormality; explanations and treatments for phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression). There is a section on biopsychology, so good scientific understanding is required. Psychology is often studied alongside other science subjects, sociology, maths, criminology, but the skills being developed are transferable to almost any other area of study.

Course Content

The course includes exploring different theories and perspectives in psychology, research methods and optional units in the second year of the course. Students taking this course will develop a wide range of skills: from note taking to writing extended essays; being analytical and evaluating theories and research; the ability to read and summarise studies; creating and interpreting statistical data; personal and time organisation, to balance the study of theory with practical applications of areas covered.

Paper 1: Introductory topics in psychology

Paper 2: Psychology in context

Paper 3: Issues and options in psychology

Progression

This course develops skills that are useful in a number of jobs and professions including law, business, medicine, journalism, marketing, advertising, personnel work, management and many more. A Level Psychology also enables progression into further study of a wide range of other subjects in Higher Education, such as health, education and social work.

What the students say?

"Psychology is an interactive, eye opening subject that really develops my understanding of the inner workings of the human brain". A. Hinchliffe Yr13