Psychology

Key stage 4

The GCSE in Psychology introduces students to psychological concepts and methodologies in the context of real-life issues, focusing on key questions, the work of renowned psychologists and the research students can undertake themselves. The content is split into two units:

Unit 1

Topic A: How do we see our world? This topic focuses on perception and illusions, drawing on biological and cognitive psychology.

Topic B: Is dreaming meaningful? This topic addresses Freud’s dream theory and the theory of activation synthesis.

Unit 2

Topic C: Do TV and video games affect young people’s behaviour? This topic covers causes of aggression including psychological and social causes.

Topic D: Why do we have phobias? This topic considers social learning, conditioning and evolutionary causes of phobias.

Topic E: Are criminals born or made? This topic considers proposed biological and social causes of criminality.

Assessment is through two external examinations.

Paper 1 (Unit 1) consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. This examination contributes 40% of the total grade for the full GCSE.

Paper 2 (Unit 2) consists of multiple choice questions, short answers and some extended writing and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes. This examination contributes 60% of the total grade for the full GCSE.