WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL OF PSYCHOLOGY? Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and how it influences behaviour, from communication and memory to thought and emotion. It is about understanding people and how this understanding can help us address and solve many of the problems in society. A level Psychology is a ‘mixed skills’ course and is appropriate for those who have an interest in the course content but who are equally comfortable with Biological Science and statistics and have strong literacy skills e.g. reading and extended writing. As a science Psychology is dedicated to the study of human behaviour through observation, measurement, and testing, to form conclusions that are based on sound scientific methodology. Psychologists employ their knowledge and expertise in many areas of society, such as: • Helping us prevent and overcome mental disorders, stress, and trauma. • Speeding up recovery from brain injury. • Improving performance both at school and in the workplace. • Assisting the police, courts, and prison services in the operation of their duties. • Analysing and improving athletic performance. • Counselling COURSE CONTENT The first year of the course consists of six topics: Social Influence – This is the study of how society influences the individual. Why do we do as we are told, why do we do what everyone else is doing? Why do some people rebel against society? Memory – Different types of memory. Why do eyewitnesses to crime make such poor witnesses? Why do we forget? Attachment – How our relationships with our first carers influence all our future relationships. The impact of institutionalisation in childhood on relationships. Approaches – Different fields of psychology and how they explain human behaviour. Psychopathology – What is normal and what is abnormal? Explanations and treatments for phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Research Methods – The methods used by psychologists to investigate human behaviour.