Course information
Psychology
East Durham College - County Durham
01915182000
Willerby Grove, Peterlee, SR8 2RN
Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. The course explores many potential explanations for human behaviour from various viewpoints. The scope for using psychology is huge; every aspect of human existence can be explored from a psychological viewpoint. Psychology covers many theories, studies, ideas and statistics. It is a hugely satisfying topic and equips you with many skills, such as data analysis, literature searching, research skills and evaluation. You will be able to apply psychological knowledge to the real world and to real situations. It is an incredibly interesting subject which can be useful in almost every career you eventually decide upon! A strong structure, with flexible choice, is fundamental to Psychology. The specification gives students the chance to select some study areas and contemporary issues. This allows study to be tailored to student’s needs and the contexts in which they are learning. A practical focus is embedded within the specification. A series of short and manageable practical experiments and tests accompany the approaches and applications, allowing students to develop an active knowledge of the scientific aspects of psychology. Topics Year 12: Psychological Approaches. You will look at four main approaches to explain human behaviour. The Social approach explains behaviour in terms of other people (individually and in groups), society and culture. The Biological approach involves genetics, neurotransmitters and brain structures. The Cognitive approach involves processes like memory, perception, language, attention and thinking. Learning Theories explain behaviour as being something which is completely learned from our environment. You will look at theories, studies, research methods and applications of the findings, as well as carrying out your own research for each. Year 13: You will learn about Clinical Psychology, which involves looking at explanations and treatments of mental ill health, including Schizophrenia. You will also study one further application which will be either Criminal or Child Psychology. Again, you will carry out a piece of research in each area and analyse your findings.

Entry requirements

Five 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics. For Psychology you will need grade 6 in either GCSE Maths or English and at least a grade 5 in both subjects.

How you'll be assessed

You will be assessed throughout the course in class and by mock exams at the end of Year 12. You will then sit three formal two hour exams at the end of Year 13 (May/June).

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionNorth East
Local AuthorityCounty Durham
Ofsted RatingGood
Gender TypeCo-Educational
AddressWillerby Grove, Peterlee, SR8 2RN