Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and it encompasses a variety of approaches to try to fully explain the causes of human (and animal) behaviour. Topics can range from the social causes of aggression to the biochemical basis of depression. Psychology involves finding out what psychologists have discovered about behaviour. It is therefore necessary to support any theory with evidence and the examination will require students to quote named studies to support their answers. There is rarely a single view in psychology, so as well as a sound knowledge base, students will need the ability to formulate a rational argument, and use critical thinking, to justify a point of view.