Psychology

Course summary

Psychology provides a broad introduction to the scope and nature of psychology as a science. It encourages students to explore how science works by analysing practical investigations that apply to real life. By the time students have completed the course they have a better understanding of how human behaviour from infancy to adulthood can affect the society in which they live. The AQA A level specification is very exciting as students will gain knowledge of how memory works along with what happens when young children have their attachment to the mother figure disrupted. Also new topics such as biopsychology where we look at language and auditory functions in the brain; and how they are processed by PET and MRI scans. Psychology at Brampton is a very popular subject which has enjoyed a very high level of exam success over many years. Taught by expert A-level teachers in pleasant surroundings, Psychology can be studied on a one-year A-level course as well as the newly reformed 2-year course. This fascinating subject combines very well with science subjects A-level choices. This challenging A-level course covers major psychological theories and the supporting evidence. Students are expected to develop a basic understanding of theories, concepts and research. Over the course, they will learn to argue effectively both for and against the major theoretical perspectives critically evaluating research evidence to support their arguments. The course aims to develop a student’s interest and inspire them to take a further interest at the career level. The subject content in the first year is compulsory to take the AS and A level and is then built on in the second year for the full A level qualification. The first year is divided into seven core areas Cognitive, Developmental, Biopsychology, Psychopathology, Social Psychology plus Approaches and Research Methods, all of which are intended to give students a broadly based understanding of Psychology. In the second year, there is the opportunity for students to further extend their knowledge and develop an understanding of core areas, such as Biopsychology, Methodology and the Issues and Debates we often discuss about gender biases and ethics surrounding some of the studies in Psychology. In the second year, we also study Gender development and the role the environment and genetics play in this, alongside Aggression and how this is also shaped by the environment we live in, and finally Stress and how it affects our internal mechanisms and how we can manage it Students taking this A level will be expected to develop critical and evaluative skills and learn to develop coherent, informed and logical arguments. They will be able to identify ethical issues, apply Psychology to cultural social and contemporary issues, and use a wide range of research methods which includes developing mathematical skills to competently carry out statistical testing. Students don't need to have studied GCSE Psychology before commencing work on this specification and no prior knowledge of Psychology is necessary. However, students need to have obtained a Grade A in GCSE English, Science and B in Maths before commencing this specification. For those students who are not taking A-level Maths, there will be supplementary lessons given to cover some aspects of the specification.