Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and the mind. The A-level course tackles questions such as those above and, although it is based in the sciences, allows more scope for discussion and debate than is usual in most science subjects. Throughout the course, you will develop a broad set of skills, including effective communication and the interpretation and critical assessment of scientific data. You will therefore develop both your literacy and numeracy skills within the context of a subject that many find intrinsically interesting. Psychology is one of the most consistently popular subjects for study at the undergraduate level and the A-level course provides a solid grounding for those wishing to take their study of the subject further. It is also, however, a good choice for those who see their main interests lying elsewhere yet who find the subject intriguing and who wish to complement their other A-level choices with an option that has both scientific and more discursive aspects. During the first year of the course we study the effects of society on individual behaviour, the psychology of memory and attachment in both humans and other animals. We also begin our comparison of the various approaches within psychology that have developed since it emerged as a distinct discipline in the late nineteenth century. These include the behavioural, psychodynamic and cognitive schools. We also consider some of the debates and issues relevant to the discipline including nature versus nurture, and determinism versus free will. We also study the psychology of gender, aggression and stress. In both years of the course, a considerable amount of time is devoted to the research methods employed by psychologists engaged in practical studies of the subject. Psychology would be a good option for pupils wishing to study a wide range of subjects at the university level including but not limited to Medicine, Economics, Sport Science or the Social Sciences. As such, it is one of the most versatile subjects offered by the College and, given that entrance to the A-level course does not require prior knowledge of it, one of the most accessible.