Psychology

Course summary

A level Psychology is split into three components. Each of the components have a two hour examination at the end of the two year course. Unit 1: Research Methods (30%) This component introduces the planning, conducting, analysing and reporting of psychological research across a range of experimental and nonexperimental methodologies. Students design, conduct and analyse their own small scale practicals over the course of the two years. Unit 2: Psychological Themes through Core Studies (35%) This component introduces some of the central areas of investigation in Psychology, organised into key themes. The themes include responses to people in authority, memory, attention, influences on children’s behaviour, morality, mental disorders, brain function and plasticity. Students study twenty Core Studies and apply their learning to key issues and debates, such as nature versus nurture and free will versus determinism. Unit 3: Applied Psychology (35%) Students study three areas of Applied Psychology. The Mental Health section examines the diagnosis, explanations and treatments of mental disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia. The Criminal Psychology section examines what makes a criminal, the collection of forensic evidence, Psychology in the courtroom, crime prevention and the effects of prison. The Child Psychology section examines attachment theories, the development of cognitive skills, intelligence and the impact of advertising on children.