Psychology

Assessment

Each paper is assessed by a two-hour written examination. Each paper has equal weighting. There is no coursework or controlled assessment component for the course. Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology Social Influence: Research into conformity and obedience. Why do people follow others and when do they decide that enough is enough and resist others influence? Memory: Short- and long-term memory. Why do we forget? Attachment: The development of human attachments and the effects of deprivation. Psychopathology: What is abnormality, what causes it and how can we treat it? The disorders discussed are phobias, depression and OCD. Paper 2: Psychology in Context Approaches in Psychology: There are five main approaches that offer answers to the crucial ‘WHY?’ question. Behaviourism, Cognitive, Biological, Psychodynamic and Humanist. Biopsychology: The nervous system, in particular how the brain works. Research Methods: The methods used by psychologists to design research, collect and analyze data. Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology Issues and Debates: The key debates include the discussion of Ethics, Nature vs Nurture, Reductionism and Determinism. Options in Psychology: Relationships, Aggression and Schizophrenia