Psychology

Assessment

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (33.3% of A-Level grade) • Memory examines the structure of human memory, the reasons why people forget, factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony and improving the accuracy of memory. • Attachment examines explanations of attachment, cultural variations in attachment, disruption of attachment and the effect childhood attachment has on adult romantic relationships. • Social influence examines explanations of conformity and obedience to authority; as well as explanations of independent behaviour and the role of minority groups in social change. • Psychopathology examines definitions of abnormality as well as biological and psychological explanations of the cause and treatment of phobia's, depression and OCD. Paper 2: Psychology in Context (33.3% of A-Level grade) • Approaches in psychology examines the origins of psychology and assumptions of the biological, psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive and humanistic approaches • Research methods examine the way that psychologists design and analyse the data collected from investigations. At A level this also includes inferential analysis of data. • Biopsychology examines the structure and functions of the nervous system and endocrine system, as well as localisation of functions in the brain and biological rhythms. Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology (33.3% of A-Level grade) • Issues and debates in psychology examines current issues and debates in psychological research such as cultural bias, reductionism vs holism and free vs determinism. • Relationships examines theories relating to the formation, maintenance and breakdown of relationships, as well as research into virtual relationships and para-social relationships. • Eating behaviours examines explanations of food preferences and the control of eating behaviour, as well as biological and psychological explanations of anorexia and obesity. • Addiction examines explanations for smoking and gambling addiction, risk factors in the development of addiction, as well as interventions used in the treatment of addiction.