Psychology

Course summary

Psychology A Level is a linear course which consists of three papers. Paper 1 focuses on social, cognitive and biological psychology and learning theories. It looks at topics such as obedience and prejudice, theories about how memory works and why we forget, aggression, brain functioning and criminal behaviour, conditioning, social learning and phobias. Paper 2 looks at the way in which psychology can be applied in real world settings and situations which relate to vocational contexts in which a psychology graduate may operate. It covers aspects of clinical psychology including schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, their causes and treatments, as well as criminal psychology which considers different explanations for why people turn to crime, how to treat offenders, and the psychology of the courtroom. Paper 3 reviews methodology, research studies and wider issues plus debates in psychology. Students will develop transferable skills to support study in a wide range of subjects at university and the transition to employment. This includes law, biomedical science, psychology and social sciences, business and economics, sport and exercise science, biology and statistics.