Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is a popular and fascinating branch of science, which studies the mind and human behaviour from a range of different approaches. The mind is something intangible that exists within our brain; an unseen process of enzymes, chemicals and electric currents. We believe in a ‘hands-on’ approach – recreating key experiments whenever possible. Pupils study both theories and applications of psychology; learning about the history of psychology from early experimental psychology up to current social, cognitive and neuroscientific approaches. In their second year of A levels, students will also evaluate therapeutic approaches such as Freudian psychoanalysis and client-centred counselling. Year One: Introductory topics in psychology - learn about: • Psychology as a science • Social norms including conformity and obedience • How the mind remembers and forgets • How children form attachments • Biopsychology and cognitive neuroscience • Approaches in psychology • Psychopathology and how do we measure • ‘Normal’? • Psychology in context - learn more about the different approaches in psychology and how to design and conduct your own research. Year Two: • Issues and debates in psychology • Cognition and developmental psychology • Schizophrenia and how we can use our knowledge of psychology to offer treatments • Forensic psychology and how we can use our knowledge of psychology to apprehend and rehabilitate criminals