Psychology (A Level)

Course summary

Students become familiar with what research has shown us in various areas of psychology such as memory, attachment, psychopathology, and social influence. It explores the effects of deprivation of an attachment figure in infancy, why people obey orders even if it means being cruel to others and how abnormality such as depression and OCD can be explained using different approaches in psychology. The A level course requires the students to show a good depth of analysis. ‘Research methods’ is a central theme and students will have the opportunity to design and present research projects of their own. In addition, students will consider the key issues and debates in psychology, alongside schizophrenia (the characteristics, explanations and treatments), Forensic Psychology (psychology applied to criminal behaviour, including profiling and dealing with offending behaviour) and Relationships (exploring research and theories into the development, maintenance and breakdown of romantic relationships.)