Psychology
Exam Board: AQA

What is Psychology?

Many people, when they hear the work Psychology, think of mental disorder and abnormal behaviour.  Psychologists, however, are not only concerned with extremes of behaviour.  Many psychologists investigate very ordinary everyday behaviour such as child rearing, memory, relationships and gender.  Psychology can be defined as the systematic study of human behaviour and experience.  It aims to describe, explain, predict and modify behaviour.  It is a fascinating subject because it is about ordinary people and ‘what makes them tick’.

Assessment
Modules 1 – 4 assessed through examination.

The AS examination:
There are 2 modules (no coursework).

Module 1:

  1. Cognitive Psychology (Memory) – includes      models of memory, memory improvement             and eye witness testimony.
  2. Development Psychology (Early Social Development) – includes attachment in early childhood, day care and social development.
  3. Research Methods – includes quantitative and research methods, research design and implementation and data analysis.

Module 2:

  1. Biological Psychology (Stress) - includes stress as a bodily response and managing stress.
  2. Social Psychology (Social Influence) includes obedience, conformity and independent behaviour.
  3. Individual Difference (Psychopathology –  Abnormality) – includes definitions of abnormality, biological and psychological approaches to psychopathology, therapies.

The A2 exam will include the study of the following areas (there will be no coursework).

Module 3:
3 essay style questions on:

  1. Relations
  2. Aggression
  3. Eating behaviour

Module 4:
Essays and structured questions on:

Why Study Psychology?
It is intellectually challenging and requires critical and analytical skills.  It enables students to develop key skills of communication and numeracy.

Psychology is relevant to most other subject areas, particularly Sociology, Philosophy, Biology and Business Studies.

Psychology has relevance for many careers: market research, advertising, careers guidance, retail management, personnel, teaching and the police force.  Whatever you are going to do, it will involve people and psychology is all about just that!

Entry Requirements:
At least 5 GCSE grades at A* - C including a C in Maths.