Why choose this subject?
Psychology is a social science that offers students the opportunity to investigate the motivations behind the human mind. Through their study of Psychology AS and A Level, students develop knowledge and understanding of key psychological concepts, theories and studies. Students also develop the skills of analysis and evaluation, which they will demonstrate in essay writing, as well as knowledge of how psychologists conduct their research and the ethical issues involved in this.
In September 2015 the Social Sciences department at Loxford School will begin to teach the new AQA specification for both AS and A-level psychology for the incoming year 12s. In psychology the AS qualification no longer counts towards the full A-level, however, as the content of the AS level and the full A-level overlap, it is possible to teach the AS level course as the first year of the A-level course. In this way, there will be very little change in the day-to-day teaching of psychology at Loxford. Similarly, we anticipate that all students will take the two AS exams at the end of year 12 in order to provide a formal assessment of what they have learnt so far. Those who choose to continue onto the full A-level will then take the three A-level exams at the end of year 13; two of these exams will cover some of the same content as the AS papers, however the questions will be more challenging on the full A-level exams.
Entry requirements: 'CC' Science and Grade 5 in English Language and Maths
Combine this course with: Law, Media Studies, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, and Maths
Essential if you go on to:It will be useful in a wide range of careers as it equips you with the ability to understand people and behaviours as well as developing evaluative and communicative skills which are useful in a range of environments.
Course Description
AS level Psychology
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
1 hour 30 minute written exam, 50% of the AS, 72 marks
- Social Influence – exploring what research has shown us about whether people conform and obey and what makes them do this; explaining why some people don’t conform and in what situations people don’t obey.
- Memory – studying the models of memory that have been suggested by psychologists; investigating why we forget; applying our knowledge to eyewitness testimony and its accuracy.
- Attachment – reflecting on the relationship between babies and their caregivers, in particular their mothers; explaining why attachments are necessary and how they form.
1 hour 30 minute written exam, 50% of the AS, 72 marks
- Approaches in Psychology – comparing and contrasting the different views found in psychology, for example biological psychologists, vs humanist psychologists, vs cognitive psychologists.
- Psychopathology – exploring what psychology can tell us about what being ‘abnormal’ really means; investigating different explanations and treatments of phobias, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Research Methods – learning how psychologists conduct research and carrying out practical research of our own.
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
2 hour written exam, 33.3% of full A-level, 96 marks
- Social Influence - as above.
- Memory - as above.
- Attachment - as above.
- Psychopathology – In the AS level, this topic is in Paper 2.
2 hour written exam, 33.3% of full A-level, 96 marks
- Approaches in Psychology - as above
- Biopsychology – This is not in the AS level Paper 2 – Identifying key features of the human body, such as the central nervous system and the endocrine system, as well as looking at the fundamental structures of the brain; understanding how our physiology is of importance in psychology.
- Research Methods - as above
2 hour written exam, 33.3% of full A-level, 96 marks
- Issues and Debates in Psychology – developing an understanding of the key issues and debates in psychology, such as the nature-nurture debate, culture bias, and gender bias.
- One from: Relationships; Gender; Cognition and Development – At Loxford it is likely that we will choose ‘relationships’. We will explore the different factors that affect romantic relationships, as well as looking at virtual relationships (those conducted online) and parasocial relationships (one sided relationships, such as celebrity worship).
- One from: Schizophrenia; Eating Behaviour; Stress. At Loxford it is likely that we will choose ‘schizophrenia’, where we will investigate the nature of schizophrenia, as well as comparing possible explanations and treatments.
- One from: Aggression; Forensic Psychology: Addiction. At Loxford it is likely that we will choose ‘aggression’, where we will explore the mechanisms behind aggression in individuals, the media’s influence on aggressive behaviour, and explanations of aggression in prisons.