A-Level Psychology

Course Summary

Students will be expected to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research
methods and ethical issues.
Apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified paper content in a range of contexts.
Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods.
Evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.

Course Introduction

Course Outline

Course outline – A level Psychology

Please note: Students are able to take this option as an Enrichment AS qualification in Year 12. This will need to be taken in addition to 3 A-Levels. The course outline below is for the full A-Level and the AS will contact elements of the content below.

A level Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (2 hour exam : 33.3% of A-level)

The following topics are assessed : Social influence, Memory, Attachment, Psychopathology

Paper 2: Psychology in Context (2 hour exam: 33.3% of A-level)

Component 5: Approaches in Psychology –As outlined in AS route Paper2 with addition of Psychodynamic and Humanistic Approaches and comparison of approaches.

Component 6: Biopsychology –as outlined in AS route Paper 2 Section A with addition of localization of functions in the brain, recovery of brain after trauma, ways of studying the brain and biological rhythms (sleep).

Component 7: Research Methods – As outlined in AS route Paper 2 with addition of case study and content analysis methods, enhanced understanding of the scientific process, inferential statistic tests.

Paper 3: (2 hour exam: 33.3% of A-level)

Component 8: Issues and Debates – Including gender and culture in Psychology, free will and determinism, nature-nurture debate, holism and reductionism, idiographic and nomothetic approaches and ethical implications of research studies and theory.

Component 11: Cognition and Development – Including the evolutionary explanations for partner preferences, factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships, virtual relationships in social media, parasocial relationships.

Component 13: Eating Behaviour

Component 16: Forensic Psychology – Including neural, hormonal mechanisms and genetic factors in aggression, evolutionary and social psychological explanations of human aggression ,institutional aggression in the context of prisons and media influences on aggression, including the effects.

Subject Entry Requirements

In addition to the general Sixth Form Entry requirements students will need the following:
GCSE English Literature or Language: Grade 5 or above
GCSE Mathematics: Grade 5 or above
Grade 5/5 in a Higher Tier Combined Science GCSE or Grade 5 or above in two Higher GCSE Separate Sciences.

If students have a 5 in GCSE Maths they will be required study Core Maths in Year 12 as an Enrichment Option. Students who have a 6 or above in GCSE Maths will be allowed to choose an Enrichment Option of their choice.

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