Psychology

Our aim is to develop young psychologists who are creative and critical thinkers. Young psychologists who will challenge accepted views of human behaviour and who can design and carry out investigations which provide insight into the human mind and behaviour and solutions to social problems.

Curriculum Plan

Year 12 &13

What are we studying?

How are we assessed?

Assessments and exam practice throughout the course, including mock examinations.

Terminal exams at the end of the two-year course:

Component 01: Research methods

This component develops knowledge and understanding of planning, conducting, analysing and reporting psychological research across a range of experimental and non-experimental methodologies and techniques. Students carry out their own small-scale practical activities.

Students need to be familiar with the four main techniques for collecting/analysing data:

• Self-report
• Experiment
• Observation
• Correlation.

Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies

Introduces some of the central areas of investigation in psychology organised in ten key themes, each represented by a classic and a contemporary core study. The core studies reflect the contribution of psychology to an understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity.

Component 03: Applied psychology

Students consider a number of methodological issues and how they relate to a range of topics.

There is one compulsory section:

• Issues in mental health.

Students must also select two topics from the following:

• Child psychology
• Criminal psychology
• Environmental psychology
• Sports and exercise psychology.

What can parents do to help?

Help students to organise time to meet revision schedules deadlines.

Monitor use of the course text book– including self-study, test yourself and practice examination questions.

Further notes and guidance, lesson notes and support posted in TEAMS.

Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities

This course provides a sound basis for further undergraduate and postgraduate study leading to a professional career in Psychology. Its focus on why and how humans behave makes this subject useful for a career in business or the public sector.
The skills and knowledge obtained from this A Level are relevant to any career involving contact with other people. Particularly relevant career options include marketing, business development, accountancy, human resources, forensic psychology, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, educational psychology, the police, the law, counselling, nursing and teaching.

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