A Level Psychology

AS PSYCHOLOGY Component 1: Psychological Research methods

Students will be involved in planning, conducting, writing, analysing, evaluating and reflecting upon a number of experimental and non-experimental techniques used in Psychology to investigate and study behaviour.  At AS Level, this component is assessed through written examination (1hr and ½) and marked out of 75 and is worth 50% of AS Level. There will be a 10% mathematics requirement, students will have to show knowledge and understanding of inferential and statistical techniques used in Psychological Research Methods.

1. Experiment             3. Self-Report
2. Observation            4. Correlation

Component 2: Psychological Themes through Core studies

This Linear AS Level introduces some of the central areas of investigation in Psychology organised in key themes. Each key theme is represented by a classic and a contemporary core piece of investigated research in Psychology. 5 pairs of which are studied at AS, 10 pairs of studies at A2. Each piece of research or core study is taken from one of the five approaches used in Psychology to explain behaviour.  Each core study raises interesting Psychological issues, debates, themes and evaluations.

This component at AS is assessed by written examination (1hr and ½) and marked out of 75 and is worth 50% of AS Level.

Examples of key themes studied:

• Responses to people in authority

• External influences on children’s behaviour

• Obedience

• Aggression, Learning

• Memory

• Regions of the brain

• Eyewitness Testimony, Content Dependent Memory

• Understanding disorders – Autism, Phobias

Both Components examined in June after year one of teaching.

A Level PSYCHOLOGY

Component 1:

Psychological Research methods

See description on left. At A Level, this component is assessed through written examination (2hrs) and marked out of 90.

Component 2:

Psychological Themes through Core studies

See description on left. 10 pairs of studies are taught at A Level. This component is assessed through written examination (2hrs) and marked out of 105.

Component 3:

Options in Applied psychology

Section A:                Issues in mental Health

Covers historical explanations, the defining and categorisation of mental illness. The different Psychological explanations of mental disorders – for example affective, psychotic and anxiety disorders and a range of Psychological techniques used to treat them.

Section B:                Sports Psychology

This option allows students to analyse the relative effectiveness of techniques in enhancing performance and mental health in sport. It covers anxiety, motivation, and personality in sport, alongside coaching, performance and leadership.

Crime Psychology

Covers a range of Psychological explanations of criminal behaviour/ the involvements of collecting and processing Forensic evidence, police and interviewing techniques.  Persuasion in the courtroom, factors that influence the juries’ decision, reducing crime and crime prevention. This component is only assessed at A Level through written examination (2hrs) and marked out of 105.