• Psychology

Psychology

What is Psychology?

Put simply, Psychology is the study of mind and behaviour.

What do we look at in the A level course?

At A2 level, we look into one psychological abnormality in greater depth, while continuing with research methods and there is then a choice of application of Psychology, which means directly how Psychology applies to everyday phenomena, such as addiction.  In another A2 exam we look at three topics in greater detail than in AS, but each topic will have a direct link to the compulsory topics already studied.  The topics we will look into further can include; biological rhythms and sleep, aggression, eating disorders and cognitive development.  Topics will be confirmed through class consensus.

How is the course taught?

The course is taught interactively, with lively debate encouraged and applications to everyday life integral to the teaching.  There will be a combination of lecturing, generally using the whiteboard, rather than slide presentations, as this seems to be the way students retain and understand information most efficiently.  There will also be plenty of student activities, working both independently and together and short films of important studies/theories.  At the beginning of each topic there will be relevant hand-outs created by the teacher, along with student booklets to accompany the teaching, where students can consolidate their learning.  After each topic there will be exam style tests, so students can keep informed of their progress, along with getting some practice at answering exam style questions and applying their knowledge to the questions in the most efficient manner.

What materials are needed?

Psychology A2 for AQA A 4th edition by Cardwell, Clark, Meldrum & Wadeley ISBN 978-0-00-725504-7 (January 2009)

As part of the course you will also be given hand-outs and student booklets containing student activities.  Students will be expected to be equipped with writing material, pens and at times a calculator.

When can the exam be taken?

Examinations can be taken in both the winter and summer series.  Winter sittings are in January through to February and the summer series, start in May and end in June.

How is the course structured?

The A2 examination comprises two units; there is no coursework.  A2 students will be taught one unit per term and, if ready, take the external exam in the winter and one in the summer.  If students decide to take the AS and A2 in one year (the intensive A level course), they will need to take both AS exams in the winter and two A2 exams in the summer.

For more details on the structure and content of the A level go to the AQA website; http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/science/psychology_a_noticeboard.php?id=03&prev=03

This is a direct link to the Psychology A level page for AQA A level.