Psychology

What does studying Psychology involve?
Psychology is the scientific study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact. Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivations behind it . Psychologists and psychological research have a big impact on all aspects of public life, particularly in areas such as education, health, the economy, industry, the media and government.

Studying psychology will not only provide you with a clearer picture into the science of human behaviour and attempts to explain it, but it will help you to investigate some of the following practical problems:

• How can the courts ensure that eyewitness testimony is reliable?
• How can we help people overcome eating disorders, depression, stress or phobias?
• How can we speed recovery from brain injury?
• Why do some people suffer addictions?
• Is intelligence innate or acquired through experience?

As you can see, psychologists have a valuable contribution to make to all areas of life!

At AS you will study the following topics: cognitive psychology (memory), developmental psychology (how your early relationships with parents can influence your adult behaviour) and research methods (the way in which psychologists gather and test information to draw conclusions). After Christmas, you will then go on to study and investigate the biological and social perspectives in psychology and think about the modifying effects of individual differences on behaviour.

At A2 you will study and learn about the psychology of addiction, psychopathology (depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders), biological rhythms and eating behaviours to name but a few topics. Subject matter is contemporary, diverse and most of all exciting to learn about!

How will I know if I would be successful at it?
Psychology is ideal for students who have a very sound ability in Science, English and Maths. There is a large amount of research to investigate and become familiar with; therefore, a capacity to engage enthusiastically with course material is essential.
There is also a large scientific (biology/chemistry) emphasis within AS and A2 so you will need to be relatively confident with this. We expect students to read our additional comprehensive reading list and will seek evidence of this through assessment. Students are also expected to make full use of directed websites below to aid their progression in the subject.

What skills will I develop and where could studying this subject lead me?
The psychology course has been designed to provide a broad introduction to the scope and nature of psychology as a science. The emphasis is on applying knowledge and understanding rather than just acquiring knowledge, thereby developing students’ transferable skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking. Further to this, psychology students will also develop strong essay writing skills and skills of statistical analysis.

At AS, the specification offers a broad range of topics, with research methods in context. At A2, there is a range of topic-based options which bring together explanations from different approaches and engaging students in issues and debates in contemporary psychology.

Currently, there are over 300 psychology courses at degree level. It is an extremely popular and highly competitive subject to study at degree level with graduates being very employable due to the nature and variety of skills acquired at ‘A’-Level and University.

Typical psychology graduate careers include:
• Clinical psychology
• Educational psychology
• Sports psychology
• Forensic psychology
• Criminal psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Health psychology
• Occupational psychology

Important things to consider and further information
Students will need to purchase their own texts for the AS and A2 psychology course. These will cost approximately £25.00. Further details on this will be provided at the start of the course.

We strongly recommend that all students subscribe to ‘Psychology Review’. This is a quarterly publication with a variety of articles to support the AQA A psychology course. ‘Psychology Review’ has proved invaluable to improving students’ knowledge and understanding and their confidence in discussing complex psychological research and theory.

We also require students and their parents or carers to sign a psychology contract outlining the departments’ expectations of students within the subject and department procedures on attendance and punctuality issues.

The department also expects students to check their email accounts at least once a day as much of the department’s communication is via email. We also request a parental email address.

Entry requirements
You must achieve at least 5 A*-C grades at GCSE including
• English Language (Must achieve at least a C grade).
• Mathematics or Statistics (C grade at GCSE strongly recommended).
• Science (Biology and Chemistry). (C grade at GCSE strongly recommended)

Which other subjects does it combine well with?
Ideal AS/A2 subject combinations to study with Psychology are:
• Mathematics or Statistics
• Science, especially Biology or Chemistry
• English Language or combined English Literature and Language
• Government and Politics
• History
• Philosophy and Ethics
• Media Studies
• PE
• Health and Social Care
• Sociology

Progression in the subject between AS and A2.
Psychology is interesting and accessible at AS Level for students who have not encountered it before. However, at A2 Level it is significantly more complex and theoretical – meaning that there is a definite increase in difficulty for students who continue to A2. This is therefore an important consideration in the longer term.

Modules and assessment information.

AS Psychology

Unit 1 – PSYA1 Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods
50% of the total AS marks, 25% of the total A2 marks
1 hour 30 minute exam
Structured compulsory questions based on Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods.
Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12-mark question requiring extended writing in which quality of written communication will be assessed.
Exam taken: January (Re-take available in summer term).

Unit 2 – PSYA2 Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences
50% of the total AS marks, 25% of the total A2 marks
1 hour 30 minutes exam
Three compulsory structured questions, one based on the Biological Psychology content, one based on the Social Psychology content and one based on the Individual differences content.
Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one or more
12-mark questions requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.
Exam taken in June. (Re-take available in the following January and summer term also).

There is no coursework at AS Level.

A2 Psychology

Unit 3 – PSYA3 Topics in Psychology
25% of the total A Level marks
1 hour 30 minute exam
Three essay-style questions chosen from eight topics:
(a) Biological rhythms and sleep
(b) Perception
(c) Relationships
(d) Aggression
(e) Eating behaviour
(f) Gender
(g) Intelligence and learning
(h) Cognition and development
Quality of written communication will be assessed in each essay
Exam taken in January. (Re-take available in following summer term).

Unit 4 – PSYA4 Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods
25% of the total A Level marks
2 hours exam
Three sections:
Psychopathology: One essay-style question chosen from three. Quality of written communication will be assessed in this essay.
Psychology in Action: One question chosen from three.
Research Methods: One compulsory structured question.
Exam taken in summer term. (Re-take not available).

There is no coursework at A2.

Examination Board
AQA (A)

Other useful information.
We ask students to ensure they use and refer to the following websites on a regular basis to support their personal learning ad understanding.

www.psychlotron.org.uk Very comprehensive website covering all aspects of the psychology course including PowerPoint presentations, revision activities and so on.

www.aqa.org.uk Exam board website detailing the entire course specification and past exam papers with their mark schemes.

www.bps.org.uk The British Psychological Society website, the organisation that accredits psychology degrees. Invaluable information on ethical code of conduct. Also has extensive coverage of all you need to know about the different areas of psychology and comprehensive guidance and information on the amazing variety of career possibilities - http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/areas/areas_home.cfm

www.s-cool.co.uk Excellent revision website covering all aspects of the course.

http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/areas/areas_home.cfm Extensive coverage of all you need to know about the different areas of psychology and comprehensive guidance and information on the amazing variety of career possibilities.

Key Contact
Should you have any further questions regarding the psychology course at Coombe Sixth Form please contact:

Ms E Walsh
Head of Psychology
cmg@rbksch.org