Psychology

Overview

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, covering a wide range of topics including: the workings of the brain, memory, group behaviour, child development and psychological disorders. It can also be applied in wider settings such as: mental health, sport education and forensics. Psychology is really a very new science, with most advances happening over the past 150 years or so. However, its origins can be traced back to Ancient Greece, 400–500 years BC. Psychology is perfect for those fascinated by human behaviour and is much more broad-ranging than many imagine. There is something in it for almost all interests, ranging from the ‘hard science’ of neuropsychology to the complex interpersonal skills of the counselling psychologist.

For further information or to discuss in more detail, please contact:

Mrs A Edwards

Head of Psychology aedwards@kgs.org.uk

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@KGS_Psychology

How is the course assessed?

The Psychology specification introduces students to the broad range of topics. This course of study comprises three written units at A Level, with no coursework. The course is linear and therefore the three exams will be taken at the end of the two-year course.

Students will sit three papers:

• Paper 1 – Introductory topics in psychology

• Paper 2 – Psychology in context

• Paper 3 – Issues and options in psychology These three papers are equally weighted.

The emphasis is on applying knowledge and understanding, thereby developing students’ transferable skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking.

The specification offers a broad range of topics, with research methods in context. The compulsory content consists of social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology, approaches in psychology, biopsychology, research methods and issues and debates in psychology. The second year of the course builds on these foundations; students can study various subject options such as relationships, gender, cognition and development, schizophrenia, eating behaviour, stress, aggression, forensic psychology and addiction. The exam papers include multiple choice, short answers and extended writing.

Examination board

AQA

Useful attributes

Psychology at A Level and beyond relies on writing balanced and well evaluated essays. A solid writing style is paramount and so English Literature or History can complement Psychology A Level well. Reading around the subject is incredibly useful before you start the course: The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil, Philip G Zimbardo; The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat & Other Clinical Tales, Oliver Sacks; How the Mind Works, Steven Pinker; and Forever Today, Deborah Wearing. Another great resource is TED talks (www.ted.com) where short, recent lectures which are usually around 15 minutes long are published.

Personal development

The Psychology course is not ‘an easy option’; there will be lots of content, studies, and theories to learn. You will find that you have to learn much more than you have ever had to at GCSE which will test your methods of revision. At the same time you will hopefully enjoy learning about how and why we behave in the way we do. An important skill that you will develop whilst studying A Level Psychology is the ability to analyse critically and evaluate studies and theories.

Future directions

Psychology at university is incredibly popular and can lead to careers in most areas, but education, marketing, advertising, medicine, the law and human resources are common choices. For students who are thinking about becoming a professional psychologist, they need to ensure that their degree is recognised by the British Psychological Society and is suitable for Graduate Membership.