GCE ADVANCED LEVEL SUBJECT: PSYCHOLOGY [CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL

GCE ADVANCED LEVEL SUBJECT: PSYCHOLOGY [CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL]

Overview

Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology learners develop their appreciation of the subject by exploring the ways in which psychology is conducted. As part of their studies, learners also review important research; this provides an insight into the ways in which psychology has been applied, thereby leading to a better understanding of key approaches, research methods and issues and debates. The syllabus reflects four core areas of psychology, namely biological, cognitive, learning and social; it also relates psychology to abnormality and consumer behaviour. Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology provides candidates opportunities to consider approaches, issues and debates and research methods that underpin all aspects of psychology.

At AS Level candidates focus on 12 core studies. The core studies illustrate a wide range of research methods used in psychology, such as experiments, observations, self-reports and case studies. By exploring the relationship between the content of the study and the research methods, the candidate will gain a broad understanding of how psychologists study experiences and behaviours and why the research took place. The AS Level core studies have been chosen to give learners a broad range of topic areas as well as knowledge of research methods.

Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Psychology study the AS Level content and two of the options:

1. Clinical Psychology: this specialist option considers the definitions, symptoms, causes and treatments of a variety of mental disorders. 2. Consumer Psychology: this specialist option reflects the society in which we live and looks at both seller and purchaser as well as the design of consumer environments.

Visit this link to view the specification: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/634461-2024-2026-syllabus.pdf

Specification Code: 9900

AS Research Methods

The Cognitive Approach

• Andrade (doodling) • Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test) • Pozzulo et al. (line-ups)

The Social Approach

• Milgram (obedience) • Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) • Perry et al. (personal space)

The Learning Approach

• Bandura et al. (aggression) • Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia) • Fagen et al. (elephant learning)

The Biological Approach

• Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences) • Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams) • Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)

A2 Clinical Psychology

Consumer Psychology

The issues and debates considered at A Level are: • the application of psychology to everyday life • individual and situational explanations • nature versus nurture • the use of children in psychological research • the use of animals in psychological research • cultural differences • reductionism versus holism • determinism versus free will • idiograpahic versus nomothetic

Assessment

At the end of Year 12, students will take two compulsory papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 (1hr 30min) contains short answer and extended response questions on the core studies. Paper 2 (1hr 30min) contains short answer and scenario-based question and also one planning based question. At the end of year 13, students will take two compulsory papers, Paper 3 and Paper 4. Paper 3 and 4 (1hr 30min) contain questions on both options but Paper 4 also contains a planning-based question. Each Paper is worth 25% of the A level.

Course Requirements

The nature of the subject, and its methods of assessment, are such that you need to have a sound level of science, numeracy and literacy. You do not need to have previously studied Psychology, although an interest in understanding human behaviour would be an advantage.

Career Path:

A Psychology degree can lead to many rewarding careers for people who want to do something that has a positive impact. Psychologists specialize in a host of different areas within the field such as forensic psychology, aviation psychology, neuropsychology, sports psychology and organisational psychology to name but a few. Psychology A-Level is also useful for any career where you interact with people. Occupations such as medicine, journalism, nursing and marketing all welcome trainees who have studied Psychology.