Psychologists seek to reveal underlying laws to explain behaviour and experience and employ rigorous research methods to gather evidence to support their theories. First year A Level pupils will study Social Psychology including topics such as prejudice and obedience and Cognitive Psychology, which primarily examines the processes of remembering and forgetting. Pupils will also study Biological Psychology, which examines areas such as brain structure and neurochemical transmission, evolution and genetics to explore aggression criminality and the effects of recreational drugs. The final first year topic is the Learning Approach, which covers three explanations of how people learn and change their behaviour dependent upon experiences within the environment. In this final topic we use these explanations to comment upon clinical conditions such as anorexia nervosa and phobias and the impact of social media and violent computer games. The second year allows us the chance to focus on two applications of psychology: clinical psychology where we examine how mental disorders are classified, diagnosed, and treated, focussing on both schizophrenia and OCD and criminal psychology including biological and social causes of criminality, understanding, and treating offenders, eyewitness testimony and jury decision making.
A Level External Assessment
A Level Psychology will be assessed through three exam papers, each two hours in length. These papers are completed at the end of the two-year course.
Paper 1: Foundations in Psychology: Social, Cognitive, Biological and Learning
Paper 2: Applications: Clinical Psychology and Criminal Psychology.
Paper 3: Psychological Skills: psychological research methods and statistics and the synoptic elements of the course including issues and debates which cut across all six topic areas assessed in papers 1 and 2.
Entry Requirements
At least a Grade 5 in GCSE Maths and a 6 in at least one of the following subjects GCSE English and/or one of the Sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Combined Science).
Skills Required and Developed
Pupils likely to excel in Psychology have a relatively strong scientific background, overall competence in Maths, specifically statistics, the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely in writing, to think logically and critically to piece together an argument based on a range of often apparently conflicting research evidence, to listen and then question concepts and evidence carefully. They have open minds and an inherent respect for the human condition. You will develop skills in experimental design and quantitative data analysis, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. You will gain a toolkit of concepts and skills and an objective yet empathic outlook, which will enhance your selfknowledge, relationships, study skills and employability.
Beyond the Classroom
We run a variety of enrichment events throughout the year, including visiting speakers, notably our neuroscience and criminal psychology days.
University Courses and Professions that require the Subject
The skills developed through A Level Psychology are widely appreciated and transferable across a broad range of degree subjects and professions. Psychologists work in numerous fields including research and teaching, clinical practice, education, sport and exercise, health, business and organisations, counselling, and neuropsychology. Psychological knowledge and skills may be utilised in any profession involving people, for example the police, social work, health and care, probation services, sales and marketing. Where there are people, there is psychology!
More Information
Contact our Head of Psychology, Mrs. S Pye: Telephone: 023 9236 0036
Email: S.Pye@pgs.org.uk
You can also find more information on the exam board's website: www.edexcel.org.uk
