A Level Psychology
At present we offer AS / A2 courses in Psychology at Battle Abbey School and follow the AQA Specification B syllabus.
Full syllabus information is available at www.aqa.org under GCE AS/A2 Psychology B specifications.
What does Psychology involve?
More than just common sense – you need to consider evidence. Reading textbooks, using the internet and other research resources help us evaluate theories and studies and compare them to real life situations.
Reading and writing is compulsory
Although lessons appear informal and discussions are an intrinsic part of the course – (yes everyone’s point of view counts!) – students are expected to complete written tasks every week and do a substantial amount of supplementary reading. This independent study is the essence of the distinction between GCSE level skills and those required in further education.
Keeping up the pace
Psychology carries a substantial workload and therefore requires a high level of dedication to successfully complete. Self-evaluation is a key component and with support, you will see the improvements you have made as you progress through the course.
Maths Science and English requirements
It is advisable to have a good grounding in these subjects as they are all skills utilised when studying psychology and to help you prepare for A Level.
Scientific method, vocabulary, high standards of analysis and report writing are all required skills. Data handling and statistics, including descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, are undertaken and construction of different research methods (interviewing, questionnaires etc.)
It can be fun!
We reflect on similarities and differences within cultures, find the remarkable differences and indeed similarities of individualism, ask the strangest questions and get even stranger answers!
Structure of the AS course
Unit 1 - 1 ½ hour exam (usually taken in January)
Introduction
Key approaches
Biopsychology
Gender development
Research methods
Representing data
Descriptive analysis
Unit 2 - 1 ½ hour exam (usually taken in May / June)
Social cognitive and individual differences
Social either social influence or social cognition
Cognitive either remembering ad forgetting or perceptual process
Individual differences either anxiety disorders or autism
1 ½ hour exam 3 questions 1 from each section. All of the questions include a longer piece of writing
New to the specification
Promotion of how science works with emphasis on skills to understand, plan, implement and evaluate scientific method. It also considers the appreciation and limitations of science as an understanding of human experience.
Do you want to know why we forget things?
Do drugs or talking work better for dealing with phobics?
Why is it blue for boys pink for girls?
The brain - what is it?
The structure of the A2 course
Unit3 - 2 hour exam 3 questions each including one longer piece of writing
Child development and applied options
Child development: cognitive, social or moral
Applied options of: cognition and law;
Mood disorder and schizophrenia;
Stress and stress management
Substance abuse;
Forensic psychology;
Unit 4 - 2 hour exam 3 questions each including a longer piece of writing
Approaches, debates and methods in psychology
Approaches in psychology biology, SLT, cognition, psychodynamics,
Comparison of approaches
Debates in psychology – free will / determinism, nature / nurture holism and reductionism, idiographic and homothetic psychology and science
Methods in psychology – inferential statistics, issues in research
Psychology is regarded as a social science. Some universities regard it as an actual science but equally some do not. The course requires extensive reading and a commitment to extending evaluation skills. Investigation using humans are complex and require careful planning and consideration. Be prepared to be a volunteer / guinea pig!
'Impression formation theory helped me change how I view other people and helped with preparing me for university interviews.' Elizabeth year 12
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