| Exam Board |
Entry Requirements |
Subject Leader |
| AQA |
Trilogy Science GCSE minimum 6-5 / or Biology GCSE minimum grade 6, English Language GCSE (minimum 5) and Mathematics GCSE (minimum 5). The ability to communicate and think critically is also important. |
Mrs P Vrancean |
This course aims to introduce and develop the study of Psychology by examining the complexities of human behaviour through the use of an analytic and scientific approach including practical research and the development of theories. Topics covered in Year 12 include Social Influence, Memory, Attachment, Approaches in psychology, Psychopathology and Research Methods. Topics covered in Year 13 include Biopsychology and Issues and Debates in Psychology, and additionally the optional topics of Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression.
Assessment
You will be required to sit three A Level examinations in Year 13 that will thoroughly test your knowledge, understanding, application and mathematical skills of the material covered in the specification. At least 10% of the overall assessment will contain mathematical skills and 25-30% will assess skills, knowledge and understanding in relation to research methods.
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
This paper lasts for 2 hours (96 marks) and it will be divided into 4 sections (sections A-D all of which comprise of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions amounting to 24 marks each).
The topics areas being assessed are as follows:
- Social Influence
- Memory
- Attachment
- Psychopathology
In all sections you will be required to answer all questions on the paper for each topic area (as above). The questions will mostly be structured short(ish) questions and carry marks between 2-8 marks. However, there will be one or more longer (extended) questions which will carry between 10-16 marks. This paper will total equate to 33.3% of the overall A Level marks (11-14% AO1 marks, 6-9% AO2 marks, 12-14 AO3 marks).
Paper 2: Psychology in Context
This paper lasts for 2 hours (96 marks) and it will be divided into 3 sections (sections A-C all of which comprise of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions). Section A & B consist of 24 marks and section C consists of 48 marks.
The topics areas being assessed are as follows:
- Approaches in Psychology
- Biopsychology
- Research Methods
In all sections you will be required to answer all questions on the paper for each topic area (as above). The questions will mostly be structured short(ish) questions and carry marks between 2-8 marks. However, there will be one or more longer (extended) questions which will carry between 10-16 marks.
This paper will total equate to 33.3% of the overall A Level marks (7-10% AO1 marks, 16-19% AO2 marks, 7-9 AO3 marks).
Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology
This paper lasts for 2 hours (96 marks) and it will be divided into 4 sections (sections A-D all of which comprise of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions amounting to 24 marks each).
The topics areas being assessed are as follows:
- Issues and Debates in Psychology
- Gender *
- Schizophrenia *
- Aggression *
In all sections you will be required to answer all questions on the paper for each topic area selected (as above), however those marked with an * are options we have chosen. The questions will mostly be structured short(ish) questions and carry marks between 2-8 marks. However, there will be one or more longer (extended) questions which will carry between 10-16 marks.
This paper will total equate to 33.3% of the overall A Level marks (9-12% AO1 marks, 5-8% AO2 marks, 15-17 AO3 marks).
N.B 1. Knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills and mathematical skills will be assessed in paper 3.
N.B 2. In answering questions on Issues and debates, students will be expected to illustrate their answers with knowledge and understanding of topics across the A Level as appropriate.
Progression into Higher Education/Vocational Destinations
Psychology can be useful for many different careers as it is the study of human behaviour. However, it can be used directly in one of the many areas of applied psychology such as clinical, forensic or occupational psychology. Alternatively, it can be used indirectly to assist in the accomplishment of many different careers such as; education, health care / medicine, police service, prison / probation service, marketing, human resources, retail, recruitment consultancy and management of all forms.