Psychology

Department Vision

Psychology comes from the Greek psyche (mind, soul or spirit) and logos (knowledge or study).  Therefore Psychology means literally the ‘study of the mind’.  In studying Psychology you will look at why we feel, think and behave the way we do.  It is a science with cutting edge research that has real world applications to issues in everyday life.  The course aims to enable students to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of core areas of psychology (social, cognitive, developmental, biopsychology, psychopathology and psychology issues, debates and approaches). 

The study of Psychology at A Level encourages the development of skills in comprehension, interpretation and analysis, as well as the construction of balanced, logical and coherent argument.  

The combination of scientific understanding, essay writing and analysis means that Psychology will complement most subjects. Subjects that complement Psychology very well are any Sciences, particularly Biology, and essay based subjects such as History.  It is important to note that to study Psychology as a degree many universities now require at least one Science at A Level.

Post 16 at WG6

Year 12

 

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Term 1

Paper 1:

Social Influence

Memory

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Overall students should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues in relation to the specified content.

apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified content in a range of contexts

analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, and research studies in relation to the specified content

 

 

Knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills and mathematical skills will also be developed.

 

Term 2

Paper 1:

Memory continued

Attachments

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 3

Paper 1:

Attachments continued

Psychopathology

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 4

Paper 2:

Approaches

Comparison of Approaches

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 5

Paper 2:

Biopsychology

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 6

All papers:

Research Methods

 

Research Project

Year 13

 

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Term 1

Paper 3:

Gender

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Overall students should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues in relation to the specified content.

apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified content in a range of contexts

analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, and research studies in relation to the specified content

 

 

Knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills and mathematical skills will also be developed.

Term 2

Paper 3:

Aggression

Schizophrenia

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 3

Paper 3:

Schizophrenia continued

Issues and Debates

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 4

Paper 3:

Issues and Debates continued

 

All papers:

Research Methods

Term 5

Examination preparation and practice