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Psychology

Psychology Curriculum Intent

Year 12 Curriculum Overview (A Level)

Year 13 Curriculum Overview (A Level)

Year 12 Curriculum Overview (Applied Psychology)

Year 13 Curriculum Overview (Applied Psychology)

Psychology is taught at A Level only at Sixth Form and can be defined as the science of mind and behaviour of both human and non-human subjects. Essentially, Psychology is all about animal and people behaviour. 

We are all amateur psychologists, every time we try and work out why someone acted the way they did or try to predict how someone might behave or react. The difference between us and a Psychologist is that Psychology tries to find answers to some of these questions by investigating them in a more scientific manner. 

If you would like to understand both yourself and others better, Psychology is the subject for you.

Staffing and Resources

A Level Psychology is taught by experienced subject specialists.

Course textbooks used are the AQA approved Psychology for A Level Year 1, and Psychology for A Level Year 2 by Illuminate Publishing.

Content Overview

The course specification taught is AQA www.aqa.org.uk

Students will develop a broad knowledge and understanding of Psychology through a range of topics. Students will complete all three exam papers at the end of the 2 years and all have an equal weighting towards the final grade. They will be expected to answer a range of questions assessing three different skills: Knowledge and understanding (AO1), Application (AO2) and Analysis and Evaluation (AO3). Questions vary from 1 mark and extended 16 mark essay style questions. Also, Mathematics skills are assessed (30 of the marks at A Level are for Mathematics questions).


Paper 1

Social Influence

Memory

Attachment

Psychopathology

Assessment

2 hour terminal examination


Paper 2

Approaches in Psychology

Biopsychology

Research Methods

Assessment

2 hour terminal examination


Paper 3

Issues and Debates in Psychology

Option 1: – Relationships, Gender or Cognition and Development

Option 2: – Schizophrenia, Eating Behaviours or Stress

Option 3: – Aggression, Forensic Psychology or Addiction

Assessment

2 hour terminal examination

Course requirements

To be accepted onto the course you will need the following at GCSE:

  • English Language or English Literature at Grade 6 or above
  • Mathematics at Grade 6 or above
  • 5 in 2 GCSE Science subjects