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AS/A2 Psychology

The course is designed to enable you to: 
 

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key issues studied in psychology

Develop knowledge and critical/analytical skills when examining research in psychology

Develop and apply knowledge of research methods to a variety of practical activities

Apply knowledge to real-life examples in psychology

Use a variety of writing styles e.g. essays, studies and reports

Communicate effectively with others through class discussions, debates and presentations

 

Is it for me? 

The course suits those with an interest in explaining human behaviour and those who enjoy researching to develop their understanding.  Assesment is exam based.

What's involved?

Memory/Attachment/Research Methods

This unit consists of three very different areas of psychology.   Memory examines an area know as cognitive psychology. It explores how we encode, store and retrieve information. It also examines problems with memory e.g. forgetting and conditions related to memory loss.   Finally this unit examines the accuracy of eyewitness testimony and how it can be improved. This unit is useful to students studying law. 

Attachment examines why infants attach and the long term benefits it provides. You will also exam ‘deprivation and privation’ and their consequences for future development. This unit is useful to anyone studying health care or wishing to work with young children. Research methods are integrated into both memory and attachment. This includes: research designs, conducting research and the analysis of data. Issues such as the ethics of designing and conducting research are investigated e.g. Informed consent, right to withdraw from research, deception and confidentiality etc.  

This unit is examined in a written exam worth 50% of the total AS award or 25% of the A2 Award.

Stress/Social psychology/Abnormality
 

This unit consists of three distinct areas that students will recognise as part of psychology. Stress examines the causes, bodily responses (physiological and psychological) as well as treatments and therapies used for stress.   Social influence examines how human beings conform or are obedient to authority figures. While abnormality examines how we define abnormality in terms or biology and psychology. The abnormality section also examines therapies used by psychologists. 

This unit is examined in a written exam worth 50% of the total AS award or 25% of the A2 Award.

Topics in Psychology – Biological Rhythms & Sleep/Eating disorders/ Aggression
 

Biological rhythms & sleep will give you a fascinating overview of the reasons we sleep, the processes involved and what goes wrong if you are unable to sleep. Eating disorders investigates the causes and therapies/treatments of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. The final topic in this unit examines types, causes and explanations of aggression. 
 
Psychopathology/Psychology in Action/Research Methods
 
This unit starts with a detailed analysis of the cause of abnormal conditions (psychopathology). There is a choice of depression, anxiety disorders or schizophrenia. Students examine only one disorder from the three.   Psychology in action will examine modern issues investigated by psychologists. In this unit you will examine the influence of media psychology in more detail.
 
Progression
Many students who study Psychology go on to complete Psychology degrees, Teacher training or opt for courses and careers in Health Care or Counselling.