– Robert B. MacLeod

Psychology combines well with almost any other A level subject, and is invaluable for anyone considering a career in business or teaching.

 

The Subject

Psychology is a relatively young subject, when compared with the well-established disciplines like Philosophy, with which it shares an interest in the "big questions", or when compared with Science, with which it shares an emphasis on the use of the experimental method. However, despite being only a little over 120 years old, Psychology covers an enormous range of topics and addresses questions as diverse as:
•Are animals capable of using language and if so, can they think in the way that humans do?
•How do we remember and to what extent do errors in memory lead to poor eye-witness testimony accounts?
•How do people influence one another, and what are the consequences for peer pressure, group dynamics, obedience to authority etc.
•Why are some people talkative and outgoing, whereas others are quiet and prefer their own company?
Psychologists attempt to answer these and other similar questions by using a combination of case studies, experimental procedure and personal insight. As a discipline, it may be thought of as occupying the position where human nature overlaps with the application of scientific method. It is this dual character that makes it such an excellent vocational subject, as it provides students with the type of skills and background required by a Science degree and at the same time, introduces the essay writing skills required by traditional Humanities subjects such as English or Politics.

 

The course

The AS consists of two exam units:

Unit 1 Introducing Psychology

Topic list

• Key approaches in psychology: biopsychology, physiological psychology, the genetic basis of behaviour

• Gender development:

concepts and explaining gender development

• Research methods:

planning research, experimental and non-experimental methods, representing data and descriptive statistics, ethics.

Unit 2 Social Psychology, Cognitive

Psychology and Individual Differences

Topic list

• Social influence or social cognition

• Cognitive psychology: remembering and forgetting or perceptual processes

• Individual differences: anxiety disorders or autism.

A further two units at A2 level complete the A level:

Unit 3 Child Development and Applied

Options

Topic list

• Child social development

• Cognitive development

• Moral development

• Cognition and law

• Mood disorders and schizophrenia

• Stress and stress management

• Substance abuse, treatment and prevention

• Forensic psychology.

Unit 4 Approaches, Debates and

Methods in Psychology

Topic list

• Biological approach, behaviourism, social learning theory, cognitive, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches

• Comparison of approaches

• Debates in psychology

• Methods in psychology, inferential statistics, issues in research.

 

Preferred Board: AQA