Psychology

Specification: AQA

Qualification: A Level

Why study Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and the reasons for behaviour. The subject is very broad looking into areas of human behaviour ranging from memory to forensics, attachment to stress, brain structures to research methods and many other areas of human behaviour. The approaches we learn about are also diverse, from the Biological approach to the Behavioural approach to the Psychodynamic approach. We can not imagine why someone would not find Psychology fascinating. To be able to understand why humans think and behave the way they do has to be one of the key questions in being a human.

What will I study?

Year 1

• Research Methods
• Social Influence
• Memory
• Attachment
• Psychopathology
• Approaches
• Issues and debates

Year 2

• Research Methods
• Forensics
• Relationships
• Biopsychology
• Stress

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1: Introductory topics in Psychology  (2 hrs) 33.3% of A-Level

Tests your understanding of:

Social Influence
Memory
Attachment
Psychopathology
Paper 2: Psychology in Context (2 hrs) 33.3% of A-Level

Tests your understanding of:
Research Methods and Scientific Processes
Approaches
Biopsychology

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology (2 hrs) 33.3% of A-Level

Tests your understanding of:
Issues and Debates
Relationships
Stress
Forensic Psychology

Future Opportunities & Careers

Psychology is useful in all careers, professions and walks of life! These careers may be directly related to Psychology but it is difficult to imagine a career where Psychological knowledge would not be useful. Psychology is also accepted by the vast majority of universities as a science.

Entry requirements

Grade 4 in English, Maths and Science

Course expenses

You may want to purchase a course text book in Year 1 and 2 if you prefer that way of working – although we will provide you access to the electronic version of this which can be accessed anywhere you are able to log on to a computer.

Head of Department: Ms Tania Foley

Email: Tania.foley@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk