Faculty of Humanities

Psychology

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Guide to A Level Psychology (AQA)

Minimum recommended entry requirements:
Grade B in GCSE English (or History), and Grade B in GCSE Mathematics.

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. The course is designed to develop students’ basic understanding of the breadth of different approaches in Psychology. As a student of Psychology you will gain lots of insight into the workings of your mind, for example understanding how your memory works. Through the study of psychological theories, concepts and research, students will develop an understanding of the principles and perspectives governing Psychology. You will also develop the ability to identify ethical issues, apply Psychology to cultural, social and contemporary issues and use a range of research methods to investigate psychological issues.

The subject content in AS is divided into five core areas of Cognitive, Developmental, Physiological, Individual Differences and Social Psychology plus Research Methods. In the second year there is the opportunity for students to further develop their knowledge and understanding of some of the core areas.

Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

Unit 1 Cognitive and Developmental Psychology

In this unit students will be looking at memory and attachment, in particular short term memory and long term memory and forgetting and looking at the application of theory in eyewitness testimony. In attachment, students will look at the development and variety of attachments, deprivation and privation and the critical issue of day care.

Unit 2 Physiological Psychology and Individual Differences

In this unit the focus is on stress and abnormality. Within stress students will look at stress as a bodily response, sources of stress and the critical issue of stress management. Within abnormality students will focus on defining psychological abnormality, biological and physiological models of abnormality and the issue of eating disorders.

Unit 3 Social Psychology and Research Methods

In this unit the focus is on social influence and research methods. Within social influence the aspects of conformity and minority influence, obedience to authority and ethical issues on psychological research will be looked at. Research methods are the ‘mathematical’ component of the course and within this section students look at the quantitative and qualitative research methods, experimental design and implementation and data analysis.

Advanced Level (A2)

The second year allows for a more in depth study of certain core areas. Again the subject matter is broken down into 3 units. In this year students will be expected to do one piece of coursework which will make up one unit.

Unit 4

Within this unit we shall concentrate on 3 of the core areas, namely Social Psychology, Physiological Psychology and Developmental Psychology. Within Social Psychology students will look at relationships: the formation, maintenance, breakdown and other related issues. Within Physiological Psychology biological rhythms, sleep and dreaming will be studied. In Developmental Psychology students will study social and personality development which includes the study of the development of personality, the development of gender and adolescence.

Unit 5 Individual Differences and Perspectives

This unit contains the synoptic element of the course, namely perspectives. This involves an understanding of the breadth of theoretical and methodological approaches, issues and debates in Psychology.

Within individual differences students will study issues in the classification and diagnosis of psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders. In perspectives students will gain an understanding of the various issues within Psychology and the theoretical approaches within Psychology.

This is a worthwhile course for any student interested in understanding human behaviour and who would like to continue the subject beyond A Level. It is also considered useful for students wishing to embark on a ‘person related’ career such as human resources or teaching. It overlaps with a number of other subjects, such as Sociology, Philosophy and Human Biology. It must be noted that this is a theoretical course and students are expected to do a fair amount of background reading.

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