Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, experience and mental processes.
It explores some of the most fascinating questions about human nature: Why do people conform? How does memory work? What influences our relationships? Why do mental health disorders develop?
A-level Psychology combines science, critical thinking and real-world application, helping students develop analytical, research and communication skills that are highly valued by universities and employers.
'Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
Carl Jung
​Are you interested in...
Understanding why people think, behave and interact in the ways they do?
Exploring the science behind memory, attachment and social influence?
Investigating mental health disorders and their treatments?
Discovering how the brain, nervous system and hormones influence behaviour?
Learning how psychological research is conducted and analysed?
Applying Psychology to real-world issues such as crime, addiction, relationships and stress?
Introductory Topics in Psychology
-
Social Influence explores conformity, obedience, minority influence and resistance to social pressure through famous studies by Asch, Milgram and others.
-
Memory and Attachment investigates how memories are formed and forgotten, and how early relationships influence development throughout life.
-
Clinical Psychology and Mental Health studies explanations and treatments for phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Psychology in context
-
Approaches in Psychology and Biopsychology compares behaviourist, cognitive, biological, psychodynamic and humanistic explanations of behaviour while exploring the role of the brain and nervous system.
-
Studying research methods, you will learn how psychologists design investigations, collect data, analyse results and use statistical tests to draw conclusions.
Issues and Debates
This unit considers major debates including nature versus nurture, free will versus determinism, gender and cultural bias, and social sensitivity in research.
You will select three specialist areas of study from the following:
-
Relationships
-
Gender
-
Cognition and Development
-
Schizophrenia
-
Eating Behaviour
-
Stress
-
Aggression
-
Forensic Psychology and Addiction
ASSESSMENT
Three equally-weighted examinations at the end of Year 13.
Paper 1: Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (33%)
Paper 2: Psychology in Context – Approaches, Biopsychology and Research Methods (33.3%)
Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology – Issues and Debates plus three option topics (33.3%)
SUBJECT EXPERTS​
.jpg)
Dr Marshall-Gowers, Subject Lead
Dr Marshal-Gowers is an expert in Psychology, and Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences.
Her research has explored the areas of “Directed Forgetting and Emotion Regulation”.
She has taught both biology and psychology at university level to students at the Open University and Anglia Ruskin University.
Ms Matthews
Enrichment Opportunities
University outreach events and taster sessions.
Independent research projects and enrichment activities focused on current psychological issues.
PSYCHOLOGY CAN LEAD TO A CAREER IN:
clinical psychology, including clinical, forensic or educational psychology
counselling and psychotherapy
medicine
nursing and healthcare
social work
law, the justice system and criminology
human resources
scientific research