Psychology - Intent, Implementation and Impact

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A Level Psychology

Intent

Psychology is the science of mind and behaviour. It is a popular subject which is attractive to students because it develops a deeper understanding of social, biological and cultural influences on behaviour. Students who are curious about why people behave the way they do find the subject a rewarding choice and successful students develop good note-taking skills with a willingness to question ideas and contribute to discussions, consolidating their understanding of what can be some quite tricky or subtle ideas.

 

Implementation

The psychology team at Archbishop Tenison’s school offer students an engaging and stimulating introduction to the study of psychology. Our students become highly numerate and trained in statistical techniques, they become familiar with the methodology of scientific inquiry and develop a disciplined and questioning approach to issues raised throughout the course. We are confident that the AQA specification presents a fascinating and coherent introduction to the subject.

We guide our students to:

· Develop an understanding of psychological theories, research, case studies and data collection methods.

· Investigate contemporary issues in the context of psychological knowledge.

· Explore different approaches to understanding human behaviour, including from the cognitive, humanistic and biological perspectives.

· Conduct small psychological practical investigations, collecting data from human participants.

· Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyse, interpret and evaluate data Address ethical issues associated with psychological research and practice.

 

Examination Structure

The linear A Level in psychology comprises three units that are all examined at the end of Year 13. It is important to note that statistical calculations are involved in the examinations, so therefore encourage students to have a good background level of scientific and mathematical knowledge and understanding.

The three units are as follows:

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology

· Social influence

· Memory

· Attachment

· Psychopathology

Paper 2: Psychology in Context

· Approaches in Psychology

· Biopsychology

· Research Methods

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology

· Issues and Debates in Psychology

· Relationships

· Schizophrenia

· Forensic Psychology

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Impact

Students who have taken A-Level Psychology have successfully gained places to study for degrees in disciplines such as Medicine, Neuroscience, Physiology, Nursing, Health Studies (including Child Care), Physiotherapy, Law, Social Work, Marketing, Education and of course Psychology!

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