Head of Department
Miss L Wilkinson, BSc (Hons), PGCE, NPQSL
Statement of Intent
At Devonport High School for Girls, we take a scientific approach to the study of Psychology, with the overall aim of using our psychological knowledge and understanding to have a positive impact on the world around us. Upon completion of the A Level Psychology course, students will:
- understand and be able to explain the influence of the many and varying factors that affect human behaviour as well as being mindful of the complex interaction between these factors;
- be able to apply psychological knowledge and understanding to explain real-life situations as well as offering practical strategies and advice based on this knowledge and understanding;
- be able to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data to draw logical conclusions;
- be able to critically appraise even the most academic and scientific research;
- have developed abstract thinking skills, e.g., the notion of type 1 and 2 errors in statistical testing and the concept of the unconscious mind;
- be able to express themselves clearly and concisely using appropriate subject specific terminology;
- appreciate the value of psychology in a wide variety of workplace settings and in our personal lives.
We achieve this by building on:
- prior learning from GCSE Science and Mathematics, e.g., synaptic transmission, hypotheses, descriptive statistics and graphs;
- students’ own experiences, e.g., conforming to fashions, different types of memories and obedience to teachers/parents;
- historical events e.g., the holocaust, the London Bombings and the murders of Jeffrey Dahmer;
- more recent societal changes e.g., the increase in mental health issues, the smoking ban and charging for carrier bags;
- practical experiences, e.g., designing and carrying out research, acting out procedures and testing ideas on themselves.
A Level Course Outline
Studying psychology at A level enables students to think scientifically about why people behave and think in the ways they do. It focuses on knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories and research studies from a wide range of topics; from why babies love their parents to what causes serious mental illness.
Higher Education and Career Opportunities
Success in psychology A Level shows that you can master complex subject content and use advanced critical analysis. Course content is relevant to a range of careers: Law, Crime and Policing, Teaching, Medicine and Nursing, Psychology, Psychiatry, Counselling, Management and Marketing. Each year a number of students go on to study for psychology degrees at university.
Course Content
Examination Board |
AQA |
Full details of the specification and assessment criteria can be found on the AQA website |
---|---|---|
A Level |
Paper 1 |
Introductory Topics in Psychology: Social Influence Psychopathology |
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Paper 2 |
Psychology in Context: Approaches Biopsychology Research methods |
|
Paper 3 |
Issues and Options in Psychology: Issues and Debates in Psychology Aggression Schizophrenia Relationships |
Curriculum Programmes of Study
Year |
Cycle | Content |
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Year 12 |
Cycle 1 |
Origins of psychology and experimental method |
Cycle 2 |
Phobias 3 and correlations |
|
Cycle 3 |
Resistance to social influence and minority influence |
|
Year 13
|
Cycle 1 |
Inferential stats |
Cycle 2 |
Piaget |
|
Cycle 3 |
Revision |
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