Psychology - Key Stage 5
Our brains comprise around 80 billion neurons. Each neuron is connected to around seven thousand other neurons by structures called synapses. This totals 560 trillion synapses in the brain. What better way to utilise all that brain power than by studying Psychology?
Psychology has become one of the most stimulating fields of study, especially in the light of new approaches and technologies that are emerging to assist us in understanding the brain, cognition, social processes and our individual experiences of the world. It has never been a more interesting time to learn about what it means to be human. And this course provides students with just that opportunity.
Psychology A Level students develop an understanding of key psychological theories, examine ethical issues, analyse and interpret psychological concepts and evaluate research. And whilst following a well-structured study plan, Psychology rapidly becomes an integrated body of knowledge within which there are numerous connections to be explored between its many diverse topics. Furthermore, an A Level in Psychology complements a wide range of other A Level choices such as Biology, History, Politics and Economics.
Please look at this link to see the full details of the AQA specification we follow.https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology/as-and-a-level/psychology-7181-7182
KS5
Examination Board/Qualification: AQA Psychology A
- 3 written papers x 120 minutes
- No coursework
- 1 Research Study
Topics Covered
Year 12
- Approaches in Psychology
- Biopsychology
- Social Influence
- Research Methods
- Memory
- Attachment
- Psychopathology
Year 13
- Issues and Debates
- Relationships
- Schizophrenia
- Aggression
- Consolidation and Revision
Timetable
Over a fortnightly timetable, students engage in:
- 10 hours of independent study in preparation for classroom sessions.
- 10 hours of classroom sessions in which discussion and application of learning are the main focus.
- 4 hours of discretionary study to consolidate learning and prepare for assessments.
Enrichment and Extra Curricular
To Read
- Opening Skinner Box – Lauren Slater
- Dibs in Search of Self – Virginia Axline
- Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Mark Haddon
- The Private Life of the Brain
- Rhythms of Life – Foster & Kreitzman
- We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver
- Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole – Ropper & Burrell
To Watch
- The surprising truth about what motivates us – Dan Pink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc
- The divided brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFs9WO2B8uI&t=21s
- Moral behaviour in animals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcJxRqTs5nk
- Schizophrenia and dissociative disorders https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxktavpRdzU
- The brain is our last frontier and consciousness is expanding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdKEy6vcCMw
To Listen
- Case Study: The Man with a Hole in His Head https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00bcccq
- The Stanford Prison Experiment https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b008crhv
- The Bobo Doll https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b008fxv9
- Harlow's Monkeys https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00ly7lp the perceived cruelty of Harlow's work, and to Dr John Oates, lecturer in the Centre for Childhood, Development and Learning at the Open University.
- Case Study: HM - The Man Who Couldn't Remember https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00t6zqv
- Mary Ainsworth https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p00f8n6q
- Solomon Asch - Conformity https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p00f8mzr
- Elizabeth Loftus and Eye Witness Testimony https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00yhv36
- Julian Rotter and Locus of Control https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01gf5sr
- Joseph Wolpe and Systematic Desensitization https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01g5yy1
- Abraham Maslow and the Hierarchy of Needs https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01rw8mw
- Carl Rogers and the Person-Centred Approach https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b063ztb0
- BF Skinner and Superstition in the Pigeon https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b0639gxq
Other Resources
- BPS Research Digest
- Neuroscience News
- New Scientist
Careers
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