A Level Psychology
A level psychology is suitable for students who are interested in understanding the complexities of human behaviour. E.g. why do people have phobias? What causes OCD? Why do we obey orders? Why do we follow the crowd? What is schizophrenia? How does our memory work? What makes a person aggressive?
Psychology will offer you a unique academic experience. Psychology gives you an opportunity to learn, understand and evaluate issues happening around you in your everyday life which could then be applied to the wider world. It is not just a factual subject but enables reflection on one's own experience.
Lessons will offer different learning opportunities with teachers who are enthusiastic about the subject, with written work conducted alongside discussion, group work, paired work and psychology practicals. There is no coursework in Psychology, but we do a lot of exam practice to make sure that you are fully prepared for the exams.
In A/S and A level Psychology, qualifications are linear. Linear means that you will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.
What will I be learning?
Exam Board: AQA
Course Codes: AS Level - 7181 A Level - 7182
AS Level
Paper 1
Introductory Topics in Psychology
Content:
Social Influence Memory Attachment
Assessment:
1 hour 30 min Written Exam
72 marks
50% of AS Level
Questions:
3 compulsory sections all requiring written answers
Paper 2
Psychology in Context
Content:
Approaches in Psychology Biopsychology Psychopathology Research Methods
Assessment:
1 hour 30 min Written Exam
72 marks
50% of AS Level
Questions:
3 compulsory sections all requiring written answers
A Level
Paper 1
Introductory Topics in Psychology
Content:
Social Influence Memory Attachment Psychopathology
Assessment:
2 hour Written Exam
96 marks
33.3% of A Level
Questions:
4 compulsory sections all requiring written answers
Paper 2
Psychology in Context
Content:
Approaches in Psychology Biopsychology Research Methods
Assessment:
2 hour Written Exam
96 marks
33.3% of A Level
Questions:
3 compulsory sections all requiring written answers
Paper 3
Issues and options in Psychology
Content:
Issues & Debates in psychology - Gender, Schizophrenia and Aggression
Assessment:
2 hour Written Exam
96 marks
33.3% of A Level
Questions:
1 compulsory section, 3 sections each offering a choice of 3 topics. Students will answer the above topics.