A Level Psychology

To study this course you should have an interest in psychology and in how people think and behave. The A-level course offers you an insight into why we behave as we do, and to be able to explain or predict how someone might react. As the exam is written, it is good if you are comfortable with writing essay style answers, and to have a general interest in Science is useful as some components of the course involve some scientific theory.

AS Units PSYA1 Cognitive Psychology: Examine two models of memory Look at the accuracy of eyewitness testimony How can we improve memory? Developmental Psychology Explanations of attachment Impact of daycare Research Methods Different types of research in psychology Designing an experiment Ethical considerations Data analysis and presentation PSYA2 Biological Psychology How stress affects the body What causes us stress? Stress management Social Psychology Conformity Obedience How we can avoid social influences Psychopathology Definitions of abnormality Biological and psychological approaches to psychopathology Biological and psychological therapies

A2 Units PSYA3 Aggression Social, biological and evolutionary theories into aggression Eating Behaviour Factors that influence our eating behaviour Psychological and biological explanations of bulimia nervosa Cognition and development Theories of cognitive development Theories of moral understanding Development of sense of self, understanding of others and social cognition PSYA4 Psychopathology Diagnosis of depression Biological and psychological explanations of depression Biological and psychological therapies for depression Anomalistic Psychology Issues of pseudoscience and scientific fraud Controversies of paranormal psychology Function of paranormal beliefs Research into paranormal psychology Research Methods Application of the scientific method Designing a psychological investigation Use of inferential tests in analysis.

Exam Assessment:

PSYA1 and PSYA2 are both 90 minute long exams, held in June. Each unit is 50% of the AS, or 25% of the full A-level

PSYA3 is a 90 minute exam in June, and counts for 25% of the total A-level

PSYA4 is a 2 hour exam and counts for 25% of the total A-level

Exam board

AQA Psychology (A) specification