Psychology

Key StageQualificationCourse CodeExam Board
KS4GCSEAQA Psychology 8182AQA
KS5A LevelAQA Psychology 7182AQA

Psychology is a science based subject which tries to explain why we behave and think the way that we do.

Years 10 & 11

Course Content
Examples of questions you will tackle on the AQA GCSE course include:
How does my memory work? Why can two people share the same experience but have very different memories for what happened? Why can I remember the lyrics to irritating songs I don’t like, yet I keep forgetting the French vocabulary I tried to memorise?
How much do young children understand? When you play hide and seek with small children, why do they think you can’t see them if they close their eyes?
How does my brain work? What are neurons and how do they ‘fire’? Which areas of my brain control movement and speech? What happens if these areas become damaged?

How does Psychology work?
Psychologists attempt to apply scientific principles to conduct experiments and other forms of research. This means that we have to think about controlling variables and making sure that our tests are fair in the same way that we do in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry and physics). However, this is not always easy, and you will develop critical thinking skills as you are encouraged to consider the problems that need to be overcome when conducting research on people.

You will be successful if you can:

  • Organise your thoughts and write them down in a logical and clear way. The exams include mini essay questions worth up to 9 marks each as well as shorter answer questions.
  • Use numeracy skills to talk about research findings, e.g drawing graphs and calculating percentages and averages (you can use a calculator).
  • Use scientific skills to plan research and think critically about experiments.

How are you assessed?
Psychology is 100% examination. There will be two equally weighted final examinations at the end of Year 11, each 1h 45m.
Will studying Psychology improve my mental health?
Studying psychology doesn’t necessarily make you psychologically healthier (any more than studying medicine makes you physically healthy), but it will make you more aware of the fact that good interpersonal and family relationships require attention and work. There is a module on psychological problems, which explores the possible causes and treatments of depression and addiction. However, it is important to state that studying these topics is in no way a form of therapy or a replacement for counselling.

Sixth Form

Year 1Assessment
Unit 1: Social Influence
Unit 2: Memory
Unit 3: Attachment
Unit 4: Psychopathology
Unit 5: Approaches
Unit 6: Research Methods (part one)		(Includes 1,2,3 and 4)
Written exam, 2 hours
33.3% of A Level
+
(Includes 5,6, 7 and 12)
Written exam, 2 hours
33.3% of A Level
Year 2+
Unit 7: Research Methods (part two)
Unit 8: Issues and Debates
Unit 9: Gender
Unit 10: Aggression
Unit 11: Stress
Unit 12: Biopsychology		(Includes 8,9,10, and 11)
Written exam, 2 hours
33.3% of A Level