PSYCHOLOGY A/S LEVEL AND A LEVEL
COURSE DESCRIPTION |
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AS and A2 level Psychology is an ideal subject for students who are interested in people: the way they develop, think and behave. Students will be taught psychological theories, concepts and research methods in order to build up an understanding of human beings, and will also consider what happens when things go wrong.
Examination Board – AQA (Specification B)
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COURSE ASSESSMENT |
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This is a new course, based on the specification that was taught previously at the school. The main difference is that there is no longer a unit based on a psychological investigation carried out by the students. Instead, there are now four externally-assessed units over the course of the two years.
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AS LEVEL |
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Unit 1 Introducing Psychology
This unit covers: key approaches in Psychology; biopsychology; gender development; research methods and ethics.
Unit 2 Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology & Individual Differences.
This unit covers work from the following areas: social influence & cognition; remembering & forgetting; anxiety disorderS.
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A2 LEVEL |
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Unit 3 Child Development & Applied Options
This unit will cover work from the following: cognitive and development; cognition & Law; substance abuse
Unit 4 Approaches, Debates & Methods in Psychology
This unit will cover work from the following: a more detailed consideration of different approaches in Psychology; debates such as nature-nurture and the idea of Psychology as a Science; research methods including the use of inferential statistics.
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ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS |
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Candidates should have high grades (preferably an A or B) in GCSEs demanding a good command of English, e.g. English itself or History. There is much reading in the course and the ability to absorb new vocabulary rapidly is important. Good GCSE grades in Science and Mathematics would also be an advantage.
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TEACHING/LEARNING STYLES |
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A variety of styles are used. They include lecture style lessons, responding to written or video source material, discussions, group presentations and individual research work
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INDEPENDENT STUDY |
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In A-level study you should expect to spend 5-8 hours a week on work outside the classroom. This will include assignments set by teachers, background reading and preparing for and writing essays.
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PROGRESSION ROUTES |
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Psychology is set within a Science framework and is an excellent background for study in areas where there is a high human context, eg, Sociology, Social Work, Healthcare, Business, Economics, Human
Resources, etc.
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