A Level Psychology
COURSE oVERVIEW
The scientific study of the human mind, its functions, and subsequent behaviour. We cover a range of topics including memory, attachment, social behaviour, and psychopathology.
EXAMINATION BOARD: AQA
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Grade 5 in GCSE Science (in particular Biology) and grade 5 in GCSE Maths and English Language is required.
Why study A Level Psychology at Blackpool Sixth?
Currently, our students are participating in contemporary psychological research with several universities across the country. Additionally, we support students who wish to explore their own areas of interest in psychology through the extended project qualification. The psychology department is dedicated to providing students with hands-on experience in selected key areas studied in the course. For example, students visit the Baby Lab at Lancaster University to help them gain insight into how research is conducted with infants and children, which allows them to see the practical applications of the subject.
How will I be taught?
Diverse range of teaching methods including:
- Collaborative learning
- Independent learning
- Flipped learning
- Presentations
- Online learning via Google Classroom
- Peer teaching
What skills will I develop?
- Essay writing
- Developing an argument with justification
- Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Team work
- Presentation skills
- Evaluating sources
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed via 100% examination comprising of three two-hour examinations at the end of the second year.
What will you study and other information about A Level Psychology
- What will I study?
Paper 1:
- Social influence; understanding how people can be influenced by social factors such as conformity, obedience, and minority influence.
- Memory; explaining the difference between short term and long term memory, why we forget and how memory can be affected by misleading information and anxiety.
- Attachment; investigating the influence of childhood on adult behaviour, differences in cultural norms and the effect of deprivation.
- Psychopathology; defining, understanding causes, and treating a range of psychological disorders such as OCD, depression, and phobias.
Paper 2:
- Approaches; understanding the origins of psychology and the five different perspectives within psychology, which all explain human behaviour in a variety of ways.
- Biopsychology; understanding the biological components that influence behaviour including.
- Research methods; developing practical skills to conduct psychological investigations.
Paper 3:
- Issues and Debates; developing analytic skills in relation to all topics covered within the specification.
- Relationships; understanding how relationships are formed and maintained and reasons for breakdown. Exploring the emergence of virtual and parasocial relationships.
- Schizophrenia; classifying schizophrenia, understanding the possible causes, and investigating methods of treatment.
- Forensic psychology; exploring how to create offender profiles; explanations of offending and ways in which it can be dealt with.
- Equipment and Financial contributions
The department is part of the ‘technology for learning’ scheme, therefore an electronic device (e.g. Chromebook) is compulsory to study this subject.
- Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
Student participation in psychological research in conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University, where students took part in a longitudinal study investigating the relationship between exam anxiety and emotional regulation in adolescents.
We’ve also worked with Lancaster University’s Infant Lab to assist with attachment research, as well as visiting other universities in the North-West such as the University of Central Lancashire and Edge Hill University in Ormskirk.
Online talks hosted by alumni students focusing on careers in a variety of areas such as primary teaching, public health, prison social work, and senior cath lab nursing.
Where does it lead?
Psychology can help to prepare you for a wide range of higher education courses and careers. For example, psychology is useful for all types of teaching, nursing and social work. It can also lead to a career as a research scientist, or as a practitioner in fields such as clinical, forensic, educational, occupational, health and counselling psychology. A number of our former students have progressed in a range of diverse areas; for example, one student conducted published research and won the Ig Nobel Prize for her work, entitled ‘Creatures of the Night: Chronotypes and the Dark Triad Traits’ into the field of psychopathology. Another alumni student has been recently selected to complete a graduate teaching assistant post in the Department of Psychology at Edge Hill University, her research is entitled ‘Increasing adherence to chronic disease rehabilitation’. She will be working to develop a pilot treatment programme for cardiac rehabilitation and COPD patients, underpinned by psychological theory, with the aim of increasing treatment adherence and encouraging patients to maintain healthier lifestyles in the long-term.
