AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour. Psychologists set out to examine why people behave the way they do. An

A-Level in Psychology introduces you to the scientific study of a wide range of behaviours.

If you have any further queries about this subject please email enquiries@beverleyj6.co.uk

First year of AQA A-level Psychology will include:

Social Influence – Social Psychologists believe that many of our everyday decisions are the result of pressures to conform to the opinions and behaviours of others.

1. Memory – Cognitive Psychologists largely agree we have a short- term and a long-term memory. Stressful situations create anxiety and this can affect what we later remember as eye-witnesses.

2. Attachment – Developmental Psychologists are interested in the emotional bond that develops between two individuals and its lifelong impact.

3. Approaches in Psychology – We examine some of the key approaches in Psychology and their suggestions as to how we should investigate and understand human behaviour.

4. Psychopathology – This is the explanation and treatment of psychological disorders such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This module looks at the different ways to approach these conditions.

5. Research methods - This looks at the main methods of investigation e.g. Experiments, Observational techniques, Self-report and Correlations and their data analysis. The mathematical content can be found here

6. Second year of AQA A-level Psychology will include:

Issues & debates in psychology

Nature v nurturer debate

Holism v reductionism

Freewill v determinism

Gender & culture bias

Ideographic & nomothetic approaches

Ethical implications of research

Schizophrenia (Sz)

Diagnosis & classification of Sz

Biological explanations of Sz

Biological treatment of Sz

Psychological explanation of Sz

Psychological treatment of Sz

Interactionist explanation of Sz

Interactionist treatment of Sz

Cognition & Development

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development

Baillargeon’s explanation of early infant abilities.

The development of social cognition, including; Selman’s levels of perspective takin, Baron-Cohen’s theory of mind explanation of autism & the role of the mirror neuron system

Research methods/scientific processes/data analysis

Case studies

Content analysis

Inferential testing

Different types of validity & reliability

Features of Science

Forensic psychology

Biopsychology

The nervous system & endocrine system

Localisation of brain function

Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain

Hemispheric lateralisation of the brain

Biological rhythms

Approaches

Humanistic approach

Psychodynamic

Forensic psychology

Offender profiling, top down & bottom up approaches

Biological explanations of offender profiling; historical approach, genetics, neural explanations

Psychological explanations of offending behaviour

Dealing with offending behaviour

You will be expected to be able to describe, explain, apply, analyse, evaluate & synthesize all the above topics covered in the second year.

The recommended text book is AQA Psychology for A level, Year 2, authors: Flanagan, Berry, Jarvis & Liddle

All exams are taken in the second year, there are 3 papers to sit:

Paper 1 Introductory topics (year 12 topics)

Paper 2 Psychology in Context (research methods/approaches/biopsychology)

Paper 3 Issues & Options in Psychology (issues & debates/schizophrenia/cognition & development/forensic psychology)

Unfortunately, there is no course work for A level psychology

All students who study psychology will be expected to design, conduct, analyse and write up psychological research

Grade 5 in Eng Lang.

Psychology is not just a ticket to becoming a “Psychologist.” As a very popular A level subject, it has many applications that are valued in management, personnel, social services, as well as in the field of Psychology itself such as in roles in: Sports Psychology, Educational Psychology and as a Neuropsychologist, concerned with the rehabilitation of brain trauma patients. The British Psychological Society has a useful website about various career options.