Psychology is a vibrant, exciting but challenging academic discipline which scientifically investigates human behaviour, and examines how the human mind works.
Psychology can be studied as a GCSE subject in Years 10 & 11, and as an AS and A level subject in Years 12 & 13 respectively.
In Psychology the GCSE course and the AS/A level courses are assessed via examinations only, as there is no coursework and there are no controlled assessments. Previous experience of Psychology is not necessary in order to be able to study it at any academic level.
For GCSE Psychology there are two examination papers. Paper One – (the short-course GCSE) – is sat at the end of Year 10 and examines Memory, Non-verbal Communication, Personality Development, and, Stereotyping, Prejudice & Discrimination. Paper Two is sat at the end of Year 11 and examines Learning, Social Influence, Sex & Gender, and, Aggression. Research Methods and Human Ethics are also studied through both courses. The GCSE for Psychology is award based upon the combined results of both examination papers, and each examination paper can be re-sat once only. GCSE Psychology is not tiered.
For AS level Psychology there are two examination papers which are sat during Year 12. Paper One examines Memory, Early Socialisation, and, Research Methods, and is sat in June. Paper Two examines Stress, Social Influence, and, Individual Differences (Abnormality), and is sat in January. The AS level for Psychology is awarded based upon the combined results of both examination papers, and each of the two AS level examination papers can be re-sat as many times as necessary. AS level Psychology represents 50% of the A level.
For A level Psychology there are two examination papers which are sat during Year 13. Paper Three examines topics such as Sleep & Biological Rhythms, Aggression, Love & Relationships, and, Sex & Gender, and is sat in June. Paper Four examines Psychopathology (Schizophrenia, Depression, Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder, and, Phobias), Research Methods, and, Topical Psychology (Psychology & Addiction, Media & Psychology, and Paranormal Psychology), and is sat in January. The A level for Psychology is awarded based upon the combined results of the AS level and A level examinations, and each of the two A level examination papers can be re-sat as many times as necessary.
Psychology is now an incredibly popular subject nationally, and because most (if not all) professions now require people to have a certain amount of Psychological knowledge and/or training, studying Psychology at GCSE, AS level and A level will give you a definite advantage in whatever it is you choose to do with your life.
On a personal level studying Psychology will change the way you see the world, the way you see yourself and the way you see others. It will empower you, and provide you with knowledge that will enhance your life, so don’t just sit there and think about it…do it!!
EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS WHICH ARE EXAMINED & ANSWERED THROUGH STUDYING AS/A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY
Do we actually exist? What is extra-sensory perception (ESP)? Are there such things as ghosts & aliens? What is consciousness? Is there a sixth sense? Why do we dream? What do dreams mean? Why would we die without sleep? How do we know who we are? Are we really individual and unique? Is it wrong to be different? Why is it ‘normal’ to be depressed? How do we learn and develop? Are we ‘born’ or ‘made’? Why do we experience emotions? How and why do we develop phobias? Why do we form relationships? Why do some relationships break down? How are love & sex different? How do we perceive the world we live in? How do we acquire a personality? Is it wrong to be different? Why can we become addicted to things? Can we think without language? What is memory? Why do we forget? (Do we forget?) Why do visual illusions work? Why do we need stress? Is schizophrenia just a ‘state of mind’? How & why do we study human behaviour? Is it ‘right’ to learn how to control other people? Why do some people ‘worship’ celebrities? Can computer games make you violent? Why knowledge is POWER!!!!!!!
