Psychology

Course summary

A-level psychology covers a broad range of introductory topics including social influence, memory, attachment, and psychopathology. You will, for example, have the opportunity to explore whether a holocaust could occur in England, debate the fragile nature of human memory, and study early influences on the social and emotional development of children. Psychopathology both explains and questions the nature of mental illness. The Psychology in Context section of the course allows you to explore biopsychology; whether we control our body or whether it controls us. You will also research and debate different psychological disciplines such as the cognitive approach and the work of Freud. In order to evaluate opposing ideas it is essential to explore the increasingly scientific nature of psychology and learn to analyse a variety of data collection techniques. The final section of the course, Issues, and Options in Psychology, delves into cognitive development and provides explanations for aggression. You will also study schizophrenia and apply different models, classifications, and diagnoses to the disorder.