Psychology

Course summary

AS Content Paper 1 Social Psychology: Obedience and Prejudice – social interaction and how individuals, groups, society and culture influence people Cognitive Psychology - the workings of mental processes such as thinking and memory, which people use to make sense of information. There is a specific focus on memory. Paper 2 Learning Theories - how people learn behaviours, for example by associating with different events and observing others. There is a specific focus on phobias. Biological Approach - the relationship between biological processes, in particular the workings of the brain, and psychological functions. There is a specific focus on aggression. Across both papers you will be tested on research methods: how Psychologists test hypotheses in Psychology through a variety of research techniques. A Level Content Paper 1 Social, Cognitive, Biological and Learning Theories, forming the foundations of Psychology. Paper 2 Clinical Psychology - the study of mental disorders. Learning may focus on disorders such as Schizophrenia and Anorexia Nervosa. Criminal or Child or Health Psychology – why people commit crime, jury decision making and eyewitness testimony; or attachment, deprivation and Autism; or alcohol/drug addiction, tolerance and withdrawal. Paper 3 Psychological skills - key debates in Psychology such as ‘Is Psychology a science?’ and issues of social control e.g. is it ethical to control someone using medication? A review of all key issues in Psychology and the use of methodologies.