The aims and objectives of the AQA GCE Advanced Psychology are to enable students to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods, and ethical issues in Psychology. • Apply psychological knowledge and understanding in a range of contexts. • Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies, and research methods about the Psychological content. • Evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness. • Develop knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills, and mathematical skills through the study of the specification content and ethical practical research activities, involving: o Designing research o Conducting research o Analysing and interpreting data Students are introduced to Psychology by covering topics that show that we can explain human behavior from a range of viewpoints and with an emphasis on conducting their research wherever possible. They extend their GCSE Mathematics by applying data-handling techniques and learning how to understand inferential statistics. They extend their GCSE Science in Biology, in particular in how the brain works and how it is studied. A qualification in Psychology provides students with opportunities to pursue careers in these fields: • Clinical psychology • Occupational psychology • Media • Counselling • Sport and fitness psychology • Advertising • Forensic psychology • Teaching • Research
5 or more level 5 or above (GCSE or BTEC equivalent) including level 5+ in Maths, a minimum level 5 in English, and a minimum of level 6 in a Science-based subject.
During the 2-year course, students will study: Theme 1: Introductory topics in Psychology (paper 1) • Social Influence i.e. any change in an individual’s beliefs attitudes or behaviours that result from interaction with another individual or group. • Memory i.e. different aspects of memory and forgetting as well as theory applied to the topic of eyewitness testimony. • Attachment: how infants and caregivers interact and the importance of this for later development. • Psychopathology: definitions of abnormality characteristics of different disorders and explanations and treatments of these disorders. Theme 2: Psychology in Context (paper 2) • Approaches in Psychology i.e learning approach, cognitive approach, biological approach and the origins of psychology, psychodynamic approach, and humanistic approach. • Research methods: Experimental methods, observational studies, correlations of a range of scientific processes and data handling and analysis, and additional A-level content. • Biopsychology: AS content includes the nervous system and endocrine/hormone systems, fight, and flight A ‘level content includes localization of function in the brain and hemispheric lateralization, studying brain function and biological rhythms. • Issues and debates in Psychology, e.g.the ideas of free will Vs determinism, nature Vs nurture, holistic, and reductionist views. Theme 3: Issues and Options in Psychology • Relationships • Schizophrenia • Forensic Psychology • Research methods
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Milton Keynes |
| Ofsted Rating | Requires improvement |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Fulwoods Drive, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LA |
The aims and objectives of the AQA GCE Advanced Psychology are to enable students to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods, and ethical issues in Psychology. • Apply psychological knowledge and understanding in a range of contexts. • Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies, and research methods about the Psychological content. • Evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness. • Develop knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills, and mathematical skills through the study of the specification content and ethical practical research activities, involving: o Designing research o Conducting research o Analysing and interpreting data Students are introduced to Psychology by covering topics that show that we can explain human behavior from a range of viewpoints and with an emphasis on conducting their research wherever possible. They extend their GCSE Mathematics by applying data-handling techniques and learning how to understand inferential statistics. They extend their GCSE Science in Biology, in particular in how the brain works and how it is studied. A qualification in Psychology provides students with opportunities to pursue careers in these fields: • Clinical psychology • Occupational psychology • Media • Counselling • Sport and fitness psychology • Advertising • Forensic psychology • Teaching • Research
5 or more level 5 or above (GCSE or BTEC equivalent) including level 5+ in Maths, a minimum level 5 in English, and a minimum of level 6 in a Science-based subject.
During the 2-year course, students will study: Theme 1: Introductory topics in Psychology (paper 1) • Social Influence i.e. any change in an individual’s beliefs attitudes or behaviours that result from interaction with another individual or group. • Memory i.e. different aspects of memory and forgetting as well as theory applied to the topic of eyewitness testimony. • Attachment: how infants and caregivers interact and the importance of this for later development. • Psychopathology: definitions of abnormality characteristics of different disorders and explanations and treatments of these disorders. Theme 2: Psychology in Context (paper 2) • Approaches in Psychology i.e learning approach, cognitive approach, biological approach and the origins of psychology, psychodynamic approach, and humanistic approach. • Research methods: Experimental methods, observational studies, correlations of a range of scientific processes and data handling and analysis, and additional A-level content. • Biopsychology: AS content includes the nervous system and endocrine/hormone systems, fight, and flight A ‘level content includes localization of function in the brain and hemispheric lateralization, studying brain function and biological rhythms. • Issues and debates in Psychology, e.g.the ideas of free will Vs determinism, nature Vs nurture, holistic, and reductionist views. Theme 3: Issues and Options in Psychology • Relationships • Schizophrenia • Forensic Psychology • Research methods