One of the first of subjects to be rolled out as part of the new A Level qualifications. The new Psychology A Level is studied over two years with all exams being sat at the end of the two year course. This gives time for students to develop skills and application for the subject including application of Psychology to practical and theoretical concepts, development of critical analysis, interpretation and evaluation; as well as developing their own arguments and ideas on the various areas covered. Component 1: Past to Present • Approaches in Psychology (Biological, Cognitive, Psychodynamic, Behaviourist, Positive) • Therapies and treatments within these perspectives • Evaluating these perspectives • Classic psychological studies and evidence within these perspectives • Contempory debates within these perspectives (including ethics and social implications) • Application of each perspective to a variety of behaviours Component 2: Investigating Behaviour • Principals of research • Research methodology including research methods, design, validity, reliability, sampling, ethics, levels of measurement, graphical representation, descriptive and inferential statistics). • Personal investigation • Carry out own piece of psychological research and analyse the results. (One piece will be carried out in the first year and a second will be carried out in the second year). • Application of research methods to a novel situation Component 3: Implications in the Real World • Applications to Criminal Behaviours, Schizophrenia and Addiction • Understand the different types of behaviour • Explain the behaviours from a range of perspectives • Study modifications and treatments for these behaviours • Controversies • Apply knowledge to and come to conclusions about a range of controversies, (including cultural bias, ethics, use of animals in research, sexism)