Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind which is the source of all thought and behaviour. The course will introduce you to psychological theories and methods, and will offer you the opportunity to investigate some of the explanations psychologists use to understand and explain behaviour. It is studied by considering past psychological theories and research in terms of the strengths, weaknesses and ability to explain human experience. Paper 1 Social Influence: what factors affect the extent to which our behaviour will be affected by others Memory: Human memory structure and processes. How memories are stored and what factors determine what will be recalled and what will be forgotten Attachment: The emotional bond we form with our primary caregiver and the effects of this on later life relationships Psychopathology: explanations of disorders such as depression and OCD and treatments. Paper 2 Approaches in Psychology (including biopsychology): Origins of Psychology: Wundt, introspection and the emergence of Psychology as a science along with the basic assumptions of the Learning, Cognitive and Biological approaches to understanding behaviour. Students will also be required to know the divisions of the nervous system, structure and function of neurons and the endocrine system Research Methods: the scientific and statistical methods that psychologists use to carry out research and analysis. Data handling and analysis. Paper 3 Compulsory Section – Issues and Debates. Such as whether we have freewill. Cognition and Development: including Pirget’s theories and how children think Schizophrenia— possible causes and treatments Addiction: risk factors, explanations and reduction