Richmond School
School Departments | Psychology
KS5
PSYCHOLOGY GCE A LEVEL
"What a piece of work is man." Hamlet To understand this "piece of work" has and continues to be a challenging task that many individuals have dedicated their lives to, including philosophers, scientists and psychologists. Psychology is a field of enquiry that is sometimes called the science of the mind, sometimes the science of behaviour. It concerns itself with how and why people think, act, react and interact. This course will give you some insight into contemporary theories, research upon which these theories are based and perhaps more importantly, how much we still have to discover about the human mind and behaviour. A popular choice at A Level, Psychology offers the opportunity to study a subject, which is both academically challenging and relevant to all of our lives. |
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To understand this “piece of work” has and continues to be a challenging task that many individuals have dedicated their lives to, including philosophers, scientists and psychologists. Psychology is a field of enquiry that is sometimes called the science of the mind, sometimes the science of behaviour. It concerns itself with how and why people think, act, react and interact. This course will give you some insight into contemporary theories, research upon which these theories are based and perhaps more importantly, how much we still have to discover about the human mind and behaviour. A popular choice at A Level, Psychology offers the opportunity to study a subject, which is both academically challenging and relevant to all of our lives.
Psychology will appeal to students with a variety of academic skills, including essay writing, data analysis and conducting scientific research and to students who excel in an learning environment that employs a variety of teaching styles, including independent work, paired work, group work, practical work and discussion work.
You do not need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject, but an open minded interest in people, a desire to undertake a systematic study into what makes us all tick and an analytical mind is essential. It can be a misunderstood subject - it will not make you psychic or teach you how to read body language at parties!
Entry Requirement
A grade C or above in English is required alongside the usual entry requirements to Richmond Sixth Form.
Further Education and Psychology
The A Level course will equip students with a variety of skills that are valuable both in further education and the world of work, including analysis (including statistical analysis), evaluation, design and implementation of practical research, appreciation of scientific issues, record and measure observations, use of sources and to consider the implications of research and theories for society.
Many of our students continue their psychological studies beyond A Level, either via degree courses in Psychology or in subjects that are likely to have a psychological content, such as Sports Science, Neurophysiology, Police, Teaching, Marketing, Management, Human Resources, Social Work and many others.
Student Comments
“I feel I learn something different every lesson and that is very stimulating.”
“If you want to find out about yourself and the way we think and act Psychology is the one for you.”
“It rocks….”
“This subject could help you with almost any career.”
Course Content
AS
Unit 1: Early Social Development, Memory and Research Methods.
We will be exploring issues such as: How important are parents in our early development? What happens to children who are subjected to emotional and physical abuse and never experience a parent-child bond? Is eyewitness testimony as reliable as we think it is? How far are psychologists able to go ethically in the name of psychological research?
Unit 2: Psychopathology (Abnormality), Stress and Social Influence.
We will be exploring issues such as: How do we decide what normal and abnormal behaviour is? How has psychology led to more effective treatment of abnormal behaviour? Why do people obey orders, even if that order is to kill another human being? Does your personality make you more vulnerable to stress and stress-related illnesses?
These two units will be assessed by two 1 ½ hour examinations that include short answer questions and extended writing questions. The students will be submitted for examination in one unit in January and the second unit in the summer.
A2
Unit 3: Gender Development, Biological Rhythms and Sleep and Relationships.
We will be exploring issues such as: What happens when we go to sleep? Why do people develop sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep walking and narcolepsy? Is rebellion inevitable in teenagers? Can you learn to become ‘male’ or ‘female’?
Unit 4: Psychopathology (Schizophrenia), Addictive Behaviour and Anomalistic Psychology.
We will be asking: How reliable is our current diagnosis of schizophrenia? Why are some people more vulnerable to addictive behaviours such as smoking and gambling? What does psychological research into psychic healing, out-of-body experience, near-death experience and psychic mediumship reveal?
These two units are assessed by two examinations of 1 ½ and 2 hours that include essay-style question and one structured question. The students will be submitted for examination in one unit in January and the second unit in the summer.
Contact Information
Miss T Cole – tcole@richmondschool.net
Mr A Hannah – ahannah@richmondschool.net
Ms K Hodgson - (01748) 850111