A Level Psychology

LINEAR
Psychology touches on every aspect of your life. Who you are now, how you will be in the future, how you interact with family, friends, and strangers; these are all things that Psychology can help you better understand. Psychology can be both fun and fascinating! From intriguing optical illusions that reveal the inner workings of the brain to shocking experiments that expose how far people will go to obey an authority figure, there is always something amazing and even downright astonishing to learn about the human mind and behaviour. This qualification offers an engaging and effective introduction to Psychology. Students will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by Higher Education (HE) and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and research.

Assessment Details
PAPER 1: INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
– Compulsory content:

  • 1 – Social influence / 2 – Memory / 3 – Attachment / 4 – Psychopathology
  • Assessed • written exam: 2 hours • 96 marks in total • 33.3% of A Level Questions

Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks • Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks • Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks • Section D: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

PAPER 2: PSYCHOLOGY IN CONTEXT – Compulsory content:

  • 5 – Approaches in Psychology / 6 – Biopsychology / 7 – Research Methods / 8 – Issues and Debates in Psychology
  • Assessed by a written exam: 2 hours • 96 marks in total • 33.3% of A-level Questions

Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks •
Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks • Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 48 marks

PAPER 3: ISSUES AND OPTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY – Compulsory content:

  • Issues and debates in psychology Optional content: Option 1: 9 – Relationships / 10 – Gender / 11 – Cognition and development Option 2: 12 – Schizophrenia / 13 Eating behaviour / 14 Stress Option 3: 15 – Aggression / 16 – Forensic psychology / 17 – Addiction
  • Assessed • written exam: 2 hours • 96 marks in total • 33.3% of A Level Questions

Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
Section B: one topic from option 1, 9–11 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
Section C: one topic from option 2, 12–14 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
Section D: one topic from option 3, 15–17 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Entry Requirements
We require that students have achieved a minimum of grade B in GCSE English, Maths and Science (double award). High numeracy and literacy skills are vital to ensure student success at A Level.

Expectations
Students are required to put a minimum of 3 hours a week independent learning outside of lesson time and homework will be given regularly. Assessments will be given every two weeks and students will be expected to maintain their target grade in all assessments.

Outside of the Classroom
Students will be expected to carry out a minimum of one research practical. Attendance on Psychology trips, such as Plymouth University Psychology Labs or Paignton Zoo, will be compulsory.

Reasons to Study
Psychology can help you in your future career, whatever that may be. Whilst there are plenty of exciting careers in psychology that you might want to explore, studying the subject can help you in many other professions as well such as Media, Advertising, Business and Management Consultancy.

Find Out More
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology
http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-2180-W-SG.PDF