Psychology

Students will need to demonstrate an ability to study at least 3 A-level subjects by achieving an average of 38 points over 8 GCSEs with a Grade 4 at least in English and Mathematics. Students should gain a Grade 6 or above in subjects they wish to study at A Level. Points are worked out on the bases that a Grade 9 = 9 points, Grade 8 = 8 points etc.

Please check for subject specific requirements.

Please note, our preferred method of application is via https://wymondhamhigh.applicaa.com/year12

Psychology is an exciting subject, giving
you an insight into human thought and
behaviour. You will study many factors
that influence behaviour, from childhood
to adulthood, such as the people around us and the nervous system.

In Year 12 you will study Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Biological Psychology and Learning Theories, which give an overview of the different perspectives and influences on human behaviour. You will study topics like obedience, prejudice, memory, aggression and phobias. In Year 13, you will study Clinical Psychology, Child Psychology, Issues and Debates and Methodology. This includes the study of mental health, child-parent relationships, the nature-nurture debate and research methods and data analysis. You will sit 3 exams at the end of Year 13, each lasting 2 hours; Foundations in Psychology, Applications of Psychology and Psychological Skills.

CONTENT

(Topics 1-4 will be studied in Year 12 and Topics 5, 7 and 9 will be studied
in Year 13.)

Topic 1: Social Psychology: how groups/situations affect behaviour,
e.g. obedience, prejudice.

Topic 2: Cognitive Psychology: how mental processes affect behaviour,
e.g. memory, forgetting.

Topic 3: Biological Psychology: how the nervous system (brain) and
hormones affect behaviour, e.g. aggression.

Topic 4: Learning Theories: how the environment affects our
behaviour, e.g. phobias.

Topic 5: Clinical Psychology: diagnosis and explanations for mental
illness, e.g. schizophrenia.

Topic 7: Child Psychology: attachment and the infant-parent
relationship, autism, effects of day care.

Topic 9: Psychological Skills: methods, review of studies, issues and
debates, e.g. Is Psychology a Science?

(Topics 6 & 8 are optional)

All topics require the consideration of appropriate research methods
and data analysis.

A-level Psychology requires a consideration of ethics, research design,
culture, perspectives, nature-nurture and social issues throughout
the course.

CORE SKILLS
You will learn to be fluent, articulate and concise in the way you describe
and evaluate psychological theory and research. You will be able to
search for, understand and critically evaluate the research of others as
well as developing the skills necessary to plan and carry out research of your own.

Students should have a minimum of 3 grade 5 levels in English, Mathematics and Science.

Careers may include Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist,
Educational Psychologist, Child Psychologist, as well as many others e.g. Policing,
Teaching, Social Work, Marketing, Advertising, Health Care, Human Resources.