PSYCHOLOGY AS Level

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PSYCHOLOGY AS Level

• 2008/9

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What Psychology is NOT
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A course in telepathy
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or body language
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Or dream analysis
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What is psychology?

• The study of
• MENTAL PROCESSES
• and BEHAVIOUR

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AS outline

• At AS, candidates will develop a broad knowledge
  and understanding of the core areas of psychology
  
• (social, cognitive, developmental, biological
  and individual differences)
• through a range of topics, chosen for their
  accessibility and popularity.

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Unit 1 Cognitive Psychology, Developmental
Psychology, Research Methods

• Cognitive psychology, including memory and
  eyewitness testimony
• Developmental psychology, including early social
  development, attachment and the effects of day
  care
• Research methods, in the context of the topic
  areas.

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Unit 2 Biological Psychology, Social Psychology
and Individual Differences

• Biological psychology, including stress, factors
  affecting stress, coping with stress and managing
  stress
• Social psychology, including majority and
  minority influence, obedience and independent
  behaviour
• Individual differences, including definitions of
  abnormality, approaches and therapies.

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On successful completion of AS, a further two
modules can be studied at A2, chosen by MTS

• Unit 3 Topics in Psychology
• Biological rhythms and sleep
• Perception
• Relationships
• Aggression
• Eating behaviour
• Gender
• Intelligence and learning
• Cognition and development

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There is no longer any coursework
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Unit 1 Cognitive Psychology

• Cognitive psychologists believe that human
  behaviour can be best explained if we first
  understand the mental processes that underlie
  behaviour

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Memory

• Short term, long term
• Remembering, forgetting
• Eyewitness testimony

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Unit1 - Developmental Psychology

• How children and adults change as they get older
• Nature and nurture
• Influence of parents, peers, and other people,
  along with genetic factors

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Attachment

• Deprivation
• Day care for children

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Research Methods

• How psychologists research their theories
  techniques and their analysis

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Unit 2 Physiological Psychology

• How hormones, blood, nerves and the brain affect
  us
• Study stress and stress management

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Unit 2 Individual Differences

• Individual differences, including definitions of
  abnormality, approaches and therapies

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Unit 2 Social Psychology

• Social psychology, including majority and
  minority influence, obedience and independent
  behaviour

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Majority and minority influence
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Conformity

• Would a football hooligan do this if he wasnt at
  a match?

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Who will it suit?

• It is a science A-level
• Any combination of subjects
• English, Humanities, Sciences, and Maths are all
  good matches
• If you go on to study psychology beyond A level,
  Maths is an advantage

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But you must think that people are
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fascinating
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• If you dont know much about psychology, but
  think it sounds alright and you might be
  interested

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• you need to find out more.

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Format of questions

• Analysis skills worth same marks as recall
• Good essay writing and analytical skills
  essential for success
• Short answer questions at AS, essays at A2

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What the papers look like

• http//www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-PSYA1-W-SQP
  -07.PDF

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• General studies Psychology option

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If over-subscribed

• Selection
• Interview with HME and JGT
• Based on a case by case basis
• How it fits in with your other choices/future
  aspirations