Sixth Form Course Guide 2013-14 - The Purbeck School

Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and human behaviour and gives a complete insight into the way people think,
behave and evaluate. It includes five core areas (biological, cognitive, social, behaviourist, psychodynamic) and
students will learn about human behaviour from these different perspectives.
Summary of course content:
The AS course follows the AQA specification A syllabus,
completing modules on Cognitive and Developmental
Psychology, Physiological Psychology and Individual
Differences, Social Psychology and Research Methods.
There is no coursework element to the AS course. It is an
interesting course covering theories, studies and the critical issues of
eyewitness testimony, daycare, psychological therapies, stress
management and ethics in psychological research. The AS examination is
based on a modular structure comprising of two compulsory assessment
units (papers) both of 1.5 hours in length. Paper 1 covers Cognitive and
Developmental Psychology and Research Methods and paper 2 covers
Physiological Psychology, Individual differences and Social Psychology. Candidates will achieve an accumulated score
with grades A-E. At A2 students cover more specific topics such as Aggression, Eating Behaviours, Gender, Sleep and
sleep disorders, Schizophrenia, Addiction and Media. At A2 there are two exams.
Generally, students find Psychology an intriguing, challenging subject that gives them fantastic insight into their
biology (human nature) and the impact society has on their behaviour. After all Psychology is life!
Where the course leads:
The Psychology A’ level will provide the student with UCAS points to enrol onto an undergraduate degree related to
Psychology BSc (as a single honours) or you can combine Psychology with numerous other courses (as a joint
honours BSc). Many popular joint courses include Psychology with Neuroscience, Criminology, Nursing, Forensics or
Social Care. Psychology relates to many professions including Teaching/Lecturing, Social Work, Forensics, Police
work, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology
amongst other careers.
Entry requirements: Students should be eligible to follow the Route A Pathway
including a B in English, Maths and Science. Students should be aware that
Psychology is an academic course and students will be expected to work hard, read
around the subject and become independent, inquisitive, insightful thinkers ready
to ask higher order questions.
Exam board and syllabus AQA A
For further advice contact: Dr Hussain