COURSES

Psychology
Individual Differences focuses on the development
of debilitating conditions, such as phobias and
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as the
effectiveness of treatments.
A2
Unit 3: Child Development.
Cognitive Development through childhood into
adulthood concentrates on the influential work of
Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky as well as more recent
research.
Cognition & Law examines how effectively
experimental psychology has informed police
practice when interviewing witnesses and identifying
faces, as well as the ethical and legal issues
surrounding false memories.
In Forensic Psychology, the nature of the offender
and criminal profiling are considered alongside the
effectiveness of punishments and therapies.
Unit 4: Approaches, Debates and Methods
in Psychology.
The six main approaches in psychology,
(Psychodynamic, Behaviourist, Social Learning,
Humanistic, Cognitive, and Biological), are compared
in depth and used to interpret materials from all the
AS/A2 modules. Discussion of whether psychology is
a science is also informative in developing arguments
about central debates into holism vs. reductionism
or nature vs. nurture, for example.
By this stage, pupils are expected to be able to
develop research proposals independently, selecting
appropriate methods and taking into consideration
the many factors that can influence the results of
psychological investigations.
Further information
Psychology is a very flexible subject, and the AQA
specification studied is considered to be the most
scientific of all the specifications available. For many
pupils studying arts subjects, it has proven to be a
very practical and useful gateway to thinking critically
about science. In the past, pupils have appreciated its
topic links with biology, law, physical education and
philosophy, but also the comprehensive grounding in
Theories of Science and Empirical Analysis.
Psychology is valued at university for the breadth
of scientific and analytical writing skills that are
developed, although it is not required for entry to
any degree. A level Psychology is considered as an
appropriate subject in any combination for any
course requiring three A level entries. Psychology
remains one of the most popular courses at
university, and it underpins other courses, such as
Child Development, Marketing, Criminology and
Neuroscience. Sports Science is also a popular
choice for Millfield pupils.
Essential GCSE Grades: Grade B in Additional
Science (or the equivalent overall level in separate
Biology, Chemistry and Physics).
Desirable GCSE Grades: Grade B in Mathematics
Exam Board: AQA Psychology Specification B
The specification numbers are:
1186 (AS); 2186 (A2)
Full course details can be found at:
www.aqa.org.uk
For further information please contact:
i/c of Psychology, Dr G B Smith,
gbs@millfieldschool.com
Millfield Sixth Form Courses 2014-2015 79