“Psychology cannot tell people how they ought to live their lives. It can however, provide them with the means for effecting personal and social change.” – Albert Bandura
Psychology explores why we behave the way we do. It helps us to understand the human mind and gives us insight into the motives behind our actions. Through the work psychologists do we have gained a greater understanding of how the mind functions. Because of this, we’re able to identify and build awareness around disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and help people overcome the challenges faced. The insight you’ll gain from A Level psychology can help you better understand the people around you. As a result, this will make you more compassionate and give you real-life skills to apply in everyday situations. Psychology will develop core skills that universities and employers alike desire. These include independent thinking, critical analysis and strong research skills. This academic subject is a useful entry point into a wide range of degree choices or careers because it builds on skills developed in the sciences and humanities. Students can find out more information about options available to them at https://careers.bps.org.uk/.
Key information:
A Level Specification
Curriculum Progression
Key Stage 5 (A Level)
At Key Stage 5, students will:
- Explore obedience, how our interactions with people shape our notions of conformity.
- Examine the cognitive process behind memories and thoughts and how that affects how we perceive the world.
- Discover the changes that are made from birth up until adulthood and their importance.
- Explore causes and potential treatments for mental disorders such as schizophrenia, OCD and brain abnormalities.
- Investigate how biological factors, such as hormones and the nervous system, can influence the brain’s functions.
- Analyse established psychological theories and examine case studies to get to grips with key psychological ideas.
Assessment is exam based. There is no coursework.
Curriculum Plan
