Psychology AS/A2

This course is an investigation into human mind and behaviour. This course assumes no prior knowledge of the subject and will appeal to anyone who is interested in understanding and explaining human behaviour.

Course Outline for AS Level
There are 2 exams in the AS course; Psychological Investigations (30%) and Core Studies (70%). (There is no coursework in AS level or A level Psychology.) 

Students carry out 4 practical investigations using the following research methods; experiment, self reports, observation, and correlation. These investigations are conducted in small groups and the data obtained is analysed using appropriate methods including bar graphs and summary tables. The exam for the practical investigations takes place in January and students are required to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the four research methods listed above.

There are 15 Core Studies which are classic pieces of research into a whole range of topics including; a prison study, a study about brain structure of taxi drivers, and a study about the accuracy of eye witness testimony. The studies fall into five categories:

• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psycholog
• Individual Differences
• Cognitive Psychology
• Physiological Psychology

The Core Studies exam is in May and students must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of each of the 15 studies and be able to evaluate them on a range of issues including the ethics of psychological research, the strengths and weaknesses of the research method used and the sample of people who take part.

Course Outline for A2 Psychology
There are 2 exams in the A2 course; Research Methods and Approaches (50%) and Specialist Choices (50%).  The Research Methods and Approaches exam takes place in January and revisits the research methods studied in the AS year. Students are required to design a piece of research based on a passage containing a variety of research questions.

The Specialist Choices include four topics from the area of Health and Clinical Psychology including ‘Healthy living’ and four topics from the area of Forensic Psychology including ‘Offender Profiling’. The exam for this is in June and students are required to have thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant research and theories in these areas and to evaluate them effectively.