PSYCHOLOGY (AQA)
A2 Course Outline
What Is Psychology at A2?
At A2, the specification offers a range of topic-based options that bring together explanations from different psychological approaches and engage students in issues and debates in Psychology. Psychology at A2 is more traditionally academic and the emphasis is laid firmly on both essay writing and advanced research skills.
Students will first consider three from eight of the most popular topics traditionally studied in Psychology. Choices can be made from aggression, relationships, gender, biological rhythms and sleep, intelligence and learning as well as cognition and development. We will consider these topics both from the point of view of the different approaches taken in Psychology (e.g. behavioural or biological) along with how they are viewed in terms of some of the major issues and debates.
Students will then choose from depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders and see how one of these might be classified, explained and then treated. We will also study the psychology of addictive behaviour i.e how people might become addicted and how various addictions could be prevented. Finally we will look in greater depth at how Psychology functions as a science and how studies might be designed and carried out.
What Skills Will Students Develop When Studying Psychology?
Psychology enables students to become more aware of the variety and complexity of the human mind and students will also gain a better understanding of their own personality as well as the personalities of those around them.
Through Psychology, students will gain a sense of how science functions and will learn how to properly research a topic.
Students will also learn how to express themselves in both concise and more discursive ways and will develop evaluative skills that will be essential for their future academic success.
| PSYCHOLOGY (AQA) A2 Specification | |
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Unit Three |
Topics in Psychology Candidates will be expected to answer three essay-style questions from the eight topics. |
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Unit Four |
Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods Candidates will be expected to answer both essay and short-answer questions on the three topics. |
Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 6 lessons per week. Homework will be set on a regular basis and investigations will be conducted as often as possible. Students will receive both class and revision notes but the reading of textbooks as an accompaniment is highly recommended.
Recommended Reading
A2 Level Psychology (New) Eysenck Psychology Press
