1. Welcome!
A Level Psychology

2. Under starters orders - Intentions
Overview: 1. The A level course content 2. Assessment 3. End Product 4. Course demands 5. Tutor Input

3. Prior to tackling these intentions
We need to consider some basic questions about Psychology.

4. Key questions 1. What is Psychology? 2. How is Psychology studied?
3. Why is Psychology studied?

5. Key answers – What is it?
Psychology is the scientific study of brain and behaviour.
Psychologists are behavioural scientists.
They seek to diagnose the rules directing behaviour. (laws of cause and effect)

6. Examples What are the forces which create a serial killer?
What are the factors which create successful relationships?
Why do we spend a third of our lives sleeping?
What is responsible for PTSD?

7. Key answers – How is it studied?
Psychologists study behaviour scientifically.
Research is the bedrock of the discipline.
All insights about behaviour rest on research.

8. Key answers – Why is it studied?
Psychologists seek to diagnose the laws directing behaviour with the intention of applying insights to enhance the quality of human life.

9. Course content: A level year 1
Unit 1 = Introductory topics in Psychology.
Students study:
Social Influence,
Memory,
Attachment
Abnormality

10. Social Psychology – Social Influence

11. Includes - Social Change

12. Cognitive Psychology -Memory

13. Includes: EWT + CIT

14. Developmental Psychology - Attachment

15. Effects of attachment on childhood and adult relationships

16. Psychopathology

17. OCD

18. PHOBIAS

19. DEPRESSION

20. DRUGS - OCD

21. Behaviour Therapy - phobias

22. CBT - DEPRESSION

23. COURSE CONTENT – A level year 1
Unit 2 = Psychology in Context.
Students study:
Approaches in Psychology
Biopsychology
Research Methods

24. Unit 2 - Approaches in Psychology

25. The Learning Approach

26. The Biological Approach

27. The Cognitive Approach

28. The psychodynamic Approach

29. The Humanistic Approach

30. Bio Psychology

31. Bio Psychology

32. Research Methods

33. A number of methods

34. Data Analysis

35. Course content A level year 2
Unit 3 Issues and Options in Psychology
Issues and Debates in Psychology
Relationships
Schizophrenia
Aggression

36. Issues and Debates

37. Relationships

38. The ones under scrutiny!

39. Schizophrenia

40. Aggression

41. Assessment Assessment takes place at the end of the 2nd year
Each unit is assessed by a written exam.
Each paper is 2 hours.
Questions include:
multiple choice,
short answer and
extended written answers.

42. The End Product You will gain more than a certificate
Psychology is life changing it will alter the way you look at and interpret human behaviour.
Psychology will give you greater understanding of your own actions and those of others.
Heightened understanding of others will be very beneficial in the work setting.

43. Extremely!!! Psychology is NOT a soft option!! Demands
How demanding is the A level course?
Extremely!!!
Psychology is
NOT a soft option!!

44. Is Psychology the right choice for you?

45. Core ingredients for success
Subject specialist knowledge
Appropriate written skills

46. To achieve the specialist knowledge base and written competence students need:

47. Students must avoid this!

48. Qualities needed The successful student The unsuccessful student
Academically able –likes science
Keen to understand behaviour from a scientific perspective.
100% attendance record
Able to be an active listener + contribute appropriately.
Able to work independently
Able to keep pace with the work
Able to act on feedback to improve performance
Able to seek help when needed
X prefer non science subjects
X Disinterested in human behaviour.
X Inconsistent attendance
X Distracted, contributions inappropriate
X Unable to work independently
X Unable to keep pace with the work
X Unable to act on advice
X Unable to seek help

49. Entry requirements Essential English - grade 6 Maths – minimum grade 5
Science – minimum grade 6
Preferred = grade 6 across these core subjects.

50. TUTOR CONTRIBUTION
Sue Beasley:
Responsible for A level Psychology across the confederation.
Senior examiner for AQA for many years.
Aim to create a learning environment which enables every student to maximize his/her potential.
Passionate about Psychology!
Committed to enabling students to achieve their very best!
Work with students at an adult-adult level.

51. Career pathways we are proud to report our students have followed

52. Some of the careers our former students now occupy
I am proud and privileged to have shared Psychology with students who have gone to take degrees in:
Psychology, Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Veterinary Medicine, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiology, Audiology, Sports science, Teaching…… to mention a few!

53. Thank you
It is hoped this overview will enable you tp reach an informed decision about the appropriateness of A level Psychology for you.