Welcome to the Psychology Department
The psychology department strives to promote, foster and encourage pupils’ interest, knowledge, understanding and participation in the nature and understanding of psychology.
The department aims to provide an enriching, positive and rewarding experience for all pupils and ensure that they achieve their full potential regardless of gender, culture, class, or ethnic origin; by this, making psychology accessible to all, using differentiation throughout its delivery to KS5.
At Key Stage 5 the department and its members will deliver the exam specification, the pupils will undertake an AS and A2 GCE in Psychology that is examined by AQA (A)
Pupils will be taught the following skills in the above-mentioned themes in Key Stage 5:
At AS Level This specification in Psychology encourages candidates to:
- Study psychological theories, research, terminology, concepts, studies and methods.
- Develop skills of analysis, interpretation and evaluation.
- Develop an understanding of different areas of Psychology, including the core areas of Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Physiological Psychology and Individual Differences and Research Methods.
- Design and report psychological investigations, and analyse and interpret data.
- Develop an understanding of ethical issues in Psychology, including the ethical implications of psychological research.
At A2 Level in addition, this specification in Psychology :
- Includes the study of psychological principles, perspectives and applications.
- Enables candidates to explore and understand the relationship between psychological knowledge, theories and methodology and their relationship to social, cultural, scientific and contemporary issues.
- Enables the development of critical and evaluative skills in relation to theory, empirical studies and methods of research in Psychology.
- Enables candidates to have an understanding and critical appreciation of the breadth of theoretical and methodological approaches in Psychology.
- Reading
- Understanding texts
- Speaking and listening
- Finding things out using, for example, ICT
- Organisation and communication
- Writing.
Staff
Miss Corinne Juerakhan
Expectations
Every lesson you will need to bring the following:
- Lined Paper
- Blue or black pen
- Green pen
- Pencil
- Rubber
- Folder
- Text Book ( all students are given copy of main text)
Presentation
- Underline the date and title
- Copy the learning objectives for the lesson
- Use neat, readable handwriting
- Keep copies of any handout given with linked written work.
Scheme of Work
Overview of Psychology at The Convent
Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)
(AQA (A) Examination and Curriculum Delivery (2008 Specification)
Advanced Subsidiary GCE (AS) – Year 12
MODULE 1 - Cognitive and Developmental Psychology
PSYA 1 1. Cognitive Psychology Human Memory: short-term memory and long-term memory; remembering and forgetting; Critical issue. Eyewitness testimony.
Developmental Psychology Attachments in Development: the development and variety of Attachments; deprivation and privation; Critical issue - day care.
Research Methods Quantitative and qualitative research methods; research design and implementation; data analysis. Psychology and Research Methods
PSYA2 1. Biological Psychology Stress: stress as a bodily response; sources of stress; Critical issue. Stress management.
Social Psychology Social influence: majority and minority influence; obedience to authority; Critical issue - ethical issues in psychological research.
Individual Differences Abnormality: defining psychological abnormality, Biological and Psychological models of abnormality; Critical issue. Eating disorders.
Structured compulsory questions based on the three topics. Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12 mark question requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.
Available in January and June
Advanced Subsidiary GCE (A2) – Year 13
PSYA3 1. Topics in Psychology
Social Psychology Relationships, Aggression.
Physiological Psychology Biological rhythms &Sleep; MO
Three essay-style questions. QWC will be assessed in each essay
Available January and June 5
PSYA4 1. Psychopathology Develop knowledge and understanding of Schizophrenia and apply this knowledge to models, classification and diagnosis.
2. Psychology in Action Develop knowledge, understanding and critical thinking in relation to Media Psychology or The Psychology of Addictive Behaviour and apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods, approaches, issues and debates. Develop an appreciation of the relationship between research, policy and practices in applying psychology in everyday life.
Research Methods Extend their knowledge, understanding and skills or research design, data analysis, and data interpretation and reporting gained at AS. Develop an understanding of the nature or science and scientific method. (Design and report on practical investigations).
One essay-style question chosen from three (Psychopathology). One essay chosen from three
(Psychology in Action). One compulsory structured question (Research Methods).
QWC will be assessed in this essay
Available in January and June
Useful links on internet
To syllabuses
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/psychology_a_new.php
To revision/ content resources
http://www2.qeliz.ac.uk/psychology/
http://www.socialpsychology.org/psylinks.htm
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/topic_index.asp?subject_id=14 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/mindchangers/pip/8cowf/
