Psychology

Intent and Aims

We want all students studying Psychology to develop a real love of their subject, to see the value and need for Psychological research to be conducted in order to help us develop a better understanding of a wide range of things including: cognitive development, an individual’s behaviour, group behaviour and the impact on wider society of this research. Students will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by Higher Education (HE) and employers, including: critical analysis, independent thinking and research. It will explore the fascinating human mind and expand your awareness of why we behave how we do. A Level Psychology could be the first step towards an exciting career as it helps you prepare for University study. The Psychology curriculum offers an engaging and effective introduction to Psychology; it begins with students understanding about the origins of it and the approaches that underpin Psychological research. As part of this, students develop an understanding of the scientific methods applied in Psychological research and the huge developments over the years in this area. Students engage in a challenging and excellent Curriculum offer, looking at research into Memory, Attachment, Social influence, Psychopathology and Research methods in their first year of study. Throughout the course students are encouraged to develop their independent skills, supporting them in the transition to HE and beyond, these skills will lay the foundations for not only future study but the workplace too. Students will be engaging in a challenging and exciting curriculum, the high expectations we have of them as learners are mirrored by their own expectations of themselves. Students will truly engage in metacognition, they will spend time thinking about their learning and talking about this in their lessons. As a result of this the students will be able to clearly articulate what they are learning, why and explain what their areas of strength and development are. Students engaging in this process take on real responsibility for their part in their academic success; they are active learners and not passive ones. Regular assessment opportunities will allow students to be able to do this with ease, assessment is something that will be completed frequently in lessons, with students engaging in all materials to support them in achieving their potential in the study of Psychology.

  • Ensure that students experience an interesting, diverse and coherent course of study.
  • Offer students the opportunity to design their own research, conduct research and analyse and interpret data.
  • Promote the development of essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other.
  • Encourage the development and a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods.
  • Aid the development of competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills.
  • Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject.
  • Promote an understanding of how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

Key skills

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues.
  • Apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified content in a range of contexts.
  • Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods in relation to the specified content.
  • Evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research methods, scientific processes and techniques of data handling and analysis, be familiar with their use and be aware of their strengths and limitations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of inferential testing and be familiar with the use of inferential tests.
  • In answering questions on Issues and Debates students will be expected to illustrate their answers with knowledge and understanding of topics studied elsewhere in the specification as appropriate.
  • Demonstrate their ability to: draw together their skills, knowledge and understanding from across the full course of study and provide extended responses where an ‘extended response’ is evidence of sufficient length generated to allow students to demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

Key concepts

  • The ability to discuss the key themes that run throughout the course and make appropriate links to a range of topics.
Our programmes of study

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