Keystage 5 - A2 Level

Psychology is an academic discipline that involves the scientific study of what people do and why they do it. It attempts to understand real-life situations using techniques and theories developed by psychologists. In many ways it is a life science. At A2 level, students will acquire a deeper understanding of psychology, drawing knowledge from different areas of the syllabus to assist their further understanding of areas studied, synoptically.

A2 Level Psychology       (AQA A   Specification 2181)

The A2 Level is in two modules, PSYA3 and PSYA4.

There is no coursework 

The course is 100% examination.  PSYA3in January 2011 and PSYA4 in the Summer of 2011.  Each paper equals 25% of the total A Level Qualification.

Term 1 Overview            

PSYA3 - Topics in Psychology      Minimum of 3 topics from:

Biological Rhythms and Sleep

Perception

Relationships

Aggression

Eating Behaviour

Gender

Intelligence and Learning

Cognition and Development

PSYA3 Examination in January 2011

Term 2 Overview

PSYA4 - Psychopathology - either schizophrenia or depression or anxiety disorders

             Psychology in Action - either media psychology or psychology of addictive behaviour or    anomalistic psychology.

 

Term 3 Overview

PSYA4 continued... Research methods - Application of scientific method

                             Designing psychological investigations

                             Data analysis and reporting on investigations

                             Interpreting descriptive data and statistical analysis

                             Undertaking statistical tests

                             Reviewing of topics

                             Revision

                             Examination practice

 

Useful Websites:

• AQA - Awarding Body for A Levels, GCSEs and other exams
• PsYonline
• BBC Science and Nature: Human Body and Mind
• S-Cool Revision
• Your Amazing Brain

Useful Reading:

Anything psychological, text books, general interest, books can be borrowed from H4 (psychology library area).

AS/A2 Level

Human Traces             Sebastian Faulks (Mental Illness)

The Handmaids Tale    Margaret Atwood (Gender identity, Social Control)

A2 level

The Mummy at the Dining Room Table    Jeffrey Kottler (Case studies of abnormal behaviours)

Enduring Love              Ian McEwan (OCD)