Mrs J Nixon, BA Dip Ed (Head of Department)
Miss K F Serdecka, BA, BSc Cert Soc Sci
Examination: OCR Board
Content of Course
1 AS LEVEL – STUDIED IN LOWER SIXTH
This is assessed by two exam modules:
a Some short questions and essay questions on the Core studies, Themes and Perspectives
b An exam on Practical Methods of Study
First year work may be:
i awarded an AS grade
or ii carried forward as part of A-level
or iii retaken as part of A-level
2 A-LEVEL (A2) – STUDIED IN UPPER SIXTH
This is assessed by:
a An essay exam on each of two applied optional topics
e.g. Psychology of Health and Clinical Psychology
Forensic Psychology
b An exam on approaches/research methods
e.g. design of a practical project
This syllabus was chosen for both the content, breadth and flexibility of the course with its emphasis on the application of the subject to real life.
i AS Level – Core Studies
The core consists of five major areas of Psychology each covered by analysis of three of the key research studies. These are chosen to introduce students to a broad range of contemporary and classical topics.
These are:
Cognitive Psychology – topics include autism, eyewitness testimony, development of language.
Social Psychology – topics include obedience, helping behaviour, power of the situation.
Developmental Psychology – topics include learning by imitation, phobias.
Physiological Psychology – topics include sleep and dreaming, how tasks alter brain structure.
Psychology of individual differences – topics include what is sanity, multiple personality, gambling as an addiction.
Examples of AS Topics
How much difference is there between normal and abnormal behaviour?
Why do “good” people obey evil leaders?
ii A-level Specialist Topics
The core consists of five major areas of Psychology each covered by analysis of four of the key research
Two are chosen from:
Psychology and Education
Health and Clinical Psychology
Psychology, Sport and Exercise
Forensic Psychology
Currently, the following options are studied:
Health and Clinical Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Examples of Health and Clinical Psychology Topics
Why do some people become addicted to certain substances or behaviour?
How does stress cause illness and how can stress be controlled?
Why do most patients fail to carry out their doctor’s instructions?
Examples of Forensic Psychology (Crime) Topics
How reliable is eyewitness testimony?
Are criminals born or made?
Do prisons work?
All topics and studies are chosen for their importance, originality and relevance and have to be evaluated on their content and validity. Therefore the course includes a thorough grounding in ethics, methodology and applied statistics.
Uses of Psychology
Knowledge of Psychology improves study skills and revision techniques. Psychology is accepted as an entrance qualification across the range of both arts and science subjects. It does not limit choice. In any occupation which has people as a ‘raw material’ or any job requiring communication with customers or clients a knowledge of Psychology would prove more than helpful. An increasing number of vocational and professional courses such as medicine, law or management and business studies now include elements of Psychology.
Course Requirements
Clarity and confidence in English and reasonable numeracy are needed. Curiosity and open mindedness are useful attributes. A willingness to develop and support individual judgements is essential, as, of course, is hard work.
