Psychology

2011 Examination Results

Psychology is defined as ‘the scientific study of mind and behaviour'. As psychologists, we attempt to observe, understand and ultimately predict both human and non-human behaviour.

Psychology is certainly not an ‘easy option'. The subject maintains a requirement for girls to provide theoretical arguments, substantiate claims by applying scientific research and to establish causations of human behaviour. As Paul Alery (1871 - 1945) stated, "The purpose of psychology is to give us a completely different idea of the things we know best."

Aims of the Psychology Department

The aims of the Psychology department are:

To promote in girls an enjoyment and enthusiasm for Psychology

To encourage girls to have an appreciation of psychological differences between individuals in society

To develop girls' natural curiosity of individuals in society and to develop their ability to appreciate atypical psychological disorders

To encourage girls to design and conduct ‘How Science Works' activities and to apply their findings in both a statistical and objective way

To enable girls to appreciate the relevance of Psychology to everyday life e.g., implications for medicine and its contribution to the quality of life for both the individual and the community at large

To enable girls to fulfil their academic potential and to gain the best possible grades in both internal assessments and external examinations

Specification Content

At MTGS, we follow AQA Psychology Specification B. Past examination papers, mark schemes and examiners reports can be downloaded from the website: www.aqa.org.uk. These documents are an essential aid to learning both at AS and A2.

During the AS year, girls study two modules:

1. Unit 1 - PSYB1
Introducing Psychology
50% of AS grade; 25% of A' Level
Subjects studied within this unit include Key Approaches and Biopsychology, Gender Development and Research Methods.

2. Unit 2 - PSYB2
Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Individual Differences
50% of AS grade; 25% of A' Level
Subjects studied within this unit include Social Influence, Remembering and Forgetting and Autism.

During the A2 year, girls study two modules:

3. Unit 3 - PSYB3
Child Development and Applied Options
50% of A' Level
Subjects studied within this unit include Cognitive Developmental Psychology, Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders and Forensic Psychology.

4. Unit 4 - PSYB4
Perspectives, Debates and Research Methods
50% of A' Level
Subjects studied within this unit include Key Perspectives in Psychology, Debates, such as Nature versus Nurture, and Research Methods and Inferential Statistics.

Studying Psychology

Psychology is not a static subject, nor is it firmly rooted in the historical era. Instead, psychology is a scientific discipline that is continuously reformulating theories, applying aspects of models to both human and non-human behaviour in order to seek clarification and understanding.

To be an effective psychology student, girls will need to have the ability to appreciate multiple explanations of both human and non-human behaviour. Girls will need to evaluate these explanations systematically and objectively. Being reflective and aware of limitations of psychological research is essential to be a good psychology student.

Qualifications for Entry

Girls need to achieve the minimum of a Grade B both in English and Mathematics. Each module at AS and A2 is examined by both short-answer and extended writing questions. Girls need to be able to communicate psychological theories and research methods with clarity and precision.

Subject Combinations

Psychology can be combined with most other A' level subjects. As a science, it complements the natural sciences offered within the sixth form curriculum. However, girls studying English, Mathematics, History and the Arts for example, will find studying Psychology both engaging and refreshing as an A' level course choice.

Career Choices

Courses and career paths chosen by A' Level Psychology students are vast. The fields of Psychology offered post-degree include Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Criminology, Educational Psychology to name just a few. Other career paths include Business and Marketing, Public Services, Journalism, Medicine and Human Resources Management.

Head of Psychology - Miss S Ladbrook
Courses Offered	A2 / AS (AQA)
	Psychology