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Lisa Irwin

Psychology

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Entry Requirements

Normal BSFC entry requirements for an AS programme of study including at least a grade C in English Language GCSE. You will also need to be well organised, hard working and keen to succeed. 

About the Subject

Psychology is the study of human behaviour and experience. This course will introduce you to the approaches, theories and methods of psychology. It offers the opportunity to look at some of the explanations psychologists make to understand humans and their interactions with the world. From a personal perspective you should find the fundamental questions of the psychologist interesting: Why do I behave like this? Why do I feel like this? and, Why do I think like this?

These questions are explored through studying the main approaches in psychology and some key research studies. The course aims to develop both your psychological skills as well as your psychological knowledge.

The course available in College is AS/A Level Psychology (WJEC)

AS Year

Assessment
Unit

Name

Type of
Assessment

Date of
Exam

Weighting
in AS

Weighting
in A2

PSY1

Approaches in
Psychology

Written exam
(1 hr 15)

January

40%

20%

PSY2

Core Studies &
Applied
Research
Methods

Written exam
(1 1/2 hrs)

June

60%

30%

A2 Year

Assessment
Unit 		Name Type of
Assessment
Date of
Exam
 Weighting
in A2
 Weighting
in A2
 
PSY3 Research Methods
& Issues in
Research
 		 Written exam
(1 1/2 hrs)
 		 January 40% 20%
PSY4 Controversies,
Topics &
Applications
 		 Written exam
(2 1/2 hrs)
 		 June 60% 30%

General Information

 

PSY 1 - Approaches

The four main approaches are covered and for each you will learn about the main assumptions, a theory and a therapy. You will also be required to evaluate each approach in relation to key issues and be able to compare & contrast approaches. 

Theory Approach Therapy
Seyle’s GAS (Biological effects of stress) BIOLOGICAL Psychosurgery
SLT of Aggression (Imitating aggression) BEHAVIOURIST Aversion Therapy
Freud’s theory of Personality
Development
 		 PSYCHO-
DYNAMIC
 		 Dream analysis
Attribution Theory (Explaining behaviour) COGNITIVE  

 

 

PSY2 - Core Studies & Applied Research Methods

You will learn about 10 studies covering 5 areas of psychology, for each you will need to be able to describe the procedure, the findings/conclusions and evaluate them. You will also gain knowledge of ways of conducting psychological research and be able to apply this to a novel situation.

SOCIAL PHYSIO-
LOGICAL
 		 COGNITIVE DEVELOP-
MENTAL
 		 INDIVIDUAL
DIFFERENCES
 
Asch
(Conformity)
 		 Rahe et al
(Stress)
 		 Gardner &
Gardner
(Chimps)
 		 Longer and
Rodin
(Control and
Lifespan)
 		 Buss (Gender
differences in
choosing a mate)
 
Milgram
(Obedience)
 		 Bennett –
Levy (Fear
of Animals)
 		 Loftus &
Palmer
(Leading
Questions)
 		 Gibson &
Walk (Visual
Cliff)
 		 Rosenhan (Detecting
insanity)
 

 

PSY3 - Research Methods & Issues in Research

Knowledge, evaluation and application of research methods.

PSY4 - Controversies, Topics & Applications

Debates e.g. Is psychology a science? Topics e.g. memory and relationships. Applications e.g. Forensic and abnormal psychology.

What Next?

The skills you develop are good preparation for any career involving people. It may also help you get into your chosen subject at University, as Psychology is acceptable as a science by many medical training courses.