Psychology

EdExcel

Psychologists study behaviour – what people and other animals do: being kind or aggressive, breathing and walking, growing up, seeing and thinking. If you are fascinated by people and how they behave, then consider Psychology. You may never look at people in the same way again.

Students take AS/A2 Psychology alongside both science and humanities subjects. In English Literature, for example, Psychology will help you to analyse and interpret poems, novels and plays. If you are considering university, it can be invaluable as it combines aspects of science and arts/humanities. Psychology is an asset if you are aiming for the wide range of careers where people are the focus e.g. journalism, nursing, marketing or HE management.

Why should you study Psychology? The course is taught by specialist, enthusiastic teachers who have a wealth of experience in getting students to achieve high grades. It’s not only interesting but fascinating. Psychology students attended a conference on Criminal Psychology and listened to a leading offender profiler. In 2009 a Paston student achieved the top mark nationally in A-level Psychology and was awarded a prize by the British Psychological Society.

AS Psychology

In AS Psychology you will learn about five major approaches used by psychologists:
• Social Psychology – how behaviour changes because of the way we relate to people around us, e.g. we investigate what makes people obey orders.
• Cognitive Psychology – how memory is formed, how it is organised and why people forget.
• Psychodynamic approach – do early childhood relationships with our parents create our personality and gender identity?
• Biological approach – what are the differences between female and male brains?
• Learning approach – do males and females learn their behaviours, and if so how?

Assessment

Examinations, containing multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.

Entry requirements

A minimum of BBCCC at GCSE including English Language and Science. To study Psychology at university you will also need a grade B or higher in GCSE Mathematics.

A2 Psychology

At A2 you study how Psychology is used in the real world. You are encouraged to draw on evidence from events in the news:
• Criminological Psychology – why do people offend, problems with eyewitness testimony and treating offenders.
• Child Psychology – development of relationships in infancy, the impact of day care on young children.
• Health Psychology – problems associated with the use of recreational drugs.
• Clinical Psychology – what is mental illness, how is it diagnosed and treated? You will study two disorders, including schizophrenia.

Assessment

Examinations containing short answer and essay questions.