Department of Psychology
- What is psychology?
- Psychology explained
- What do I need to know now?
- Course outline
- About the department
- What skills will I need to study psychology?
- How will an A-level in psychology help me at degree level?
- What students think about psychology
- What can I do with a psychology A-Level?
- What do psychologists actually do?
- Examination results
- Student destinations
- Open evening leaflet
What is psychology?
It is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, applied to both humans and animals. As psychology is a new subject to most students it is important that students read some background information about the subject before accessing the course outline.
What psychology isn't!Psychology isn't a tool for self-analysis or therapy, or a tool for analysing the behaviour of others as individuals. You will not learn how to read minds, analyse dreams, or manipulate the behaviour of others!
People have always been interested in understanding the basis of human behaviour, and the types of questions currently been examined by psychologists have been considered in the past by philosophers such as Aristotle, who considered the nature of intelligence, perception, thought, and whether or not behaviour is mainly determined by the environment (nurture) or by biological factors (nature).
Novelists too, have always explored questions of human nature and relationships. Anne Bronte in 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' in 1848 invented a potential treatment for alcoholism, now known as aversion therapy, which has been used in recent years to treat alcoholics.
What is the difference between psychologists, philosophers, novelists, theologians etc?
The major difference is in use of method. Psychologists employ the scientific method to investigate the whole range of human behaviour, the other disciplines do not, (for example, philosophers use logical argument and novelists their own ideas and observations) even though topics of interest are frequently the same.
This means psychologists test theories about behaviour, in both laboratory and 'real life' settings.
What do I need to know now?
To gain an idea about whether or not the subject matter of psychology would interest you,consider the following statements and questions. These are questions that will be answered during the course – the answers are not common sense and often not obvious without actually conducting experiments!
- Is it possible for a person to function on a day-to-day basis once they have had their brain surgically split in two?
- What are the effects on children of watching adults engaging in aggressive behaviour?
- Is it possible to fake being mentally ill (schizophrenic) to a psychiatrist ( a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnoses and treatment of mental disorder)
- Would a person be prepared to kill another person because a scientist tells them to?
- Do people make accurate eye witnesses of an event?
- What is the purpose of sleep and dreaming?
Now you should look at the course outline to find out about the topics we cover on the AQA-A specification.
Course outline
What examination board sets the Psychology specification?
At Greenhead we follow the AQA-A specification
What does the study of AQA-A Psychology at AS level entail?
At AS students develop a broad knowledge and understanding of five core areas of Psychology, as well as scientific research methods. The areas are:
- Cognitive - focusing on methods of memory; improving memory, eyewitness testimony.
Developmental - focusing on theories of attachment; disruption of attachment; effects of day care on children.
Biological - focusing on the physiological response to stress, stress and the immune system, causes of stress, coping with stress.
Social - investigates the influence of others on our behaviour, including obedience and conformity, the effect of individual differences on independent behaviour.
Individual Differences - focusing on mental disorder; defining abnormality, the biological approach to psychopathology, psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive approaches to psychopathology, treating mental disorder.
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The topic of Research Methods runs through each of the core areas. This is because what distinguishes Psychology from other subjects interested in the area of human behaviour, is use of the scientific method. Here students will have to show they understand:
Methods - experiments, correlation, observation, self-report and case studies.
Investigation design - hypotheses, experimental design, behavioural categories, independent and dependent variables, controlling extraneous variables, reliability, validity, ethics, sampling.
Data analysis and presentation - graphs, scattergrams and tables, measures of central tendency and dispersion, correlation coefficients, content analysis.
What is the structure of the examination?
There are two papers:
- A one and a half hour long paper with structured compulsory short answer questions, stimulus material, and one extended question, on cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and research methods.
- A one and a half hour long paper with three compulsory structured questions; one on biological psychology, one on social and one on individual differences.
When do the exams take place?
Exams take place in January and May, and Psychology is usually one of the earliest exams, frequently the first paper is set before students go on study leave.
What is studied in A2 Psychology?
One exam paper will involve writing three essays, selected from eight topics of: biological rhythms and sleep, perception, relationships, aggression,eating behaviour, gender, intelligence, cognition. The exam is one and half hours long. A two hour long paper will involve writing one essay on psychopathology, one on psychology in action (media psychology, addiction or anomalistic psychology), and answering one compulsory structured question on research methods.
About the department
What examination board is followed? AQA-A
What are the staffing levels? The department has 6.5 full-time equivalent teachers, delivering AS & A2 Psychology this year to nearly 500 students.
The psychology staff consists of experienced teachers of psychology, who also have diverse experience in areas other than teaching; for example, mental health, social work, educational research, medical research.
What resources are available in the department? Students and staff share a work room, therefore there is always a member of staff available to help students. We have a bank of 12 computers which students can access as well as staff. Teachers prepare their own resource booklets.
How many lessons will I have per week?
You will have 4 lessons a week, consisting of 4 and a half hours teaching in all.
What is the homework policy?
You will be expected to study for at least four hours a week outside class time. This may consist of reading; completing worksheets and past questions; writing essays; conducting and writing up practical investigations; book and internet research; preparing presentations. Rigorous procedures are in place to ensure students complete homework.
What teaching and learning strategies are employed?
A wide range of strategies are used to engage students and to aid the understanding of challenging concepts. These strategies include traditional lecturing and note-taking; student research and presentation (using both book and internet resources – presentations may involve overhead transparencies or powerpoint); mind-mapping; discussions; numerous games and quizzes; cut and paste activities, and peer learning. Students are expected to think for themselves and be proactive in learning!
Psychology
staff contribute to the college's enrichment programme (students sign up
for whatever courses they are personally interested in - they do not have to
be studying psychology. In fact, the programme involves delivering courses
on issues not always covered in the specification). Past courses include
abnormality; child development; Freudian psychology; gender identity;
psychology 'strange but true'; Scrabble; animal and human communication; criminological psychology; Psychology in the news.
AS students have the opportunity to visit Huddersfield University,
tour their facilities, and participate in experiments run by students
there. This year students attended a talk from senior prison officers
about their work; students attended the British Psychological Society's Regional Conference; and students attended a Forensic Psychology Conference at Notre Dame College, Leeds.
A very successful Psychology project is run in June of each year, (students can elect for work shadowing or attendance on a project). Past visiting speakers include educational and clinical psychologists; representatives from Kirklees Alcohol Advisory Service; hypnotherapists; university lecturers; visits have been made to university psychology departments, and 'Outlook' and 'Way Ahead' teams who work with people who have substance addictions.
We also take a small number of students on a London Psychology trip.
What skills will I need to study Psychology?
As you have to be competent at both essay writing and statistics, you need to be literate and numerate, and hopefully will have at least a grade C at both English and Mathematics GCSE. (This is a recommendation from the OCR examination board). It is not necessary to have taken GCSE Psychology, and most, if not all, students, will not have this GCSE.
You need to be interested in investigating human behaviour from a scientific perspective.
Most students find learning the terminology and detail of studies the most difficult challenge. However, they also report finding the subject extremely interesting.
How will an A-level in psychology help me at degree level ?
The most popular degree courses for last year's students were; Psychology, Law, Primary Education, Business, Medical related degrees (eg medicine, dentistry, radiography). As it is an extremely diverse subject, destinations are very varied.
Please note that psychology is one of the most popular degree programmes and gaining a place involves fierce competition, with offers often at AAB, and the expectation of a fourth AS level (Leeds, Bristol, Newcastle etc). Some universities now expect students to have studied a science or mathematics A level in order to access a Psychology degree (Oxbridge, Bristol, University College London), or prefer and will make slightly lower offers for people with one or more science subjects at A level (for example, Leeds, Warwick, Newcastle). A number of universities will also require GCSE Mathematics at grade B. However, we do have strong links with a number of universities who, through their Widening Participation Programmes, will make lower offers to students meeting certain criteria.
What students think about psychology
The following data comes from end of course evaluation forms completed by students.
AS Students
| Statement | % agreeing with statement |
| I have found the course interesting | 80% |
| I have enjoyed lessons | 75% |
| The course was harder than I expected | 50% |
| I am glad I chose to study psychology | 79% |
| I would recommend psychology to a new student | 77% |
A2 Students
| Statement | % agreeing with statement |
| I have found the course interesting | 86% |
| I have enjoyed lessons | 78% |
| The course was harder than I expected | 60% |
| I am glad I chose to study psychology | 81% |
| I would recommend psychology to a new student | 73.5% |
Student comments about psychology
- 'It's nice to make a fresh start on a subject not taken at GCSE level. The lessons are made interesting and enjoyable and therefore even hard work can be made fun'; (Kersten)
- 'Psychology is one of the most interesting subjects that I have ever studied'; (Helen)
- 'It's a great deal of reading, evaluation and writing lessons'; (Kieron)
- 'There's lots of homework'; (Amy)
- 'Psychology is not quite what I expected, the format is not how I though it would be. However, I still find the subject interesting and enjoyable'; (Kim)
- 'Psychology is my favourite subject'; (Tasneem)
What can I do with a psychology A-Level?
Psychology is a subject that develops skills of numeracy and literacy, and therefore combines well with science and arts/humanities subjects. It is considered a science for entry to some degree courses, but not for others, therefore individual institutions have to be contacted to discover their position. Otherwise it is a general academic A level.
What do psychologists actually do?
Although psychology as a general degree can lead to careers in accountancy, business, personnel, and all the other career areas suitable for people with general degrees, further post –degree training is required to become a professional psychologist:
Clinical Psychology involves the assessment and treatment of
people with mental and behavioural disorders (a psychiatrist is a
medical doctor who specializes in mental disorder). A clinical
psychologist has to study for a doctorate in clinical psychology
(typically 3 - 4 years of study).Usually relevant work experience
will be required before acceptance on a doctoral programme.
Educational Psychology involves the assessment of children with all types of special needs (including the gifted) and the implementation of programmes to assist intellectual, developmental and behavioural issues. An educational psychologist has to undertake a two-year M.Sc, preferably following teacher training and at least two years teaching experience (or work experience with young people and parents).
Occupational Psychology involves occupation screening and advising employers regarding optimizing employee productivity. Qualification involves study for an M.Sc in occupational psychology.
Health Psychology involves researching factors affecting health, and focuses on improving lifestyles to avoid ill health, as well as investigating pain and stress management techniques. Qualification involves study for an M.Sc in health psychology, although many people working in this field will actually be clinical psychologists.
Forensic Psychology involves investigating criminal behaviour, and again qualification involves study for an M.Sc in occupational psychology. However, the type of psychologist seen on television programmes are usually university lecturers conducting research in the area.
Research Psychology
involves conducting academic research
on any topic area in Psychology, and often overlaps with other
disciplines. For example, Daniel Kahneman, a cognitive psychologist
won the Nobel prize for Economic Science in 2002, for his research
work on decision-making under uncertainty. Baroness Susan
Greenfield’s role as Director of the Royal Institution means she is one
of the most high profile scientists in the country. She is Professor of
Physiology at Oxford University; her B.Sc degree is in Psychology!
