AAAS Annual
Meeting
Psychology
Head of Department: Mr S.R. Heath
The Psychology Department was founded in 2000, and occupies its own building with three classrooms in a converted coach house beside the Berrystead. The subject currently attracts approximately 50 pupils at both AS and A2. The subject is only offered in the Sixth Form.
The department is staffed by:
Mr S. R. Heath BA MA
Mr R. Banerjee BSc
Course content
We teach the OCR specification.
AS
Pupils study fifteen core studies, each reflecting a different theoretical and practical approach to understanding human behaviour. The studies chosen are some of the most influential and important carried out in the science; for example Milgram’s classic study of obedience, and Sperry’s Nobel prize-winning investigation of the functions of the cerebral hemispheres. Pupils are expected to collect empirical data, apply skills of analysis, and develop arguments that demonstrate originality and insight into evidence.
A2
Pupils continuing to A level will carry forward the skills acquired at AS in their study of two areas of applied Psychology; studying: Health Psychology, and Forensic Psychology. The course focuses on the use of peer-reviewed journal articles which illustrate the approaches made by psychologists when they deal with issues such as the persuasion techniques used in health campaigns; or how leading questions can be used to elicit the desired response.
AAAS
Each year members of the Lower and Upper Sixth studying any of the sciences have the opportunity to attend the annual convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This gives them the chance to hear about the latest developments in a wide range of disciplines from leaders in the field from around the world.