Psychology
Head of Department: S.R. Heath BA (Leeds) MA (Manchester)
Course Specification: OCR
H168/H568
Psychology is about asking questions and evaluating our answers. Why do we
think, feel and behave the way we do? How should we conduct psychological
research that is scientific, ethical, and has practical applications? The
emphasis in the AS course, via the examination of original scientific research
papers, is on teaching pupils practical skills in the method of Psychology,
evaluative skills in challenging established findings, and exploring the major
theoretical approaches Psychology employs to explain human behaviour. At A2,
pupils will use these skills in the study of how Psychology is applied. In
all tasks we encourage a spirit of independent enquiry and a strong reliance
upon scientific method.
There will be an opportunity at the beginning of the Easter Quarter for Fifth Form pupils to attend a short introductory talk to find out more about the Psychology Course
Pattern of Assessment
| AS Unit 1 G541 Psychological Investigations 1 hour exam [15%] |
Short answer questions on practical data collecting exercises, for example a controlled experiment, observational research, questionnaires, and a correlation. |
| AS Unit 2 G542 Core Studies 2 hours exam [35%] |
Pupils will study 15 core studies, which are either classics in Psychology or studies that raise interesting debates and issues such as the Psychology of tyranny and a case of multiple personality. |
| A2 Unit 3 G543 Options in Applied Psychology 1½ hours exam [25%] |
Forensic Psychology Pupils will be introduced to some of the ways that Psychology is used to explain criminal behaviour and apprehend offenders. Health and Clinical Psychology Pupils will explore social, moral and cultural issues that can influence our health along with psychotic disorders and their characteristics. |
| A2 Unit 4 G544 Approaches and Research Methods 1½ hours exam [25%] |
Pupils will study a range of scientific perspectives, issues, methods and debates, as well as aspects of research design and implementation. |
Pupils who opt to take Psychology AS will complete their examinations in the Easter Quarter of the Upper Sixth.