Building on Year 1, students continue to develop their understanding of research methods and engage in ongoing discussions on key issues and debates in psychology. A deeper look into statistical methods used in psychological research to analyse data and draw valid conclusions.
Throughout the course, students engage in practical research projects to reinforce theoretical concepts and develop skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of psychological principles, preparing students for higher education and diverse career opportunities in psychology and related fields.
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Alongside research methods, approaches and issues and debates, students will explore the biological underpinnings of behaviour, including brain structure and function, neurotransmitters, and the endocrine system.
Students will be informally assessed throughout the topic, and formally within the mock exams and end of topic assessments. Assessments will comprise of exam style questions and essays. The essays will be written under timed conditions. As the unit progresses students will advance from writing essays with the support of plans to completing unseen questions.
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Study of the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of schizophrenia, including biological and psychological explanations. Students will learn this in conjunction with revising for their mock exams.
Students will sit two full mock exams covering both paper 1 and paper 2 content.
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Examination of psychological principles applied to criminal behaviour, including offender profiling, theories of offending, and the treatment of offenders.
Students will be informally assessed throughout the topic, and formally within the mock exams and end of topic assessments. Assessments will comprise of exam style questions and essays. The essays will be written under timed conditions. As the unit progresses students will advance from writing essays with the support of plans to completing unseen questions.
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This topic explores how cognitive abilities, such as thinking, reasoning, and understanding, develop from infancy through adolescence. It covers key theories and research on cognitive development, including Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, Vygotsky’s sociocultural approach, and theories of theory of mind.
Mock exams will provide another opportunity for students to complete full paper 1 and 2 and the majority of paper 3.
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Students will consolidate their learning through revision tasks with a specific focus on issues and debates and exam practice to prepare for formal exams.
Formal A level examinations - 3x 2-hour exams.
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