Psychology
Curriculum Content: Psychology |
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Aims and ambitions: This broad and engaging qualification introduces students to the fundamentals of psychology, developing critical analysis, independent thinking and research skills. |
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Year group |
Topics include |
By the end of the year, students should be able to: |
10 |
Memory
Perception
Development
Research Methods
Social Influence |
Understand the processes of memory including MSM and reconstructive memory. Be able to describe and evaluate research into memory and forgetting and see how cognitive psychology applies to EWT.
Know how sensation and perception affect our ability to see illusions, depth and understand how we use binocular and monocular depth cues. Be able to outline and evaluate Gibson and Gregory’s theories of perception and understand that factors such as perception, emotion and motivation affect our perceptual set.
To know basic brain development and the impact of nature and nurture on a developing brain. Look in detail at research by Piaget and how his theory can be applied to our development. Outline and evaluate research on Mindset by Carol Dweck and Learning Theory by Willingham.
To know how psychologists use various research methods to gather data. Be able to outline how methods such as experiments, case studies, interviews and observations are conducted. Be able to analyse data and calculate %, mean, mode, median and represent data in tables and graphs.
To understand how conformity and obedience shape our behaviour. Be able to describe and evaluate research. To understand why be cave in to pressure or resist and remain independent. Look at pro social behaviour, crowd and collective behaviour and the relevant studies that have investigated these processes.
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11 |
Language and Communication
Brain and Neuropsychology
Psychological problems |
Analysis of theories from Piaget and Sapir Whorf that offer explanations for language development. Understand how language and communication varies in other cultures and in non-human animals. Be able to describe and evaluate research that investigates non-verbal communication, including facial expressions, eye contact, posture, gestures touch and personal space.
Be able to describe the structure and function of the human nervous system, neurones and synapses. To know Hebbs’s theory of neuronal growth. Know how the brain is structured and understand research into localisation and plasticity. Be able to explain what cognitive neuroscience is and how scanning techniques have evolved and are used.
To understand mental health problems and look specifically and depression and addiction. Know how both of these are diagnosed using symptoms in DSM and ICD. Be able to outline biological and psychological explanations for these disorders and to outline treatments and prognosis of this mental health problems.
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GCSE Key Information |
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Qualification |
GCSE |
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Exam board |
AQA |
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Website link |
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Exam structure and content |
2 exam papers, 1hr45 each, each paper is 50% of the assessment. Questions include multiple choice, short answer, application and extended 9 mark questions. |
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Recommended revision guide |
Authors: Cara Flanagan, Dave Berry, Ruth Jones, Mark Jones, Rob Liddle |
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Extra-curricular opportunities in |
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Chester Zoo trip to conduct research projects |