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Words Of Wisdom:

"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe."

St Augustine

Welcome to the Psychology Department at Waddesdon Church of England School

Subject Overview
Teaching Aims and Objectives
Course Information
Marking and Assessment
Homework Policy
Examinations
Department Resources
Department Policies

Subject Overview

Psychology is only an option for Sixth Formers as an AS/A Level subject. The qualification consists of six units: three for AS Level are taught in Year 12 and three for A Level are taught in Year 13. At AS and A Level, one unit consists of coursework involving a pupil investigation which is researched, conducted and written up in detail. The remaining four units are examined. The Examining Board is: AQA B Psychology.

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Teaching Aims and Objectives

The specification aims to give candidates a fundamental understanding of the theory, concepts and research practices of the subject and a critical appreciation of the scientific nature of Psychology. The course creates opportunities for critical thinking and encourages students to relate important psychological issues to contemporary events.

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Course Information

Year 12

AS Module 1 - aims to create an understanding of Psychodynamic, Behaviourist, Humanist and Cognitive approaches to Psychology. The course also examines the Genetic Basis of Behaviour and explores the influence of schizophrenia and intelligence. Research methods are also studied.

AS Module 2 – Students study Social Psychology which includes: Attitudes and Social Influences. They also study Cognitive Psychology which covers Perception and Attention, and Remembering and Forgetting.

AS Module 3 – Practical Investigation.

Year 13

A2 Module 4 - Child Development and Atypical Behaviour. The topic of Child Development includes Social Development and Cognitive Development. The topic of Atypical Behaviour includes Definition and Classification of Atypical Behaviour with a specific question based on either Treatments for Atypical Behaviour or a case study response based on a specific example such as Schizophrenia.

A2 Module 5 – This covers topics which include the Perspectives, Debates and Methods used in Psychology eg Free Will versus Determinism.

A2 Module 6 – A practical investigation based on A2 subject content.

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Marking and Assessment

AS Level

Unit 1 – 17.5% of total marks	Written Paper 60 marks	1 ½ hours
Unit 2 – 17.5% of total marks	Written Paper 60 marks	1 ½ hours
Unit 3 – 15% of total marks	Practical Investigation 30 marks

A2

Unit 4 – 17.5% of total marks	Written Paper 60 marks	1 1/2 hours
Unit 5 – 17.5% of total marks	Written paper 60 marks	2 hours
Unit 6 – 15% of total marks	Coursework 30 marks

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Homework Policy

Students need to be prepared to spend about five hours per week outside the classroom studying the subject. This will take the form of wider reading, learning key ideas, writing notes and writing practice examination questions. Students will be set a formal essay approximately once every two weeks once they have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the subject. In the initial stages, students will be expected to do more reading, research and note-taking.

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Examinations

Students sit examinations in January and June of Year 12 and January and June of Year 13. Re-sits are possible but can be costly both in money and time. Thus it is recommended that students study rigorously for each examination module and revise for each examination as though it cannot be re-sat.

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Department Resources

It is recommended that each student should buy their own textbook for this course. This is supplemented by books which are kept in the Library or in the Psychology classroom. Extra reading is necessary for the development of critical thinking and for extension of knowledge and understanding. As well as textbooks, there are a number of DVDs and videos which are used to support understanding of the subject. There is a variety of websites which aid learning.

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Department Policies

Written work needs to be completed in detail on a regular basis. Fortnightly essays are set to consolidate learning, to review topics and to provide examination practice.

Independent learning and research is essential in order to aid personal development and ensure academic success.

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