Psychology - A Level
Psychology is a diverse subject which examines how biological, evolutionary, social and environmental factors influence human motivation, behaviour, emotion and mental states.
Psychology A Level is concerned with the influence of genetics, biochemistry and the brain; social influence, group behaviour and relationships; human mental abilities – thought, language, memory and perception; the causes and treatment of mental disorders; emotional, moral and intellectual development from infancy onwards; Freud’s work on the unconscious mind, internal conflict within the personality and the influence of early childhood experience; animal psychology and the relationship between human and animal behaviour; the influence of our ancestral heritage, evolutionary forces and instinct.
What will I study in Psychology?
AS Units 1 and 2
Approaches in Psychology: An introduction to different psychological approaches. What is the body’s biological response to stress and how can mental stress make us physically ill? What influence can peers, parents and the media have over violence and aggressive responses? What biological and psychological therapies are available for the treatment of mental disorders? How can early childhood experience influence adult personality? Can an analysis of dreams provide meaningful insights into the unconscious?
Core Studies and Research Methods: An in depth analysis of 10 psychological studies. How can the mechanics of power and group pressure influence obedience and conformity? Are phobias ingrained fears from our evolutionary past? How can our memories of events become warped and distorted? To what extent can animals be regarded as possessing language? What factors underlie interpersonal attraction? How and why do we define individuals as insane?
A2 Units 3 and 4
Research Methods & Ethics: Which research methods are appropriate to study humans? Is it possible to have a scientific study of behaviour? How has psychology been misused in the fields of advertising, interrogation and PsyOps in war? To what extent is it morally defensible to harm animals in the course of research?
Controversies, Topics and Applications: How does biology and culture interact in influencing human behaviour? Do humans possess free will? To what extent is Psychology culture-biased? What purpose does sleep and dreaming serve? How can hypnosis alleviate pain? What are the effects of sleep deprivation? How is the body tuned to the rhythms of the natural world? What are the symptoms and causes of mental disorders such as schizophrenia? What classificatory systems are used in psychiatric diagnosis? How can drugs and psychological therapies alleviate mental illness?
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed by short answer question and essay based papers – 2 in the AS year and 2 in the A2.
Do I need to have studied Psychology before?
No, but you should be broadly interested in human behaviour and social and cultural issues.
Who will teach me?
Jeremy Brown has a BSc (Hons) from UCL and a professional teaching qualification. He has extensive experience of teaching and examining A Level Psychology. Jeremy is Lansdowne’s Head of Curriculum and also teaches Sociology.
Imogen Davies has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Leeds and a PGCE in Science and Psychology from the University of Exeter. She is new to Lansdowne this year and brings with her an interactive and vibrant approach to teaching.
Which subjects complement Psychology?
Psychology would equally appeal to Arts and Sciences students. It is a preferred 3rd A Level for students planning to study Medicine. Psychology intersects with Biology, Sociology, Philosophy, Law, History, Religious Studies and Government and Politics.
Which careers can Psychology lead to?
Psychology is suitable for students planning to enter a wide range of careers such as medicine, clinical psychology, advertising and PR, law, social services, journalism, etc.