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Psychology (KS4)
BackStaff members
Mrs N Lawton (Head of Psychology)
Mr J Lund
Subject Definition
Psychology is the study of the mind and of behaviour. It is a diverse scientific discipline comprising several major branches of research.
It is the study of people, their behaviour towards themselves and each other, and how they learn and think. It asks the following key questions:
- Why do I think like this?
- Why do I feel like this?
- Why do I behave like this?
We aim to use the specification to offer an engaging and comprehensive introduction to psychology topics. Students learn the fundamentals of the science behind people’s behaviour and acquire an early understanding of how psychology can be used to improve quality of life. They have the opportunity to learn how to conduct practical work to test hypotheses, analyse evidence and arguments, and make informed judgements. All of these skills are valued by higher education institutions and employers.
KS4 Overview
Qualification Information
Course title: Psychology (9-1)
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8182
AQA GCSE Psychology 8182
Course content includes:
Memory
Students will learn about some of the models that are used to explain how and why memories are formed and recalled.
Perception
This topic is centred around the difference between sensation and perception. Students will learn to understand perception as something that is constructed and therefore influenced by a variety of factors. Knowing that the accuracy of our perceptions is affected by our culture, motivations and expectations is invaluable.
Development
As part of this topic on child development, students will learn about the stages that children go through as they grow. This includes becoming familiar with some of the ways in which learning affects child development.
Research Methods
Psychologists employ a range of methods to study the human mind. They also use various statistical methods to analyse the data they gather. Students will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of these methods and statistical tools.
Social Influence
This topic covers conformity, obedience, and antisocial and prosocial behaviour. Students will learn about the importance of conformity and obedience for humans as a social species. They will also learn about the negative outcomes of conformity and obedience, including examples from history and from psychology experiments.
Language, Thought and Communication
One of the central questions of this topic is how language affects our thoughts and vice versa. Students will learn about different theories on language as well as non-verbal forms of communication such as body language and eye contact. They will learn that there are differences in language, thought and communication across cultures.
Brain and Neuropsychology
The brain's main structures and their functions are covered in this topic. Students will also learn about the transmission of information within the brain, and about various brain imaging techniques. They will be introduced to the concept of brain plasticity - the ability of the brain to adapt and restructure.
Psychological Problems
The final topic deals with two common mental health problems: depression and addiction. Students will learn about biological and psychological explanations for both. They will also learn about some of the treatments available. While studying this topic, students will have an opportunity to learn about how mental health problems affect both the individual and society.
