Psychology is a very popular A Level that has recently been introduced
at Colfe’s with great success. The course is designed for students who have no previous experience
of the subject but who have developed the necessary skills during their GCSE studies. These include
the ability to communicate ideas effectively, to evaluate data from different sources and to
construct well-supported arguments on a variety of complex topics.
The AS level syllabus provides a broad introduction to the subject,
with consideration given to all the major areas that are involved in this discipline. The topics
covered include Social Psychology, Child Development and Cognitive Psychology. In these topics
students consider research into and explanations for social influence (for example conformity and
obedience), the development of attachments in infants and how memory works. Students also study
issues associated with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders as part of Abnormal
Psychology, the physiological and psychological effects of stress in Physiological Psychology and
are given a crucial overview of the research methods used by Psychologists in their work. It is the
aim of the AS course to develop students’ interests and skills in these diverse areas.
The A2 course offers challenging and exciting opportunities for
students to design and carry out their own small scale psychological investigations, allowing them
to put into practice the skills they have developed at AS level and to learn more about scientific
method and research techniques. Particular topics we have selected at A2 are Biological Rhythms and
Sleep, Aggression and Gender Development and Behaviour. The A2 course develops the themes and
skills that students have learned in the Lower Sixth, for example by considering a particular
mental disorder (eg schizophrenia, depression, anxiety) in depth and by looking at the impact of a
contemporary issue on psychology. It is likely that we will look at Media Psychology in this part
of the course.
The interest in Psychology at A level is a result of the fascinating
subject matter, the transferable skills that it allows students to develop and the potential for
them to achieve excellent grades. Its popularity at A level is mirrored by the increasing numbers
of students who study Psychology at undergraduate level and beyond.
