Head of Department: Mrs Smith

GCE Psychology Specification A
Exam board: AQA

AS Level:
At AS, candidates will develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the core areas of psychology (social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences) through a range of topics, chosen for their accessibility and popularity.

Unit 1: Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods
Written Paper, 1 hour 30 minutes
50% of total AS marks, 25% of total A Level marks
Structure compulsory questions based on Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods.
Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12-mark question requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.

Available January and June
Subject Content:

• Cognitive psychology, including memory and eyewitness testimony
• Developmental psychology, including early social development, attachment and the effects of day care
• Research methods, in the context of the topic areas.

Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences
Written Paper, 1 hour 30 minutes
50% of total AS marks, 25% of total A Level marks
Three compulsory structured questions; one based on Biological Psychology content, one based on Social Psychology content and one based on the Individual Differences content.
Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one or more 12-mark questions requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.

Available January and June
Subject Content:

• Biological psychology, including stress, factors affecting stress, coping with stress and managing stress
• Social psychology, including conformity, obedience and independent behaviour
• Individual differences, including definitions of abnormality, approaches and therapies.

A2 Level:
At A2, the specification offers a range of topic-based options which bring together explanations from different psychological approaches and engage students in issues and debates in psychology.

Unit 3: Topics in Psychology
Written Paper, 1 hour 30 minutes
25% of total A Level marks
Three essay-style questions chosen from the eight topics.
QWC will be assessed in each essay.

Available January and June
Subject Content:
Three from:

• Biological rhythms and sleep
• Perception
• Relationships
• Aggression
• Eating behaviour
• Gender
• Intelligence and learning
• Cognition and development

Unit 4: Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods
Written Paper, 2 hours
25% of total A Level marks
Three sections:
Psychopathology: One essay-style question chosen from three.  QWC will be assessed in this essay.
Psychology in Action: Once question chosen from three.
Research Methods: Once compulsory structured question.

Available January and June
Subject Content:
Psychopathology – knowledge and understanding of models, classification, diagnosis and therapies in relation to one disorder chosen from:

• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Anxiety disorder.

Psychology in Action – once contemporary issue chosen from:

• Media psychology
• The psychology of addictive behaviour
• Anomalistic psychology.

Psychological Research and Scientific Method.

Assessment Objectives
AO1:
Recognise, recall and show understanding of scientific knowledge, select, organize and communicate relevant information in a variety of forms.

AO2:
Analyse and evaluate scientific knowledge, apply knowledge and processes to unfamiliar situations, assess the validity, reliability and credibility of scientific information.

AO3:
Describe ethical, safe and skilful practical techniques and processes, know how to make, record and communicate valid observations analyse, interpret, explain and evaluate the methodology and investigate activities in a variety of ways.