A-LEVEL Psychology
A-LEVEL
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. Studying Psychology at A-Level involves learning about theories of the human mind and behaviour, then evaluating these using research evidence. It also includes
understanding research methods and approaches in Psychology.
Subject requirements:
Minimum GCSE of 5 in Maths, English and Science (Preference: Biology)
Teacher to contact - Miss K Sogi
Social Sciences Area Coordinator - Miss C Miller
Social Sciences Curriculum Assistant - Mrs D Last
Course Content
Year 12:
- Memory – how memory works, why forgetting occurs and issues with memory
- Attachment – why children form attachments and what happens when they don't
- Approaches in Psychology – how different approaches assume human behaviour can be explained using specific key concepts
- Biopsychology – an introduction to biological factors that affect behaviour
- Social Influence – why some people do or don’t conform and obey in different social situations and how social change takes place
- Clinical Psychology and Mental Health – definitions in the field of mental health, approaches to explain and treat mental health disorders
Year 13:
- Issues, debates and approaches in Psychology (nature and nurture, free will, determinism, socially sensitive research, culture and gender bias, reductionism, holism, idiographic and nomothetic approaches to research)
- Biopsychology – localisation of function, plasticity and functional recovery, brain scanning techniques
- Research Methods – inferential statistical tests
- Gender – biological, cognitive and social learning explanations for gender development, atypical sex chromosome patters and gender dysphoria
- Schizophrenia – clinical symptoms, approaches used to explain and treat schizophrenia
- Aggression – explanations of aggression, institutional aggression and media influences on aggression
SPECIFICATION CHANGES FROM SEPT 2025
The AQA A-Level Psychology exam board have made changes effective immediately September 2025 to the specification.
This is what they have stated: ‘The changes we have made will improve the clarity of the specification, as well as reducing some of the specification content. We have also updated the language used to be more reflective of society.’
Here is a helpful link if you would like further information: Summary of changes
Assessment Criteria
100% exam. No coursework.
Exam Board: AQA
Are you interested in:
- How the mind works?
- The relationship between mind and body?
- Individual differences and mental disorders?
- The scientific study of the human being?
- The role of memory in learning?
Leading to a career in:
- Personnel or Social Work
- Counselling, Health or Medicine
- Teaching or Child Care
- Forensic Psychology or Police
- Marketing
The subject goes well with:
- Biology
- Sociology
- Health and Social Care
- Physical Education
We advise against taking Criminology, Psychology and Sociology together, as it narrows academic scope.
Human Sciences Vision
To create an educational environment that encourages students to:
- Be open-minded by engaging with contemporary and cultural experiences within society
- Be intense and critical thinkers by challenging and questioning established paradigms
- Practice values of professionalism through active participation with the research process and holistic and synoptic thinking
- Uphold the integrity and credibility of their chosen discipline by behaving ethically
Please see the Subject Guide links below and information about the Psychology course.
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Click below to learn about the course from Psychology student, Lucy.