Subject Intent: Why Psychology?
The psychology curriculum allows core areas in the history and development of psychology to be studied and offers different perspectives into the explanations of the human mind and behaviour.
Psychology encourages skills to be developed that focus heavily on developing an insight into the methodological strengths and weaknesses of research, and critical analysis of theories, which are useful life skills which can be transferred into the work place.
The knowledge gained will help students to develop into well- grounded adults, with an understanding of the causes of mental health issues, how to be responsible parents, when to conform and obey others, and what triggers aggression.
What will I study?
Paper 1 Exam:
- Memory
- Attachment in children
- Social Influence (conformity and obedience)
- Psychopathology (mental disorders)
- Approaches in Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Research Methods
- Schizophrenia
- Relationships
- Aggression
- Issues and philosophical debates
Psychology
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. The role of biology, up-bringing and culture on behaviour will be explored, and you will gain a greater understanding of why humans act in the way that they do.
Typical lessons include a range of activities where students work independently and collaboratively with others. All lessons involve students being active participants in their learning, and retrieval practice is used as an essential feature of every lesson with mini white board tasks and quizzes for example. Students are encouraged to participate in discussions and there are opportunities to complete mini psychological experiments.
In previous years, there have been overseas trips to Auschwitz in Poland to explore how Psychology can be applied to obedience in everyday life, and educational conferences at Warwick University and London with influential psychology speakers such as Phillip Zimbardo and Elizabeth Loftus.
What our
students
Psychology is an amazing subject! The content is really interesting and the lessons are always fun to go to - everybody is enthusiastic and it never gets boring.
Beth Lee, Guiseley
