ABOUT THIS COURSE
This course is ideal for learners who wish to learn more about human behaviour and the science of the mind.
The course covers how individual behaviour can be influenced by a range of different factors and how different factors interact to explain human behaviour. In Year 1, learners will cover a broad range of topics in Psychology such as Cognitive, Developmental and Psychpathology whilst in Year 2, learners get to look in depth at topics such as Schizophrenia and Forensic Psychology.
You could complement your studies with additional activities including work experience or our Debating society, Sign Language or Preparing for Medicine by completing a MOOC.
COURSE AREA LEAD
Stephanie Preen
WHO IS THIS AIMED AT?
This course is aimed at students who:
Like science and are open-minded and interested in the world around them
Have an analytic mind and want to understand the reasons for behaviour using a scientific approach
Aim to work in practically any career where other people are involved
Are prepared to look beneath the surface of any claim/debate
Are willing to read ahead in preparation for class activities and work to weekly deadlines
Wish to progress in employment areas such as Teaching, Social Work, Counselling, Police or Medicine
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Social Influence: This approach will include types of conformity, explanations for obedience, resistance to social influence and the role of social influence on social change.
Memory: This is part of Cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychologists are concerned with the internal processes of the mind of which memory is one. Learners will have the opportunity to take part in numerous memory experiments and tests in order to develop understanding of types and functions of memory. This will include explanations for forgetting and factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Attachment: Developmental psychology focuses on the behaviour of infants from birth through to adulthood. This includes caregiver and infant interactions, and explanations of attachment. Learners will have the opportunity to study key case studies of deprivation and the effects of institutionalisation.
Biopsychology: Topics include the division of the nervous system. The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons and the process of synaptic transmission. Learners will also study the function of the endocrine system and the fight or flight response.
Psychopathology: This includes definitions of abnormality. Mental Health issues including phobias, depression and OCD, explained from different psychological perspectives.
Research Methods: Students will learn scientific processes and techniques of data handling and analysis.
Issues and debates: The nature/nurture debate
Gender: The role of gender and gender development
Schizophrenia: Classification, diagnosis and treatment
Forensic psychology: Defining crime, explaining criminal behaviour and dealing with offending behaviour
WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU DEVELOP?
Numeracy
Analysis
Evaluation
Use of Google Suite
Problem Solving
Literacy
Organisation
Time management
Meeting deadlines
Resilience
Practice
Academic writing
PROGRESSION ROUTES
Psychologist
Speech and Language Therapist
Counsellor
Social Work
Teaching
Criminal Justice System