Psychology

Psychology is the study and science of our mind and behaviour. In A Level Psychology students learn about aspects of memory, brain science, child psychology, mental disorders and social psychology. They carry out small-scale research projects to develop skills in analysing psychological data. There is no coursework.

A-Level Psychology course is to develop students’ understanding of human behaviour through the systematic study of psychological theory, research, and application, equipping them with both substantive knowledge of key concepts, approaches, and core topics (such as memory, attachment, and clinical psychology) and disciplinary knowledge of how psychological knowledge is generated, tested, and evaluated. The course enables students to think critically and work scientifically by developing their ability to design and evaluate research, analyse data, and construct evidence-based arguments, while making connections across topics and applying learning to real-world contexts. Through a carefully sequenced approach, students build confidence in extended writing, analysis, and evaluation, preparing them for A-level assessment and progression to higher education, and fostering independent, reflective learners with strong analytical and transferable skills.

Year 12

Term 1

Approaches in Psychology

Knowledge:

In the Autumn term, students consider the origins of psychology as a subject. They look at how psychology has developed as an independent subject, and the different schools of thought within the discipline (Including Biological, Cognitive, Behavioural, Psychodynamic, and Humanistic approaches), before considering modern developments. In this module students also begin to investigate the impact of some infamous psychology studies, including Pavlov’s Dogs, Skinner’s Rats, and the work of Sigmund Freud.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Approaches in Psychology Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Approaches to Psychology Revision

Approaches – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 2 – YouTube

Clinical Psychology and Mental Health

Knowledge:

Alongside studying Approaches, students will also study Clinical Psychology and Mental Health. This topic allows students to investigate varying definitions of mental health, as well as diving deeper into three separate mental health conditions (Phobias, Depression, and OCD), looking at the characteristics of each condition in line with existing diagnostic manuals, and psychological explanations and treatments of the conditions.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Clinical Psychology and Mental Health Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Clinical Psychology & Mental Health

Clinical Psychology and Mental Health – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 1 – YouTube

Research Methods

Knowledge:

During one lesson each week, students begin to explore psychological research methods, learning about the various methods that can be used, as well as how to conduct research, things to consider when conducting research, analysing data, and writing up psychological investigations.

In the Autumn term, students focus on the features of psychology as a scientific subject and scientific methods, such as experiments, which are often used. The consider the key factors in designing a piece of research, such as determining a sample, hypotheses, and variables, and begin to apply these concepts to research already studied in other topic areas.

Useful Links

Research Methods In Psychology

AQA Psychology A-level: Research Methods Revision- PMT

Research Methods – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 2 – YouTube

Skills:

Students develop analytical and evaluative skills, which they are then able to apply to written assignments. Students start of developing short answer exam skills, looking to apply their knowledge of the subject to specific assessment criteria, and gradually develop extended writing skills as the term progresses. Students also develop an ability to apply knowledge across a range of topic areas.

Assessments:

End of Topic Tests are given at the end of the Approaches and Clinical Psychology Modules – Consisting of a total of 24 marks, ranging from multiple choice questions up to 16 mark essay questions, mirroring real life exam structures.

Frequent Short Answer Checkpoints are given for Research Methods (Up to 6 mark questions)

Students frequently practice exam skills through marked essay questions (At least 3 per term), alongside mid-length (4-6 marks) and short answer questions.

November Prep Assessments

Term 2

Attachment

Knowledge:

As they move into the Spring term, students begin to study attachment. Through this topic, they learn the importance of the parent-child relationship, theories of how and why this bond develops, including Bowlby’s monotropic theory, and the impact of this bond in later life and future relationships. They also investigate the work of Lorenz and Harlow, considering how investigations into attachment in animals can be applied to human experiences.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Attachment Revision – PMT

Attachment: A-Level Psychology AQA Revision Notes

Attachment – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 1 – YouTube

Social Influence

Knowledge:

Alongside studying attachment, students also begin studying social psychology. This topic investigates the influence of other people on our actions and behaviour, including why we conform to a group, why we obey orders from those in authority, how we can resist pressure to conform/obey, and how a small group can effectively change a majority viewpoint. In this module they investigate the value of unethical pieces of research, such as Milgram’s Electric Shock Study, and begin considering the morals behind research.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Social Influence Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Social Influence Revision

Social Influence – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 1 – YouTube

Research Methods

Knowledge:

During one lesson each week, students continue to explore psychological research methods, learning about the various methods that can be used, as well as how to conduct research, things to consider when conducting research, analysing data, and writing up psychological investigations.

In the spring term, students begin looking at alternative methods of research, such as observations and self-report measures. They also begin to consider ethical guidelines presented by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and apply these guidelines to research studies, including Milgram’s research on obedience, and Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment.

Useful Links

Research Methods In Psychology

AQA Psychology A-level: Research Methods Revision- PMT

Research Methods – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 2 – YouTube

Skills:

Throughout the spring term, students continue to develop analysis, evaluation, and application skills. The topics studied in this term also allow students to begin to consider ethical dilemmas and develop their ability to justify particular viewpoints and perspectives. They are continuing to improve their extended writing skills.

Assessments:

End of Topic Tests are given at the end of the Attachment and Social Influence Modules – Consisting of a total of 24 marks, ranging from multiple choice questions up to 16 mark essay questions, mirroring real life exam structures.

Frequent Short Answer Checkpoints are given for Research Methods (Up to 7 mark questions)

Students frequently practice exam skills through marked essay questions (At least 3 per term), alongside mid-length (4-6 marks) and short answer questions.

February Prep Assessments

Term 3

Issues and Debates

Knowledge:

Moving into the summer term, students continue to develop their knowledge of psychology through the study of Issues and Debates. This topic allows students to weigh up a number of common debates in psychology, such as Nature vs Nurture and Free Will vs Determinism, as well as considering various biases and issues that can occur when conducting research, including Gender and Culture Bias, and the study of sensitive topics.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Issues and Debates in Psychology Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Issues & Debates

Issues and Debates – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 3 – YouTube

Memory

Knowledge:

Alongside Issues and Debates, students also begin studying memory. This topic allows students to investigate how memory is processed and stored in the brain, as well as considering theories of why we forget information, and what factors can impact our ability to remember things accurately, looking at research from a variety of sources, including Baddeley and Miller. This topic then applies the theory studied to the impact of Eye Witness Testimony, using Loftus & Palmer’s research on leading questions, and the Yerkes-Dodson law of anxiety, and how this can be improved by Cognitive Interview techniques.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Memory Revision- PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Memory Revision

Memory – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 1 – YouTube

Research Methods

Knowledge:

In the summer term, students focus on data analysis, looking at identifying and using appropriate statistical tests.

Students are also given the opportunity to put their skills into practice by planning, conducting, and writing up their own piece of psychology research in this term.

Useful Links

Research Methods In Psychology

AQA Psychology A-level: Research Methods Revision- PMT

Research Methods – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 2 – YouTube

Stop LOSING MARKS on Research Methods | AQA A-level Psychology

Skills:

Students continue to develop analytical and evaluative skills throughout this term. The study of Issues and Debates allows students to develop debating skills and an ability to justify positions with evidence.

Students continue to develop extended writing skills – refining skills to allow them to reach the highest mark bands

Assessments:

End of Topic Tests are given at the end of the Issues and Debates and Memory Modules – Consisting of a total of 24 marks, ranging from multiple choice questions up to 16 mark essay questions, mirroring real life exam structures.

Frequent Short Answer Checkpoints are given for Research Methods (Up to 6 mark questions)

Longer answer Research Methods ‘Design and Study’ questions are developed (12 marks)

Students frequently practice exam skills through marked essay questions (At least 3 per term), alongside mid-length (4-6 marks) and short answer questions.

End of Year Assessments

Year 13

Term 1

Forensic Psychology

Knowledge:

In the Autumn term, students apply their growing knowledge of psychological theory to criminal behaviour. Through this topic, they investigate how offenders are profiled by police, the pros and cons of various forms of punishment, such as prisons, as well as investigating various explanations of the causes of criminal behaviour, debating the age-old question “Are criminals born or made?”, and considering the ethical implications behind the answer.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Forensic Psychology (Paper 3)

AQA Psychology A-level: Forensic Psychology Revision – PMT

Forensic Psychology – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 3 – YouTube

Biopsychology

Knowledge:

Alongside studying Forensic Psychology, students will also study Biopsychology. This topic allows students to investigate the physical structure of the brain in more detail, learning about the biology of the organ, how it works, and what behaviours the different structures influence, considering evidence from case studies from individuals with brain damage. They also investigate physiological processes such as the fight or flight response.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Biopsychology Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Biopsychology Revision

Biological Psychology – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 2 – YouTube

Skills:

Students continue to develop analytical and evaluative skills to a high level. There is an increased focus on the structure and depth of evaluation and it’s role in extended answer questions. Students are given greater opportunity to apply psychological theory to new topic areas, and this skill is translated into written work.

Assessments:

End of Topic Tests are given at the end of the Forensic Psychology and Biopsychology Modules – Consisting of a total of 24 marks, ranging from multiple choice questions up to 16 mark essay questions, mirroring real life exam structures.

Students frequently practice exam skills through marked essay questions (At least 3 per term), alongside mid-length (4-6 marks) and short answer questions.

November Prep Assessments

Term 2

Gender

Knowledge:

As they move into the Spring term, students begin to study Gender. This topic looks to apply psychological theory to a modern and ever-changing topic area. Through the Gender module, students consider the difference between biological sex and gender identity, and learn the difference between various forms of gender identity (such as non-binary and gender fluid). They consider the various psychological explanations of the development of gender identity, and how this can be different to biological sex, considering the ethical implications of studying sensitive and potentially controversial topic areas.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Gender Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Gender (Paper 3)

Gender – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 3 – YouTube

Schizophrenia

Knowledge:

Alongside studying Gender, students take an in-depth look at Schizophrenia as a mental health condition, developing their earlier study of Clinical Psychology and mental health in Year 12. This topic allows students to identify the complexity of the disorder, and how this can cause issues when looking at diagnosis and classification. They consider biological and psychological explanations for the onset of the disorder, and how each of these explanations approach treatment, analysing which forms of treatment are the most beneficial and efficient.

Useful Links

AQA Psychology A-level: Schizophrenia Revision – PMT

AQA Psychology A-level: Schizophrenia (Paper 3)

Schizophrenia – Psychology Alevel (AQA) Paper 3 – YouTube

Skills:

Throughout the spring term, students continue to refine analysis, evaluation, and application skills, tailoring their knowledge to meet high level demands of exam questions. The topics studied in this term also allow students to consider ethical dilemmas and socially sensitive research topics, looking in more depth about how psychological research can impact the wider world.

Assessments:

End of Topic Tests are given at the end of the Gender and Schizophrenia Modules – Consisting of a total of 24 marks, ranging from multiple choice questions up to 16 mark essay questions, mirroring real life exam structures.

Students frequently practice exam skills through marked essay questions (At least 3 per term), alongside mid-length (4-6 marks) and short answer questions.

January Prep Assessments

Term 3

Revision and Exam Preparation

Knowledge:

Moving into the summer term, students focus on revision in the build up to exams.

No new content is covered at this stage.

Common misconceptions are revisited, and areas of weakness are identified and challenged.

There is a significant focus on the revision of research methods as the largest topic area studied.

Students are encouraged to consistently practice exam technique as skills are refined and perfected.

Skills:

Students refine their exam skills and cement their knowledge of the various topics studied across the two years.

Useful Links

Revision shorts – YouTube

AQA A-level Psychology Revision – PMT

AQA A-level Psychology Revision

Assessments:

Students frequently practice exam skills through marked essay questions (At least 3 per term), alongside mid-length (4-6 marks) and short answer questions.

A-Level Exams

Type of Qualification:

A Level

Course entry requirements:

Biology GCSE Grade 5

Are you interested in:

Human behaviour, mental Illness, why people obey or how childhood can affect our future self?

Leading to a career in:

Mental health, education, child assessment and care, management and human resources, marketing and business management, social work, occupational therapy, sports psychology, forensic work