Psychology
Our Team
Mrs L. Kennedy
Head of Department
Our Department
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human behaviour. As such, it is a part of our everyday lives. Psychologists observe and conduct experiments to find out more about the way people act and interact. They try to understand what motivates, challenges or changes us and use this understanding to help us tackle personal and social problems.
An understanding of human behaviour is fundamental to many jobs in society and the study of psychology at A level and beyond remains a very popular choice.
If you study psychology you will be able to develop your analytical and organisational skills and learn about scientific research methods, including collecting and working with data. Learning about human behaviour can also help to build your communication skills and improve your teamwork and leadership skills.
GCSE
There are 2 units:
Unit 1: Making Sense of Other People
Summary of content:
- Memory
- Non-verbal communication
- Development of personality
- Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination
- Research methods
Students must study all of the above topics.
Unit 2: Understanding Other People
Summary of content:
- Learning
- Social influence
- Sex and gender
- Aggression
- Research methods
Students must study all of the above topics.
Psychology can also be completed as a Short Course where Unit 1 would only be completed.
Assessment is exam based with 1½ hour exams for each unit.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology
AS Level
Psychological Approaches and Applications (externally assessed)
In this unit you will explore four key approaches in psychology – social, cognitive, learning and biological and apply these approaches to issues relevant to contemporary society i.e. gender, aggression and consumer behaviour.
Conducting Psychological Research (internally assessed)
In this unit you will:
- Understand research methods and their importance in psychological inquiry
- Plan research to investigate psychological questions
- Carry out a pilot study to explore current issues in psychology
- Review implications of research into psychological inquiry.
A2 Level
Health psychology (externally assessed)
You will explore psychological approaches, theories and studies related to lifestyle choices, unhealthy behaviours and behavioural change, linking them to their specific contexts.
Criminal and Forensic Psychology (internally assessed)
You will explore the different theories used to explain criminal behaviour and the application of criminal and forensic psychology in the criminal justice system.
Examination Board information
For more information from the Examination board, click here:
Psychology
GCSE Specification
Psychology
BTEC Specification
Career Pathways
While psychology is beneficial for all careers, it may be of particular benefit in a range of careers.
Jobs directly related to psychology include:
- Clinical psychologist
- Counselling psychologist
- Education mental health practitioner
- Educational psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
- Further education teacher
- Health psychologist
- High intensity therapist
- Occupational psychologist
- Psychological wellbeing practitioner
- Sport and exercise psychologist
Jobs where psychology would be useful include:
- Advice worker
- Border Force officer
- Careers adviser
- Chaplain
- Counsellor
- Dance movement psychotherapist
- Education consultant
- Human resources officer
- Life coach
- Market researcher
- Mediator
- Neuroscientist
- Play therapist
- Policy officer
- Psychotherapist
- Social researcher