Psychology
Subject: Psychology
Subject Leader: Mrs D. Burnett. Curriculum Leader: Mr. R. Morris
Within the Faculty of PE, Sport and Health, A level Psychology is a popular vocational qualification at Key Stage 5. We offer the OCR A level Psychology qualification. Our A Level specification provides students with the exciting opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of psychology. It provides insight into, and experience of, how psychology works, stimulating learners’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with psychology in their everyday lives, enabling them to make informed choices about further study and about career choices.
Our Aims are to:
Develop an awareness of how psychological research can be applied to the benefit of human beings, and society as a whole.
Develop an understanding of the biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences on human behaviour.
Understand and use a range of methods of psychological inquiry, including experimental and non-experimental techniques.
Evaluate the effectiveness of different psychological approaches.
Apply knowledge and understanding of psychological theory to real-life scenarios.
Key Stage 5
Psychology is one of the most popular A level choices at Norton College Sixth Form. We believe that this qualification provides a great stepping-stone towards further study or employment.
The OCR A Level in Psychology is made up of three mandatory components, which are externally assessed at the end of Year 13 through three examinations.
The topics covered are:
01. Research Methods: Planning, conducting, analysing and reporting psychological research across a range of experimental and non-experimental methodologies and techniques.
02. Psychological Themes through Core Studies: Introduces some of the central areas of investigation in psychology organised in key themes. Each key theme is represented by a classic and a contemporary core study.
03. Applied Psychology: We will study the compulsory topic of Issues in Mental Health, in addition to the two elective units of Criminal Psychology and Child Psychology.
Through varied and creative teaching methods, within a supportive academic environment, students are encouraged to become independent, evaluative learners, studying Psychology to the highest levels. Academic study is complemented by a number of extra-curricular enrichment opportunities, which aim to broaden and develop students’ skills, knowledge and understanding of the subject in different contexts.
Year 12 - Autumn term
01. Research Methods: 1.1 Research methods and techniques / 1.2 Planning and conducting research / 1.3 Data recording, analysis and presentation.
02. Core Studies: Social Psychology Milgram (1963) & Bocchiaro et al. (2012) / Developmental Psychology Bandura et al. (1961) & Chaney et al. (2004) / Cognitive Psychology Loftus and Palmer (1974) & Grant et al. (1998)
Year 12 - Spring term
01. Research Methods: 1.4 Report writing. / 1.5 Practical activities / 1.6 How science works.
02. Core Studies: Cognitive Psychology Loftus and Palmer (1974) & Grant et al. (1998)
/ Biological Psychology Sperry (1968) & Casey et al. (2011) / Individual differences: Freud (1909) & Baron-Cohen et al. (1997)
Year 12 - Summer term
02. Core Studies: Biological Psychology Blakemore and Cooper (1970) & Maguire et al. (2000)
03. Applied Psychology: Section A: Issues in mental health
Year 13 - Autumn term
02. Core Studies: Cognitive Psychology Moray (1959) & Simons and Chabris (1999) / Individual Psychology Gould (1982) & Hancock et al. (2011)
03. Applied Psychology: Section B: Option 2 Criminal psychology
Year 13 - Spring term
02. Core Studies: Social Psychology: Piliavin et al. (1969) & Levine et al. (2001) / Developmental Psychology Kohlberg (1968) & Lee et al. (1997)
03. Applied Psychology: Section B: Option 1 Child psychology
Year 13 - Summer term
Revision and Examinations
