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Course Summary
Syllabus
Pre-requisites
Fees
Certification Prospects Duration Membership Format Assessment FAQs Request Info A Level PsychologyLevel: AS and A2 ( Full )This a Level Psychology course has been designed to provide a broad introduction to the scope and nature of psychology as a science. The emphasis is on applying knowledge and understanding rather than just acquiring knowledge, thereby developing students’ transferable skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking. At AS, the specification offers a broad range of topics, with research methods in context. At A2, there is a range of topic-based options which bring together explanations from different approaches and engage students in issues and debates in contemporary psychology. This course allows you to study at your own pace. This course is suitable to be studied by all students irrespective of age, creed, religion or gender. To enrol call us today on 0121 2880181. AS Level Unit 1: PSYA1 – Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods Cognitive Psychology – Memory 1. Models of memory The working memory model, including its strengths and weaknesses 2. Memory in everyday life Misleading information and the use of the cognitive interview Strategies for memory improvement 3. Developmental Psychology - Early Social Development Types of attachment, including insecure and secure attachment and studies by Ainsworth Cultural variations in attachment Disruption of attachment, failure to form attachment (privation) and the effects of institutionalisation 4. Attachment in everyday life Implications of research into attachment and day care for child care practices 5. Methods and techniques Experimental method, including laboratory, field and natural experiments Studies using a correlational analysis Observational techniques Self-report techniques including questionnaire and interview Case studies 6. Investigation design Candidates should be familiar with the following features of investigation design: Hypotheses, including directional and non-directional 7. Data analysis and presentation Analysis and interpretation of quantitative data. Measures of central tendency including median, mean, mode. Measures of dispersion including ranges and standard deviation Analysis and interpretation of correlational data. Positive and negative correlations and the interpretation of correlation coefficients Presentation of qualitative data Processes involved in content analysis Unit 2: PSYA2 – Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences Biological Psychology – Stress Stress-related illness and the immune system 2. Stress in everyday life Workplace stress Personality factors, including Type A behaviour Distinction between emotion-focused and problem-focused approaches to coping with stress Psychological and physiological methods of stress management, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and drugs Social Psychology - Social Influence 3. Social influence Explanations of why people conform, including informational social influence and normative social influence Obedience, including Milgram’s work and explanations of why people obey 4. Social influence in everyday life The influence of individual differences on independent behaviour, including locus of control Implications for social change of research into social influence Individual Differences - Psychopathology (Abnormality) 5. Defining and explaining psychological abnormality Key features of the biological approach to psychopathology Key features of psychological approaches to psychopathology including the psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive approaches 6. Treating abnormality Psychological therapies, including psychoanalysis, systematic desensitisation and Cognitive Behavioural therapy A2 Level Biological Rhythms and Sleep 1. Biological rhythms Consequences of disrupting biological rhythms, for example shift work, jet lag 2. Sleep states Functions of sleep, including evolutionary explanations and restoration theory Lifespan changes in sleep 3. Disorders of sleep Explanations for other sleep disorders, including sleep walking and narcolepsy Aggression 1. Social psychological approaches to explaining aggression Explanations of institutional aggression 2. Biological explanations of aggression The role of genetic factors in aggressive behaviour 3. Aggression as an adaptive response Explanations of group display in humans, for example sports events and lynch mobs Cognition and Development 1. Development of thinking Applications of these theories to education 2. Development of moral understanding 3. Development of social cognition Development of children’s understanding of others, including perspective taking (Selman) Biological explanations of social cognition, including the role of the mirror neuron system Unit 4: PSYA4 – Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods Psychopathology Schizophrenia Issues surrounding the classification and diagnosis of schizophrenia, including reliability and validity Biological explanations of schizophrenia, for example, genetics, biochemistry Psychological explanations of schizophrenia, for example, behavioural, cognitive, psychodynamic and socio-cultural Biological therapies for schizophrenia, including their evaluation in terms of appropriateness and effectiveness Psychological therapies for schizophrenia, for example, behavioural, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioural, including their evaluation in terms of appropriateness and effectiveness Psychology in Action Media Psychology 1. Media influences on social behaviour The effects of video games and computers on young people 2. Persuasion, attitude and change The influence of attitudes on decision making, including roles of cognitive consistency/dissonance and self-perception Explanations for the effectiveness of television in persuasion 3. The psychology of ‘celebrity’ The attraction of ‘celebrity’, including social psychological and evolutionary explanations Research into intense fandom, for example, celebrity worship, stalking Psychological Research and Scientific Method 1. The application of scientific method in psychology The scientific process, including theory construction, hypothesis testing, use of empirical methods, generation of laws/principles (eg Popper, Kuhn) Validating new knowledge and the role of peer review 2. Designing psychological investigations Implications of sampling strategies, for example, bias and generalising Issues of reliability, including types of reliability, assessment of reliability, improving reliability Assessing and improving validity (internal and external) Ethical considerations in design and conduct of psychological research 3. Data analysis and reporting on investigations Probability and significance, including the interpretation of significance and type1/type2 errors Factors affecting choice of statistical test, including levels of measurement The use of inferential analysis, including Spearman’s Rho, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, Chi-squared Analysis and interpretation of qualitative data Conventions of reporting on psychological investigations It is generally recommended that candidates have attained grade C or higher in English Language and Literature at GCSE level. However, as full tutor support is provided the minimum entry requirements are an ability to read and write in English with some fluency AQA A Level Psychology All students have 18 months to complete this course from date of registration. On average this course is completed in 300 hours. We recommend that students complete 6-8 hours per week as a minimum to get the most from this course. Remember to work out a study plan / timetable before you start and try and stick to it. Coursework can be completed as quickly as you want as shown below.
Course materials are provided in paper format and delivered direct to your door within 7 days of enrolment.
Recommended Reading AS: AQA Psychology A A2: Student's Book. James Bailey: (2009) Unit 1: PSYA1 – Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12-mark question requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed. Unit 2: PSYA2 – Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one or more 12-mark questions requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed. Unit 3: PSYA3 – Topics in Psychology Unit 4: PSYA4 – Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods AS Level Unit 2: PSYA2 – Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences A2 Level Unit 4: PSYA4 – Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods Recommended Centres English Maths Science Tuition Centre Ltd. Tel: 0121-771-1298 http://www.englishandmaths.com/Index.php ------------------ 3A Tutors Ltd Tel: 0117 9109931 Email: enquiries@3at.org.uk -------------------- Harrogate Tutorial College Telephone +44(0)1423 501041 E-Mail study@htcuk.org ---------------------- Campbell Harris Tutors Ltd Email principal@campbellharris.co.uk Web Site http://campbellharris.co.uk/Content.asp?ID=18
Please visit AQA for exam information. http://www.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre. From 2014 exams will be taken in June of each year. 2013 provides the final opportunity to take exams in January. There is no flexibilty to take exams at any other time.
Q: When can I enrol? Yes! We do offer payment plans for this course to students resident in the UK only. See fees page for further details. Yes ! We currently have students all over the world studying with the college.
If you require any further information on this course then please call our administration team on 0121 288 0181 and we will be happy to help you as much as we can. Alternatively complete the information request form below and one of our friendly advisors will contact you.
Course Fee: Starting at: £369.00Student can choose to pay their course fees in full upon enrolment (£369.00) or take out a pay as you study plan as follows.
Call our office on 0121 2880181 for guaranteed acceptance onto our pay as you study plan* (Applies to UK Students only) MOD Personnel can claim a 10% Reduction on fees when paying in full by quoting BFPO10 when contacting us. Proof will be required. Exam fees not included. Any exam fees are payable direct to examination centre. You are advised to contact a centre as listed here prior to enrolment to confirm exam fees and availibilty. Click here for List This course is provided in partnership with UKDLP (UK Distance Learning and Publishing) If you prefer to pay via cheque please print off enrolment form PDF below and post to our head office.  |
