Psychology

Aims

  • to stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment of psychology
  • to explore how psychology has contributed to an understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity
  • to enable students to understand and use subject-specific terminology
  • to promote awareness of the ethical responsibilities of psychological researchers
  • to provide opportunities for the development of research skills

Teaching approaches

These seek to create a relaxed but purposeful teaching and learning environment and include:

  • Teacher presentations
  • Note-making
  • Source-based work
  • Student presentations
  • Extended writing
  • Class discussion
  • Marking exercises
  • Review of essay and test performances

Visits to AS & A2 Psychology Conferences augment classroom teaching and act as a stimulus to further study.

Facilities and resources

The department is based in Singleton House, all lessons taking place in modern and well-appointed rooms. The department has excellent resources in the form of specialist textbooks, magazines and DVD recordings.

Courses offered

1) AS Psychology (AQA Specification A), which consists of two modules:
  • Module 1

    Childhood Development

    Memory

    Research Methods.

  • Module 2 

    Stress

    Social Psychology

    Individual Differences (Abnormal Psychology).

2) A2 Psychology (AQA Specification A), which also consists of two modules:
  • Module 3

    Aggression

    Eating Disorders

    Intelligence & Learning

  • Module 4

    Schizophrenia

    Addictive Behaviour

    Research Methods.

 

There is no coursework element in either of these programmes.