Why do we learn psychology?
Head of Department
Our approach
Year 12
Year 13

Why do we learn psychology?

Psychology is the science of the mind and behaviour. Pupils completing this particular course will, as with all sciences, develop their literacy, numeracy and data analysis skills. They will also continue to work on their ability to construct a meaningful, evidenced argument. Pupils will be part of a course that seeks to answer questions such as; why do people behave the way they do? Why do people develop phobias? Are children more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour seen in video games?

Head of Department

Head of Science

Ms E Duncan

e.duncan@arkbolingbrokeacademy.org

Our approach

Pupils will learn about the physiology of the brain and how features like memory, emotions and morals are linked to different brain areas. They will explore real-world mental health issues and will complete units in criminal psychology, environmental psychology, child psychology and sport-related psychology.

Additional activities within this subject:

  • Opportunities to attend Psychology inspiration lectures.
  • Trips to and links with universities to help you decide that all important next step.
  • Subject Tutorial support sessions.

Year 12

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Approaches  
Research Methods (Foundation) 

Approaches

  • Wundt and Introspection
  • Behaviourism
  • Social Learning  
  • Cognitive
  • Biological
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Psychodynamic  
  • Humanism  

Research Methods (F)

  • Experimental method
  • Research issues (e.g EVs)
  • Experimental designs
  • Types of experiment
  • Sampling
  • Observational techniques
  • Self-report techniques 

Social Influence  
Research Methods (advanced) 

Social Influence

  • Conformity and its explanations
  • Classical studies in Social Influence: Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo, Moscovici
  • Obedience
  • Resisting conformity
  • Minority Influence and Social Change 

Research Methods (F)  

  • Self-report design
  • Observational design
  • Correlations  
  • Types of data (qual/quant)
  • Types of data (pri/sec)
  • Pilot studies 
Spring 1 Spring 2

Social Influence  
Attachment 

  • Attachments and their development
  • Classic studies in Attachment: Ainsworth, Lorenz, Harlow
  • Theories of attachment
  • Cultural variations in attachment  
  • Maternal deprivation
  • Institutionalisation
  • Later effects of attachment 

Research Methods (A)

  • Measures of central tendency and dispersion
  • Presentation of quantitative data
  • Probability and significance
  • The sign test
  • Ethical issues 

Attachment  
Memory

Psychopathology

  • Defining abnormality
  • Classification and Characteristics of OCD, Depression and Phobias
  • OCD – Biological Explanation
  • OCD – Drug Therapy
  • Depression – Cognitive Explanation
  • Depression – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Phobias – Behavioural Explanation
  • Phobias – Behavioural Treatments 

Research Methods (A)

  • Features of science
  • Reliability
  • Validity
  • Designing studies
  • Content analysis
  • Choosing a statistical test
  • Type 1 and Type 2 errors 
Summer 1 Summer 2

Psychopathology 

Memory

  • The Structure of Memory
  • Theories of Memory
  • Theories of Forgetting
  • Eyewitness Testimony  
  • The Cognitive Interview 

Research Methods

  • Peer review
  • Mathematical content
  • Case studies
  • Research methods - practical tasks  

Biopsychology

  • The Biological Approach revisited
  • Nervous and endocrine system revisited
  • Synaptic transmission rev
  • The structure and functions of the brain
  • Biological Rhythms

Research methods

Review of research methods 

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Government and Politics

Year 13

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Forensic Issues and Debates 

Forensic Psychology

  • Offender profiling
  • Explanations of crime
  • Managing offending behaviour 

Issues and Debates  

  • Culture Bias
  • Gender Bias
  • Free Will vs. Determinism Debate

Schizophrenia  Issues and Debates

Schizophrenia

  • Treating Schizophrenia – Drug Therapies
  • Treating Schizophrenia – family therapies
  • Treating Schizophrenia – CBT
  • An interactionist approach to schizophrenia 
  • Classifying Schizophrenia
  • Explanations for Schizophrenia

Issues and Debates

  • Nature vs. Nurture
  • Reductionism vs. Holism
  • Idiographic vs. Nomothetic
  • Comparison of Approaches 
Spring 1 Spring 2

Relationships  

  • Evolutionary explanations for partner preference
  • Factors affecting attraction
  • Theories of relationships
  • Virtual relationships
  • Parasocial relationships  
 Revision
Summer 1 Summer 2
Revision Revision

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Government and Politics