Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Subjects

Psychology

Considering considering taking Psychology in the Sixth Form at CCHS?

Then read this guide for students (Word)

Aims of the Course

The word Psychology is derived from two Greek roots: 'Psyche' meaning 'mind' or 'soul' and 'Logos' meaning 'study of'. Psychology therefore literally means study of the mind. A more recent interpretation, however, might be 'The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes' (Atkinson et al 1991). As such Psychology is a very valuable subject for anyone who is considering a career that involves people - such as the law, business, medicine, teaching - in fact most careers! It is not necessary to have an A level is Psychology to read this subject at degree level but it certainly gives the student an informed view.

Examination Board: OCR

AS GCE 3876
A2 7876

Structure of the Course

The AS content of the OCR course is focused on a series of research studies (the 'core papers') that have been chosen to represent the range of psychological research methods that are used and to give a historical perspective to a student's studies.

• The studies are categorised into five core areas: Cognitive, Developmental, Physiological, Social and the Psychology of Individual Differences. In addition to these core studies and their context, students also undertake practical psychology to experience a range of data collection and analysis techniques. Students are encouraged to draw conclusions from data and to develop an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various psychological methods.
• There is no coursework as such but the practical tasks are written up, summarised and used by students in the practical examination as examples in their answers.
• There are three examination papers, all of which will be taken in the summer examination period. Each examination is 1 hour long and equally weighted towards the final AS grade. The papers contain short answer questions and structured essays.

The A2 course presents students with the opportunity to apply what they learned in the AS course to a range of 'real life' contexts. The areas that we have chosen for our specialist choices are Psychology & Health and Psychology and the Environment.

• In contrast to the precise prescription of the AS syllabus, at A2 candidates are encouraged to read widely and seek out psychological research to allow evaluation of the issues within the module.
• In addition, students must complete a practical investigation and written assignment as the coursework component of A2. In order to carry out the practical element of the investigation we undertake a short residential course based at Wicken House, near Bishop's Stortford and at Stansted Airport. This takes place in January of Year 13.
• There are two 1.5 hour examinations which have equal weighting to the coursework.

It should be noted that there is a common misconception that university departments offering Psychology degrees are not in favour of students who have A level Psychology. This is not true!

Students are advised to have a grade A or A* in Science and English and a minimum of a B in a Humanities subject.

Please see Mrs Harvey, Mrs. S. Lowe or Mrs Randall if you need to discuss Psychology in more detail.

Methods of learning include discussion, video viewing, debate, presentation, role play and written work.

Whilst no regular homework is set, pupils are expected to provide research material when required and maintain notes and reviews of work in their personal evaluation files.