Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. The specification 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. Students develop a number of transferable skills such as critical analysis and evaluation.

The examination board is AQA specification A. Visit the website at www.aqa.org.uk for further information and past papers.

This specification provides students with a very good basis for degree course in psychology.

AS PSYCHOLOGY:
The specification introduces psychology by offering a broad range of topics. There are two modules:

PSYA1

- Cognitive Psychology: Human Memory
- Developmental Psychology: Attachment
- Research methods

PSYA2

- Biological Psychology: (stress)
- Social Psychology: (Conformity and Obedience)
- Individual Differences: (Abnormality)

The modules papers are examined in the summer examinations and contain a variety of styles of question. There is usually one short essay question on each paper along with short answer questions. Research methods are integrated into the subject material of the first module but may be examined in paper 2. Many of the questions involve application of knowledge. There is no choice of question.

In 2010; as a result of our performance in the AS examinations, the department was awarded a certificate for the best results at AS for an English Girls’ Grammar School by the Good Schools Guide.

A2 PSYCHOLOGY:
At A2 topics are studied in more depth