AS Psychology

AS PSYCHOLOGY CIE 9990

Entry Guidance
AS Psychology is for students who have a keen interest in Psychology and wish to study social sciences at university. It is an academically demanding course suitable for hard-working, committed students who have achieved strong grades in their IGCSEs, including at least a B in English, Mathematics and at least one Science subject. Students who have not obtained an A in IGCSE English will need to work particularly hard to raise their English level in order to succeed in the Psychology course.

What the course leads to A-Level Psychology gives access to a large range of university courses and careers. Some Psychology-related fields include Political Science, International Relations, Education, Clinical Psychology, Medicine, Business, Marketing, Human Resources and Management. Many careers outside of these fields will also be enhanced by a general knowledge of Psychology.

What the course leads to
A-Level Psychology gives access to a large range of university courses and careers. Some Psychology-related fields include Political Science, International Relations, Education, Clinical Psychology, Medicine, Business, Marketing, Human Resources and Management. Many careers outside of these fields will also be enhanced by a general knowledge of Psychology.

Course Aims
This course aims to:

• Provide an introduction to psychological concepts, theories and research findings, including their limitations and applications to everyday life.
• Develop skills of analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation
• Develop an understanding of ethical issues in psychology
• Promote an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity
• Study psychological approaches, issues and debates and research methods
• Improve communication skills.
   

Course content
The AS Level content is underpinned by 12 research studies and is comprised of the following approaches: biological, cognitive, learning and social. Each of these is supported by three core studies.

Issues and Debates: application to everyday life; individual and situational explanations; nature vs nurture; the use of children and animals in psychological research.
Research methods: a broad overview including experimental method, case studies and ethics.
Students continuing the subject in Year 13 will also study two of the following four ‘Specialist Choices’:

• Abnormality
• Consumer behaviour
• Health
• Organisations

Course Assessment
n May/June of the AS year, students will sit two equally weighted, externally assessed 90-minute papers, including both short-answer and essay components.

• Paper 1 focuses on approaches, issues and debates whilst
• Paper 2 examines research methods

Opportunities for Enrichment
Students are encouraged to complete Psychology extended projects and to engage in learning Psychology beyond the classroom. The current CCA programme includes a Psychology club.