AQA GCSE Psychology
The GCSE course provides students with an insight to the subject and the foundations for further study in Psychology. The exam board for this course is AQA and further information can be found on the AQA website (www.aqa.org.uk). There is no coursework in this study. Instead, there are two exam papers in the GCSE assessment window.
The GCSE course covers the following areas:
Memory
Perception
Development
Research Methods
Social Influence
Language, Thought and Communication
Brain and Neuropsychology
Psychological Problems
Careers
Psychology provides students with a number of employment opportunities when they leave school or after studying Psychology further at University. These include the following to name a few:
Child Care Worker
Child Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Cognitive Psychologist
Counselling
Criminal Investigator
Educational Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Journalist
Lawyer
Military Psychologist
Neurologist
Police Officer
Psychiatrist
Teacher
Social Worker
Sports Psychologist
University Lecturer
Cultural Capital
Psychology is ubiquitous and applicable to all experiences of life, making the study of Psychology able to equip students with appropriate knowledge and skills required to understand, explain and evaluate human behaviour and the impact this has on the wider community. Students participate in active debates concerned with human behaviour, external and internal influence, and the ethics of the key studies.
Whilst there are some sensitive topics within the study of Psychology, The Colne’s beliefs of Aspiration, Resilience and Kindness are modelled and encouraged through these lessons.
Curriculum Journey
This is a map to show the learning journey in Psychology from year 10 through to further education and possible careers.
Psychology Curriculum Journey.pdfOverview of the learning journey in Psychology
Year 10
In Year 10, students are introduced to the concepts of Memory, Perception, Development, and Social Influence from Paper 2. Students build upon previous knowledge from across the curriculum - maths, science, history, citizenship - allowing them to use this to inform their analysis, evaluation, and demonstration of psychological theories and studies. Knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills, and mathematical skills will be assessed across all topic areas in Paper 1. These skills should be developed by studying the specification content and through ethical, practical research activities, involving:
designing research
conducting research
analysing and interpreting data.
Year 11
In Year 11, students will continue to develop their knowledge of Psychology through the topics of Language, Thought and Communication, Brain and Neuropsychology, and Psychological Problems. Students will apply psychological knowledge, analyse and evaluate psychological ideas, information, processes and procedures, and evaluate therapies and treatments. Through this learning, students will show how psychological knowledge and ideas change over time and how these inform our understanding of behaviour. Much like in Year 10, knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills, and mathematical skills will be assessed across all topic areas in Paper 2. These skills should be developed by studying the specification content and through ethical, practical research activities, involving:
designing research
conducting research
analysing and interpreting data.
At the end of Year 11 there will be two written exam papers in the GCSE window.