The Social Sciences have a critical contribution to make, in helping us to understand, imagine and craft a more sustainable future for all.
United Nations
The Social Science team is committed to inspiring students who will go on and make a positive and long lasting impact on both our local community and the wider world. By fostering inquisitive and intelligent students, we hope that every student will be able to make educated, conscientious and thoughtful choices throughout their life.
Whether looking at the structure of society, biological responses to human behaviour or the impact of nature or nurture on us. We are driven to ensure every student has the capacity to thrive and learn in a safe, stimulating and thought provoking environment.
Psychology (AQA)
Psychology is the study of how people think, act, react and interact. It is concerned with all aspects of human behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivations underlying such behaviour.
Psychologists do not just attempt to simply explain people’s behaviour, they use their understanding to help people with difficulties and bring about change for the better. For example, psychologists are concerned with practical problems such as helping victims of crime, helping students who have educational and behavioural difficulties at school, reducing stress at work, eye witness testimony, forensics, explanations for aggressive behaviour and psychopathology (phobias, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder).
Psychologists observe and measure behaviour, and their therapies are based on scientific study. Psychology has links with many disciplines and including biological, computer and forensic science as well as humanities such as sociology, philosophy, anthropology and even literature. It involves study of theory, empirical evidence and practical applications. This mix of disciplines helps to make psychology such a fascinating subject.
Meet the Team:
Miss Ahsan – Curriculum Leader for Social Sciences
Mrs Firth – Teacher of Social Sciences
Miss C Amankwah – Teacher of Social Sciences
Topics of Study:
Introductory Topics in Psychology (Covered in Year 12): Social Influence, Memory and Attachment.
Psychology in Context (Covered in Year 12): Approaches in Psychology, Psychopathology and Research Methods.
Issues, Debates & Approaches (Covered in Year 13)
Optional Topics (Covered in Year 13): Relationships, Schizophrenia and Aggression.
Curriculum Map:
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
||||
1:1 |
1:2 |
2:1 |
2:2 |
3:1 |
3:2 |
|
Year 12 |
Approaches, Research Methods |
Research Methods, Memory, |
Attachment, Psychopathology |
Social Influence |
Research Methods, Revision |
Revision |
Assessment |
Paper 2 (section A&C) |
Paper 1 (Section B) |
Paper 1 (Section B&D) |
Paper 1 (Section A) |
Paper 1 (knowledge recall test) |
Full Paper 1 (PPE) |
Year 13 |
IDA |
BioPsychology and Aggression |
Schizophrenia , Relationships |
Research Methods |
Revision |
Examination Period |
Assessment |
Paper 3 (section A) |
Paper 2 (Section B) Paper 3 (Section D), Paper 1 (Full Paper (AS revision)) |
Paper 3 (Section B&C), Full Paper 1 and 2 PPE |
Paper 2 (section 3) |
Full Paper 3, essay practice and knowledge recall |
|
The course requires students to be able to read complex material from a wide range sources, to learn scientific experiments and analyse them using statistics. No previous experience of Psychology is required. This course is very contemporary with regards to the evidence studied, a keen interest in cultural affairs is also beneficial.
AQA A Level Psychology Specification
Psychology Suggested reading:
Non-Fiction top picks:
Colman, A. M. (2003) A Dictionary of Psychology.
Gross, R. (2010) Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour
Northedge, A.(1997) The Sciences Good Study Guide.
Redman, P. (2001) Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide
Carter, R. (1998) Mapping the mind
Murphy, G. L. (2004) The Big Book of Concepts
Damasio, A. (1994) Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain
James, W. (1890) The Principles of Psychology: Volume One.
Pinker, S. (1997) How the Mind Works
Ramachandran, V.S (1998) Phantoms in the Brain: Human Nature and the Architecture of the Mind.
Fiction top picks:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
Room by Emma Donoghue
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins