Psychology

 

Aims

We aim to develop our students as critical, scientific thinkers who are intellectually engaged with the world around them and well prepared for further study in any discipline at university level.

Staff

A.B.Sammons M.Sc. Cert.Ed. MIfL (Head of Department) holds degrees in Human Psychology and Teaching Psychology and joined King Edward VI Handsworth in 2007 having previously taught Psychology and related disciplines at all levels from GCSE to undergraduate.  He is actively engaged in research into teaching and learning in Psychology and has co-authored several revision guides and textbooks.  He also contributes to ‘Learning How to Learn’ courses and Teacher Education and Training.  He is the Learning Coach for Sixth Form students.

C.L.Hubble B.Sc. (Hons) holds a degree in Psychology with History.  She joined King Edward VI in 1998 and has taught Psychology at Abbey College Birmingham and Edgbaston High School for Girls.  Besides teaching Psychology she also contributes to courses in General Studies, Citizenship, PSHCE, Dance and Physical Education.

Curriculum

Post 16 (A Level)

What topics your daughter will study.

AS Level

PSYB2 (September-January of Y12)

• Perceptual Processes
• Social Influence
• Anxiety Disorders

PSYB2 focuses in on three important areas of psychology which are studied in depth. Cognitive psychology is all about the processes of thinking and understanding. Students learn about how people come to know and understand the world around them and the extent to which the taken for granted ‘realness’ of the world they perceive is in fact influenced by a range of psychological processes including emotion, motivation and expectation. Social psychology is all about the ways in which people understand and affect each other. Students learn about the ways in which their behaviour – and that of those around them – can be influenced by the actions of others through processes of conformity and obedience, amongst others. Individual differences is a topic about the ways in which people differ from each other. An important aspect of this is psychological abnormality and students learn about two psychological disorders –phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder – their symptoms, causes and treatments.

PSYB1 (January-May of Y12)

• Approaches to Psychology (including Bio-psychology)
• Gender Development
• Research Methods and Statistics

PSYB1 introduces the main theoretical approaches to psychology. By examining the contributions of several key figures and movements within psychology, students learn how genetics, physiology, upbringing and the wider environment all exert an influence on the way people think, feel and act. This knowledge is applied to understanding the psychology of gender and, along the way, obtain an insight into how psychologists, as scientists, investigate the causes of human behaviour.

Summer Project (June-July of Y12)

Following the AS Level exams in May-June, our students undertake an extended research and writing project, leading to a presentation and university-style essay on a psychological topic of their choice.  This helps them to adjust to the increased demands of A2 Level study and gives them a taste of the requirements of university level study and academic writing.  Successful completion of both the essay and presentation are prerequisites to carrying on with Psychology in Ydash;phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder – their symptoms, causes and treatments.

A2 Level

PSYB3 (September-January of Y13)

• Cognitive Development
• Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders
• Forensic Psychology

PSYB3 is a topic-based paper like PSYB2 but the shift to A2 Level study is reflected in a greater requirement for breadth and depth in students’ knowledge, understanding and skills.  Three topics are studied.  In cognitive development, students learn about how children’s ability to understand, think and solve problems develops over the course of their childhood, taking in the work of key psychological thinkers including Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky.  The topic of schizophrenia and mood disorders builds on what students learned about anxiety disorders in Year 12, extending the same principles and theoretical perspectives to the understanding of two serious psychological disorders and their treatments.  In forensic psychology, students learn to apply their psychological knowledge and skills to the problem of criminal behaviour through a consideration of the causes of crime, the role of psychology in police investigations and the ways in which society responds to crime, including judicial punishments and psychological rehabilitation programmes. 

PSYB4 (January-May of Y13)

• Approaches to Psychology
• Debates in Psychology
• Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology

PSYB4 is a ‘synoptic’ paper that draws together students’ understanding of everything they have studied since the start of Year 12.  The emphasis is on the common perspectives, themes and debates that emerge from the course content.  ‘Approaches to Psychology’ extends students’ understanding of the key theoretical perspectives in psychology and the work of leading psychologists like Sigmund Freud, B.F.Skinner and Carl Rogers.  ‘Debates in Psychology’ addresses a number of important theoretical questions that pervade the subject including the issues of whether people have free will and whether psychology should be approached as a science.  ‘Research Methods and Statistics’ extends students’ understanding of how Psychologists conduct their research and analyse data within a scientific framework, including the ability to design psychological investigations.

What your daughter may do in lessons

We use a wide range of teaching and learning techniques to deliver the subject in a dynamic and engaging manner. In a psychology lesson students might find themselves researching issues on the Internet, planning and carrying out some practical research, solving problems in applied psychology, analysing their own or others’ behaviour, preparing presentations, discussing theories or research, pulling apart a (model) brain to find out what’s inside or even recording a radio programme about a topic they are studying. But regardless of whether it’s an individual, small or large group activity they will always be expected to get involved, try things out and explain or defend their ideas, views and conclusions.

Year 12 Psychology students learning about synaptic transmission.

Students will have plenty of work to do outside class. This might be background reading or preparation for the next topic to be taught or essays and exam questions to help them consolidate their understanding and develop their skills in thinking and writing like a psychologist. Or it might be taking part in an on-line discussion, conducting a survey or observation so their class can analyse the data or asking their family members about what they were like when they were two years old. But everything they do outside class will be relevant to making them better psychologists and helping them get the best exam grades they can.

Students are encouraged to develop independent study skills, to use texts, journal articles and the Internet in order to broaden their awareness of contemporary and controversial issues in research and the current applications of psychology.

How your daughter’s progress will be assessed.

Internal Assessment

Students’ progress in Psychology is assessed regularly through homework activities and essay-writing assignments.  Students complete two formal assessments (under exam conditions) each half-term.  These follow the format of whichever exam they are preparing for.  Students are given detailed feedback on all their essays and assessments and are expected to show that they are using this feedback to make progress in their learning. 

External Assessment

Assessment format: two units at AS and two at A2.  All assessment is exam-based; there is no coursework component.

• AS - PSYB2 - Individual Differences, Social & Cognitive Psychology: 1 ½ hr written unit test (taken January of Y12; results available in March)
• AS - PSYB1 - Introducing Psychology: 1 ½ hr written unit test (taken May of Y12; results available in August)
• A2 - PSYB3 - Child Development and Applied Options: 2 hr written unit test (taken January of Year 13; results available in March)
• A2 - PSYB4 - Approaches, Debates and Methods in Psychology: 2 hr written unit test (taken June of Year 13; results available in August)

Each unit contributes 25% to the final A-Level grade (AS units contribute 50% each to the AS Level grade).

How to improve

• Look for opportunities to apply what you have learned in everyday life.
• Follow the advice given in your assessment feedback.
• Space your learning out – don’t cram for assessments and exams at the last minute.
• Use active learning techniques that require you to think deeply about what you are learning.
• Test your learning frequently.
• Practise important skills like essay writing.
• Read books related to the topics you learn about – there are plenty in the library.

Applications of Psychology

Psychology is about people and people are fascinating. Studying psychology we explore fundamental questions about the way we experience and make sense of the world around us and how we behave in it. What makes us who we are? Why do we behave in the ways that we do? Studying psychology is interesting and challenging and makes students think about abilities and social behaviour that they take for granted. They develop their oral and written communication skills, their scientific thinking and their powers of critical analysis, in a lively, yet focused, productive and supportive atmosphere.

Psychology at AS/A Level may be viewed as an Arts or a Science qualification. It combines well with humanities, creative arts, languages, mathematics or the physical sciences. The course provides an introduction to the field for anyone considering a career in applied psychology areas such as sport, criminal behaviour, mental health or education. It is an approved science subject for many medical and dental schools as well as being ideal for those intending to follow higher education courses in business, law, journalism, media, theatre studies and many others. Besides academic study, because it focuses on people and their interactions with each other and their envi