GCSE Psychology

Psychology (GCSE)
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour, experience and mental processes. Psychologists are interested in the study of individuals and their interaction with the environment and why people behave in the way they do. The course looks at studies carried out by psychologists and students will look at these in detail. Lessons on the course are varied, involving lots of discussion, some note-taking, and activities such as trying out tests used by psychologists and the use of the internet. Students undertaking this course will be expected to take on independent study and participate in class discussion as well as home work assignments and coursework.

Course Content

You will study six different approaches to Psychology:
1. Social Psychology

This looks at how people interact with each other, and how the environment can influence our behaviour and that of others around us. Topics include obedience, conformity, territory and personal space.
2. Behavioural Psychology

Topics covered include aggression and phobias and the factors that may be involved in such feelings and processes, such as the impact of the media on aggressive behaviour and the theories that explain phobias and aggressions
3. Developmental Psychology

You will study how people change with age, focusing on relationships and mental processes. This area also looks at children and how they form attachments with others.
4. Individual Differentiation

This topic examines how individuals differ, particularly in terms of the development of morality. It also looks at psychological theories of prejudice.
5. Cognitive Psychology

This is the study of human memory, how it works and how we visually perceive the world around us.
6. Bio-psychology

Bio-psychology looks at the physiology of our body and how this might affect how we think and behave, particularly in stress and gender identity.

Assessment

Examinations:

There are 2 written exams (counting for 80% of the marks)

Coursework:

You will also complete a single piece of psychological coursework (20% of the final grade). For the coursework you carry out your own investigation, collecting and analysing data using a specific method.

Progression

This course can lead on to AS/A level Psychology and gives a good introduction to psychology and many of the approaches.

How does Psychology differ from Sociology?

Both subjects try to explain human behaviour, but Psychology examines that of individuals, whereas Sociology looks at a broader perspective, examining groups, societies and cultures and how they interact.