Psychology

Psychology*
Which disciplines have an interest in the topic areas of psychology?
People have always been interested in understanding the basis of human behaviour, and the types of questions currently been examined by psychologists have been considered in the past by philosophers such as Aristotle, who considered the nature of intelligence, perception, thought, and whether or not behaviour is mainly determined by the environment (nurture) or by biological factors (nature).
Novelists too, have always explored questions of human nature and relationships. Anne Bronte in 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' in 1848 invented a potential treatment for alcoholism, now known as aversion therapy, which has been used in recent years to treat alcoholics.

What is the difference between psychologists, philosophers, novelists, theologians etc?

The major difference is in use of method. Psychologists employ the scientific method to investigate the whole range of human behaviour, the other disciplines do not, (for example, philosophers use logical argument and novelists their own ideas and observations) even though topics of interest are frequently the same.

This means psychologists test theories about behaviour, in both laboratory and 'real life' settings.

What do I need to know now?
To gain an idea about whether or not the subject matter of psychology would interest you,consider the following statements and questions. These are questions that will be answered during the course - the answers are not common sense and often not obvious without actually conducting experiments!

• Is it possible for a person to function on a day-to-day basis once they have had their brain surgically split in two?
• What are the effects on children of watching adults engaging in aggressive behaviour?
• Is it possible to fake being mentally ill (schizophrenic) to a psychiatrist ( a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnoses and treatment of mental disorder)
• Would a person be prepared to kill another person because a scientist tells them to?
• Do people make accurate eye witnesses of an event?

Now you should look at the course outline to find out about the topics we cover on the OCR specification.

Course outline
What examination board sets the Psychology specification?

At Greenhead we follow the OCR specification

What does the study of OCR Psychology at AS level entail?

1. The examination board has selected 15 specific research studies, which students have to understand and evaluate in great depth.

The following approaches/perspectives, issues and methods arising from the core studies will be considered.

Approaches

• physiological
• cognitive
• individual differences
• developmental
• social

Perspectives

• Behaviourist
• Psychodynamic

Methods

• Experimental (laboratory and field)
• Case study
• Self report
• Observation
• Methodological isues such as reliability and validity

Issues

• Ethics
• Ecological validity
• Longitudinal and snapshot
• Qualitative and quantitative

2. Students will need to be familiar with 4 techniques for collecting/analysing data:

• an experiment,
• correlation,
• observation
• self report.

It will benefit candidates to have designed and conducted small scale research activities throughout the teaching of this unit. These activities can be written up but will not be taken into the exam.

What is the structure of the examination?

There are 2 examinations:

1. The core studies (a 2 hour question paper) consists of 3 sections.

• Section A covers the 15 core studies. Questions will be asked about specific detail of the core studies, including methodology. Questions will also be asked about theories and research surrounding the core studies, as well as issues and approaches raised.
• Section B consists of several questions about a single core study. Questions may focus on the aim of the core study, as well as the sample and methodology used.
• Section C will ask a number of questions about an approach in psychology. Questions will focus on the assumptions of the approach and how it explains behaviour. Questions will also be asked about the strenghths and weaknesses of the approach as well as similarities and differeces between core studies representing the approach.

2. A psychological investigations paper, asking questions about an outline of an existing piece of research and an outline of a proposed piece of research.

When do the exams take place?

Exams take place in May, and Psychology is usually one of the earliest exams, frequently the first paper is set before students go on study leave.

What is studied in A2 Psychology?

1.This involves studying Applied Psychology, and is much more theoretical than AS Psychology. Options covered are 2 from forensic, sport & exercise, and education psychology. A one and a half hour exam for each option involves the writing of 'long' essays (worth 66.6% of the A2 grade).

A one and a half hour exam consists of 4 questions, two from each of 2 options studied. Questions will focus on asking candidates to describe and evaluate evidence covered in two options.

2. The Approaches and Research Methods in Psychology paper lasts one and a half hours.

• Section A requires candidates to design a practical project to investigate one of a number of research questions. Candidates will also answer several methodologicl and ethical questions on their investigation.
• Section B requires candidates to answer questions on methods or approaches.
  

About the department
What examination board is followed? We have followed the OCR examination specification very successfully for the last 8 years.

What are the staffing levels? The department has 6.5 full-time equivalent teachers, delivering AS & A2 Psychology this year to nearly 500 students (academic year 2009). We have 26 Psychology classes, with an average class size of 18.

The psychology staff consists of experienced teachers of psychology, who also have diverse experience in areas other than teaching; for example, mental health, social work, educational research, medical research and in human resource management.

What resources are available in the department? Students and staff share a work room, therefore there is always a member of staff available to help students. We have a bank of 12 computers which students can access as well as staff. Teachers prepare their own resource booklets, although AS students also receive a textbook specific to the OCR specification.

How many lessons will I have per week?
You will have 4 lessons a week, consisting of 4 and a half hours teaching in all.

What is the homework policy?
You will be expected to study for at least four hours a week outside class time. This may consist of reading; completing worksheets and past questions; writing essays; conducting and writing up practical investigations; book and internet research; preparing presentations. Rigourous procedures are in place to ensure students complete homework.

What teaching and learning strategies are employed?
A wide range of strategies are used to engage students and to aid the understanding of challenging concepts. These strategies include traditional lecturing and note-taking; student research and presentation (using both book and internet resources - presentations may involve overhead transparencies or powerpoint); mind-mapping; discussions; numerous games and quizzes; cut and paste activities, and peer learning. Students are expected to think for themselves and be proactive in learning!

What extra-mural activities do the department offer?
Psychology staff contribute to the college's enrichment programme (students sign up for whatever courses they are personally interested in - they do not have to be studying psychology. In fact, the programme involves delivering courses on issues not always covered in the specification). Past courses include abnormality; child development; Freudian psychology; gender identity; psychology 'strange but true'; Scrabble; animal and human communication; criminological psychology; Psychology in the news.
AS students have the opportunity to visit Huddersfield University, tour their facilities, and participate in experiments run by students there. This year students attended a talk from senior prison officers about their work; 10 students attended the British Psychological Society's Annual Conference at the University of Leeds; and 45 students attended a Forensic Psychology Conference at the University of Salford.
A very successful Psychology project is run in June of each year, (students can elect for work shadowing or attendance on a project). Past visiting speakers include educational and clinical psychologists; representatives from Kirklees Alcohol Advisory Service; hypnotherapists; university lecturers; visits have been made to university psychology departments, and 'Outlook' and 'Way Ahead' teams who work with people who have substance addictions.

Additionally, AS and A level students have attended lectures delivered by principal examiners from OCR. A level students have visited Urbis (the museum of urban living)in Manchester.

What skills will I need to study Psychology?
As you have to be competent at both essay writing and statistics, you need to be literate and numerate, and hopefully will have at least a grade C at both English and Mathematics GCSE. (This is a recommendation from the OCR examination board). It is not necessary to have taken GCSE Psychology, and most, if not all, students, will not have this GCSE.
You need to be interested in investigating human behaviour from a scientific perspective.
Most students find learning the terminology and detail of studies the most difficult challenge. However, they also report finding the subject extremely interesting.

How will an A-level in psychology help me at degree level ?
The most popular degree courses for last year's students were; Psychology, Law, Primary Education, Business, Medical related degrees (eg medicine, dentistry, radiography). As it is an extremely diverse subject, destinations are very varied.

Please note that psychology is one of the most popular degree programmes and gaining a place involves fierce competition, with offers often at AAB, and the expectation of a fourth AS level (Leeds, Bristol, Newcastle etc). Some universities now expect students to have studied a science or mathematics A level in order to access a Psychology degree (Oxbridge, Bristol, University College London), or prefer and will make slightly lower offers for people with one or more science subjects at A level (for example, Leeds, Warwick, Newcastle). A number of universities will also require GCSE Mathematics at grade B. However, we do have strong links with a number of universities who, through their Widening Participation Programmes, will make lower offers to students meeting certain criteria.

What students think about psychology
The following data comes from end of course evaluation forms completed by students.

AS Students
Statement % agreeing with statement

I have found the course interesting 80%

I have enjoyed lessons 75%

The course was harder than I expected 50%

I am glad I chose to study psychology 79%

I would recommend psychology to a new student 77%

A2 Students
Statement % agreeing with statement

I have found the course interesting 86%

I have enjoyed lessons 78%

The course was harder than I expected 60%

I am glad I chose to study psychology 81%

I would recommend psychology to a new student 73.5%

Student comments about psychology

• 'It's nice to make a fresh start on a subject not taken at GCSE level. The lessons are made interesting and enjoyable and therefore even hard work can be made fun'; (Kersten)
• 'Psychology is one of the most interesting subjects that I have ever studied'; (Helen)
• 'It's a great deal of reading, evaluation and writing lessons'; (Kieron)
• 'There's lots of homework'; (Amy)
• 'Psychology is not quite what I expected, the format is not how I though it would be. However, I still find the subject interesting and enjoyable'; (Kim)
• 'Psychology is my favourite subject'; (Tasneem)

What can I do with a psychology A-Level?
Psychology is a subject that develops skills of numeracy and literacy, and therefore combines well with science and arts/humanities subjects. It is considered a science for entry to some degree courses, but not for others, therefore individual institutions have to be contacted to discover their position. Otherwise it is a general academic A level.

What do psychologists actually do?
Although psychology as a general degree can lead to careers in accountancy, business, personnel, and all the other career areas suitable for people with general degrees, further post -degree training is required to become a professional psychologist:

Clinical Psychology involves the assessment and treatment of people with mental and behavioural disorders (a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental disorder). A clinical psychologist has to study for a doctorate in clinical psychology (typically 3 - 4 years of study).Usually relevant work experience will be required before acceptance on a doctoral programme.

Educational Psychology involves the assessment of children with all types of special needs (including the gifted) and the implementation of programmes to assist intellectual, developmental and behavioural issues. An educational psychologist has to undertake a two-year M.Sc, preferably following teacher training and at least two years teaching experience (or work experience with young people and parents).

Occupational Psychology involves occupation screening and advising employers regarding optimizing employee productivity. Qualification involves study for an M.Sc in occupational psychology.

Health Psychology involves researching factors affecting health, and focuses on improving lifestyles to avoid ill health, as well as investigating pain and stress management techniques. Qualification involves study for an M.Sc in health psychology, although many people working in this field will actually be clinical psychologists.

Forensic Psychology involves investigating criminal behaviour, and again qualification involves study for an M.Sc in occupational psychology. However, the type of psychologist seen on television programmes are usually university lecturers conducting research in the area.

Research Psychology involves conducting academic research on any topic area in Psychology, and often overlaps with other disciplines. For example, Daniel Kahneman, a cognitive psychologist won the Nobel prize for Economic Science in 2002, for his research work on decision-making under uncertainty. Baroness Susan Greenfield's role as Director of the Royal Institution means she is one of the most high profile scientists in the country. She is Professor of Physiology at Oxford University; her B.Sc degree is in Psychology!