Psychology

Psychology

Psychology at Derby Moor and the Millennium center is a very popular subject. We have several groups every year at A-level and are planning, due to demand, to expand the GCSE. The GCSE was first offered as a GCSE in 2006 and has proven to be a popular choice.

Staffing

A level

When studying Psychology at the Millennium you will have two teachers: one teacher on the Derby Moor site and a teacher on the Littleover site. We have 6 Psychology teachers in all who have been teaching the subject for several years.

GCSE

At present Mr Read delivers the GCSE psychology course but given the science status that the subject has been granted recently, we will be addressing the increased demands by implementing new or present staff to combat these demands at GCSE.

Accommodation

A level

At Derby Moor site we a have a social sciences classroom which is equipped with ICT resources. We have text books and recent journals to keep the students up to date.
Littleover site offers a social science classroom with all the ICT resources and texts that we have at Derby Moor.

Achievement

A-Level

Our A-level results have been outstanding with a 100% pass rate.

Specification

A level: Psychology A (2180)

AS outline

At AS, candidates will develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the core areas of psychology (social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences) through a range of topics, chosen for their accessibility and popularity.
The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods

Topic list

• Cognitive psychology, including memory and eyewitness testimony
• Developmental psychology, including early social development, attachment and the effects of day care
• Research methods, in the context of the topic areas.

Assessment

• Written Paper: 1hour 30mins
• Weighting: 50% of total AS Level marks. 25% of total A Level marks

Structured compulsory questions based on Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods.

Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12 mark question requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.

Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences

Topic list

• Biological psychology, including stress, factors affecting stress, coping with stress and managing stress
• Social psychology, including majority and minority influence, obedience and independent behaviour
• Individual differences, including definitions of abnormality, approaches and therapies.

Assessment

• Written Paper: 1hour 30mins
• Weighting: 50% of total AS Level marks. 25% of total A Level marks

Three compulsory structured questions; one based on Biological Psychology content, one based on Social Psychology content and one based on the Individual Differences content.

Questions include short answer, stimulus material and one 12 or more mark question requiring extended writing in which QWC will be assessed.

GCE Psychology A (2180)

A2 outline

At A2, the specification offers a range of topic-based options which bring together explanations from different psychological approaches and engage students in issues and debates in psychology.

The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Topics in Psychology

Topic list

• Biological rhythms and sleep
• Perception
• Relationships
• Aggression
• Eating behaviour
• Gender
• Intelligence and learning
• Cognition and development.

Assessment

• Written Paper: 1hour 30mins
• Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks

Three essay-style questions chosen from the eight topics.

QWC will be assessed in each essay.

Unit 4: Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods

Topic list

• Biological approach, behaviourism, social learning theory, cognitive, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches
• Comparison of approaches
• Debates in psychology
• Methods in psychology, inferential statistics, issues in research

Assessment

• Written Paper: 2hours
• Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks

Three sections.

Psychopathology

One essay style question chosen from three. QWC will be assessed in this essay.

Psychology in Action

One question chosen from three.

Research Methods

One compulsory structured question.

Specification at a Glance - Psychology GCSE

There are two tiers of Assessment:

Foundation (G-C) and Higher (D-A*).

A candidate may enter for one tier only.

GCSE (3181)

Written Paper 80% of total marks 125 marks
Foundation Tier: 2 hours, short answer or structured questions
Higher Tier: 2 hours, short answer or structured questions
The paper comprises
Section A Cognitive Psychology
Section B Social Psychology
Section C Developmental Psychology
Section D Pro- and Anti-Social Behaviour
There will be one compulsory question in each section of the paper.
Foundation Tier Coursework 20% of the total marks
40 marks
3181F One report of 1000 words
Higher Tier
3181H
A report on a practical investigation conducted by the candidate and
assessed by the teacher at the centre. External moderation of the
work by AQA.