Sixth Form Psychology
Trinity School
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Welcome to Sixth Form Psychology
Psychology is a fascinating and highly regarded A level that is popular with students,
employers and universities alike. It provides students with the opportunity to develop
an understanding of the causes of behaviours and emotions, and to explain some of
the more disturbing and perturbing events in our culture such as the tragic death
of baby P, or the recent riots. The department aims to stimulate curiosity, enjoyment and interest in
psychology and to inspire a passion for the subject and for learning in its students.
Structure of the A Level
The A level is examined through two examinations at AS level and two at A2 level.
There is no course work within the assessment of the course, however students are
provided with many opportunities to develop and implement research projects throughout
the course in order to develop their awareness of the research process and the issues
inherent in it.
Topics Studied
At AS level the students study memory, attachment and research methods for paper
one. This includes a consideration of models of memory; the reliability of eyewitness
testimony; memory improvement strategies; the nature of attachment; models of attachment;
individual differences in attachment; the effects of deprivation and privation;
the effects of day care on social development of infants; the application of knowledge
to life; and the development of research knowledge.
For paper two students study psychopathology, stress and social psychology. This includes
explanations of mental disorders; definitions of mental disorders; treatments;
the biology of stress; the relationship between personality, the workplace and stress
management; conformity; obedience and resistance to conformity;
The A2 syllabus includes paper three where students consider relationships,
aggression and eating behaviour, and paper four where students consider schizophrenia,
addiction and research methods.
This will include a consideration of: love; the formation, maintenance and breakdown
of relationships; cross cultural differences in relationships and understudied relationships
such as gay and computer mediated relationships; theories of mental health and ill health;
difficulties in defining and diagnosing mental ill health; the diagnosis, aetiology and
treatment of schizophrenia; the nature of addiction; and the neuropsychology of addiction.
Aims of the Department
The Psychology Department aims to provide a stimulating and supportive educational
experience to all of its students regardless of their gender, cultural origin or
special educational needs. The department aims to provide students with an educational
experience that facilitates their achievement in academic qualifications equivalent
to, or in excess of those predicted by base line assessment. In addition to this,
the department aims to provide students with evaluative and cognitive skills that
will enhance their performance in other academic subjects and in all areas of their
life. The department is firmly committed to the use of varied interactive teaching
methods that facilitate the development of understanding and the acquisition of
knowledge for all students. The use of differentiated teaching resources is an integral
part of the department’s ethos.
Exam Results
The department aims to facilitate the development of
learners’ accurate assessment of their performance against the assessment
criteria of the examining body (AQA) and to enable them to identify areas of
improvement that will result in the achievement of higher grades.
The students applied
themselves well to their studies last year with 38% of students achieving grade
A* in comparison to 9% of similar centres and 5% in the country. All students
need to be congratulated upon their hard work and determination to achieve.
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