Psychology A2

A2 Psychology AS Psychology Psychology Find out more FAQ

Psychology A2

The second year of the course is more demanding in terms of the level of understanding required. You will notice that the second module re-visits some of the topics and issues raised in the first term of the AS. It is expected that students will now have more knowledge and understanding of topics and issues and they will now be able to apply and use that knowledge in sophisticated ways. The balance has shifted away from describe, give, state, list, name, define questions and towards discuss, critically evaluate, compare, contrast, justify questions.

The new content this year includes many aspects of child development, looking critically at different approaches and theories. There is also an optional topic, which will be negotiated at the beginning of the year.

A2, YEAR 2

ASSESSED BY WEIGHTING

PYB 4 EXAMINATION

Child Development and Optional Topic

Psychology of Atypical Behaviour

Child Development: social, cognitive, moral and exceptional development(Some of the above)

Further methods issues

Academic writing

EXAMINATION, 1 1/2 HOURS JUNE 2009

17.5% of total A Level

PYB 5 EXAMINATION

Perspectives, Debates and Methods in Psychology

Behaviourist, Cognitive, Psychoanalytic, Biological and Humanistic Perspectives

Debates in Psychology

Inferential statistics and Critical analysis of studies

EXAMINATION, 1 1/2 HOURS JUNE 2009

17.5% of total A Level

PYB 6 COURSEWORK

One project

Plan, carry out, write up and use inferential statistics in a psychological investigation

COMPLETE IN THE SPRING TERM 2009

15% of total A Level

It is likely to be the psychology of atypical behaviour, because of resource implications, but there may be some room for individual negotiation of other options. The coursework builds on skills gained in the AS, but requires more appreciation of reliability and validity issues in psychological research. We learn how to apply inferential statistics in our practical coursework. Some students take to this very easily, but for those who lack experience or confidence extra support will be provided.

Year	A/B passes	A/C passes	A/E passes	No. Students
2004	56%	75%	100%	16
2005	50%	86%	100%	16
2006	67%	75%	100%	16

A2 Results for Psychology

We expect to have slightly smaller groups this year, which will enable students to negotiate more individual study strategies. Completion of course content is non-negotiable, but the ways of presenting material and the balance of time spent on topics can be agreed for individuals. There may be some scope for negotiating individual programmes to match student interest and career plans. Some students need to develop interpersonal skills in group situations and others have spelling, or ICT or examination technique issues to deal with. You need to come prepared to take some ownership of your individual learning process and some responsibility for identifying areas for development. Your teacher will help with strategies and support, but the focus this year is on you taking a more active role to prepare you for independent learning in the future.