GCSE PSYCHOLOGY

Course Overview

 

• Official AQA Psychology GCSE qualification
• An ideal introduction to Psychology subject
• Understand the science behind the mind
• Explore human behaviour and social influence
• Exactly the same qualification as in school or college
• Choose to study online or from a course pack
• Study at your own pace, in your own environment

COURSE CONTENT

TOPIC 1: MEMORY

• Processes of memory: encoding, storage and retrieval
• Structures of memory
• Memory is an active process

TOPIC 2: PERCEPTION

• Sensation and perception
• Visual cues and constancies
• Gibson’s direct theory of perception – the influence of nature
• Visual illusions
• Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception – the influence of nurture Factors affecting perception

TOPIC 3: DEVELOPMENT

• Early brain development
• Piaget’s stage theory and the development of intelligence
• The role of Piaget’s theory in education
• The effects of learning on development

TOPIC 4: RESEARCH METHODS

• Formulation of testable hypotheses
• Types of variable
• Sampling methods
• Designing research
• Correlation Research procedures
• Planning and conduction research
• Ethical considerations

TOPIC 5: DATA HANDLING

• Quantitative and qualitative data
• Primary and secondary data
• Computation
• Descriptive statistics
• Interpretation and display of quantitative data
• Normal distributions

TOPIC 6: SOCIAL INFLUENCE

• Conformity
• Obedience Prosocial behaviour
• The crowd and collective behaviour

TOPIC 7: LANGUAGE, THOUGHT AND COMMUNICATION

• Relationship between language and thought
• Effect of language and thought on the view of the world
• Differences between human and animal communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Explanations of non-verbal behaviour

TOPIC 8: BRAIN AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

• Structure and function of the nervous system
• Neuron structure and function structure and function of the brain
• An introduction to neuropsychology

TOPIC 9: PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

• An introduction to mental health
• Mental health problems and society
• Characteristics of clinical depression
• Theories of depression
• Interventions or therapies from depression
• Addiction

COURSE DURATION

You will have 1 year to complete your course with access to your tutor support through email. This means you can study your course at your own pace, at a time that suits your lifestyle.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

There are no requirements – you do not need any previous knowledge to enrol onto this course!

ASSESSMENT

You will be assessed across the above topics by 2 paper-based exams. You have the freedom to book and pay for the exams yourself at a test centre near you

PAPER 1: COGNITION AND BEHAVIOUR

• Type: Written examination
• Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Weighting: 50% of GCSE
• Total Marks: 100

What’s assessed: Memory, perception, development and research methods. You will be expected to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire course of study to show a deeper understanding of these topics

Questions:

• Section A: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
• Section B: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
• Section C: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
• Section D: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)

PAPER 2: SOCIAL CONTEXT AND BEHAVIOUR

• Type: Written examination
• Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Weighting: 50% of GCSE
• Total Marks: 100

What’s assessed: Social influence, language, thought and communication, brain and neuropsychology and psychological problems. Students will be expected to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire course of study to show a deeper understanding of these topics.

Questions:

• Section A: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
• Section B: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
• Section C: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)
• Section D: multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing (25 marks)

STUDY METHOD

Study for your Psychology GCSE at your own pace, in your own environment. Studying through distance learning means you can learn whenever and wherever you want! Choose to study your GCSE Psychology online or from a coursepack. Full tutor support will be available via email, so help is only a click away.

COURSE OUTCOME

Once you have successfully completed your course, you will receive your AQA GCSE Psychology. You will be graded based on your marks under the new 9-1 scale. The GCSE is recognised by universities, schools and employers.

PROGRESSION

Once you have received your GCSE Psychology you might want to progress onto A Level Psychology.

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