Psychology
«El estudio de la psicología humana es el estudio de capacidades humanas bastante extraordinarias.» – Kurt Lewin
Subject information
ENTRY DETAILS
Exam board: Pearson Edexcel IAL
Specification: Pearson Edexcel International Advanced A-Level in Psychology (YPS01)
HOW I WILL BE ASSESSED?
Examination:The course is examined in January and June of both Year 12 and Year 13
COURSE DETAILS
Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology
- Topic A Social Psychology
- Topic B Cognitive Psychology
Each topic is further divided into four subtopics; content, research methods, studies, and a practical investigation.
Unit 2: Biological psychology, learning theories and development
- Topic C Biological Psychology
- Topic D Learning theories and development
Each topic is further divided into four subtopics; content, research methods, studies, and a practical investigation.
Unit 3: Applications of psychologyo
- Topic E Developmental Psychology
- Topic F Criminological Psychology
Each topic is further divided into four subtopics; content, research methods, studies, and issues.
Unit 4: Clinical psychology and psychological skills
- Topic H Clinical Psychology
- Topic I Psychological Skills
Topic H is further divided into four subtopics; content, research methods, studies, and a practical investigation. Topic I is a synoptic unit covering methods, key questions in society, and issues and debates.
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW, DURATION AND WEIGHTING
Paper 1 – Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes (20% of qualification- 64 marks)
Paper 2 – Written examination 2 hours (30% of qualification – 96 marks)
Paper 3 – Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes (20% of qualification- 64 marks)
Paper 4 – Written examination 2 hours (30% of qualification – 96 marks)
| Exam Papers | % of IAL | Assessment overview |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – | 20 | Section A: Social psychology. Short-answer questions and one 8-mark extended response. Section B: Cognitive psychology. Short-answer questions and one 8-mark extended response. Section C: 12-mark extended response on either social or cognitive psychology. |
Paper 2 – | 30 | Section A: Biological psychology. Short-answer questions and one 8-mark extended response. Section B: Learning theories and development. Short answer questions and one 8-mark extended response. Section C: One 12-mark and one 16-mark extended open-response question. The 12-mark question covers either biological psychology or learning theories and development. The 16-mark question covers both biological psychology, and learning theories and development. |
Paper 3 – | 20 | Section A: Developmental psychology. Short-answer questions and two 8-mark extended responses. Section B: Criminological psychology. Short-answer questions and two 8-mark extended responses. |
Paper 4 – | 30 | Section A: Clinical psychology. Short-answer questions. Section B: Clinical psychology. One 16-mark extended response. Section C: Psychological skills. Short-answer questions drawing on research methods in topics A-E&H. Section D: Psychological skills. 8-mark response based on analysis of a key question from topics A-E&H.. Section E: Psychological skills. One 20-mark synoptic question based on issues and debates from topics A-E&H. |
WIDER READING
- Stanovich, K.E. (2013) How to Think Straight about Psychology. Prentice Hall
- Sternberg, R.J. (2017) Career paths in psychology: Where your degree can take you. Washington, DC. American Psychological Association
- Zimbardo, P. (2008) The lucifer effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. Random House Trade Paperbacks
