Psychology
“El estudio de la psicología humana es el estudio de capacidades humanas bastante extraordinarias.” – Kurt Lewin
Subject information
ENTRY DETAILS
Exam board: IAL Oxford AQA
Specification: Oxford AQA International Advanced A-Level in Psychology (9685)
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: Introductory topics in psychology
- Memory
- Social psychology
- Psychopathology
Unit 2: Biopsychology, development and research methods 1
- Biopsychology
- Cognitive development
- Research methods: Methods, scientific processes, data handling and analysis
Unit 3: Advanced topics and research methods 2
- Psychology of sleep
- Schizophrenia
- Research methods: Methods, scientific processes, data handling and analysis
Unit 4: Approaches and application (SYNOPTIC UNIT)
- Scientific approaches in psychology
- Issues and debates in psychology
- Applied psychology: Work and the individual
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW, DURATION AND WEIGHTING
Paper 1: Written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 20% of IAL qualification (90 marks)
Paper 2: Written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 20% of IAL qualification (90 marks)
Paper 3: Written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 30% of IAL qualification (90 marks)
Paper 4: Written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 30% of IAL qualification (90 marks)
| Exam Papers | % of IAL | Assessment overview |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 – | 20 | Section A: Memory (30 marks) Section B: Social psychology (30 marks) Section C: Psychopathology (30 marks) |
Paper 2 – | 20 | Section A: Biopsychology (30 marks) Section B: Cognitive development (30 marks) Section C: Research methods 1 (30 marks) |
Paper 3 – | 30 | Section A: Psychology of sleep (30 marks) Section B: Schizophrenia (30 marks) Section C: Research methods 2 (30 marks) |
Paper 4 – | 30 | Section A: Approaches in psychology (30 marks) Section B: Issues and debates in psychology (30 marks) Section C: Applied psychology: work and the individual (30 marks) |
WIDER READING
Sternberg, R.J. (2017) Career paths in psychology: Where your degree can take you. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. (ISBN 978-1433823107).
Stanovich, K.E. (2013) How to Think Straight about Psychology. Prentice Hall. (ISBN 978-0205914128).
Zimbardo, P. (2008) The lucifer effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. Random House Trade Paperbacks. (ISBN 0812974441).
Seligman, M.E.P. (2004) Authentic happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. Simon and Schuster. (ISBN 978-0743222983).
Ralls, E. and Riggs, C. (2019) The Little Book of Psychology: An Introduction to the Key Psychologists and Theories You Need to Know. Summersdale. (ISBN 178685807X).
