SPECIFICATION APPROACHES
SAM 1
SAM2
Origins of psychology – Wundt, introspection and the
emergence of psychology as a science
Learning approaches: the behaviourist approach,
including classical conditioning and Pavlov’s research,
operant conditioning, types of reinforcement and
Skinner’s research; social learning theory including
imitation, identification, modelling, vicarious
reinforcement, the role of mediational processes and
Bandura’s research.
2 mark
AO1
6 Mark
AO2
6 mark
AO3
12 mark
essay
The cognitive approach: the study of internal mental
processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical
and computer models to explain and make inferences
about mental processes. The emergence of cognitive
neuroscience.
The biological approach: the influence of genes,
biological structures and neurochemistry on
behaviour. Genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of
behaviour, evolution and behaviour.
2 mark
AO1
2 mark
AO3
The divisions of the nervous system: central and
peripheral (somatic and autonomic).
The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor
neurons. The process of synaptic transmission,
including reference to neurotransmitters, excitation
and inhibition.
The function of the endocrine system: glands and
hormones.
The fight or flight response including the role of
adrenaline
1 mark
AO1
1 mark
AO1
2 mark
AO1
SAM 3
2 mark
AO1
4 mark
AO1
1 mark
AO1
12 mark
essay
1 mark
AO1
12 mark
essay
AS 2016
AS 2017
A LEVEL SAM
1
A LEVEL SAM 2
A LEVEL SAM 3
6 marks AO1
1mark AO1
16 marks
essay
4marks AO2
8marks (
3mAO1+5mAO2)
2marks AO2
4marks AO3
6marks ( 4m
AO1 + 2m AO2)
Inference
AL
JUNE 2018
AO2 = 2
6 marks
AO2
Skinn reinf
AO1=3
SLT
8 marks
AO3
2 mark AO1 MC
AL june
2019
Wundt 8m
3mAO1
5mAO3
Bio 1m AO1
Op con 1m
AO1
Psycho 2m
Ao1
6m
AO2Med
proc
2m SLT
AO1 = 6,
AO2 = 2
AO3 = 4
4 mark
AO2
1 mark
AO1
AL
JUNE 2017
1m AO1
Scheme 4m
AO3
AO2=4 GENOT
Explain why
John’s
genotype will
not reveal
whether he
will suffer from
Alzheimer’s
disease.
2 marks
AO1
4 marks
AO1
2 mark
AO1
2 mark
AO1
6 mark
AO2
fight or
flight
response.
AO1=3
AO2 = 3
RM
The psychodynamic approach: the role of the
unconscious, the structure of personality, that is ID,
ego and superego, defence mechanisms including
repression, denial and displacement, psychosexual
2 mark
AO2
1 mark
AO2
2 mark
AO1
4 marks
AO2
3m %
Inc sales 1m
2 marks AO1
MC
8marks essay
(smAO1+5mAO3)
4marks (
2mAO1+
2mAO2)
4marks AO3
Describe the
struc of the
personality acc
to psy app
DM 1m AO1
/2M AO3
stages. A LEVEL ONLY
PER AO1=4
Humanistic psychology: free will, self-actualisation and
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, focus on the self,
congruence, the role of conditions of worth. The
influence on counselling psychology. A LEVEL ONLY
4marks (2m
AO1 2 m
AO2)
1mark AO1
Outine and
eval Hum
applica
AO1 = 6, AO2 =
4 and AO3 = 6
Comparison of approaches.
Outline Bhv
6m AO1
Comp bio
10m AO3
SPECIFICATION BIOPSYCHOLOGY A LEVEL
SAM 1
The divisions of the nervous system: central and
peripheral (somatic and autonomic).
1 mark
AO1
2 marks
AO1
The structure and function of sensory, relay and
motor neurons. The process of synaptic
transmission, including reference to
neurotransmitters, excitation and inhibition.
The function of the endocrine system: glands and
hormones.
1 mark
AO1
2 mark
AO1
4 marks
AO1
The fight or flight response including the role of
adrenaline
Localisation of function in the brain and hemispheric
lateralisation: motor, somatosensory, visual,
auditory and language centres; Broca’s and
Wernicke’s areas, split brain research. Plasticity and
functional recovery of the brain after trauma.
1 mark
AO1
Ways of studying the brain: scanning techniques,
including functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI); electroencephalogram (EEGs) and eventrelated potentials (ERPs); post-mortem
examinations.
Biological rhythms: circadian, infradian and ultradian
and the difference between these rhythms. The
SAM2
2 mark
AO1
SAM 3
AS 2016
AS 2017
A LEVEL
SAM 1
A LEVEL SAM
2
6marks
AO1
6 mark
AO2
A LEVEL
SAM 3
4 marks
(2mAO!+2
marks AO3)
3marks AO2
AL
JUNE 2017
AL
JUNE 2018
1m AO1 sns /ans
AL June 2019
Explain the process of
synaptic transmission.
AAO1=4
3m AO1 1m AO1
1m AO1 x3
nerves
4marks AO1
2 mark
AO1
Func 4m AO1
LOF/Later app
16m essay
4marks AO1
5marks
AO1 LOF
2marks
AO2 SB
4marks
AO3 SB
2marks
AO1
4marks
AO2
16 mark
essay
application
lateralisation
4m AO1
4 marks AO2
8 mark
essay LOF
3mAO1
5mAO3
Using your knowledge
of the functions of
Broca’s area and the
motor cortex,
describe the
problems that Lotta’s
grandmother is likely
to experience. AO2=4
Using your knowledge
of plasticity and
functional recovery of
the brain after
trauma, explain why
Lotta might be wrong.
A02=4
1markAO1
Outline and evaluate
one or more ways of
studying the brain.
AO1=3
AO3=5
8m AO2
effect of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous
zeitgebers on the sleep/wake cycle.
RM
RESEARCH METHODS
1mark AO1
2 mark
AO2
1 mark
AO2
2 mark
AO1
4 marks
AO2
4marks AO3
AO2 = 2 QUANT DATA
A02=2 WRITE QS
3m mean
1m %
3m mean
2m qual data
3m invet effects
4m content anal
4m reliability
2m table
4m graph
6m consent form
3m hyp
2m rm desigh
2m counterbal
3m random sample
4m mean and sd
2m sig levels
3m validity
1m reliab
1m peer review
Im iv.dv
2m hyp
3m Hyp
3mSampling
4m Assign MP to
groups
4m Streth of MP
2m s value
2 sig
2m Conc val
4m validity
4m internal val
4m stats test
12m design