High Storrs School
Yr 12 Induction Booklet
Subject Leader: - Mrs J Pike
j.pike@highstorrs.sheffield.sch.uk
www.highstorrs.co.uk
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Welcome to Psychology
Congratulations on choosing to study Psychology!
I’m sure that you will find the course both interesting and enjoyable.
Hard work and commitment will be rewarded with a good examination
grade. The study of psychology is a partnership between you and your
teachers. Your teachers are 100% dedicated to your success, make sure
you are too!
This booklet is designed to introduce you to Psychology, the course
specification and the way in which the course will be delivered.
The examination Specification we follow is AQA Specification B.
We recommend you purchase or hire the textbook: - AQA Psychology B
- ISBN 978074879826. The hire charge is £17.00, which will be
refunded at the end of the AS course or swopped for an A2 textbook if
you decide to go onto the A2 course.
A qualification in Psychology is a valuable asset in almost any career,
respected both by employers and by Higher Education establishments.
Whatever your plans for the future, knowledge of human behaviour and
mental processes will prove to be relevant and useful, both in the work
environment and in your social and personal life.
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What is Psychology?
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Most adults on crowded city streets will not stop to help a person
lying on the pavement. Why?
Often, people see someone across a crowded room and are
immediately attracted to them. Why?
Some people join racist groups and actively discriminate against
ethnic minorities. Why?
When boarding a bus, most of us seek out a seat on our own rather
than sit by a stranger. Why?
Psychologists seek to find explanations for question like these, by
carrying out research.
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. Psychology
is, in the main, a ‘positivistic’ discipline, as it uses carefully controlled
methods of observation and experimentation. The findings of
research are rigorously analysed using statistical tests.
Applied Psychology
In the field of applied psychology, psychologists work in a number of
settings to directly improve the public’s quality of life. Clinical
psychologists work mainly in hospitals and clinics, helping those with
mental disorders and emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Educational psychologists work in schools and in co-operation with
parents and teachers, help children with learning difficulties and
behavioural problems. Occupational psychologists advise companies on
working conditions, recruitment and selection of staff, and in the
design of machinery and equipment. Those psychologists working in
the field of forensic/criminal psychology advise the legal profession
and aid police investigation through forensic analysis and offender
profiling.
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Topics covered during the A Level course
Psychology at a Glance
Subject Description: Students study AQA specification B. The overall focus is on
a scientific approach and application of psychological theories and principles.
The course has been designed to give students a fundamental understanding of
theory, concepts and research in Psychology, a critical appreciation of the
scientific nature of Psychology and an opportunity to develop a capacity for
critical thinking. Assessment takes place in May or June.
AS Examinations:
Unit 1 – PSYB1 - Introducing Psychology
50% of AS, 25% of A Level - Externally-assessed exam in May, 1h 30m
60 marks – Candidates answer 3 compulsory questions
Includes modules on Key Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology, Gender
Development, and Research Methods.
Unit 2 – PSYB2 - Individual Differences, Social Psychology and Cognitive
Psychology
50% of AS, 25% of A Level - Externally-assessed exam in January, 1h 30m
60 marks, Candidates answer 3 questions
Includes modules on Social Influence, Autism or Anxiety Disorders, and
Remembering and Forgetting or Perception.
Modules for A2
A2 Examinations: Unit 3 – PSYB3 - Child Development and Applied Options
25% of A Level - Externally-assessed examination in January, 2hrs
60 marks, Candidates answer 3 questions
Includes modules on Child Cognitive Development or Social Development, Mood and
Schizophrenia or Stress and Stress Management, Forensic Psychology
Unit 4 – PSYB4 - Approaches, Debates and Methods in Psychology
25% of A Level - Externally-assessed examination in June, 2 hrs
60 marks, Candidates answer 3 questions
Includes modules on Biological, Behaviourist, Social Learning, Cognitive,
Psychodynamic and Humanistic Approaches; Debates in Psychology and Research
Methods.
For further details visit: http://www.aqa.org.uk
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Expectations of the Psychology Dept.
As students you have made a conscious commitment to study at High
Storrs 6th form. As teachers, we have a duty to ensure that you fulfil
your educational potential. The following expectations ensure that
both teachers and students work together towards the common
objective of maximising and fulfilling the potential of each individual
student.
Students must: 1. Respect other people and the environment
2. Keep mobile phones in bags and turned off
3. Bring appropriate equipment e.g. psychology folder, pen, etc.
4. Attend at least 95% of all lessons
5. Be punctual to all lessons
6. Meet all deadlines
7. Maximum effort
8. Achievement to the best of your ability
Teachers will: 1. Provide you with an interesting, accurate and up to date view of
the subject.
2. Provide engaging and enjoyable lessons.
3. Prepare you with the necessary exam skills to succeed by way of
regular past exam paper practice.
4. Return written work to you within 10 working days with
suggested comments for improvement.
5. Provide you with ample opportunities to discuss your work.
Course Equipment Requirements and Further Reading.
You will need a lever arch file to keep all your psychology notes together,
this must be brought to every lesson. On the first day of term it is
expected that you bring a file with this booklet at the front. Also bring a
pack of 10 dividers for the different topics plus an A4 pad of lined paper.
Files will be checked every half term.
PowerPoint slides will be posted on the MLE for you to download and
print prior to the lesson. Other items of interest will also be posted on
the MLE, which the teacher will direct you to i.e. Journal articles, news
reports, Web addresses.
See on the next page the Bridging the Gap work, which you must bring
with you to your first lesson in September.
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Bridging the Gap - A psychology introduction exercise
The bridging the gap exercise for this year is based on the topic of Forensic
psychology.
In psychology a major debate that we are faced with is whether our actions are a
product of our biology e.g. genetics (nature) or whether we are a product of our
environment e.g. childhood/life experiences (nurture). This project will help you
explore those issues and make a judgement as to which side of the debate is stronger.
You are being asked to produce a 500 word written case study about an individual
from the list below. It is up to you who you choose. Your project MUST BE IN
YOUR OWN WORDS AND NOT COPYED AND PASTED FROM A
WEBSITE!!
You must include:
An introduction and brief outline of your criminal
How were they caught? (If they were?)
Any possible theories to their killing? (Childhood, mental illness, family history of
offending etc.)
The sentence they received
Have they been rehabilitated back into society?
You could include:
Any archive newspaper articles
A profile picture
Any profiling techniques used in their capture (or attempted capture)
You will be assessed on a point scale out of ten including the following:
4 marks for quality of discussion
2 marks for punctuation and grammar
2 marks for quality of background reading
2 marks for links to theories and other research
Choose from one of the following:
Warning!!!
Please be careful when you
are researching the internet
for information. Some of the
things you may read may be
very upsetting and
disturbing. Please stick to
psychological/ scientific
websites!!
Harold Shipman
Myra Hindley and Ian Brady
Peter Sutcliffe
Ted Bundy
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