This A Level Psychology course offers a structured and engaging journey through the study of human behaviour, thought processes, and mental health. Starting with an introduction to the discipline, students gain a foundational understanding of what psychology is, how it developed, and why it matters in today’s complex society. Major approaches including the biological, cognitive, and behavioural perspectives are introduced early, along with essential debates like nature versus nurture and ethics in psychological research.

The course then explores how the human mind processes information through models of memory, types of long-term memory, reasons for forgetting, and the reliability of eyewitness testimony. These topics are brought to life through real-world applications, helping learners link theory to practice. In the development and attachment module, students investigate how early childhood relationships shape future emotional health, examining core theories from Bowlby and Ainsworth as well as cultural variations in attachment patterns.

Social psychology is covered in depth, focusing on key studies by Asch and Milgram, while also evaluating the psychological mechanisms behind conformity, obedience, resistance to authority, and the power of minorities in creating social change. The psychopathology unit introduces definitions and causes of mental disorders such as phobias, depression, and OCD, as well as evaluating cognitive, behavioural, and biological treatments like CBT and medication.

Students also learn how different psychological approaches view behaviour, from conditioning theories to biological determinism. A robust section on research methods ensures learners develop the skills to critically analyse data, evaluate reliability and validity, and apply statistical tools in psychological contexts. Finally, the course challenges students to think critically about key issues and debates, such as gender and culture bias, determinism, and the implications of psychological research in society.

By the end of the course, students will be well-prepared to take their A Level exams, conduct small-scale research projects, and pursue further studies in psychology with a solid theoretical and practical foundation.