Psychologists do experiments and observations to try to understand why people act the way they do. They use this understanding to create useful applications to help people. If you’re interested in understanding other humans better, this might be the subject for you.
Learning about how and why people behave in certain ways will help you build communication skills. People with a Psychology background can be found in business, management, medicine, healthcare, teaching, research, marketing, social work, police, the arts… anywhere there are people, basically!
GCSE Psychology is a linear qualification which is usually taken over two years. It is assessed entirely by exams – no coursework. It offers a thorough introduction to the subject.
A good grasp of English is useful to meet the demands of essay writing. Students will be required to use specialist vocabulary, understand psychological concepts, terminology and convention to explain their findings.
Paper 1: Cognition and Behaviour
1. Memory – how do we remember and why do we forget?
2. Perception – can we always believe what we see?
3. Development – how do children develop thinking and learning skills?
4. Research Methods – how do psychologists investigate human behaviour and mental processes?
Paper 2: Social Context and Behaviour
5. Social Influence – how are we influenced by group behaviour?
6. Language, Thought and Communication – what comes first: language or thought? And how well can we communicate non-verbally?
7. Brain and Neuropsychology – how does the brain work?
8. Psychological Problems – what is mental health and how can mental health issues be treated?