AS/A2 Psychology WJEC

AS involves 2 units

Unit 1 (20%)

Past to present

(1hr 30 exam)

Five psychological

approaches Includes therapies

and research

Unit 2 (20%)

Using psychological concepts

(1hr 30 exam)

Includes a contemporary debate, questions on psychological research & an unseen piece

Unit 1 - Approaches

5 approaches will be covered Biological Psychodynamic Behaviourist Cognitive Positive

Unit 1 - Approach Content

For each approach you will study: Assumptions e.g. Behaviourists suggest behaviour is

learnt through conditioning Explanations of behaviour Inc. the formation of

relationships. Therapies for each approach e.g. drugs for

Biological Classic research Inc. Watson and Rayner

Unit 2 - Using psychological concepts

A: Contemporary debates (Sec A)

B: Principles of research Inc. Knowledge, understanding & evaluation of research Inc. Milgram and Kholberg (Sec B)

C: Application of research methods to an unseen piece of research (Sec C)

Unit 2 - Section A

Contemporary debates (Sec A):

Biological - The ethics of neuroscience Psychodynamic - The mother as a primary care-giver of

an infant Behaviourist - Using conditioning techniques to control

the behaviour of children Cognitive - Reliability of eye-witness testimony (Inc.

children) Positive - Relevance of positive psychology in todays

society

Unit 2 – Section A (cont.)

• Understand what is at the core of the debate

• Refer to psychological studies and theories

• Explore both sides of the contemporary debate from a psychological perspective (including the ethical and social implications)

Unit 2 – Section B and C

Section B Principles of Research

Compulsory questions on the theory of psychological research (including the work of social and developmental psychologists Milgram and Kohlberg).

Section C Application of research methods to a novel scenario

Compulsory questions requiring a response to a piece of research previously unseen.

A2 Unit 3 40%

2hr 30 exam Study three behaviours

(schizophrenia/stress/criminal) Controversies In psychology

(e.g. cultural bias)

A2 Unit 4 20%

1hr 30 exam Questions based on own investigations

and novel research carried out

NB Need Cs in maths, science and English!