All about A level Psychology – course information

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. It explores how we think, feel, and act – as well as why. A Level Psychology introduces you to the key theories, research studies, and debates that have shaped our understanding of human behaviour. It’s a subject at the crossroads of science and the humanities, blending rigorous research with deep philosophical questions about what it means to be human.

You’ll explore everything from memory and attachment to mental health and social influence. Why do people obey authority, even when it goes against their morals? How might your early childhood relationship with your parents influence your adult love relationships? Can we really trust eyewitness testimony in court? These are just a few of the questions you’ll explore.

The A Level Psychology curriculum is as diverse as the human mind itself. While the exact content can vary slightly depending on the exam board (AQA, OCR, Edexcel, etc.), here are some of the core topics you’re likely to encounter:

• Social Influence – Understand how people are influenced when they are in a group, from conformity and obedience to resistance and social change.
• Memory – Explore how memory works, why it sometimes doesn’t, and how reliable our recollections really are.
• Attachment – Learn about the bonds formed between infants and caregivers, and how these shape future relationships.
• Psychopathology – Delve into mental health conditions like depression, phobias, and OCD, and examine how they’re diagnosed and treated.
• Biopsychology – Discover how the brain, nervous system, and hormones influence behaviour.
• Research Methods – Get hands-on experience of the scientific methods psychologists use to investigate human behaviour, from experiments to case studies.
• Approaches in Psychology – Compare different schools of thought, from Freud’s Psychoanalysis to the Cognitive and Biological approaches.

Optional topics might include forensic psychology, schizophrenia, addiction, or gender development — all equally intriguing and relevant to real-life issues.

A Level Psychology is a mix of scientific investigation and explaining your findings. You’ll need to get used to:

• Reading and analysing psychological studies
• Writing structured essays that evaluate theories and research
• Learning key terminology and applying it accurately
• Interpreting data, graphs, and statistical tests
• Designing and evaluating experiments

You don’t need to have studied Psychology before — the A Level course assumes no prior knowledge. However, a solid grounding in English, Maths, and Science will definitely help. You’ll be writing essays, interpreting data, and understanding biological processes, so confidence in these areas will give you a head start.

Curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage with complex ideas are your best assets.

Studying A Level Psychology opens up a world of possibilities. It’s a versatile subject that goes well with both science and humanities A Levels, and it’s well regarded by universities and employers alike.

Here are just a few paths it could lead you down:

• Psychology careers – Clinical, forensic, educational, or occupational psychology
• Healthcare and medicine – Nursing, psychiatry, counselling, mental health support
• Education – Teaching, special educational needs
• Law and criminology – Understanding criminal behaviour, working in rehabilitation
• Business and marketing – Consumer behaviour, human resources, organisational psychology
• Media and communications – Analysing audience behaviour, advertising, journalism

Even if you don’t pursue psychology at university, the skills you will develop — critical thinking, research, empathy, communication — are transferable to many careers.

A Level Psychology isn’t just about textbooks and theories. It’s about understanding yourself and others. It’s about making sense of the world around you. It’s about asking big questions — and learning how to find the answers.

You’ll never look at people the same way again. That friend who always goes along with the group? Classic Asch effect. Your sibling’s messy room? Maybe it’s a sign of a different attachment style. Your own exam stress? A perfect case study in the fight-or-flight response.

So, if you’re ready to explore the inner workings of the human mind, challenge your assumptions, and gain skills that will serve you for life — A Level Psychology is for you.

If you want to get a feel for the application of Psychology, try reading: “Dibs: in Search of Self”, by Virginia M Axline. The Story of one little boy and his journey through childhood up to his mid-teens, and also an insight into psychotherapy – how it works and what it can mean to people on a practical level.