Both Sociology and Psychology are offered as new subjects that can be taken, at A level, in the Sixth Form.
Both subjects are popular and have a very good take up - this allows for lively and stimulating lessons. There is a dedicated teaching room and we are well resourced with web resources as well as up-to-date written material. Our Library has ever improving sections for these two subjects and we subscribe to relevant specialist magazines. Our examination results are excellent – way over the national average.
Psychology studies human (and animal) behaviour. Most psychologists are interested in the mental activity underlying behaviour. We can measure aspects of behaviour and we can measure brain activity but we cannot know precisely what is going on in a person’s mind, and so psychologists have to infer what is happening from a person’s behaviour. Partly due to this process of inferences, psychologists produce conflicting theories about the same behaviour.
At AS, the course is designed to develop a basic understanding of the different approaches to the subject. We study the theories, concepts and research in the areas of cognitive, developmental, physiological and social psychology - so, memory, infant attachments, stress, abnormality and obedience. A2 Psychology develops the knowledge of theory gained at AS, looking at the areas of Psychopathology, Aggression, Sleep and Dreaming and Relationships. We also learn how to apply our psychology to unseen, novel situations.
Psychology requires the ability to handle a great deal of detailed information. The skills of analysis and evaluation are developed and this will help in any further study undertaken.
It is fascinating subject, but we do not spend time psychoanalysing our friends!!
