AQA A Level Psychology Paper 2 Topics

This page outlines the main topics covered in AQA Psychology Paper 2, which is an essential component of the AQA A Level Psychology specification. The content is divided into three major sections, each exploring advanced concepts and methodologies in psychology.

Research Methods

This comprehensive section focuses on the various techniques and approaches used in psychological research. Key areas of study include:

1. Experimental method
2. Variables and sampling techniques
3. Experimental design and types of experiments
4. Ethical issues in psychological research
5. Pilot studies
6. Observational design and techniques
7. Self-report design and techniques
8. Correlations, data analysis, and statistical testing
9. Peer review, psychology, and the economy

Highlight: Understanding research methods is crucial for critically evaluating psychological studies and conducting original research.

Approaches in Psychology

This section explores different theoretical perspectives in psychology, providing a broad understanding of how psychologists approach the study of human behavior and mental processes. Topics covered include:

1. Origins of psychology
2. The behaviourist approach
3. Social learning theory
4. The cognitive approach
5. The biological approach
6. The psychodynamic approach
7. The humanistic approach
8. Comparison of approaches

Example: The cognitive approach focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, while the biological approach emphasizes the role of genetics, brain structure, and neurochemistry in behavior.

Biopsychology

The final section of Paper 2 delves into the biological basis of behavior and mental processes. Key topics include:

1. Studying the brain
2. Brain localization and lateralization
3. Brain plasticity and functional recovery
4. The endocrine system
5. The nervous system
6. Biological rhythms
7. Neurons and synaptic transmission

Vocabulary: Biopsychology, also known as behavioral neuroscience, is the study of how biological processes influence behavior and mental processes.

Quote: "The brain is wider than the sky." - Emily Dickinson, highlighting the complexity and vastness of the human brain, which is a central focus of biopsychology.

This comprehensive curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in psychological theory, research methods, and practical applications, preparing them for further study in psychology or related fields.

AQA A Level Psychology Paper 1 Topics

This page outlines the main topics covered in AQA Psychology Paper 1, which forms a crucial part of the AQA A Level Psychology specification. The content is divided into four major sections, each exploring fundamental concepts in psychology.

Social Influence

This section examines how individuals are affected by others and social situations. Key areas of study include:

1. Types and explanations of conformity
2. Conformity studies (Asch & Zimbardo)
3. Obedience and factors affecting it
4. Resistance to social influence
5. Minority influence and social change

Highlight: Understanding social influence is crucial for explaining human behavior in group settings and societal contexts.

Memory

The memory section explores how information is processed, stored, and retrieved in the human mind. Topics covered are:

1. Coding, capacity, and duration of memory
2. The multi-store model of memory
3. Types of long-term memory
4. The working memory model
5. Explanations for forgetting
6. Factors affecting eyewitness testimony

Example: The multi-store model of memory, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin, explains how information moves through different stages of memory processing.

Attachment

This section focuses on the development of emotional bonds and their impact on human relationships. Key topics include:

1. Introduction to attachment
2. Schaffer's stages of attachment
3. Animal studies of attachment
4. Explanations of attachment: learning theory and Bowlby's theory
5. Ainsworth's strange situation
6. Cultural variations in attachment
7. Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation
8. Romanian orphan studies
9. Influence of early attachment on later relationships

Definition: Attachment refers to the emotional bond formed between an infant and their primary caregiver, which has long-lasting effects on social and emotional development.

Psychopathology

The final section of Paper 1 explores mental disorders and their treatments. Topics covered are:

1. Definition of abnormality
2. Phobias
3. Depression
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
5. Behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias
6. Cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression
7. Biological approach to explaining and treating OCD

Vocabulary: Psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders, including their causes, symptoms, and treatments.