Transcript Slide 1

INFORMATION BOOKLET
You are no doubt reading this booklet because you
have elected to study psychology at ‘A’ level.
There are probably many questions in your mind,
for example – “What is psychology?”
“What do psychologists do?”
What is psychology?
What do psychologists do?
Psychology is the
scientific study of mind,
behaviour and experience
Psychologists observe
behaviour, put forward
an explanation or
theory to account for
the behaviour and then
conduct a test to see if
their theory is correct.
The term ‘science’ refers to the
objective study of something.
Psychologists study behaviour what people (and other animals)
do.
If we want to understand behaviour
we also need to consider what the
experience is like for the individual
and what has shaped their lives.
Psychologists use various methods
such as experiments to find out
‘what makes people tick’
Some psychologists conduct
research into different branches
of psychology, such as the core
areas of cognition, development,
physiology and social aspects of
human behaviour. Others apply
this research in areas such as
health, crime, education and
business. Many work as clinical
psychologists helping people with
mental health disorders.
People sometimes say “psychology
is only common sense!” Everyone
is an armchair psychologist – we all
have personal views about why
people behave as they do – in a
sense these are theories of
psychology.
For example –
your elderly
aunt
might say
“those
teenagers act
in that way
because they
are hooligans”
Your aunt is
offering an
explanation or
theory – but
how do we know
this explanation
is right or wrong?
Well, that’s
where
psychology
starts.
How do psychologists
explain behaviour?
In psychology there are different approaches
used to explain behaviour. For example,
physiological psychologists explain
behaviour in terms of bodily processes
and social psychologists explain behaviour
in terms of the interactions between people.
These are referred to as ‘approaches’ or
‘perspectives’. They are basically different ways (a
toolkit) to approach the problem of explaining a
behaviour, to find the cause.
No single explanation is ‘right’ and no explanation is
right for every behaviour. Each works in different
contexts and many can be used together.
Psychologists choose the explanation that makes the
most sense for that situation.
In this psychology course you will gain some fundamental
and lasting insights into human behaviour which will help
you in your own life and with the people around you.
Psychology is a fascinating subject but there is a lot of very
new and challenging information for you to understand and
learn.
The intention of this booklet is to start you on the road to a
successful and enjoyable psychology A level.
What types of behaviour and
approaches do we study?
Chapter One
Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychologists are interested in mental
processes and they explain human cognition
(thoughts, perception, language and memory) in the
same terms as an information-processing system
(computer). There is input in the form of data from
the senses which is sent to the brain where it is
processed and the output is the resulting behaviour.
This chapter looks into the possible ways our
memory works and from this they develop models of
how this might happen. We also look at perhaps the
most important practical application of memory
research, eye witness testimony – the guilt or
innocence of a person is frequently decided on the
accuracy of eye witness testimony.
Chapter Two
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychologists
study the changes happening
over a person’s lifetime. Our
earliest experiences are key to
many aspects of our adult lives.
In this chapter we study various
psychological explanations of
attachment behaviours, types
of attachment and what
happens if there is a disruption
to this bond. In everyday life
children experience periods of
separation, particularly when
they attend day-care,
psychologists study the effects
of this on their social
development.
Chapter Three
Research Methods
In many ways this section runs throughout the whole of
the course. There are a number of different research
methods available to psychologists. Like the builder who
selects the most appropriate tool, psychologists choose
the best method for the situation.
It is vital that you know these methods and their
various strengths and limitations. This is one chapter
where you will find new information and terminology,
but also, some familiar areas of data analysis and
presentation.
Chapter Four
Biological psychology
This chapter includes both physiological and
psychological (biological/bodily and
mind/thought) explanations to the relationship
between stress and illness.
We look at various factors (eg., personality
and situations which can cause stress) and
how these can effect the stress response.
Ultimately, looking at how psychological
research has provided therapists with the
knowledge to manage stress.
Chapter Five
Social psychology
As with many other animals, humans are social, many of
our behaviours are a result of our social interactions.
This area of psychology has studied many sensitive areas
of human behaviour and has brought into question the
Ethical principles relating to research and the treatment of
the participants. Throughout the research process there
are issues relating to aims, methods and findings.
Chapter Six
Individual Differences
This possibly the most ‘expected’ chapter as it deals with
psychopathology (the study of mind disorders and their
treatment).
We look at various ways in which psychologists have
endeavoured to define what abnormality is. We then
consider the different approaches and their
assumptions as to the cause of abnormality. From there
we study ways in which each approach uses specific
methods in treating mental disorders.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
and interesting reads
Introducing Psychology – Icon Books Ltd. Nigel C. Benson
ISBN 1 84046 059 8
Cardwell, M. and Flanagan, C (3rd Edition) Psychology AS
Complete Companion Student Book. ISBN 978-0199129812.
Cardwell, M. and Flanagan, C (3rd Edition) Psychology A2
Complete Companion Student Book. ISBN 978-0199129843.
Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum (4th Edition) Psychology for AS
for AQA A. ISBN 978-0007255030.
Cardwell, Clark, Meldrum and Wadeley (4th Edition)
Psychology for A2 for AQA A. ISBN 978-0007255047.
There are many other texts available but check they fit AQA A
Specification and are current.
TASK
Psychology is a brand new subject area
for you, with many new terms and
concepts, to ease the pressure of
acquiring all this new knowledge
really quickly it would be beneficial
for you to have already engaged with
key ideas before the course begins.
To this end I have produced this booklet
and set out a short project for you to
complete.
Read around the subject (general
psychology books are available from
Libraries)
Research and create a project which
sets out:1. A general introduction to each of the
following approaches which includes
their main assumptions you can also include
any relevant
research and/or identify important
Psychologists linked to the approaches
(a) Behaviourist (Behaviourism)
sometimes called Learning Theory.
(b) Social Learning Theory
(c) Psychodynamic Theory
(structure of the personality, psychosexual stages).
(d) Cognitive approach
How you decide to present this
project is your choice.