Teacher 1: Students will begin by studying the 'Research Methods' unit. Research methods underpin all areas of psychology and involves learning about how psychologists research their chosen topics. This will start with a focus on experiments, their different types and how they are designed and controlled. Students will then learn about observations and ethical issues.
Teacher 2: Students will begin with the 'Social Influence' topic which considers research into types, explanations and factors that affect of conformity and obedience. This includes focus on classic psychological research including Milgram and Zimbardo.
Students will be assessed with some short answer questions in the first few weeks of learning building up to two 30 minute assessments which reflect the real exam papers in each unit.
Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or changes naturally - so the effect of the DV can be measured.
The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the DV should be caused by changes in the IV.
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
Any change in participants behaviour as a result of them becoming aware of the aims of the research study.
Any effect of the investigator's behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome.
A change in a persons behaviour opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people.
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour even when the group is absent.
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don't necessarily agree with what the majority believes.
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along the majority view, but we privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.
A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. The person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming.
Students will develop their own personal research skills and moral reasoning in the context of ethics in psychological research. Both of these skills are essential for studying a research based degree in higher education in any discipline.
Students will learn about the historical examples of obedience to authority, particularly of Hitler in WW2. They will be able to appreciate the role of this in shaping British history and liberty and democracy as British values.
Teacher 1: Students will complete the research methods unit by learning the importance of validity and reliability in psychological research as well as how to design research studies. In addition, they will learn how to choose an appropriate statistical test based on the design of a quantitative research study. Students will then begin the study of Psychopathology starting with how we define abnormality in psychology, including the strengths and weaknesses of each method. Teacher 2: Students will then begin the Memory unit starting with the psychological research on short-term and long-term memory including its coding, capacity and duration. Learners will then learn different memory models including the multi-store model and the working memory model. They will then learn about explanations for forgetting (interference, retrieval failure).
Students will sit a formal set of assessments at the beginning of this term. This will involve a 90 minute, 72 mark paper (24 marks on Social Influence and 48 marks on Research Methods). Students will then continue to be assessed roughly fortnightly with 24 mark (30 minutes) timed exam papers for both teachers. These involve a mix of multiple choice, short answers and essay questions.
A long-term memory store for personal events. It includes memories of when the events occurred and of the people, objects, places and behaviours involved. Memories from this store have to be retrieved consciously and with effort.
A long-term memory store for our knowledge of the world. This includes facts and our knowledge of what words and concepts mean. These memories usually need to be recalled deliberately.
A long term memory store for our knowledge of how to do things. This includes memories of learned skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious or deliberate effort.
Forgetting occurs when older memories, already stored, disrupt the recall of newer memories. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar.
Forgetting occurs when newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar.
The extent to which a measure actually measures what it claims to.
Refers to the consistency of a study
A definition of abnormality which considers behaviour to abnormal when it does not adhere to accepted social norms
Abnormality is defined as behaviour which is statistically rare.
The view that behaviour can only be studied within the context of the culture in which it originates
Students will use their imagination and creativity to design their own research studies and apply their newly developed research skills in practice. The study of memory will also be extremely useful for their personal revision in any subject/course. They may also find the statistical testing unit useful and relevant within a higher education context should they pick a course with quantitative elements.
As part of students' studies in psychopathology, students will begin to develop an appreciation for diversity and respecting differences between individuals in the community and across various cultures.
Teacher 1: Students will begin studying approaches in psychology with a focus on the emergence of psychology and learning theories.
Teacher 2: Students will begin studying Bio-psychology with a study of the nervous system, endocrine system and the structure and functions of neurons.
Students will complete end of year exams in this term. For Psychology this will include a full paper 1 (Social influence, Memory, Attachment and Social Influence) and a partial paper 2 (Research Methods).
Learning by association.
Learning by reward and consequences.
The view that human behaviour can be explained in terms of conditioning within a stimulus/response relationship in the environment.
A learning theory which acts as a bridge between behaviourism and cognitive theory acknowledging mental processes in learning.
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones.
Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Their effects are very powerful.
These carry messages from the peripheral nervous system to the CNS. They have long dendrites and short axons.
These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.
These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons.
Students will develop key knowledge of biological psychology, this will support learning done in A Level biology. Students will also be apply to reflect on their own learning experiences.
Students will develop an appreciation for how psychology has emerged and how key schools of thought have changed over time and in difference social contexts. This will give students an understanding of where contemporary treatments have has come from.
Teacher 1: Students will continue their study of research methods by learning about self-report methods, correlations and data analysis. Students will also consider how research in psychology affects the economy.
Teacher 2: Students will complete the social influence unit by studying resistance to social influence, minority influence and the role of social influence in social change.
Students will be assessed fortnightly with 24 mark (30 minutes) timed exam papers for both teachers. These involve a mix of multiple choice, short answers and essay questions. At the end of this term students will also sit a 1 hour paper in research methods (48 marks).
A small scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted. The aim is to check that procedures, materials, measuring scales etc., work and to allow the researcher to make changes or modifications if necessary.
When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable.
A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs.
A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame, say ever 60 seconds.
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, i.e. as their agent.
Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual's personality. Such as explanations that are often contrasted with situational explanations.
A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority. Such as individuals who are also thought to be submissive to those of higher status and dismissive of inferiors.
Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives. Internals believe they are mostly responsible for what happens to them (internal locus of control). Externals believe it is mainly a matter of luck or other outside forces.
A form of social influence in which a minority of people (sometimes just one person) persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours.
The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field, to ensure that any research intended for publication is of high quality.
Students will develop their own personal research skills and moral reasoning in the context of ethics in psychological research. Both of these skills are essential for studying a research based degree in higher education in any discipline.
Students will learn about the authoritarian personality and the 'F-scale' as a measure of a tendency towards fascism in particular. This will develop their knowledge of how to resist such social influence, this is key in reducing radicalisation.
Teacher 1: Students will continue and complete the psychopathology unit with a study of phobias, depression and OCD. Students will need to know the characteristics, explanations and treatments of each of these according to the behaviourist approach, cognitive approach and biological approaches respectively.
Teacher 2: Students will then complete the Memory unit by studying research into eyewitness testimonies; factors affecting them and techniques to improve them. Students will then begin the Attachment unit by studying research into care-giver infant interactions and the role of the father, followed by stages of attachments.
Students will be assessed fortnightly with 24 mark (30 minutes) timed exam papers for both teachers. These involve a mix of multiple choice, short answers and essay questions.
Thoughts that reoccur over and over again. Around 90% of OCD sufferers experience these.
Repetitive actions which OCD sufferers feel compelled to complete. These compulsions tend to reduce anxiety for the sufferer.
A description of how two people interact. Mother-infant interaction is reciprocal in that both infant and mother respond to each other's signals and each elicits a response from the other.
Mother and infant reflect both the actions and emotions of the other and do this in a co-ordinated (synchronised) way.
A cognitive framework which organises and interprets information in the brain.
A cognitive approach to understanding depression. The focus is on how thoughts about the self, future and the world around them can lead to an individual feeling depressed.
Cognitive behavioural therapy works on changing maladaptive thoughts and beliefs to rational and adaptive thoughts and beliefs.
A group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a phobic stimulus.
A behavioural therapy for phobias and some other anxiety disorders. Clients are gradually exposed to their phobic stimulus under relaxing conditions until anxiety is extinguished.
A form of behavioural therapy used to treat phobias and some other anxiety disorders. A client is exposed to an extreme form of their phobic stimulus until anxiety is extinguished.
Students studies of psychopathology, attachment and memory will lead to them reflecting on their own personal experiences in a wide variety of ways.
Students knowledge and awareness of psychological disorders will lead to a greater appreciation of the challenges that some people in the community face, and lead to greater respect, care and support of these members of society.
Teacher 1: Students will then learn how statistical analysis works in psychology with a focus on a number of different statistical tests and how to use these in application to findings of psychological research.
Teacher 2: Students will complete the attachment unit in this term with a study of animal research in attachment and explanations of attachment, types of attachment (including cultural variations), maternal deprivation theory, research into Romanian orphans and the effects of early attachments on later life.
Students will be assessed fortnightly with 24 mark (30 minutes) timed exam papers for both teachers. These involve a mix of multiple choice, short answers and essay questions.
A term sometimes used to describe Bowlby's theory. The mono means 'one' and indicates that one particular attachment is different from all others and of central importance to the child's development.
The mental representations we all carry with us for our attachment to our primary caregiver. They are important in affecting our future relationships because they carry our perception of what relationships are like.
Generally thought of as being the most desirable attachment type, associated with psychologically healthy outcome. In the Strange Situation this is shown by moderate stranger and separation anxiety and ease of comfort on reunion.
An attachment type characterised by low anxiety but weak attachment . In the Strange Situation this is shown by low stranger and separation anxiety and little response to reunion - an avoidance of the caregiver.
An attachment type characterised by strong attachment and high anxiety. In the Strange Situation this is shown by high levels of stranger and separation anxiety and by resistance to be comforted at reunion.
The notion that children who develop secure attachments go on to be emotionally secure and trusting adults
A biologically determined period of time during which infants develop their attachments.
Data that is represented in the form of categories. Data that is discrete in that one item can only appear in one of the categories.
Data that is ordered in some way e.g. 'How do you rate psychology on a scale of 1 - 10'?
Data that is based on numerical scales, that include units of equal, precisely defined size.
Statistical analysis is a skill that will be useful for students in a wide variety of academic disciplines both in A Level study and higher education.
Students studies of cultural variations in attachment will help build an awareness and respect for cultural diversity. .
Bristol Free School is a friendly, well-disciplined and well-organised community, in which every child can thrive.
Bristol Free School,
Concorde Drive,
Bristol BS10 6NJ
© Copyright Bristol Free School 2011-2024 • Russell Education Trust
website design by Knox