If you are starting an A level psychology course in September, chances are you chose it because it piqued your interest, but you have never formally studied the subject before. It can help to do some background reading over the summer, to prepare you for the topics covered by the course.
A level psychology is divided into six core areas, which are designed to provide an introduction to the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. The specific topics you study will depend on which exam board your school or college uses, but these are some of the main subjects covered in the A Level course.
Social psychology
This will focus on human behaviour and relationships, including patterns of conformity, how humans behave in groups, and why the majority of people obey authority figures. It examines how people may outwardly adapt or conform their behaviour to meet expected social roles, but internally they hold different opinions.
Cognitive psychology
This topic is concerned with studying thought processes, including perception, intelligence, and how memories are processed and stored. You will also study problem solving, decision making, attention spans, language acquisition, speech perception, and visual perception. These are useful topics which you can apply to your own revision techniques.
Developmental psychology
This involves studying how humans evolve in their thinking and behaviour throughout life. You will look at attachment theory, which focuses on the relationship between an infant and a caregiver, and the problems that can occur in cases of maternal or paternal deprivation.
Biological psychology
This topic will require some basic study and understanding of biology, in order to study how the human mind and behaviour has developed as a result of evolutionary forces. You will gain a basic understanding of the human nervous system, and how it interacts with hormones and influences brain function.
Psychopathology
This will introduce you to the study of deviation from social norms, and the causes and treatment of mental disorders. The emotional and behavioural characteristics of phobia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders will be studied.
The topic will also cover the various ways that these mental illnesses are treated, both through techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy and the use of medication.
Forensic psychology
This is a relatively new area of study, and it focuses on the role of psychology in the legal system. For example, in cases of criminal behaviour, a defendant may be required to undergo a psychological assessment to determine whether a mental illness or personality disorder may have a bearing on their degree of criminal responsibility.
Depending on your school or college, you may also study for optional modules in gender, cognition and development, schizophrenia, eating disorders, addiction, or aggression. These are all fascinating but challenging subjects, and you will not only need to absorb a lot of information, but also learn how to evaluate and apply it in your work.
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