The course is designed to foster an interest and appreciation of the study of psychology. This is achieved by the exploration of some of the classic psychological studies in history, leading to a critical analysis of their aims, their methodology and their use in society for the individual as well as a more general application to society.
The areas of study are divided into the following main categories:
- Cognitive psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Physiological psychology
- Social psychology
- The psychology of individual differences
These groupings provide the framework around which the studies are examined.
The course is assessed by three examinations based on the knowledge gained from the psychological investigations studied, and the practical experiments carried out throughout the course.
This is a wide-ranging and interesting course that leads students to question in detail some of the assumptions held by society about society itself. It complements aspects of the A-level Physical Education course and can inform students on aspects of Biology, Geography and History amongst others.
Students who have an interest in the way in which individuals contribute to the society in which they live and in the way in which society works would find this course of interest.
Further details of the course can be obtained at website www.ocr.org.uk.