Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and applies a logical approach to understanding events that happen and have happened in society.

It questions the conditions of individual behaviour, group pressures and conditions within society as a precursor to predicting behaviour. Psychology contributes to our understanding of the human brain and the impact of socialisation on behaviour.

Psychology gives students an appreciation for the power of human behaviour and the impact of society on the development of this. It considers the appreciation for the importance of historical events as a tool for prediction of climates and conditions for behaviour to be repeated. Not only this, Psychology equips students with the wisdom to understand diversity as an important aspect of modern society. Furthermore, it gives students psychological motivation for their personal development and communal endeavours. Students are encouraged to explore the unknowns of behaviour in order to ascertain how such behaviour can be a part of a modern- day society - of which is ever changing.

Psychology is one of the most popular areas of further study due to the impact Psychology has across all disciplines and careers. Psychology is about what is happening ‘now’, why every behaviour can and should be explained scientifically. It gives society the comprehension of the uncomprehensive and allows predictions to be made to create a highly functioning institution – whether it be within a business, an economy or a country.

In Psychology students will study a broad range of topics including:

Research Methods, which allows students to broaden their understanding of not just science but maths in order to fully understand Psychology and the scientific background that it stems from. Students will learn not only about the right methods to be used dependent on scenarios but how to develop a wide range of research methods in order to be successful in carrying out their own experiments. Across Key Stage 3 in both Science and Maths students are exposed to manipulation of independent variables, as well as in humanities where they learn about measuring variables. In Key Stage 4 Geography and Sociology students are exposed to research projects that further develops these skills in preparation of solidifying this in Key Stage 5 Psychology.

Biological Psychology gives the students to study the brain as an organ. The brain has so many more discoveries to be made and it is the central hub for all human activity and behaviour. It is the organ that can provide students with the understanding of the intricacies of human behaviour. It is studied scientifically for function and processes, which will not only build on Key Stage 4 knowledge but to help develop an understanding across multiple disciplines within Psychology. Further from this, synaptic transmission is a key point in Biological Psychology of which students have been exposed to across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 in their science lessons. The development of science as a subject is key in Psychology in the explanation of how Psychology has become a science and has moved on from experimental Philosophy. From Key Stage 3 students are taught the development of science, which helps to provide a solid foundation in understanding the debate of Psychology as a science.

Forensic Psychology is a passionate field for so many Psychology students who want to understand why crimes are committed by some and not by others, how do we stop crime from happening and not only this but what is the real purpose of punishment and is it seeking the outcomes we desire. Students are given the opportunity to delve into the field of profiling, which sees many go on to study criminology or forensic sciences with the aim of working in these areas.