A Level in Psychology (AS/A2)

Course Synopsis :
Oxford College ODL offer this full A Level course in Psychology. On completion of your two part course you will be able to:

Understand Psychological theories
Understand terminology
Understand concepts
Understand methods
Have knowledge in cognitive, social and developmental Psychology
analyse and evaluate Psychological theories and concepts
Course Content :

Unit 1: Cognitive and developmental psychology
Part 1: Cognitive Psychology: Human Memory
Short and long-term memory
Forgetting
Eye-witness testimony
Part 2: Developmental Psychology: Attachments and Developments
The developments and variety of attachments
The short and long-term effects of deprivation/separation
The effects of day care on young children

Unit 2: Physiological psychology and individual differences
Part 1: Physiological Psychology: Stress
The body's response to stress
Sources of stress
Stress management
Part 2: Individual Differences: Abnormality
Defining psyhological abnormality
Models of abnormality
Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Unit 3: Social psychology and research methods
Part 1: Social Psychology: Social Influence
Conformity
Obedience to authority
Ethical issues in psychological research
Part 2: Research Methods
Quantitative and qualitative research methods
Research design
Data analysis

Unit 4: Social psychology, Developmental psychology
Part 1: Social Psychology
A: Social cognition
Social cognition: attribution of causality
Social perception: social and cultural influence
Prejudice and discrimination

B: Relationships
Interpersonal attraction and formation of relationships
Maintenance and dissolution of relationships
Cultural and sub-cultural differences in relationships

C: Pro- and Anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour: the nature and causes of aggression
Pro-social behaviour: altruism and bystander behaviour
Media influences on pro- and anti-social behaviour

Part 2: Developmental Psychology
A: Cognitive development
The development of thinking
The development of measured intelligence
The development of moral understanding

B: Social and Personality Development
Personality development
Gender development
Adolescence and the formation of identity

C: Adulthood
Early and middle adulthood
Family and relationships in adulthood
Late adulthood

Unit 5: Individual differences and perspectives
Part 1: Individual differences
A: Issues in the classification and diagnosis of psychological abnormality
Classificatory systems
Multiple personality disorder
Culture-bound syndromes

B: Psychopathology
Schizophrenia
Depression
Anxiety disorders

C: Treating mental disorders
Biological therapies
Behavioural therapies
Alternatives to biological and behavioural models

Part 2: Perspectives
A: Issues and debates
Gender and cultural bias in psychological theory and research
Ethical issues in psychological investigation
Determinism and reductionism
Psychology as a science
The nature-nurture debate

B: Approaches
The physiological and evolutionary approaches
Psychological approaches

Unit 6: Coursework
Introduction
Creating a project brief and analysing your collected data
Report writing

Entry Requirements :
Basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given. Completion of ODL Psychology Foundation Diploma would also be advisable.

Study Hours :
Variable by student commitment

Qualification :
AS/A2 - A level in Psychology (AQA). Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

What's Included :
Course materials* to enable you to successfully complete your A level studies, postage and packing, unlimited full tutor support. Students are required to arrange and pay for examinations. Details of examination dates and examination enrolment deadlines are included in the 'Student Welcome Pack'.
* Essential textbooks for A Level are: Introductory Psychology published by Macmillan and Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 3rd Edition, published by Hodder and Stoughton. These must be purchased separately (AQA Examination).

Course Fee :
£295.00 - Full A Level (AS and A2 courses)
 
Distance Learning A Level Psychology Course.
A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain A Level Psychology. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning A Level Psychology is a flexible and convenient course which allows you to comprehensively prepare for the A Level Psychology exam through home study. What's more, because the distance learning A Level Psychology course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

With the distance learning A Level Psychology course, a personal tutor is available to help you through the course. Additionally, a team of student advisors are only a phone call away.

There is a wide range of distance learning A Level courses to choose from at Learning at Home, each allowing you to study for an A Level at your convenience.