Year 12
Foundations of Psychology
The first year provides a solid grounding in the core approaches that underpin the subject. In Social Psychology, you will investigate how individuals influence and are influenced by others, exploring themes such as prejudice, obedience, and group behaviour. Cognitive Psychology examines how we process, store, and retrieve information, covering key topics like memory, dementia, dyslexia, and the factors affecting accurate recall. Learning Psychology focuses on how experiences shape behaviour, studying conditioning, reinforcement, and imitation, with real-world links to phobias, eating disorders, and the effects of media violence. Biological Psychology investigates how the brain, nervous system, and genetics influence behaviour, exploring brain structures, drug treatments, twin studies, and neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI and PET scans.
Alongside these topics, you will develop Psychological Skills, learning how to design experiments, collect and analyse data, and evaluate research. You will be expected to engage in practical investigations and apply scientific methodology to psychological enquiry, with assessment by formal written examination at the end of the year.
Year 13
Applications and Issues
in Psychology
In the second year, you will apply your foundational knowledge to specialised fields. Criminological Psychology examines theories of criminal behaviour, rehabilitation strategies, and factors that influence the reliability of eyewitness testimony and jury decisions. Clinical Psychology addresses the definition and classification of mental disorders, symptoms, causes, and treatments for conditions such as schizophrenia and unipolar depression.
You will also enhance your Psychological Skills by linking research methods learned in Year 12 to new concepts, as well as exploring major debates such as the nature–nurture question, the scientific status of psychology, and the ethical responsibilities of practitioners. Broader perspectives are considered, including cultural differences and the role of social control in shaping behaviour.
Assessment in Year 13 consists of three written examinations: the Foundations of Psychology from Year 12 (35%), the Applications of Psychology from Year 13 (35%), and Psychological Skills assessed across the two years (30%). This ensures you graduate with the ability to integrate theory, research, and practical application, fully preparing you for higher education or careers where analytical, investigative, and people-focused skills are valued.
Contact
The Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill
Wem
Shropshire
SY4 5UB
Tel: +44 1939 237000
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