Psychology is the science of the mind; the study of, among other things, how our thought processes work, why we behave the way we do and how we learn. Our GCSE Psychology course will allow you to better understand both yourself and others and provides a great introduction for anyone interested in studying psychology at a higher level or simply learning more about how our minds work.

You will benefit from:

A brand new course, written to the latest specification with dynamic and engaging content
Administration and 7-day assignment marking is included
Access to our network of partnership exam centres (guaranteed exam venue)
Pro-active personal tutors – we contact you, help you write a study plan and support you throughout.
Exam pass guarantee (if you don’t pass the first time, we’ll support you to the next exam)

Psychology is the science of the mind; the study of, among other things, how our thought processes work, why we behave the way we do and how we learn.

Exam Pass Guarantee

If you don’t pass the first time, we’ll support you to the next exam for free
Guaranteed exam centre

Access to our Country-wide network of exam centres (guaranteed exam venue)
Proactive tutors

We contact you, help you write a study plan and support you throughout.

Awarding body: AQA
Our course code: X808
Qualification code: 8182

The AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries around the world, highly valued by employers and universities and enable young people to progress to the next stage of their lives. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include GCSEs, IGCSEs and A-levels.

Study Hours

You should allow for between 120 and 150 hours’ study time, plus additional time for completing assignments.

Study Method

Our course is delivered via our online learning platform as this provides learners with a dynamic and engaging experience. Don’t worry, if you prefer, you can print the learning materials yourself. The learning resources are in a range of different media including videos, e-books, and online quizzes.

Course Duration

You will benefit from our personal tutor support for a period of up to 18 months from the date of enrolment.

Assessment

All enrolments now will be for exams in Summer 2021.

You’ll be required to complete the two GCSE standard written exams.

Official exams

1 hours 45 minutes, 50% of marks
1 hours 45 minutes, 50% of marks

We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our exam centres around the Country, to take away the hassle of needing to find your own. Check where your closest exam centre is.

Assignments

During your course, you will also be required complete 9 assignments and one introductory. These do not contribute towards your final grade but provide you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor for marking and feedback. This will help you to gauge your progress as you work through the course. There is no coursework to complete. All exams must be taken in the same session.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive a GCSE in Psychology, issued by AQA. This syllabus has been chosen specifically because it is the best suited to distance learning.

Additional Information

Difficulty - Level 2

Entry requirements - There are no formal entry requirements for this course, however, it is recommended that you have the ability to read and write English effectively.

Course Content

1: Memory

Processes of memory
Encoding, Storage and Retrieval
Long-term and Short-term Memory
Structures of memory
Memory as an active process
Factors affecting memory

2: Perception

Processes of memory
Perception and Sensation
Visual Cues and Depth Perception
Visual Illusions and Theories of Perception
Gibson’s direct theory and Gregory’s constructivist theory
Factors affecting Perception
Culture, Emotion, Motivation and Expectation

3: Development

Early brain development
Piaget’s theory
The theory of conservation and egocentrism
Stages of cognitive development
Application in education
Effects of learning on development
Dweck’s mindset theory of learning
The role of praise and self-efficacy
Learning styles
Willingham’s learning theory

4: Research Methods

Designing Data
Starting Out hypotheses and variables
Extraneous variables
Types of the experiment
Experimental designs
Sampling methods
Ethical considerations
Designing Research
Interviews and questionnaires
Correlations
Case studies
Reliability and validity
Types of data
Descriptive statistics
Interpretation and display of quantitative data
Computation

5: Social Influence

Conformity
Asch’s Study
Social and dispositional factors
Obedience
Milgram’s Study
Milgram’s agency theory (social factors)
Adorno’s theory (dispositional factors)
Prosocial behaviours
Piliavin’s subway study
Social and dispositional factors
The crowd and collective behaviour
Deindividualisation
A case study
Social and dispositional factors

6: Language, Thought & Communication

Language and thought
Piaget’s theory
The Sapir-Whorf hypotheses
A review of the world
Human and animal communication
Von Frisch’s bee study
Human versus animal communication
Non-verbal communication
Eye contact
Body language
Personal space
Explanations of non-verbal behaviour
Evidence of nature: Darwin’s evolutionary theory
Non-verbal response: innate or learned?
Evidence of nurture: Yoki’s study of emoticons

7: Brain and Neuropsychology

Structure and function of the nervous system
The structure of the nervous system
The function of the nervous system
The autonomic nervous system
The James Lang theory of emotion
Neuron structure and function
neuron and electrical transmission
Synapses and chemical transmission
Hebb’s theory of learning
Structure and function in the brain
The localisation of function in the brain
Penfield’s study of the interpretive cortex
Introduction to neuropsychology
Cognitive neuroscience
Neurological damage
Scanning techniques to identify brain functioning
Tulving “gold” memory study

8: Psychological Problems

The Language of Shakespeare
Structure & Form
Prologue
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Act Four
Act Five
Developing an informed personal response to the play

9: Preparing for the examination Paper 1 & 2

Revision Tips
Exam Techniques
Preparing for Paper 1
Preparing for Paper 2

Show 3 more modules

Frequently Asked Questions

We have some answers to common student questions, but if you can't find the answer you're looking for then please contact us and we will do everything we can to answer your questions.

Yes. there will be additional fees for your exams that are payable to the centre upon booking Your personal tutor can provide more details. There are no essential set texts. The course includes some recommended books that you may wish to refer to for additional reading.

You will need to pay separately for your final examinations. Additional texts may also need to be purchased to supplement your learning on the course.

We are able to offer places at partnership exam centres across the UK for our students, therefore, guaranteeing an exam venue. If you choose to find your own exam centre, you can, you will need to register with them as an external or private candidate. Fees vary across the country so we recommend enquiring prior to enrolment.

Yes! You study the same curriculum, take the same examinations and get the same qualification. The only difference is that the course is specially designed to be studied from home in your own time.

You will have access to your personal tutor, via email, who will mark your assignments and guide you through the course to help you get ready for your examinations. In addition, you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process. Assignments are marked by your personal tutor within 5 days. Your personal tutor will be highly experienced in their subject area and qualified to teach.

That’s fine, this course can be studied anywhere and is completed by submitting Tutor marked assignments (TMAs).

Please check our FAQs section or Contact Us, we are happy to answer any questions you have.

Psychology GCSE