Psychology GCSE
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.
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- 98% Pass Rate
- Students have enjoyed a 98% pass rate
- Exam Pass Guarantee
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- Online Learning
- Study on your own terms with our our learning platform, MyOxbridge
Course Introduction
Ever wondered why we think and act the way we do or what shapes our individual personalities? If you’d love to gain a deeper understanding of the human thought process as well as gain a unique insight into the forces that shape our everyday interactions, GCSE psychology is the course for you.
Not only is it a great option if you’d like to study this subject at A-level or university, but the skills you’ll gain will also come in handy for numerous careers such as teaching, policing, probation work, and counselling.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- Syllabus Code
- Units
-
9–24 months
-
150
-
Level 2
-
AQA GCSE
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8182
-
10 units (view units)
Awarding Body: AQA
AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries worldwide, highly valued and recognised by employers and universities and enable you to progress to the next stage of your life. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include GCSE courses, IGCSE courses and A-level courses.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: Course Introduction
- Introduction to Psychology
- About Paper 1 Cognition and Behaviour
- About Paper 2 Social Context and Behaviour
- Recommended Reading List
Unit 2: Aided and Unaided Observations
- Processes of memory
- Encoding, storage and retrieval
- Long-term and short-term memory
- Structures of memory
- Memory as an active process
- Factors affecting memory
Unit 3: 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
Unit 4: 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
Unit 5: 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
Unit 6: 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
Unit 7: Language, Thought and 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
Unit 8: The 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
Unit 9: Psychological Problems
- An introduction to mental health
- Effects of mental health problems
- Depression
- Types of depression and diagnosing depression
- Theories of depression: biological
- Theories of depression: psychological
- Therapies for depression: medication
- Therapies for depression: CBT
- Therapies for depression: Wiles study
- Addiction
- Characteristics of addiction and diagnosing addiction
- Theories of addiction: biological
- Theories of addiction: psychological
- Therapies for addiction: aversion therapy
- Therapies for addiction: self-management
Unit 10: Preparing for the GCSE examination: Paper 1 & 2
- Paper 1 – Cognition and Behaviour
- Paper 2 – Social Context and Behaviour
- Revision tips
Course Outcome
Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive a GCSE in Psychology (8182), issued by AQA. This syllabus has been chosen specifically because it is best suited to distance learning.
Progression Routes
The progression routes after GCSE Psychology are varied and offer numerous opportunities for further education and career development. The skills and knowledge gained from GCSE Psychology can open doors to many fulfilling and impactful careers.
Examinations and Assessments
You’ll be required to complete the two GCSE standard written exams, all of which must be taken in the same session.
- Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of GCSE, 100 marks.
- Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of GCSE, 100 marks.
We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our partner exam centres around the UK. Check where your closest exam centre is.
During your course, there is no coursework to complete but you will be required to complete nine assignments and one introductory. These do not contribute to 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.
Exam FAQs
Are exams required to pass the course?
For A-levels and GCSEs you will need to sit an exam. You can purchase your exams when you enrol on a course, or you can book them later via MyOxbridge. Either way, once you're on board with us, your tutor will guide you through the process.
Where are the exams held?
Exams will require attendance at a physical exam centre, with detailed information available on our Exam Centres page. We offer guaranteed exam spaces at our partnership centres across the UK, or you can register as a private candidate at a centre of your choice, keeping in mind that fees may vary by location.
When do exams take place - are there set dates?
Exam dates are set nationally and cannot be changed, so it's important to plan accordingly. They are usually late spring to early summer. For example, forthcoming A-level exams are scheduled from 1st March to 31st May 2025, while GCSE exams will run from 5th May to 25th June 2025.
Can exams be taken online?
For A-level and GCSE courses, exams must be taken in person at a designated exam centre.
Are mock exams available? Are they compulsory?
Yes, we offer both compulsory Internal Mocks in the autumn (included in your course fees and delivered online) and optional External Mocks in the spring (for an additional fee, taken at an exam centre). Mock exams are a great way to prepare for the real thing, and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
How and when do I register for exams?
Exam registration opens in the autumn before the summer exam period, so if you plan to take exams next summer, you should register by November of the preceding year. You can complete the exam registration form in your student portal, and our Student Support team is available to help with the process.
Can you take exams outside of the UK?
While our MyOxbridge learning portal is accessible worldwide, most exams must be taken within the UK. Check with us for specific exam requirements to avoid any surprises.
Do I have to buy the exam from Oxbridge in order to study with you?
No, you are not obligated to purchase your exam through Oxbridge. You can either book your own exam centre independently, or take advantage of our partnerships with exam centres for a more streamlined process.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this level two course; however, it is recommended that you have an intermediate ability to read and write in English.