YWIES Psychology | Psychology for Cambridge International AS and A Level (9990)

Subject Name: CIE AS&AL Psychology

Subject Title:  Psychology for Cambridge International AS and A Level (9990)

Overview of the Course:

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior, according to the American Psychological Association. It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior.

The syllabus aims to:

· provide an introduction to psychological concepts, theories and research findings

· create an understanding of the range and limitations of psychological theory and practice

· encourage candidates to explore and understand the relationship between psychological findings and everyday life

· develop skills of analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation

· develop an understanding of ethical issues in psychology, including the moral and ethical implications of psychological research

· promote an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity

· study psychological approaches, issues and debates and research methods

· improve communication skills.

Course Objectives:

· Students are able to understand the key characteristics of the psychological study

· Students will learn to design some simple psychological study from certain topics

· Students will learn the biological, cognitive, social factors related to our behavior and other famous theories.

Course Content:

The AS Level core studies underpin the course. The AS Level content includes approaches, issues and debates and research methods and these should be considered for each study as relevant.

The approaches considered at AS Level are listed below. Each of these approaches is supported by three core studies. However, some core studies could be considered in the context of a number of approaches.

Biological

· Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions)

· Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)

· Schachter and Singer (two factors in emotion)

Cognitive

· Andrade (doodling)

· Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)

· Laney et al. (false memory)

Learning

· Bandura et al. (aggression)

· Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)

· Pepperberg (parrot learning)

Social

· Milgram (obedience)

· Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)

· Yamamoto et al. (chimpanzee helping)

The issues and debates considered at AS Level are:

· the application of psychology to everyday life

· individual and situational explanations

· nature versus nurture

· the use of children in psychological research

· the use of animals in psychological research.

Internal Assessment:

Presentation 10%

Experiment design 20%

Writing essay 20%

Quality of homework 20%

External Assessment:

Exam & final assessment 30%

Subject Pathway:

A Level psychology, Psychology subject in university, researchers or clinical psychologist, psychology education teacher, etc.