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INFORMATION BOOKLET. WELCOME TO PSYCHOLOGY. Teignmouth Community School. 2014/2015. Name. You are no doubt reading this booklet because you have elected to study psychology at ‘A’ level. There are probably many questions in your mind, for example – “What is psychology?”
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INFORMATION BOOKLET WELCOME TO PSYCHOLOGY Teignmouth Community School 2014/2015 Name .............................................
You are no doubt reading this booklet because you have elected to study psychology at ‘A’ level. There are probably many questions in your mind, for example – “What is psychology?” “What do psychologists do?” What is psychology? What do psychologists do? Psychology is the scientific study of mind, behaviour and experience Psychologists observe behaviour, put forward an explanation or theory to account for the behaviour and then conduct a test to see if their theory is correct.
The term ‘science’ refers to the objective study of something. Psychologists study behaviour - what people (and other animals) do. If we want to understand behaviour we also need to consider what the experience is like for the individual and what has shaped their lives. Psychologists use various methods such as experiments to find out ‘what makes people tick’ Some psychologists conduct research into different branches of psychology, such as the core areas of cognition, development, physiology and social aspects of human behaviour. Others apply this research in areas such as health, crime, education and business. Many work as clinical psychologists helping people with mental health disorders.
People sometimes say “psychology is only common sense!” Everyone is an armchair psychologist – we all have personal views about why people behave as they do – in a sense these are theories of psychology. For example – your elderly aunt might say “those teenagers act in that way because they are hooligans” Your aunt is offering an explanation or theory – but how do we know this explanation is right or wrong? Well, that’s where psychology starts.
How do psychologists explain behaviour? In psychology there are different approaches used to explain behaviour. For example, physiological psychologists explain behaviour in terms of bodily processes and social psychologists explain behaviour in terms of the interactions between people. Some explanations are more general to all areas of psychology, such as Learning Theory, Psychodynamic theory, Cognitive or Information-processing theory and Evolutionary theory.. These are referred to as ‘approaches’ or ‘perspectives’. They are basically different ways (a toolkit) to approach the problem of explaining a behaviour, to find the cause. No single explanation is ‘right’ and no explanation is right for every behaviour. Each works in different contexts and many can be used together. Psychologists choose the explanation that makes the most sense for that situation.
In this psychology course you will gain some fundamental and lasting insights into human behaviour which will help you in your own life and with the people around you. Psychology is a fascinating subject but there is a lot of very new and challenging information for you to understand and learn.The intention of this booklet is to start you on the road to a successful and enjoyable psychology A level. What types of behaviour and approaches do we study? Chapter One Cognitive psychology Cognitive psychologists are interested in mental processes and they explain human cognition (thoughts, perception, language and memory) in the same terms as an information-processing system (computer). There is input in the form of data from the senses which is sent to the brain where it is processed and the output is the resulting behaviour. This chapter looks into the possible ways our memory works and from this they develop models of how this might happen. We also look at perhaps the most important practical application of memory research, eye witness testimony – the guilt or innocence of a person is frequently decided on the accuracy of eye witness testimony.
Chapter Two Developmental psychology Developmental psychologists study the changes happening over a person’s lifetime. Our earliest experiences are key to many aspects of our adult lives. In this chapter we study various psychological explanations of attachment behaviours, types of attachment and what happens if there is a disruption to this bond. In everyday life children experience periods of separation, particularly when they attend day-care, psychologists study the effects of this on their social development. Chapter Three Research Methods In many ways this section runs throughout the whole of the course. There are a number of different research methods available to psychologists. Like the builder who selects the most appropriate tool, psychologists choose the best method for the situation.
It is vital that you know these methods and their various strengths and limitations. This is one chapter where you will find new information and terminology, but also, some familiar areas of data analysis and presentation. Chapter Four Biological psychology This chapter includes both physiological and psychological (biological/bodily and mind/thought) explanations to the relationship between stress and illness. We look at various factors (eg., personality and situations which can cause stress) and how these can effect the stress response. Ultimately, looking at how psychological research has provided therapists with the knowledge to manage stress.
Chapter Five Social psychology As with many other animals, humans are social, many of our behaviours are a result of our social interactions. This area of psychology has studied many sensitive areas of human behaviour and has brought into question the Ethical principles relating to research and the treatment of the participants. Throughout the research process there are issues relating to aims, methods and findings. Chapter Six Individual Differences
This possibly the most ‘expected’ chapter as it deals with psychopathology (the study of mind disorders and their treatment). We look at various ways in which psychologists have endeavoured to define what abnormality is. We then consider the different approaches and their assumptions as to the cause of abnormality. From there we study ways in which each approach uses specific methods in treating mental disorders. RECOMMENDED TEXTS and interesting reads Introducing Psychology – Icon Books Ltd. Nigel C. Benson ISBN 1 84046 059 8 Cardwell, M. and Flanagan, C (3rd Edition) Psychology AS Complete Companion Student Book. ISBN 978-0199129812. Cardwell, M. and Flanagan, C (3rd Edition) Psychology A2 Complete Companion Student Book. ISBN 978-0199129843. Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum (4th Edition) Psychology for AS for AQA A. ISBN 978-0007255030. Cardwell, Clark, Meldrum and Wadeley (4th Edition) Psychology for A2 for AQA A. ISBN 978-0007255047. There are many other texts available but check they fit AQA A Specification and are current.
TASK • Psychology is a brand new subject area • for you, with many new terms and • concepts, to ease the pressure of • acquiring all this new knowledge • really quickly it would be beneficial • for you to have already engaged with • key ideas before the course begins. • To this end I have produced this booklet • and set out a short project for you to • complete. • Read around the subject (general • psychology books are available from • Libraries) • Research and create a project which • sets out:- • A general introduction to each of the • following approaches which includes • their main assumptions you can also include • any relevant • research and/or identify important • Psychologists linked to the approaches • (a) Behaviourist (Behaviourism) • sometimes called Learning Theory. • (b) Social Learning Theory • (c) Psychodynamic Theory • (structure of the personality, psychosexual stages). • (d) Cognitive approach How you decide to present this project is your choice.
