Psychology is one of the most popular subjects in schools today, and is no less popular at University, whether as a specialist degree or as a Joint or Combined Honours qualification. The Psychology Department at Rishworth School has been newly created to meet this demand.
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Psychology is something we all do every moment of the day or night, whether
we are resting or working hard. We practise it in our relationships with others,
on the sports field and in every line of business. It is often a misunderstood
subject – students of psychology do not automatically become analysts or
counsellors, but they do gain a better understanding of themselves and of all
those around them. This better understanding might help us improve our memory,
cope better in stressful situations, understand why most of us follow fashions
and other trends, and be able to recognise unethical procedures.
Since psychology deals with human behaviour, and we are all unique, it is essential to recognise that there are few correct answers and that few theories can be held to be true for everyone. Therefore, students must be able to compare and contrast these theories and be prepared to discuss their validity.
Psychology students should ideally have gained at least a grade B in English and Mathematics at GCSE level.
Psychology at Rishworth
The course followed is the AQA (specification A)
syllabus, which can be taken as a one-year AS course or a two-year A Level
course.
Psychology is a relatively new subject at
Rishworth and is a popular option at both AS and A2 Level, attracting a range of
academic abilities.
Psychology at Rishworth will allow students to
encounter a range of very different viewpoints and give them the analytical and
reasoning skills to weigh various interpretations from diverse cultural and
historical settings.
At AS Level there are three examination modules
which cover broad areas of psychological knowledge. The first module studied,
which is examined in January, covers ’Cognitive and Developmental Psychology’.
The specific areas of focus are human memory and the development of
attachments. The second module, which is examined in June, covers
’Physiological Psychology and Individual Differences’. The specific areas of
focus are abnormal behaviour and stress. The third module, also examined in
June, covers ’Social Psychology and Research Methods’. The particular areas of
focus are obedience to authority/conformity and statistical analysis of
psychological research.
At A2 Level there are three modules, with one
being a piece of independent research. The two examination modules (one
examined in January and one in June) cover the topics of mental illness,
psychological approaches, issues in psychology, relationships, pro– and
anti-social behaviour, adolescence and gender differences in human behaviour.
The independent research module requires the student to complete a piece of
individual research on a psychological topic of their choice.
Outside the Classroom
The Department has invested in a wide range of text books and
general (psychology) interest reading books. Students are encouraged to use as
many of these as possible to further their understanding of the topics. In
addition, there is a substantial range of video resources. Students are also
encouraged to make use of the journals that are subscribed to, and the Internet.
Students in the Psychology Department are invited to a weekly
Psychology Discussion Club where students are able to talk about issues raised
within a lesson or gain assistance with elements of their coursework or
homework. Students are encouraged to conduct independent research, and guides
are provided for this within the Department; students’ communication and ICT
skills are enhanced through the presentation of this material, through a process
of collaborative learning.
Psychology is a stimulating and exciting subject that will
arouse a student's interest in human nature, but it is also an academically
challenging subject that requires much further reading and a commitment to study
outside the classroom.
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