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1 As and a-levelpsychologyas (7181) a-level (7182)SpecificationsFor teaching from september 2015 onwardsFor as exams in May/June 2016 onwardsFor a-level exams in May/June 2017 onwardsVersion 13 October 2014 Copyright 2014 aQa and its licensors. all rights retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, schools and colleges registered with aQa are permitted to copy material from these specifications for their own internal education (aQa ) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in england and Wales (company number 3644723). Our registered address is aQa, Devas Street, Manchester M15 help and supportVisit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at can talk directly to the psychology subject teamE: 01483 477 8223AS psychology (7181) and A-level psychology (7182). AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationContents1 Introduction Why choose AQA for AS and A-level psychology support and resources to help you teach 62 Specification at a glance AS A-level 103 Subject content AS Introductory topics in psychology psychology in context 134 Subject content A-level Introductory topics in psychology psychology in context Issues and options in psychology 215 Scheme of assessment Aims Assessment objectives Assessment weightings 276 General administration Entries and codes Overlaps with other qualifications Awarding grades and reporting results Re-sits and shelf life Previous learning and prerequisites Access to assessment.

2 Diversity and inclusion Working with AQA for the first time Private candidates 307 Mathematical requirements and exemplifications AS A-level 334 Visit for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationAre you using the latest version of these specifications? You will always find the most up-to-date version of these specifications on our website at We will write to you if there are significant changes to these psychology (7181) and A-level psychology (7182). AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administration1 Why choose AQA for AS and A-level PsychologyRelevant content designed by expertsThese qualifications offers an engaging and effective introduction to psychology . Students will learn the fundamentals of the subject and develop skills valued by Higher Education (HE) and employers, including critical analysis, independent thinking and the most popular features of our previous, market-leading qualifications, we have worked with teachers, HE and the British Psychological Society to produce clear, up-to-date and stimulating specifications.

3 We have built on the success of our previous specifications by introducing some minor amendments that reflect advances and changes in the subject and provide a coherent and holistic programme of biggest teaching communityWe are the most popular choice for AS and A-level psychology and by choosing our specification you will be part of the country s largest community of psychology teachers and have access to the widest network of support to help your continuityOur focus for these new qualifications has been on providing continuity for teachers. You will see many familiar and popular topics from our previous specifications which include: approaches and methods related to the core areas of psychology cognitive, social, biological, developmental, individual differences and research methods are all retained and delivered through content similar to the previous specifications explanations from different approaches, along with psychological issues and debates, are retained A-level students can choose from a range of attractive topic options which have been arranged to help teachers to teach to their strengths and at the same time ensure that their students experience an interesting, diverse and coherent course of study, regardless of which topics they assessmentOur assessments continue to employ a variety of familiar types of question such as multiple choice, short answer and extended writing/essays, which target the skills of knowledge and understanding, application and understanding of research methods, gained through classroom experience of practical psychology .

4 Will be assessed using the familiar scenario-based question style and research methods questions embedded in of AS and A-levelWe have designed the AS and A-level specifications to cover the core areas of psychology and be fully co-teachable within the first year of study. We know this will help teachers with resourcing and timetabling and will also allow students to switch between AS and A-level during the first year if they for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationProgressionOur specifications will appeal to a cross-section of students, regardless of whether they have studied the subject before. It builds on skills developed in the sciences and humanities, and enables progression into a wide range of other can find out about all our psychology qualifications at support and resources to help you teachWe know that support and resources are vital for your teaching and that you have limited time to find or develop good quality materials.

5 So we ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for resourcesWe have too many psychology resources to list here so visit to see them all. They include: flexible sample schemes of work to help you plan for course delivery in your own way individual lesson plans on specific topic areas to assist you in providing continuity and progression in teaching specimen assessment materials that will give your students a clear idea as to what is expected in the examinations a range of student textbooks from AQA approved publishers example practical activities for research methods (teachers should ensure that the British Psychological Societies Code of Ethics and Conduct is followed in any practical research activity. This can be found on the British Psychological Societies website ) training courses to help you deliver AQA psychology qualifications subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh for examsVisit for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including: past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions exemplar student answers with examiner your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve.

6 ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit psychology (7181) and A-level psychology (7182). AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationKeep your skills up to date with professional developmentWherever you are in your career, there s always something new to learn. As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills. Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements. Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at help and supportVisit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at You can talk directly to the psychology subject teamE: 01483 477 8228 Visit for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administration2 Specification at a glanceThese qualifications are linear.

7 Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level ASSubject content1 Social influence (page 12)2 Memory (page 13)3 Attachment (page 13)4 Approaches in psychology (page 14)5 Psychopathology (page 14)6 Research methods (page 14)9AS psychology (7181) and A-level psychology (7182). AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationAssessmentsPaper 1: Introductory topics in psychologyWhat's assessedCompulsory content 1 3 aboveAssessed written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 72 marks in total 50% of ASQuestions Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks +Paper 2: psychology in contextWhat's assessedCompulsory content 4 6 aboveAssessed written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes 72 marks in total 50% of ASQuestions Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section C.

8 Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks10 Visit for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and A-levelSubject contentCompulsory content1 Social influence (page 16)2 Memory (page 17)3 Attachment (page 17)4 Psychopathology (page 17)5 Approaches in psychology (page 18)6 Biopsychology (page 19)7 Research methods (page 19)8 Issues and debates in psychology (page 21)OptionalOption 19 Relationships (page 22)10 Gender (page 22)11 Cognition and development (page 22)Option 212 schizophrenia (page 23)13 Eating behaviour (page 23)14 Stress (page 23)Option 315 Aggression (page 24)16 Forensic psychology (page 24)17 Addiction (page 24)11AS psychology (7181) and A-level psychology (7182). AS exams May/June 2016 onwards. A-level exams May/June 2017 onwards. Version for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administrationAssessmentsPaper 1: Introductory topics in psychologyWhat's assessedCompulsory content 1 4 aboveAssessed written exam: 2 hours 96 marks in total of A-levelQuestions Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section D: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Paper 2: psychology in contextWhat's assessedCompulsory content 5 7 aboveAssessed written exam: 2 hours 96 marks in total of A-levelQuestions Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 48 marks Paper 3.

9 Issues and options in psychologyWhat's assessedCompulsory content 8 aboveOptional content, one from option 1, 9 11, one from option 2, 12 14, one from option 3, 15 17 aboveAssessed written exam: 2 hours 96 marks in total of A-levelQuestions Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section B: one topic from option 1, 9 11 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section C: one topic from option 2, 12 14 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks Section D: one topic from option 3, 15 17 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks++12 Visit for the most up-to-date specifications, resources, support and administration3 Subject content Introductory topics in psychologyStudents will be expected to: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues in relation to the specified Paper 1 content apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified Paper 1 content in a range of contexts analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods in relation to the specified Paper 1 content evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and and understanding of research methods, practical research skills and mathematical skills (see Annex: Mathematical requirements and exemplifications (page 31)) will be assessed in Paper 1.

10 These skills should be developed through study of the specification content and through ethical practical research activities, involving: designing research conducting research analysing and interpreting carrying out practical research activities, students will manage associated risks and use information and communication technology (ICT). Social influence Types of conformity: internalisation, identification and compliance. Explanations for conformity: informational social influence and normative social influence, and variables affecting conformity including group size, unanimity and task difficulty as investigated by Asch. Conformity to social roles as investigated by Zimbardo. Explanations for obedience: agentic state and legitimacy of authority, and situational variables affecting obedience including proximity, location and uniform, as investigated by Milgram. Dispositional explanation for obedience: the Authoritarian Personality. Explanations of resistance to social influence, including social support and locus of control.