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Fulston Manor School

Fulston Manor School A Fulston Manor Academies Trust School

What my child will learn in year 12?

Term 1

Psychopathology [4.1.4]

  • Definitions of abnormality
  • The characteristics of phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias.
  • The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression
  • The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD
  • Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Term 2

Social influence and Approaches [4.1.1] 

  • Types of conformity. Explanations for conformity, and variables affecting conformity.
  • Conformity to social roles.
  • Explanations for obedience
  • Explanations of resistance to social influence.
  • Minority influence
  • The role of social influence processes in social change.
  • Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Term 3

Research Methods [4.2.3]

  • Knowledge and understanding of research methods, practical research skills and mathematical skills will be assessed.
  • 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 data.
  • In answering questions on Issues and debates in psychology students will be expected to illustrate their answers with knowledge and understanding of topics studied elsewhere in the specification as appropriate.
  • In carrying out practical research activities, students will manage associated risks and use information and communication technology (ICT).

Term 4

Memory [4.1.2]

  • The multi-store model of memory.
  • Types of long-term memory.
  • The working memory model.
  • Explanations for forgetting.
  • Factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
  • Improving the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
  • Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Term 5

Attachment [4.1.3]

  • Caregiver-infant interactions in humans. Stages of attachment and the role of the father.
  • Animal studies of attachment
  • Explanations of attachment
  • Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’. Cultural variations in attachment
  • Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation. Romanian orphan studies: effects of institutionalisation.
  • The influence of early attachment on childhood and adult relationships
  • Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Term 6

Biopsychology [4.2.2]

  • The divisions of the nervous system
  • The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons. The process of synaptic transmission
  • The function of the endocrine system
  • The fight or flight response
  • Localisation of function in the brain and hemispheric lateralisation. Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma.
  • Ways of studying the brain
  • Biological rhythms
  • Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application