GCSE Psychology Inc Exams

Course Content

This course will cover the following topics:

Topic 1: Memory

• Processes of memory: encoding, storage and retrieval
• Structures of memory
• Memory as an active process

Topic 2: Perception

• Sensation and perception
• Visual cues and constancies
• Gibson’s direct theory of perception – the influence of nature
• Visual illusions
• Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception – the influence of nurture
• Factors affecting perception

Topic 3: Development

• Early brain development
• Piaget’s stage theory and the development of intelligence
• The role of Piaget’s theory in education
• The effects of learning on development

Topic 4: Research methods

• Formulation of testable hypotheses
• Types of variable
• Sampling methods
• Designing research
• Correlation
• Research procedures
• Planning and conduction research
• Ethical considerations

Topic 5: Data handling

• Quantitative and qualitative data
• Primary and secondary data
• Computation
• Descriptive statistics
• Interpretation and display of quantitative data
• Normal distrubutions

Topic 6: Social influence

• Conformity
• Obedience
• Prosocial behaviour
• Crowd and collective behaviour

Topic 7: Language, thought and communication

• Relationship between language and thought
• Effect of language and thought on the view of the world
• Differences between human and animal communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Explanations of non-verbal behaviour

Topic 8: Brain and neuropsychology

• Structure and function of the nervous system
• Neuron structure and function
• Structure and function of the brain
• An introduction to neuropsychology

Topic 9: Psychological problems

• An introduction to mental health
• Mental health problems and society
• Characteristics of clinical depression
• Theories of depression
• Interventions or therapies from depression
• Addiction