Psychology
Psychology is an extremely popular subject in the sixth form and offers a valuable insight into human behaviour and emotions. Through models, theories and studies, the students learn key skills that will aid them in maximizing their own potential and understanding others better.
One of the most common myths about psychology is that it is just "common sense." Unlike common sense, psychology relies on scientific methods to investigate questions and arrive at conclusions. Psychologists use a range of techniques to study the human mind and behaviour.
Our girls have achieved excellent examination results at A Level.
Psychology is also a popular choice for university study. The subject leads naturally into any career with human contact and is particularly applicable to careers in human resources, marketing, teaching and business.
Psychology is studied using AQA specification A at both AS and A2 Level. The AS syllabus covers memory, eye witness testimony use in court, attachment in children, the psychological effect of daycare, stress and stress management, explanation and treatment of mental conditions, obedience and conformity and research methods.
Study at A2 embraces work in the areas of relationships, aggression and its link with video gaming, celebrity and eating behaviours.
Fascinating FactsFascinating Facts
Every human has dreams although studies have shown we forget 90% of what we have dreamed within 10 minutes of waking. Samuel Taylor Coleridge described a dream in the poem “Kubla Khan” although he was interrupted whilst writing and forgot the end of his dream. Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein were also the results of dreams.
Sigmund Freud, the “Father of Modern Psychology” was probably addicted to cocaine. Before the harmful effects of the drug were recognised, he developed an interest in the potential antidepressant effects of cocaine and advocated its use medicinally. After the addictive and harmful side effects of cocaine became known, Freud's medical reputation suffered.
According to studies made at Northwestern University, men change their minds two to three times more often than women. Most women, the experiments found, take longer to make a decision than men do, but once they make a decision they are more likely to stick to it.