Psychology is the study of the relationship between behaviour, performance and mental processes. Applied psychology is the application of this knowledge in order to understand events, treat mental health issues, improve sporting performance, and understand how children develop and how to treat criminals. There is a wide range of possible employment opportunities following further study at degree level.
Applied Psychology helps you understand yourself and other people by learning about aspects of human behaviour that will help you in daily life. You will develop knowledge and understanding of key approaches and theories in psychology and apply these to issues relevant to contemporary society, for example lifestyle choices and unhealthy behaviours such as addiction. You will learn about the types and characteristics of mental disorders, approaches to treatment, and the role of professionals in supporting and promoting mental health. In addition, skills will be developed to explore the scientific process in psychological research methodology through conducting your own psychological research project.
Within the PE Department, the aims of the Applied Psychology course are;
- To develop subject specific knowledge
- To develop your understanding of yourself and others
- To increase pupils awareness of their capabilities and an appreciation of individual differences
- To gain a sense of achievement and develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others
- To develop pupil’s communication skills
- To develop the ability to research
- To use cognitive skills to sustain an appreciation of psychological research through analysis and evaluation
- To develop planning and organisational skills
- To refine your critical thinking
- To develop the ability to apply knowledge, skills and concepts appropriately and effectively in a variety of situations and to a variety of behaviours
- To develop analytical and organisational skills and learn about scientific research methods, including collecting and working with data.
Curriculum Structure (overview)
| Year 12 | Year 13 |
|---|
UNIT 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES AND APPLICATIONS – EXAM IN MAY - Approaches and assumptions – Cognitive, Social, Learning and Biological assumptions.
- Key concepts – Cognitive, Social, Learning and Biological approaches with key studies.
- Use of psychology to explain contemporary issues of aggression in society.
- Use of psychology in business to explain and influence consumer/employee behaviour.
- Application of psychology to explain gender identity.
| UNIT 2: CONDUCTING PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH - Learning Aim A – Understand Research Methods and their importance in applied psychology.
- Principles of research, key terms used in research and research processes.
- Learning Aim B – Plan research to investigate psychological questions.
- Research methods – qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and mixed methods.
- Developing research proposals.
- Learning Aim C – Carry out a pilot study to explore current issues in psychology.
- Data collection, data analysis and presenting findings to an audience.
- Learning Aim D – Review implications of research into psychological inquiry.
- Review research process and findings and the implications into psychological inquiry.
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| UNIT 3: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY – EXAM IN MAY - Psychological definition of health and ill-health, stress and addiction.
- Theories of stress, behavioural addiction and physiological addiction.
- Stress, behavioural addiction (gambling and shopping) and physiological addiction (smoking and alcohol).
- Promotion of positive behavioural change – theories of persuasion.
- Treatment and management of addiction and stress.
- Maintenance of behavioural change.
| STUDY ONE OPTIONAL UNIT FROM THE CHOICE OF; UNIT 4 – CRIMINAL AND FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY UNIT 5 – PROMOTING CHILDREN’S PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT 6 – INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY UNIT 7 – APPLIED SPORT PSYCHOLOGY |
