Psychology Teacher:   Miss M. Visser

Psychology is the study of the human mind. Students will explore theories that seek to explain human behaviour and evaluate research that has been carried out by psychologists to support their assumptions.

The syllabus encompasses topics as diverse as eyewitness testimony, cultural variations in attachment, stress management and explanations of obedience. Additionally students will learn how to carry out research, consider ethical implications and analyse data.

The course includes introductory topics in psychology, psychology in context, issues and debates in psychology, and research methods.

Student of Psychology will demonstrate:

• Descriptive and evaluative skills.
• Application and analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Familiarity with psychological approaches that underpin this subject.
• Knowledge of key studies and a sensitivity towards cultural relativism.

In AS, students will investigate social influences, memory, attachment, biopsychology, approaches, psychopathology and research methods. At A2 there is a choice of topics; students are likely to explore research into gender, stress, and forensic psychology.

Sociology Teacher:   Ms S. Lary, Mr R. Nicholls, Miss J. Kirkpatrick

Sociology helps students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification.

Students will develop their analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements and drawing reasoned conclusions.

By studying sociology, students will develop transferable skills including how to:

Students study key ideas of classical sociologists including Durkheim, Marx, Weber and Walby, referencing their view of the world.  Students will also learn how to apply various research methods to different sociological contexts.