Year 1 Completion of Biopsychology [4.4.4] and Research methods [4.2.3]

• 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
• 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).

Schizophrenia [4.3.5] and Gender [4.3.5]

• Classification of schizophrenia. Positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia symptoms of schizophrenia. Reliability and validity in diagnosis and classification of schizophrenia
• Biological explanations for schizophrenia
• Psychological explanations for schizophrenia
• Drug therapy: typical and atypical antipsychotics.
• Cognitive behaviour therapy and family therapy as used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Token economies as used in the management of schizophrenia.
• The importance of an interactionist approach in explaining and treating schizophrenia
• Sex and gender. Sex-role stereotypes. Androgyny and measuring androgyny
• The role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender. Atypical sex chromosome patterns
• Cognitive explanations of gender development
• Psychodynamic explanation of gender development
• Social learning theory as applied to gender development. The influence of culture and media on gender roles.
• Atypical gender development
• Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Completion of Gender [4.3.3] and Aggression [4.3.8]

• Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression.  Genetic factors in aggression
• The ethological explanation of aggression.  Evolutionary explanations of human aggression.
• Social psychological explanations of human aggression
• Institutional aggression in the context of prisons
• Media influences on aggression, including the effects of computer games.
• Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Issues and Debates in Psychology [4.3.1]

• Gender and culture in Psychology.  Gender bias and cultural bias.
• Free will and determinism. The scientific emphasis on causal explanations.
• The nature-nurture debate.
• Holism and reductionism: levels of explanation in Psychology.
• Idiographic and nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation.
• Ethical implications of research studies and theory, including reference to social sensitivity.
• Skills gained: Applying knowledge to new situations and critical analysis of research, theories and application

Revision

Course End