AS/A Level GCE (for first teaching in 2008) Psychology - H168 H568

FAQs

Please find below the most frequently asked questions for this qualification. If you have a question that is not answered here or elsewhere on the website please contact the OCR Customer Contact Centre.

Your regional Customer Support Manager is on hand to provide continued support, advice and guidance on what is happening with A Levels from an OCR prospective. This can include, an overview of our assessment approach or signposting to support and training to help you progress with our new A levels. To arrange a support call or visit, please email 14-19alevels@ocr.org.uk.

A. QCA have removed coursework from the subject criteria for Psychology as a means of assessment. This means that all A Level Psychology qualifications are 100% exam assessed. The OCR specification continues to provide opportunities for practical learning, particularly in relation to research.

A. This is no longer mandatory. Having completed four investigations learners may make a record of their activities if desired, but they will not be permitted to take the portfolio into the examination.

A. Yes the number of Core Studies has been reduced in line with centre feedback from 20 to 15, and a small number of new studies added. The Core Studies are:

Cognitive Psychology:

  • Loftus and Palmer, Automobile destruction
  • Baron Cohen, Autism and theory of mind - NEW
  • Savage-Rumbaugh, Symbol Acquisition. By Pygmy Chimps - NEW

Developmental Psychology:

  • Samuel Bryant, One question in conversation
  • Bandura Ross and Ross, Transmission of aggression
  • Freud, Little Hans

Physiological Psychology:

  • Maguire et al, Taxi drivers and navigation - NEW
  • Dement and Kleitman, Eye movement during sleep
  • Sperry, Brain and consciousness

Social Psychology:

  • Milgram, Behavioural Study of Obedience
  • Reicher S & Haslam S, A Study of prison guards - NEW
  • Piliavin, Rodin and Piliavin, Good samaritan

Psychology of Individual Differences:

  • Rosenhan, Being sane in insane places
  • Thigpen and Cleckley, Multiple personality
  • Griffiths, Addiction and Gambling - NEW

A. The optional units have been combined into Unit 3, Options in Applied Psychology. Learners have the choice of studying two areas from the following:

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Health and Clinical Psychology
  • Psychology of Education
  • Psychology of Sport and Exercise

A. Yes. In response to centre demand, OCR will be publishing past papers for live specifications on the OCR website. These will be free of charge and will start to become available for current specifications this Autumn (2007).

A. OCR is working in partnership with individual publishers for different subject groups. Comprehensive resources are being developed by these publishing partners and others to support the specification and complement the support available from OCR. For details of our partners view the support page.

A. Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans. The majority of these materials are now available online, in fixed PDF format, for reference purposes, and also in Word format, so that teachers can adapt the materials for their own use. All outstanding Support Materials will be available by January 2008.

A. The Schemes of Work contain suggestions on time allocation, teaching activities and resources .The sample Lesson Plans provide specific ideas on delivery of a few of the topics for some unit options. Both resources are intended to offer teachers a range of practical delivery ideas that they can mould to suit their needs, and their students needs.