Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
Information below taken from AQA Specification. Page last updated 2017
What’s assessed? Compulsory content of Social Influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology.
How is it assessed? Written exam: 2 hours • 96 marks in total • 33.3% of A-level
What type of questions? multiple choice, short answer and extended writing maximum 16 marks, each section totalling 24 marks.
-77Days
-7Hrs
-22Mins
-57Secs
Students will be expected to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues in relation to the specified Paper 1 content.
- apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified Paper 1 content in a range of contexts
- analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods in relation to the specified Paper 1 content
- evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.
Assessment Objectives (% of overall A Level)
- AO1 = 11–14 %
- AO2 = 6–9 %
- AO3 = 12–14 %
4.1.4 Psychopathology
- Definitions of abnormality, including deviation from social norms, failure to function
adequately, statistical infrequency and deviation from ideal mental health. - The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias, depression and
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). - The behavioural approach to explaining and treating phobias: the two-process model,
including classical and operant conditioning; systematic desensitisation, including relaxation
and use of hierarchy; flooding. - The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression: Beck’s negative triad and
Ellis’s ABC model; cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), including challenging irrational
thoughts. - The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD: genetic and neural explanations;
drug therapy.
Psychopathology Lessons
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 01: Film - Cuckoos Nest  | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 02: Film - Cuckoos Nest | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 03: Intro to Definitions | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 04: Definitions AO1 | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 05: Definitions AO3 |
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 06: Clinical Characteristics | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 07: AO1 Explain Phobias | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 08: AO3 Explain Phobias | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 09: AO1 Treat Phobias | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 10: AO3 Treat Phobias |
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 11: AO1 Explain Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 12: AO3 Explain Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 13: AO1 Treat Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 14: AO3 Treat Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 15: AO1 Explain OCD |
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 16: AO3 Explain OCD | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 17: AO1 Treat OCD | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 18: AO3 Treat OCD | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 19: Revision Time |
Psychopathology Extra
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 Flash Cards |  Revision Materials |  Super Curricular |
