Paper 2: Approaches

Paper 2: Psychology in context

What’s assessed? Compulsory content of Approaches, Biopsychology and Research Methods.

How is it assessed? Written exam: 2 hours • 96 marks in total • 33.3% of A-level

What type of questions? Section A&B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing maximum 16 marks, each section totaling 24 marks. Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing maximum 16 marks, section totaling 48 marks

Approaches Lessons

AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 01: Origins & Wundt	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 02: Rocket Science	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 03: Freud Part 1	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 04: Freud Part 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 05: Freud Part 3
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 06: Essay Plan	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 07: Pavlov	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 08: Skinner	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 09: Eval Behaviour	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 10: Maslow
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 11: Rogers	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 12: Eval Human	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 13: Cog Part 1	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 14: Cog Part 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 15: Cog Part 3
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 16: SLT Part 1	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 17: SLT Part 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 18: Essay Plan 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 19: Biology	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 20: Evo Psych
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 21: Eval Bio	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 22: End of Unit

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 2 content.
• apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified Paper 2 content in a range of contexts
• analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods in relation to the specified Paper 2 content
• evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.

Assessment Objectives (% of overall A Level)

• AO1 = 7–10 %
• AO2 = 16–19 %
• AO3 = 7–9 %

4.2.1 Approaches in psychology

• Origins of psychology: Wundt, introspection and the emergence of psychology as a science.
• Learning approaches: (i) the behaviourist approach, including classical conditioning and Pavlov’s research, operant conditioning, types of reinforcement and Skinner’s research; (ii) social learning theory including imitation, identification, modelling, vicarious reinforcement, the role of mediational processes and Bandura’s research.
• The cognitive approach: the study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes. The emergence of cognitive neuroscience.
• The biological approach: the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour. Genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of behaviour, evolution and behaviour.
• The psychodynamic approach: the role of the unconscious, the structure of personality, that is ID, ego and superego, defence mechanisms including repression, denial and displacement, psychosexual stages.
• Humanistic psychology: free will, self-actualisation and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, focus on the self, congruence, the role of conditions of worth. The influence on counselling psychology.
• Comparison of approaches.

(information taken from the AQA Specification – page last updated 2017)

Approaches Lessons

AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 01: Origins & Wundt	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 02: Rocket Science	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 03: Freud Part 1	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 04: Freud Part 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 05: Freud Part 3
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 06: Essay Plan	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 07: Pavlov	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 08: Skinner	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 09: Eval Behaviour	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 10: Maslow
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 11: Rogers	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 12: Eval Human	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 13: Cog Part 1	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 14: Cog Part 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 15: Cog Part 3
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 16: SLT Part 1	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 17: SLT Part 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 18: Essay Plan 2	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 19: Biology	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 20: Evo Psych
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 21: Eval Bio	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approach Lesson 22: End of Unit