Paper 2: Approaches

Paper 2: Psychology in context

Taken from the AQA Specification (last updated 2017)

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 Approaches Lesson 01-02: Origins & Wundt	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 03: Features of Science
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 04-06: Psychodynamic Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 07-09: Behaviourist Approach
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 10-12: Humanist Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 13-14: Mid Unit Test
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 15-17: Cognitive Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 18-20: Social Learning Theory
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 21-23: Biological Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 24-25: End of Unit Test

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 Approaches Lesson 01-02: Origins & Wundt	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 03: Features of Science
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 04-06: Psychodynamic Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 07-09: Behaviourist Approach
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 10-12: Humanist Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 13-14: Mid Unit Test
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 15-17: Cognitive Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 18-20: Social Learning Theory
AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 21-23: Biological Approach	AQA Psychology: PSY2 Approaches Lesson 24-25: End of Unit Test