Topic title: Biopsychology

Year group: Year 13

When taught: Term 1 and Term 2

What are we learning?

• Localisation of function in the brain:
  • Motor
  • Somatosensory
  • Visual
  • Auditory
  • Language centres:
  • Broca’s.
  • Wernicke’s.
  • Hemispheric lateralisation and split brain research.
  • Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma.
  • Ways of studying the brain:
    • Scanning techniques, including:
      • Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
      • Electroencephalogram (EEGs).
      • Event-related potentials (ERPs).
    • Post-mortem examinations.
  • Biological rhythms and the difference between these rhythms:
    • Circadian
    • Infradian
    • Ultradian
  • The effect of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers on the sleep/wake cycle.

Why is this important to know? 

• This unit allows students an insight into neuropsychology as a research area. They are able to explore one of the main ways psychology can be considered scientific.
• They also will gain a better understanding of their own bodily rhythms, allowing them to understand their sleep patterns or menstrual cycle better.

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

• This unit builds on their knowledge from the AS Biopsychology unit.
• It also links to other psychology topics such as cognitive neuroscience from approaches (as they can see examples of how fMRIs can be used to understand cognitive processes) and the nature nurture debate from Issues and Debates (as they can see the influences of internal and external factors on our sleep and menstrual cycles.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

• Students will sit a formal exam on this topic in the summer. This section makes up approx. 12 marks and 15 minutes of Paper 2 A Level. They will be asked questions varying in size from multiple choice up to 16 mark essays at A Level.
• There will also be mid topic and end of topic tests on the unit when we study it.
• Students will also have recap tests / questioning / exam questions on this topic during most lessons.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see?  

• A detailed description of the content.
• Sustained evaluation that is fully ‘PEEEL’ed.
• Using specific research examples to support the points they are making.
• Using correctly key terminology (see below and topic Glossary).

What key words are there in this topic?

Click here: Quizlet

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

• Use the key study list to ensure you know the details of the studies in this topic: Quizlet
• There is an extension challenge set for this unit. This consists of 4 interesting tasks such as videos to watch, podcasts to listen to, articles to read and online courses to complete with a feedback task at the end. Please see your subject teacher to access this sheet.

What wider reading can be done on this topic? 

• There are several Psychology Review Magazine articles relevant to this topic that you can read to extend your knowledge.
• You could read some of the full text journal articles for the studies covered in this topic. E.g.
  • Maguire
  • Gazzinga
  • Decoursey