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Topic title: Biopsychology

Year group: Year 12

When taught: Term 4

What are we learning?

  • The divisions of the nervous system: central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic).
  • The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons. The process of synaptic transmission, including reference to neurotransmitters, excitation and inhibition.
  • The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones.
  • The fight or flight response including the role of adrenaline.

Why is this important to know? 

  • This unit allows students to better understand some of their own biological processes, in particular what is happening in their body when they have a fight or flight response and an adrenaline rush.

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

  • This unit is the first half of the biopsychology topic to links well to the A level biopsychology topic they will study next year.
  • It also overlaps a good amount of their GCSE biology content. For example most students will have studied neurons at GCSE and those doing triple science have normally covered a little of synaptic transmission.
  • This unit also links to the psychopathology topic of depression. Their understanding of synaptic transmission from biopsychology will help them understand the use of SSRIs to treat depression in psychopathology.

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 at AS and A Level. They will be asked questions varying in size from multiple choice up to 12 mark essays at AS and 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 (for the fight or flight topic only).
  • 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.