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Topic title: Approaches (additional A level content)

Year group: 12

When taught: Term 6

What are we learning?

  • Recap of the Approaches studied in term 1 of year 12: Behaviourist Approach, Social Learning Theory, Cognitive Approach, and Biological Approach.
  • 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.

Why is this important to know? 

  • It is important for students to appreciate that psychology is not limited to just four, or even six, approaches to explaining human behaviour.
  • The Psychodynamic Approach was the first to consider the idea of an unconscious mind.
  • The Humanistic Approach is important for embracing free will and what makes each of us unique.

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

  • The comparison aspect of this update to the Approaches topic develops a deeper understanding, and students learn to discuss whether a similarity between two approaches is a strength or a limitation of the two. Similarly, where there are differences does that set one approach as ‘better’ in that aspect than the other.
  • Both approaches are linked to topics in the Issues & Debates topic, especially around free will and determinism.
  • The psychodynamic approach is incorporated in psychology explanations of Schizophrenia.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • Students will sit a formal exam on this topic in the summer. This section makes up 24 marks and 30 minutes of Paper 2 at A Level. They will be asked questions varying in size from multiple choice up to 16 mark essays.
  • 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.

What key words are there in this topic?

Quizlet. Click here

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

  • 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. Speak to your subject teachers for access to these.