OVERVIEW

What is A-Level Psychology?

A-Level Psychology is one of the most popular A-Level subjects, combining scientific research methodology with genuinely fascinating content — social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology, forensic psychology, and the science of human behaviour. Despite its perceived accessibility, A-Level Psychology is demanding at the higher grades because it requires students to demonstrate detailed study knowledge, critical evaluation, and the ability to apply psychological concepts to novel scenarios — all within timed conditions. At Improve ME, our Psychology tutors build the study knowledge, evaluative depth, and essay structure that distinguish A and A* candidates from those who know the content but cannot translate it into marks.

A-Level

Qualification

Ages 16-18

Age range

AQA • Edexcel • OCR

Exam boards

COURSE CONTENT

A-Level Psychology Course Content

Advanced depth with step-by-step problem-solving, synoptic assessment preparation, and top-grade strategy for university.

Core Topics (all exam boards)

Social influence — Asch's conformity research, Milgram's obedience studies, types and explanations of conformity and obedience, minority influence, social change
Memory — multi-store model, working memory model, types of long-term memory, eyewitness testimony, cognitive interview
Attachment — caregiver-infant interactions, Schaffer's stages, animal studies (Lorenz, Harlow), Strange Situation, Bowlby's theory, effects of institutionalisation
Psychopathology — definitions of abnormality, characteristics and explanations of phobias, depression, and OCD; treatments (systematic desensitisation, CBT, drug therapy)
Approaches in Psychology — Learning, Cognitive, Biological, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Evolutionary (origins, assumptions, strengths and limitations)
Biopsychology — nervous system, neurons and synaptic transmission, endocrine system, fight or flight, localisation of brain function, lateralisation, split-brain research
Research Methods — experimental design, variables, sampling, ethics, data types, statistical tests, levels of measurement, inferential statistics, report writing

Optional Topics (Year 13, AQA)

Issues and Debates — gender and culture bias, free will vs determinism, nature vs nurture, holism vs reductionism, idiographic vs nomothetic, ethical implications
Relationships — evolutionary explanations of partner preference, factors affecting attraction, theories of romantic relationships, virtual and parasocial relationships
Schizophrenia — classification, clinical characteristics, biological and psychological explanations, drug therapy, CBT, family therapy, token economy
Forensic Psychology — defining and measuring crime, offender profiling, biological and psychological explanations of offending, custodial sentencing, rehabilitation
Addiction — describing addiction, risk factors, neurological and learning theory explanations, smoking and gambling case studies, reducing addiction
Cognition and Development — Piaget, Vygotsky, Baillargeon, theory of mind, autism, Selman's levels of perspective-taking

Research Methods & Exam Technique in Depth

Experimental methods — lab, field, natural, and quasi-experiments (advantages, limitations, when to use each)
Non-experimental methods — observations, case studies, interviews, questionnaires, correlations (design, strengths, limitations)
Statistical testing — choosing the correct test, interpreting results, critical values, Type I and II errors
AO1 / AO2 / AO3 distinction — describing studies and theories (AO1), applying to novel scenarios (AO2), evaluating and analysing (AO3)
16-mark essay structure — AO1 description, AO3 evaluation (breadth and depth), specialist terminology, effective use of evidence
Application questions — using psychological knowledge to explain novel scenarios (key AO2 skill)

ASSESSMENT

Assessment Structure

Assessment is built around topic mastery, regular testing, and exam-style practice where applicable.

Paper 1

Introductory Topics in Psychology

2 hours, 96 marks — 33%
Social Influence, Memory, Attachment, Psychopathology
16-mark extended essays appear across all three papers

Paper 2

Psychology in Context

2 hours, 96 marks — 33%
Approaches, Biopsychology, Research Methods
Research Methods questions can appear anywhere across all three papers

Paper 3

Issues and Options in Psychology

2 hours, 96 marks — 33%
Issues and Debates plus three optional topics
16-mark essays are the most mark-dense questions

EXAM BOARDS

Exam Boards We Cover

AQA

Pearson Edexcel

OCR

Not sure which board your child is on? We'll check at your free assessment.

TEACHING APPROACH

Our A-Level Psychology Teaching Approach

01

Study Knowledge and Application

A-Level Psychology requires students to know specific studies in detail — not just names and findings, but methodology, results, conclusions, and evaluative points. We teach these systematically and then train students to apply them to novel scenarios (AO2) — the skill that most distinguishes A from A* candidates.

02

Evaluative Depth (AO3)

The highest marks in Psychology require genuine evaluation — identifying methodological limitations, considering alternative explanations, discussing real-world applications, making links between approaches. We develop evaluative depth as a specific and recurring skill in every session.

03

16-Mark Essay Structure

16-mark essays are the highest-mark questions in A-Level Psychology and require a specific format — AO1 description, AO3 evaluation, specialist terminology, and evidence. We practise these essays regularly with timed conditions and mark-scheme feedback.

04

Research Methods Mastery

Research Methods questions can appear across all three papers and are among the most commonly underperformed areas. We cover every element systematically — experimental design, statistical testing, mathematical skills, and report writing — until students can answer any Research Methods question confidently.

WHY CHOOSE US