AQA A2 Psychology
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Famous Psychologists

Unit 3 (PSYA3)
Allows the widest choice of topics.  The paper requires that students answer three questions chosen from eight topic areas.  At RSS we cover biological rhythms and sleep, eating behaviour and cognition and development. 

Examination is three essay-style questions each worth 25 marks but with a weighting towards AO2 and AO3. 

The examination is available in January and June.  At RSS we sit the paper in January

Sample unit 3 paper

 

Introduction

The New A2 specification comprises two further units but with a good deal more flexibility than the AS.  Both units three and four comprise a range of topics allowing each centre to pick and choose the topics they want their students to learn. 

Unit three is examined by a 90 minute paper with students answering questions in three topic areas.  Unit four is examined by a two hour paper with two essay-style questions and a final question that at least in part aims to replace some of the former coursework material.

Specification

Useful Links
Folen's Blog  
BPS A-level Resources  
British Psychological Society  
AQA Psychology Resources  
S-Cool Psychology  

A2 Topics

Unit 3 Topics

Ψ Cognition and development

Ψ Biorhythms and sleep

Ψ Eating behaviour

 
Unit 4 Topics

Ψ Depression

Ψ Psychological research and Scientific Method

Ψ Addictive behaviour

Unit 4 (PSYA4)

Comprises three sections, the first two being similar in structure to those on unit 3.  Section A allows students to pick their psychopathology of choice; schizophrenia, depression or an anxiety disorder.  Section B is all new with a choice of anomalistic psychology, media or addiction.  At RSS we have chosen to be depressed and addicted!  Section C revisits research methods and considers the extent to which psychology can be deemed a science.

Examination is by two essay style questions in section A and B, each worth 25 marks.  Section C is similar to the old-style AS research methods.  Stimulus material describing a piece of psychological research followed by a number of short response questions on validity, design and so on.  There is also scope for a mini-essay question on psychology as a science or design of a piece of research.  Section C has a heavier weighting of 35 marks

Sample unit 4 paper

Radio 4: Piaget's three mountains