Higher Psychology

An Introduction

Recommended Entry Candidates will normally be expected to

have attained the following or equivalent:– Standard Grade in a social subject at

Credit level or an equivalent Intermediate 2 Course or Units

– Or Intermediate 2 Psychology– And Standard Grade English at Credit

level or Communication at Intermediate 2

Should you be here?

A psychologist at a party…

So, what do you do then?

I’m a psychologist

.

Oh! I’d better be careful what I say from now on.

I bet you meet some right weirdos in your work.

What exactly is psychology?

Welcome Welcome to the Higher Psychology

Course Higher Psychology is a really interesting

course and is a great qualification to have for many careers and courses.

However, the course is hard work and requires lots of motivation.– Why do you think psychology is a

difficult higher to take?

Getting Started Before we really begin the course there

are two fundamental questions we need to consider.– What do you think they are?

What is psychology?

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged?

What is Psychology? What do you think of when you think

of psychology? How do you imagine psychologists

to look like? Do you know of any famous

psychologists?

Your first task is to find a good definition of psychology and display this as a memorable and colourful poster.

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged? You will be studying 5 domains (areas)

of psychology.– Cognitive Psychology– Physiological Psychology– Social Psychology– Psychology of Individual Differences– Research Methods

These domains are spread across three units.

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged? The three Units to be covered are:

– 1. Understanding the individual– 2. Investigating behaviour– 3. The individual in the social context

1. Understanding the individual– Topic: Memory (Cognitive Psychology)– Topic: Stress (Physiological Psychology)

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged? 2. Investigating Behaviour

– Domain: Research Methods– Nature of research process is studied and

an individual research investigation project is carried out.

3. Individual in the Social Context– Three of the following topics:

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged?Topics Domains

Prejudice

Social PsychologyAnti-social behaviour

Conformity & obedience

Social relationships

Atypical behaviour – definitions and origins

Psychology of Individual Differences

Atypical behaviour – therapies

Intelligence

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged? Assessment Objectives

– 1. Knowledge & Understanding– 2. Analysis & Evaluation– 3. Practical Research Skills

Unit assessments:– Unit 1 = NAB covering objectives 1 & 2– Unit 2:

• 50% = NAB covering objectives 1 & 2• 50% = Research project covering objective 3

– Unit 3 = NAB covering objectives 1 & 2

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged? Course Assessment

– Research Investigation = 20%– Question Paper = 80%

Question Paper– 2 hours 30 minutes– 3 sections– 100 marks– Approx 60% K&U, 40% A&E

How is the Higher Psychology course arranged? Approximate grade boundaries:

– 70% = A– 65% = B– 50% = C

Ground Rules Why should we establish ground rules

in psychology? Think of a rule which you would like to

have for our psychology lessons. Discuss your rule with the person next

to you. Get together in groups of four to share

your ideas for rules. Join to form a group of 8 and work

together to pick your top 5 rules.