Princess Helena College

Psychology

All of us are psychologists. Everyday we try to work out why our friends and family, politicians and celebrities behave in the way they do. We all have our theories or explanations based on our own particular experiences and perceptions. Professional psychologists try to study human behaviour in a more systematic way. They too develop theories but they try to test these out in the real world by carrying out experiments and investigations to find evidence to support their ideas.

Psychology

Typical areas of interest for psychologists are:

how to improve memory,
the reliability and accuracy of eyewitness testimony
how attitudes are formed and how they can be influenced
peer pressure
decision making
the purpose of sleep and dreaming
abnormal behaviour and mental health
personality
intelligence
development of thinking in young children

Psychology at PHC is offered at AS and A2 level. At AS we study six different perspectives or viewpoints. These are Social, Cognitive, Cognitive Development, Learning, Physiological and Psychodynamic. In each area we look at some key studies and theories and consider how these can be applied to contemporary real life problems. In addition we look at the many ways in which psychologists carry out their research.

Students enjoy psychology because it relates to their own life and experience. An understanding of psychological principles can be of value in many careers and walks of life.

The following web sites can give you a flavour of psychology at A level.

Great fun with visual illusions http://www.michaelbach.de/ot
Test your personality http://www.queendom.com/
A famous study by Philip Zimbardo which we study in the first term in Yr 12.http://www.prisonexp.org/
A good general site supporting psychology at this level http://www.gerardkeegan.co.uk/index.htm