A Level Psychology Edexcel

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Content Overview

120 topics in 14 modules

☑️ Classic study: Carlsson et al. (2000) network interactions in schizophrenia 13 topics
- Understanding Schizophrenia: Definition, Symptoms, and Prevalence
- Introduction to the Researcher: Carlsson and his Professional Background
- Context of the Carlsson et al. (2000) Study: Why it was Conducted
- Aims and Hypotheses of Carlsson's Study on Schizophrenia
- Overview of the Research Design: Type of Study and Sample Selection
- Detailed Explanation of the Method and Procedure used by Carlsson et al. (2000)
- Key Findings: Presenting the Data and Statistics from the Research
- Interpretation of the Study: Conclusions Drawn by Carlsson et al. (2000)
- Ethical Concerns in Carlsson's Schizophrenia Research
- Critical Evaluation of the Study: Pros and Cons of Carlsson's Research
- Impact of Carlsson's Study on Clinics, Therapies, and Treatments for Schizophrenia
- Comparisons of Carlsson’s work with Other Important Studies in the Field of Schizophrenia
- Revision: Preparing for Questions on Carlsson et al. (2000) for Assessment.
☑️ Classic study: Rosenhan (1973) On being sane in insane places 10 topics
- Background and Context of the Study
- Aims and Hypotheses established by Rosenhan
- Overview of Research Design: Type of Study, Sample Selection
- Detailed Explanation of Method and Procedure used
- Results: Presentation of Findings, Relevant Data and Statistics
- Interpretation of Results: What Rosenhan Concluded from the Study
- Ethical considerations of Rosenhan's study
- Evaluation of Rosenhan's Study: Strengths and Weaknesses
- Impact of Rosenhan's Study on Psychology and Mental Health Field
- Revision: Comparing and Contrasting with Other Studies in Psychology.
☑️ Issues and Debates 10 topics
- Nature vs Nurture debate
- Free will vs Determinism
- Reductionism vs Holism
- Idiographic vs Nomothetic Approaches
- Ethical Implications and Social Sensitivity
- Gender and Culture in Psychology
- The use of animals in research
- Comparisons between different psychological approaches
- Evaluating psychological research
- Data collection: Quantitative vs Qualitative
☑️ Research Methods 12 topics
- Understanding types of research methods: Experiments, Observations, Surveys
- Designing an Effective Research Study: Formulating Research Questions, Hypotheses and Predictions
- Independent, Dependent, and Control variables: Their role in an Experiment
- Understanding Different Sampling Techniques: Random, Systematic, Stratified
- The Ethical Considerations in Psychological Research
- Data Collection Techniques: Interviews, Questionnaires, Naturalistic Observation, Case Studies
- Data Analysis: Descriptive Statistics - Mean, Median, Mode; Inferential Statistics; Use of Graphs and Tables
- Understanding Correlation and Correlation Coefficients
- Application of Statistical Tests: T-test, Chi-square test, ANOVA
- Interpreting research outcomes: Analysis and Presentation of Findings
- Evaluating Published Research: Assessing Research Validity and Reliability.
- Writing a Research Report: Structuring, Referencing, Appropriate Language usage.
☑️ Social Pshychology 7 topics
- Theories of Obedience
- Research into Obedience
- Factors affecting Obedience
- Explanations and Research into Prejudice
- Factors affecting Prejudice
- Individual Differences in Obedience and Prejudice
- Developmmental Psychology in Obedience and Prejudice
☑️ The Psychodynamic Approach 12 topics
- Definition and Overview of the Psychodynamic Theory
- History of the Psychodynamic Approach
- Key Concepts in Psychodynamic Theory: The Conscious, Preconscious and Unconscious Mind
- Freud’s Structural Model: The Id, the Ego, and the Superego
- Functions of Defense Mechanisms: Denial, Repression, and Projection
- Freud's Five Stages of Psychosexual Development: The Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital stages
- Theory of Dream Interpretation and Freud's Dream Analysis
- Treatment Methods in Psychodynamic Therapy
- Criticisms & Evaluative Points of Psychodynamic Theory
- Effectiveness and Limitations of Psychodynamic Therapy
- Application of Psychodynamic Theory to Everyday Life and Various Fields of Psychology
- Comparisons of Psychodynamic Approach with Other Psychological Approaches.
☑️ Cognitive Psychology 6 topics
- The Working Memory Model
- The Multi-Store Memory Model
- Explanations of Long Term Memory
- Reconstructive Memory
- Individual Differences in Memory
- Developmental Psychology In Memory
☑️ Biological Psychology 8 topics
- The CNS and neurotransmitters in human behaviour
- The effect of recreational drugs
- The structure of the brain
- The role of evolution and natural selection
- Biological Explanations of Aggression
- The role of hormones in human behaviour
- Individual differences with regards to biological psychology
- Developmental Psychology
☑️ Learning Theories 4 topics
- Classical Conditioning
- Operant Conditioning
- Social Learning Theory
- Social Learning Theory and Phobias
☑️ Clinical Psychology 5 topics
- Diagnosis of disorders
- Classification Systems for mental health
- Schizophrenia
- Anorexia Nervosa OR OCD OR Unipolar Depression
- Cultural Impact on mental health
☑️ Criminological Psychology 9 topics
- Biological explanations of crime and anti-social behaviour
- Social explanations of crime and anti-social behaviour
- Interview techniques
- Cognitive Behavioural Treatment
- Biological Treatment
- Factors influencing eye witness testimony
- Factors influencing jury decision making
- Individual differences affecting crime
- Developmental Psychology with regards to crime
☑️ Child Psychology 8 topics
- Attachment, Deprivation and Privation
- Bowlby's research
- Ainsworth's research
- Research into Day Care
- Cross-cultural research and Nature-Nurture debates
- Autism
- Individual Differences with regards to Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology with regards to Child Psychology
☑️ Health Psychology 7 topics
- Issues around drug taking, including addiction, tolerance, physical and psychological dependency, withdrawal
- Biological Explanation of Alcohol, Heroin and Nicotine addiction
- Learning Explanation of Alcohol, Heroin and Nicotine addiction
- Treatments for Drug Addiction
- Anti-Drug Campaigns
- Individual Differences with regards to Addiction
- Developmental Psychology with regards to Addiction
☑️ Psychological Skills 9 topics
- Types of Data
- Sampling Techniques
- Experimental Design
- Hypotheses
- Questionnaires and Interviews
- Experiements
- Observations
- Additional Research Methods and Techniques
- Control Issues

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A Level Psychology Edexcel Revision Content

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A Level Psychology Edexcel - Classic study: Rosenhan (1973) On being sane in insane places - Background and Context of the Study Content Preview

Classic study: Rosenhan (1973) On being sane in insane places

Revision ContentExam Question

Background and Context of the Study

In the early 1970s, the validity of psychiatric diagnoses was a contentious issue; David Rosenhan sought to contribute to this debate.
Rosenhan's study intended to test the hypothesis that psychiatrists cannot reliably tell the difference between people who are 'sane' and those who are 'insane'.
His study was a response to the medical model of mental illness, which posited that mental illnesses are akin to physical illnesses.
According to this model, mental illnesses have specific symptoms and can be diagnosed and treated systematically.
However, Rosenhan argued that diagnosis of mental illnesses was often flawed and unreliable, pointing out the subjectivity involved in judgments of mental health.
His study was influenced by Labelling theory, highlighting the long-lasting effects of being labelled 'insane'.
His approach was also influenced by anti-psychiatry movement, which argued against the traditional medical approach to treating mental illness.
The study occurred at a time when there was increasing criticism of psychiatric institutions for violation of patient's rights and poor treatment conditions.

The Study Itself and Its Findings

Rosenhan conducted an experiment where 'pseudo-patients' feigned auditory hallucinations in order to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals.
Once admitted, the pseudo-patients behaved normally, but found it difficult to be discharged because their normal behaviour was interpreted as a symptom of their supposed mental illness.
This led Rosenhan to conclude that psychiatric labels were sticky and difficult to remove, which could lead to harmful self-fulfilling prophecies.
Rosenhan's study had profound implications for how psychiatry was understood and practiced, and catalysed changes in diagnostic practices and patient care.

Methodological Approach

Rosenhan employed a participant observation method, which allowed him to obtain data from inside the psychiatric hospitals.
Pseudo-patients were given the task to get themselves admitted into psychological hospitals by claiming to hear voices.
Once inside, they were instructed to behave as they normally would and to insist that they no longer heard voices.
Rosenhan's use of participant observation enabled him to challenge the validity of psychiatric diagnoses by showing how normal behaviours can be pathologised under the label of 'insanity'.

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