GCSE in Psychology
Pearson Edexcel – Qualification Code: 1PS0 | UK only students
Why Study This Course?
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Psychology offers students an opportunity to explore human behaviour, cognitive processes, and social interactions. By studying key psychological concepts and real-world applications, students develop critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
This course is ideal for students who:
· Are curious about how the mind works and why people behave in certain ways.
· Enjoy analysing human behaviour, memory, and psychological disorders.
· Want to develop scientific investigation skills and apply psychology to everyday life.
· Are considering A-Level Psychology or careers in healthcare, counselling, education, or research.
· Wish to gain a globally recognised qualification that enhances university applications and career prospects.
Who is This Course For?
This course is suitable for students who:
· Have an interest in understanding thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
· Enjoy scientific research, experiments, and statistical analysis.
· Want to explore topics such as memory, social influence, criminal psychology, and mental health.
· Wish to develop transferable skills useful in medicine, business, and law.
This course fosters scientific literacy, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills, essential for further education and careers in psychology.
1. Critical Thinking and Analysis
- Evaluating theories and real-world psychological case studies.
- Understanding bias, reliability, and ethical considerations in psychological research.
2. Scientific Research and Investigation
- Designing and conducting psychological experiments.
- Analysing quantitative and qualitative data.
3. Application of Psychological Theories
- Applying knowledge to mental health issues, social behaviour, and forensic psychology.
- Understanding how brain function impacts human behaviour.
The course assesses students based on the following objectives:
| Objective | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas and processes | 35% |
| AO2 | Apply psychological knowledge to real-world contexts and scenarios | 35% |
| AO3 | Analyse and evaluate psychological evidence and arguments | 30% |
Strong Preparation for A-Level and Beyond
This course provides a solid foundation for A-Level Psychology, preparing students for higher education in psychology, medicine, and social sciences.
Recognition by Top Universities
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE in Psychology is widely recognised by universities, employers, and academic institutions worldwide.
Development of Analytical and Research Skills
Students develop critical reasoning, scientific research skills, and data interpretation abilities, which are essential in healthcare, business, and education.
4. Engaging and Real-World Content
The course explores psychological case studies, mental health disorders, and social experiments, making learning interactive and impactful.
Course Structure
The qualification consists of two externally assessed written papers:
Paper 1: Memory, Development, and Psychological Issues (55%)
Exam Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Assessment Format: External examination
Skills Assessed:
- Understanding key theories of psychology and their applications.
- Analysing how memory, development, and social influence shape behaviour.
- Evaluating psychological disorders and treatments.
Topics Covered:
- Development – How did you develop?
- Brain development, Piaget’s theory, and intelligence.
- Memory – How does your memory work?
- The multi-store model, reconstructive memory, and amnesia.
- Psychological Problems – How do mental health issues affect individuals and society?
- Depression, addiction, cognitive and biological treatments.
- The Brain and Neuropsychology – How does your brain affect behaviour?
- Brain structure, neurotransmitters, and neurological disorders.
- Social Influence – How do others affect you?
- Conformity, obedience, crowd behaviour, and the bystander effect.
Paper 2: Research Methods and Optional Topics (45%)
Exam Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Assessment Format: External examination
Skills Assessed:
- Applying scientific research methods in psychology.
- Evaluating case studies, experiments, and data analysis.
- Investigating topics such as criminal psychology, sleep, and communication.
Topics Covered:
- Research Methods (Compulsory Topic) – How do you conduct psychological research?
- Experimental design, data collection, ethics, and statistical analysis.
- Two Optional Topics (Chosen by our schools):
- Criminal Psychology – Why do people commit crimes?
- The Self – What makes you who you are?
- Perception – How do we interpret the world?
- Sleep and Dreaming – Why do we need sleep?
- Language, Thought, and Communication – How do we communicate?
- Conformity, obedience, crowd behaviour, and the bystander effect.
Each paper consists of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response questions.
