A-level Psychology AQA Revision Notes

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Reviewed by

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

Revision guide for AQA Psychology AS and A-Level topics, including straightforward study notes and summaries of the relevant theories and studies, past papers, and mark schemes with example answers. Fully updated for the 2023/24 academic year.

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology

• AS: written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes: 72 marks in total: 50% of AS
• A-level: written exam: 2 hours: 96 marks in total: 33.3% of A-level

1. Social Influence (24 marks)

2. Memory (24 marks)

3. Attachment (24 marks)

4. Psychopathology A-Level Only (24 marks)

Paper 2: Psychology in Context

• AS: Compulsory content 1–3: written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes: 72 marks in total: 50% of AS
• A-level: written exam: 2 hours: 96 marks in total: 33.3% of A-level

5. Approaches to Psychology (24 marks)

6. Biopsychology (24 marks)

7. Research Methods ( AS : 24 marks & A-level : 48 marks)

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology

• written exam: 2 hours: 96 marks in total: 33.3% of A-level

Compulsory

8. Issues and Debates (24 marks)

Option 1

9. Relationships (24 marks)

10. Gender (24 marks)

11. Cognition and Development (24 marks)

Option 2

12. Schizophrenia (24 marks)

13. Eating Behavior (24 marks)

14. Stress (24 marks)

Option 3

15. Aggression (24 marks)

16. Forensic Psychology (24 marks)

17. Addiction (24 marks)

Assessment Objectives

There are three assessment objectives assessed in each examination:

1. Demonstrate knowledge
2. Application of knowledge
3. Analyse, interpret, and evaluate

There may be one, two, or all (only in the extended writing 16-mark question).

AO1: Demonstrate Knowledge

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques, and procedures.
2. Show knowledge and understanding of psychological theories, terminology, concepts, studies, and methods.

AO2: Application of Knowledge

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques, and procedures.
2. Show knowledge and understanding of psychological theories, terminology, concepts, studies, and methods.

In application questions, examiners look for “effective application to the scenario, ” meaning that you need to describe the theory and explain the scenario using the theory, making the links between the two very clear.

If there is more than one individual in the scenario, you must mention all the characters to get to the top band.

AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate

Analyse, interpret, and evaluate scientific information, ideas, and evidence, including in relation to issues, to:

• make judgements and reach conclusions
• develop and refine practical design and procedures.

For example:

• Whether or not theories are supported or refuted by valid research evidence.
• General criticisms and/or strengths of theories and studies:
• Whether or not theories are supported or refuted by valid research evidence.
• Contextualising how the topic in question relates to broader debates and approaches in Psychology
• Animal Research raises the issue of whether it’s morally and/or scientifically right to use animals. The main criterion is that benefits must outweigh costs. Animal research also raises the issue of extrapolation. Can we generalize from studies on animals to humans, as their anatomy and physiology are different from humans?