HomeMadeEducation. GCSE Psychology (Edexcel) - 2PS01 Week 1 Class Notes

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1 HomeMadeEducation GCSE Psychology (Edexcel) - 2PS01 Week 1 Class Notes May 2017

2 Table of Contents 1. Welcome Page 3 2. Edexcel Course Outline Page 5 3. Week 1 Learning Objectives Page 8 4. Week 1 Subject Content: Page 9 5. Week 1 Case studies Page Week 1 Practice Activities Page Week 1 Practice Exam Questions Page Week 1 Extra Student Resources Page Week 1 Glossary Page Week 1 References Page 28 Week 1 Class Notes are accompanied by the PowerPoint PDF Week 1 Multimedia Supplement

3 1. Welcome Welcome to the HomeMadeEducation GCSE Psychology Tutorial Class. Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to explain why I chose psychology as a subject to study myself. When I was a teenager, exploring a range of future career opportunities, a mentor wisely advised me that developing an understanding of human beings, along with an understanding of a specific job field, would be of value in two ways: i) In virtually every job or career we may have, we will come in contact with others. They may be customers or suppliers, landlords or employees, etc. If one has an understanding of how people are likely to behave in specific situations, and why, we are better equipped to engage with them and achieve a beneficial outcome. This, in the end, helps in fulfilling our role, and therefore our own potential. ii) The job market can be tough and cut-throat, with many candidates vying for a few positions. If you have a CV that stands out as being different, in that it covers the same job field qualifications and experience as all the other applicants and has additional (and complementary) skills and qualifications, then your chances of securing the role are much greater. Once I began to study Psychology, I was truly fascinated by the subject matter how and why humans do what they do. And I am still captivated by advancements in the field, as the depth and breadth of knowledge in the field grows on a weekly, monthly, yearly basis. An understanding of Psychology is beneficial not only in terms of knowing oneself better, but also in career development. It is not only a fascinating career field on its own, it also adds a foundation of knowledge to other careers such as: law and order, artificial intelligence, business, advertising, social work, and many many more. Secondly, below outlines how the course works: This on-line course operates on a weekly schedule (Monday to Sunday) and assumes that the student has read and understood the content, and engaged in self-led activities, during that week. This on-line course operates with a hierarchic structure, where it assumes the student will work through the material in a linear fashion, starting with Week 1 and progressing consecutively through to the final week This on-line course includes tutor support as follows: o online chat (during set office hours Wednesdays at 19:00) o (9am 5pm, Mon Fri, 24hr turnaround) o 45 min, scheduled tutor-led webinar (access available afterward if a student is unable to attend at the time) o on-line discussion forums The on-line course environment can be accessed 24/7 in order to review course materials (weekly lesson plans, supporting PDFs, PowerPoint slides, background resources, & moderated and secure discussion forums)

4 It is understood that students may work to varied levels over different weeks, but that the coverage of content in a linear fashion remains the responsibility of the student (in regard to staying abreast of material and catching up if required) The fees for this on-line course do not cover: textbooks; examination entry Students are expected to demonstrate courteous, respectful, and appropriate behaviour toward the tutor and other students, at all times. Bullying in any respect will not be tolerated.

5 2. EdExcel Course Outline The specification has been designed to draw on five topics selected for their coverage of the GCSE Psychology subject criteria. The topics are phrased as key questions and, through the qualification content structure, students are encouraged to answer these questions from a psychological perspective. All topics ask students to explore and investigate the question and consider why psychology matters. Interpretation, evaluation and analysis of psychology are therefore embedded throughout the topics and the specification helps students to explain, theorise and model in psychology. The five topics are all key contemporary debates in society today and include relevant and contemporary scientific research. The topics provide a platform to explore current debates such as nature nurture, ethical issues and comparisons to see how psychology has developed over time and differs between various cultures. There is a deliberate focus on what psychologists do and the specification enables students to consider the implications of psychology for society. The Edexcel GCSE in Psychology qualification comprises two units: Unit 1 Perception and Dreaming *Unit code: 5PS01 Externally assessed Availability: June series, 40% of the total Overview of content: Topic A: How do we see our world? This topic focuses on perception and illusions, drawing on biological and cognitive psychology. Topic B: Is dreaming meaningful? This topic addresses Freud s dream theory and the theory of activation synthesis. Overview of assessment: Assessed through an external examination. The paper consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are 60 marks in the examination and the result contributes 40% of the total grade for the full GCSE. Unit 2 Social and Biological Psychological Debates *Unit code: 5PS02 Externally assessed Availability: June series, 60% of the total Overview of content: Topic C: Do TV and video games affect young people s behaviour? This topic covers causes of aggression including psychological and social causes. Topic D: Why do we have phobias? This topic considers social learning, conditioning and evolutionary causes of phobias. Topic E: Are criminals born or made? This topic considers proposed biological and social causes of criminality. Overview of assessment: Assessed through an external examination. The paper consists of multiple choice questions, short answers and some extended writing and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.

6 There are 90 marks in the examination and the result contributes 60% of the total grade for the full GCSE. Aims and learning outcomes GCSE specifications in psychology must encourage students to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study and to gain an insight into related sectors, such as science. They should encourage students to develop a personal interest and enthusiasm for psychology and prepare them to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices. The GCSE specification in psychology enables students to: engage in the process of psychological enquiry to develop as effective and independent students, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds develop an awareness of why psychology matters acquire knowledge and understanding of how psychology works and its essential role in society develop an understanding of the relationship between psychology and social, cultural, scientific and contemporary issues, and its impact on everyday life develop an understanding of ethical issues in psychology develop an understanding of the contribution of psychology to individual, social and cultural diversity develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods develop knowledge, understanding and skills The Edexcel GCSE specification requires students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the following contexts: Core areas of psychology: biological, social, cognitive, developmental and individual differences. Application of psychology: the use of psychology to explain and influence everyday behaviour and experience, within appropriate, relevant, contemporary contexts. The Edexcel GCSE specification requires students to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas: A. Data, theories and explanations: collection of data from secondary sources, including the consideration of validity and reliability of evidence analysis and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data interpretation of data to provide evidence for testing ideas and developing theories explanations of behaviour by developing and using scientific theories and models. Investigation and enquiry: planning to conduct a psychological investigation and structure a hypothesis evaluating design and ethical implications of psychological enquiry. B. Evaluative and interpretative skills: recalling, analysing, interpreting, applying and questioning information or ideas presenting information, developing arguments and drawing conclusions, using psychological concepts, terminology and conventions. C. Applications and implications of psychology:

7 the use of contemporary psychological developments and their benefits and drawbacks how psychological knowledge and ideas change over time appreciation of the implications of culture in psychological enquiry relationship of psychological study to other areas of scientific enquiry and society as a whole. Assessment summary Unit 1 is externally assessed through a 1 hour and 15-minute paper. Unit 2 is externally assessed through a 1 hour and 45-minute paper. Unit 1 Perception and Dreaming Unit code: 5PS01 Assessed through an external examination. The paper consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are 60 marks in the examination and the result contributes 40% of the total grade for the full GCSE. The first examination will be in 2014 and will be available in each June series thereafter. Unit 2 Social and Biological Psychological Debates Unit code: 5PS02 Assessed through an external examination. The paper consists of multiple choice questions, short answers and some extended writing and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes. There are 90 marks in the examination and the result contributes 60% of the total grade for the full GCSE. The first examination will be in 2014 and will be available in each June series thereafter. Assessment Objectives and Weightings AO1: Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of psychology and how psychology works: 30 34% AO2: Apply skills, knowledge and understanding of psychology and how psychology works: 34 38% AO3: Interpret, evaluate and analyse psychological data and practice: 30 34%

8 3. Week 1 Learning Objectives In Week 1, the student will understand: A. The intent of the course and how weekly lessons progress (see Page 1) B. The overall aims of the course (see Page 4) C. Key aspects of how the eye and brain work together in human vision: o Learn to identify the key parts of the eye and how they work. o Learn to identify the key parts of the brain that relate to vision. o Learn to recognise and understand monocular and binocular depth cues. o Learn to understand size constancy.

9 4. Week 1 Subject Content 4a. Background: What is psychology and why is it an important field of study? How is the brain structured? 4b. The biological structures involved in perception the eye (retina, rods, cones, optic nerve, blind spot) the brain (optic chiasma, visual cortex) depth perception 4a. Background: What is psychology and why is it an important field of study? What is psychology? Psychology is the study of the human mind. How do psychologists study the mind? Psychologists study the human mind through the observation of human behaviour in an experimental environment. Psychologists may also study the behaviour of other animals in experimental environments and extrapolate its relevance to humans. It is generally agreed that psychology, as a social science, began in 1879 when the German psychologist Wilhelm Wundt opened the first experimental psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany. For the last 138 years, the study of the human mind has grown, developed, and broadened into other sub-disciplines and unearthed extensive information about how and why human beings behave the way they do. However, there remains a great deal to learn. Branches of psychology include: - Clinical psychology - Cognitive psychology: memory - Cognitive psychology: intelligence - Developmental psychology - Evolutionary psychology - Forensic psychology - Health psychology - Neuropsychology - Occupational psychology - Social psychology Psychologists, like other scientists, use the scientific method in order when conducting experiments. They formulate theories, test hypotheses through observation and experiment, and analyse the findings with statistical techniques that help them identify important findings. Why is psychology important? Understanding human behaviour, and its motivations, is important in many ways in modern life:

- Social workers can better help families in need - Doctors and mental health professionals can help treat mental illness - Police have a better prospect of apprehending criminal suspects -

the brain structured? In order to understand psychology, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the biological structure of the brain.

10 - Social workers can better help families in need - Doctors and mental health professionals can help treat mental illness - Police have a better prospect of apprehending criminal suspects - Artificial intelligence (AI) engineers can develop better robots - Marketers can create more impactful advertising - Child care workers can stimulate developing children with appropriate toys How is the brain structured? In order to understand psychology, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the biological structure of the brain. Hemispheres The brain is divided into two halves, essentially split down the middle. Each hemisphere serves a slightly different function from the other. If you were to look at the brain from above, it would look similar to the diagram below. Lobes Each hemisphere can be divided into different sections, or lobes. These sections generally have distinct functions. There are many different sections, but overall the basic structure can be seen in the diagram below.

11 4b. The biological structures involved in perception the eye (retina, rods, cones, optic nerve, blind spot) the brain (optic chiasma, visual cortex) depth perception Consider the excerpt from a police traffic accident investigation below: Witness A: Witness A says a dark blue, four door car drove through the intersection at approximately 35mph, when the traffic lights were showing amber in her direction. She was travelling behind the aforementioned car and stopped at the traffic lights. She saw the vehicle hit the hard shoulder, mount the pavement, and hit the post box and traffic sign. She saw the aforementioned car had no rear registration plate and had two occupants in the front seat. Witness A contact details: 24 Long Lane, Snifferton, Bucks. Witness A particulars: refuse collector, age 32, driving licence valid and held for 6 years. Witness B: Witness B was crossing the intersection, in the direction of traffic, and was half-way across when she says a black, four door car sped past her. She saw the vehicle hit the hard shoulder, mount the pavement, and hit the post box. She didn t notice how many occupants were in the car. Witness B contact details: Gallery House, Bellerton, Devon. Witness B particulars: retired shopkeeper, age 64, driving licence valid and held for 39 years. Police investigators, and many other professionals, have to do their jobs knowing that different people perceive the world in different ways. Perception is defined as the way the brain makes sense of the visual image detected by the eyes. (Brain, Russell, Smith 2009) Perception can differ between different people due to: - differences in the eye, for example being colour-blind - differences in brain development, for example babies vs. the elderly - differences in experience, for example nurses vs builders Understanding perception requires understanding of the following: - how the eye works - how the retina works - where visual information is used in the brain - size and depth perception

12 4.b.i The Human Eye: The human eye is one important component in the human sense of sight (scientifically known as ophthalmoception ). Vision is the biological process of detecting light from objects in the world. Humans have two eyes, which work together to give us binocular vision. Our eyes enable us to watch TV, play video games, drive cars, and read recipes. Our eyes allow us to see the shapes of objects, their colour, their size, their texture, and their distance from us. Amazing fact: The image at the retina is actually upside down from the actual world. Our eye sees the entire world upside down, and sends this upside down image to our brain. (This is just how a traditional camera sees an image through it lens.) It is our brain with inverts the image so we see the world right side up! The brain also combines the input of our two eyes into a single three-dimensional image. How the eye works: The eye is a biological feature of the human body, which enables sight. - light hits an object (ie. a leaf) and is reflected, or is emitted by an object (ie. a torch), in the direction of our eyes - the light travels through the pupil and passes through the lens - the lens sharpens the image and inverts it (turns it upside down); the image is inverted because the rays coming through the eyes are refracted and cross each other. - the image is then displayed on the retina, a layer at the back of the eye which has two special types of nerve cells: rods and cones o rods are light-sensitive and help us see even in dim light o cones are light-sensitive and help us see colour - the retina then sends this image, in the form of nerve impulses, along the optic nerve and to our brain

GCSE Psychology Topic A: How do we see our World?

GCSE Psychology Topic A: How do we see our World? Tick the content covered box once your teacher tells you that a particular sub-topic has been taught. You then need to rate your understanding of that