ABSTRACT

By the end of this chapter you should be able to:

Be aware of and explain the recent growth in the popularity of psychology.

Outline the core elements of the psychology curriculum as outlined by QCDA.

Compare the coverage of these elements in the five A-level and four GCSE specifications, and be aware of some criteria that might affect your choice of specification.

Consider the importance of assessment objectives (AOs) in teaching and assessing psychology.

Be aware of additional qualifications in psychology including Access to HE and SQA Higher.

Discuss the rigour of psychology A-level in comparison to other subjects.

Understand the role of benchmarking in assessing department performance and how to obtain and use appropriate benchmarks.