Psychology

Events Why Psychology Extra-Curricular Personnel Facilities and Resources Curriculum AS Level Psychology A2 Level Psychology

Events

First Prize Winner of Cambridge University Psychology Essay Competition

Many congratulations to Rebecca Hewstone who won First Prize in the Cambridge University Psychology Essay Competition! This was a national competition for A level students which ran for the first time this year, and there were around 100 entries. Rebecca wrote an essay entitled: Inoculation against adolescent depression: Reality or Illusion? and she won a prize of £1000. Also congratulations to Nicola Jones, whose entry was short-listed. Oxford High School was the only school to have two essays in the "top ten." On 12th September, Rebecca, Nicola and Dr Squire were invited to lunch at Newnham College, Cambridge, to celebrate this achievement with various prestigious members of the Faculty of Politics, Psychology, Sociology and International Studies (PPSIS).

Romanian Orphans (Talk from Mr Ben Wells, March 2009)

In AS level Psychology, students study the potential long-term consequences of institutionalisation and, in particular, consider the potential effect of institutionalisation on the development of Romanian orphans. It was therefore highly relevant for Year 12 Psychologists to hear from Mr Ben Wells about his on-going work in a school for Romanian orphans. It was a fantastic opportunity for Year 12 to supplement their theoretical knowledge with Mr Wells' first-hand experience, and a number of students have subsequently expressed an interest in doing voluntary work at the school during a GAP year.

Ethical issues surrounding health-related research (Talk from Professor Tony Hope, April 2009)

We were delighted to welcome Professor Tony Hope, Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of Oxford and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, to give a talk and run an excellent discussion session with the Psychology A level students in April 2009. Professor Hope used fascinating examples to illustrate the complex ethical issues associated with conducting health-related research, especially when the research takes place in a different culture. The students benefited tremendously from his expertise, the questions that he posed and the discussion that took place.

Visit to the Institute for Research in Child Development at Brookes University - November 08

In November around 25 OHS Psychologists were delighted to be able to visit Professor Margaret Harris and the research team at the Institute for Research in Child Development at Brookes University.

We had a fantastic afternoon, seeing and hearing about research "in action". Of special interest was the state-of-the art observation lab, where researchers can view parents and children (or, in our case, OHS girls could observe their friends) through a one-way mirror, with sound and pictures being relayed to computers in the control room - very "Big Brother!"

We also had a fascinating talk from Dr Anna Barnett about how she set about devising the recently published Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH), and we tried out part of the assessment ourselves.

Dr Gert Westerman explained how he studies brain activity using ERP and also how it is possible to use the latest eye-tracking technology to investigate infants' language acquisition. Again, we thoroughly enjoyed trying out some of techniques ourselves and greatly appreciated this unique opportunity to have such a "hands-on" afternoon alongside discussions with experts in the field.

Working with children with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

On Friday 25th April Dr Georgina Krebs, a clinical psychologist and a former student of Oxford High School, came to Oxford High School to talk about her work with children with OCD at a specialist clinic at the Maudsley Hospital in London.  Dr Krebs gave a fascinating insight into the difficulties experienced by some of the children that she works with, described effective treatments that she helps to deliver and answered questions from the large audience of Year 10-13 students and staff.

  

The Truth about Hypnosis - 2008

On Wednesday 23rd April an enthusiastic group of Year 11, 12 and 13 students visited Science Oxford to hear Dr Peter Naish from the Open University explore the science of hypnosis and take part in a group demonstration to see if they were responsive! Other events that took place as part of Science Oxford's "Into the Brain" series and which were attended by psychology students from Oxford High School included sessions entitled "What is Intelligence?" and "The Teenage Brain".

Trip to Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, February 2008

For the first time this year, Year 13 Psychology students have studied the Brain and Behaviour topic at A2 level, and have been learning about methods of studying the brain. We were very privileged that we were able to see brain imaging in action at the JR hospital in February. Dr Norbury gave us a talk and a safety briefing (the girls were most concerned that participants undergoing a brain scan must remove all jewellery and make-up!), and we then entered the main console room. The girls were able to communicate with their volunteer via the control centre while "live" images of his brain appeared on screen!

     

Psychology Conference, March 2008

Oxford High School hosted an A level Psychology conference in March 2008 and were delighted that students from Cheney School were able to join us – Oxford High School has never had 70 A level psychologists in the building before!  We were very fortunate that both Professor Charles Spence (a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Oxford) and Dr Simon Green (the chief examiner for our A level course, author of parts of our text books, and lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London) were able to run sessions. Professor Spence talked about some of the exciting applications of his Crossmodal research, including his collaborations with Heston Blumenthal (as seen on TV…), wine tasting, the use of mobile phones in cars, vibrating car-seat warning signals, and the effect of different scents when rating attractiveness (ask a sixth form psychologist!)  On a more exam-focused note, Dr Green had excellent advice for students on improving their evaluation of research in essays and achieving a top grade, as well as some amusing stories about exam howlers…

Look at the BBC website to see Charles Spence’s work with Heston Blumenthal and to try out some experiments of your own!

Why Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour.”  
(British Psychological Society, 2007)

“…The discipline embraces all aspects of the human experience — from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged.”   (American Psychological Association, 2007)  

Students who are intrigued by the way people think and behave, enjoy the rigour of science subjects and are ready to challenge findings and to discuss theories are bound to enjoy Psychology.

Why people do the things they do is an age-old question. The roots of modern Psychology go back to the ancient Greek Philosophers in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. However, Psychology - the science concerned with behaviour - only became established as a discipline in its own right around 125 years ago. One of the exciting things about this is that the studies and theories that students learn about at A level are relatively new, and we are often learning about work that has only been carried out in the last few decades.

A level Psychology has become an increasingly popular choice among students in the UK in recent years and was introduced at Oxford High School in 2005. Although a relatively new subject, it is a successful one. In 2007, one third of the students at Oxford High School who studied the subject at A2 enjoyed it so much that they applied to read Psychology at University. In 2008, all Psychology AS students chose to continue studying the subject at A2 level in Year 13.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Psychology Club

This club provides the opportunity for Years 7-11 to find out more about Psychology. It is held during a lunch-break (dates advertised on Daily Digest); sometimes sessions are run by Dr Squire and sometimes by Sixth Form Psychology Students. This year activities have included testing short term memories, investigating visual illusions such as the Necker cube, taster lessons in AS Psychology and hearing about the Year 13 A level investigations.

Psych Soc

Psych-Soc is open to sixth formers who would like to find out more about Psychology (or broaden their A level knowledge), discuss topical studies and issues in psychology, read popular psychology books or help organise psychology events in school.

All Sixth Form (and especially non-psychologists) are invited to attend the Reading group. This year we have discussed "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. Last year, we discussed the Royal Society Science Book of the Year 2007, "Stumbling on Happiness" by Daniel Gilbert. Next year, the chosen book is "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. Come along and discuss whether you find the books entertaining or irritating! You don't have to have finished the book, you just need to be interested in it.

Personnel

Dr S. B. Squire
MA Cantab, Natural Sciences, DPhil. Oxon, Experimental Psychology

Dr Sarah Squire joined Oxford High School as Head of Psychology in September 2007 and also teaches science. 
She is passionate about Psychology! Prior to becoming a teacher, she lectured and gave tutorials in Psychology while carrying out research at the University of Oxford.  Her main interests are cognitive developmental psychology, parent-child interactions and eating disorders. She maintains links with the university and will be inviting speakers into Oxford High School as well as taking psychology students to see research “in action”.

Facilities and Resources

The Psychology department has a wide range of text books, videos and DVDS which are used to bring psychology "to life" and to supplement students' learning. This is complemented by a collection of books (both textbooks and popular reading) and the latest issues of Psychology Review in the School Library.

Psychology Review is a magazine that is written for A level students; it helps develop an understanding of topics covered in the specification and engages students in topical issues and up-to-date research (it is also possible for individual students to subscribe to this magazine at a small cost). Each student has a copy of the AS or A2 text book endorsed by the exam board; alternative textbooks are also available in the library.

Psychology lessons are taught in a classroom equipped with a networked PC and digital projector which facilitate the use of relevant video clips, websites and interactive resources. Discussion, debate, and practical investigations also form an integral part of Psychology lessons. Psychology involves a wide range of skills - everything from essay writing to statistics - and students learn in different ways; the varied activities adopted in lessons reflect these facts.

Curriculum

The specification that we follow at Oxford High School is AQA-A.

AS Level Psychology

Unit 1: Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods

• How do we remember things?
• Can we rely on eyewitness testimony?
• Do all children form similar attachments with their parents and those around them?
• Does day care have an effect on children's social development?
• What scientific methods can be used to study behaviour?
• Can psychologists deceive people about the purpose of their study?
• Is it ever ethical to observe people without their knowing?

Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences.

• What is the body's biological response to stress?
• What methods exist for managing stress?
• Why do people obey authority?
• Why do people change their behaviour as a result of peer pressure?
• How do we draw the line between what's "normal" and what's "abnormal?"
• Units 1 and 2 are each worth 25% of the full A level (50% of the AS). They are assessed in two 1½ hour exams at the end of Year 12.

Units 1 and 2 are each worth 25% of the full A level (50% of the AS). They are assessed in two 1½ hour exams at the end of Year 12.

A2 Psychology (from Sept 2009)

Unit 3: Topics in Psychology

Three topics will be selected from the following:

• Biological rhythms and sleep
• Perception
• Relationships
• Aggression
• Eating behaviour
• Gender
• Intelligence and learning
• Cognition and Development

Unit 4: Psychopathology, Psychology in Action and Research Methods

Psychopathology (Schizophrenia, Depression or Anxiety Disorders)

• Clinical characteristics
• Issues surrounding diagnosis
• Biological explanations of the disorder and biological therapies
• Psychological explanations of the disorder and psychological therapies

The Psychology of Addictive Behaviour

• Models of addictive behaviour
• Factors affecting addictive behaviour
• Reducing addictive behaviour

Psychological Research and Scientific Method

• The application of scientific method in psychology
• Designing psychological investigations
• Data analysis and reporting on investigations

Units 3 and 4 are each worth 25% of the full A level. Unit 3 is assessed in a 1½ hour exam and Unit 4 is assessed in a two hour exam (both at the end of Year 13).