Social Influence

Conformity

Types of Conformity

Explanations for Conformity

Asch & Variables Affecting Conformity

Conformity to Social Roles: Zimbardo

Obedience

Explanations for Obedience

Milgram's Obedience Study

Milgram's Situational Variables Affecting Obedience

Dispositional Explanation for Obedience: Authoritarian Personality

Explanations of Resistance to Social Influence

Social Support & Locus of Control

Minority Influence & Social Change

Minority Influence

Role of Social Influence Processes in Social Change

Memory

Multi-store Model of Memory & Types of Long-Term Memory

Multi-store Model of Memory (MSM)

Types of Long-term Memory

Working Memory Model

Working Memory Model (WMM)

Explanations for Forgetting

Proactive & Retroactive Interference

Retrieval Failure due to Absence of Cues

Eyewitness Testimony

Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony: Misleading Information

Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony: Anxiety

Improving the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony: Cognitive Interview

Attachment

Caregiver-infant Interactions

Caregiver-infant Interactions in Humans

Stages of Attachment & Role of the Father

Stages of Attachment Identified by Schaffer

Multiple Attachments & Role of the Father

Animal Studies in Attachment

Animal Studies in Attachment: Lorenz & Harlow

Explanations of Attachment

Learning Theory of Attachment

Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory

Types of Attachment & Cultural Variations

Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’ & Types of Attachment

Cultural Variations in Attachment: Van Ijzendoorn

Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation & Romanian Orphan Studies

Bowlby's Theory of Maternal Deprivation

Romanian Orphan Studies: Effects of Institutionalisation

Influence of Early Attachment on Later Relationships

Influence of Early Attachment on Childhood & Adulthood Relationships

Psychopathology

Definitions of Abnormality

Deviation from Social Norms

Failure to Function Adequately

Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Statistical Infrequency

Phobias

Characteristics of Phobias

Behavioural Approach to Explaining Phobias: Two-process Model

Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias: Systematic Desensitisation

Behavioural Approach to Treating Phobias: Flooding

Depression

Characteristics of Depression

Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression: Beck's Negative Triad

Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression: Ellis' ABC Model

Cognitive Approach to Treating Depression

OCD

Characteristics of OCD

Biological Approach to Explaining OCD

Biological Approach to Treating OCD

Approaches

Origins of Psychology

Wundt & the Emergence of Psychology as a Science

Learning Approaches: the Behaviourist Approach

Classical Conditioning & Pavlov's Research

Operant Conditioning & Skinner's Research

Learning Approaches: Social Learning Theory

Assumptions & Key Concepts of SLT

Bandura's Research

The Cognitive Approach

Assumptions & Theoretical Models

Schemas & Cognitive Neuroscience

The Biological Approach

Assumptions & the Influence of Genes

Biological Structures, Neurochemistry & Evolution

The Psychodynamic Approach

The Role of the Unconscious & Structure of Personality

Defence Mechanisms & Psychosexual Stages

The Humanistic Approach

Free Will, Self-actualisation & Maslow's Hierarchy

Congruence, Conditions of Worth & Counselling Psychology

Comparison of Approaches

Comparison of Approaches

Biopsychology

The Nervous System, Endocrine System & Fight or Flight

The Divisions of the Nervous System

The Function of the Endocrine System

The Fight or Flight Response

Neurons & Synaptic Transmission

The Structure & Function of Neurons

The Process of Synaptic Transmission

Localisation of Function & Hemispheric Lateralisation

Localisation of Function in the Brain

Hemispheric Lateralisation

Plasticity, Functional Recovery & Ways of Studying the Brain

Plasticity & Functional Recovery of the Brain After Trauma

Ways of Studying the Brain

Biological Rhythms

Circadian, Infradian & Ultradian Rhythms

The Effect of Endogenous Pacemakers & Exogenous Zeitgebers

Research Methods

Aims, Hypotheses & Variables

Aims & Hypotheses

Manipulation and Control of Variables

Research Issues, Controls & Pilot Studies

Research Issues & Controls

Pilot Studies & the Aims of Piloting

Experiments: Types & Design

Types of Experiment

Experimental Design

Sampling Techniques

Sampling Techniques

Ethical Issues & Ways of Dealing with Them

Ethical Issues & Ways of Dealing with Them

Peer Review & the Economy

The Role of Peer Review in the Scientific Process

Implications of Psychological Research & the Economy

Observational Techniques & Design

Types of Observation

Observational Design

Self-report Techniques

Self-report: Questionnaires

Self-report: Interviews

Correlations & Meta-analysis

Correlations

Meta-analysis

Content Analysis & Case Studies

Content Analysis

Case Studies

Reliability & Validity

Reliability

Validity

Data Handling: Descriptive Statistics & Computation

Measures of Central Tendency

Measures of Dispersion

Mathematical Content

Data Handling: Types, Interpretation & Display of Data

Types of Data

Presentation & Display of Quantitative Data

Distributions

Data Handling: Inferential Statistics

Statistical Testing

The Sign Test

Factors Affecting the Choice of Statistical Test

Features of Science, Reporting Investigations & the Scientific Report

Features of Science

Reporting Psychological Investigations: Sections of a Scientific Report

Issues & Debates (Section A)

Gender & Culture in Psychology

Gender Bias

Culture Bias

Free Will & Determinism

Free Will & Determinism

The Nature-Nurture Debate

Nature & Nurture: The Relative Importance of Heredity & Environment

Holism & Reductionism

Holism & Reductionism

Idiographic & Nomothetic Approaches

Idiographic & Nomothetic Approaches

Ethical Implications of Research

Ethical Implications of Research

Relationships: Option Topic (Section B)

Evolutionary Explanations for Partner Preferences

Sexual Selection

Factors Affecting Attraction in Romantic Relationships

Self-disclosure

Physical Attractiveness

Filter Theory

Theories of Romantic Relationships

Social Exchange Theory

Equity theory of Relationships

Rusbult's Investment Model

Duck's Phase Model of Relationship Breakdown

Virtual Relationships in Social Media

Explaining Virtual Relationships

Parasocial Relationships

Explaining Parasocial Relationships

Gender: Option Topic (Section B)

Sex, Gender & Sex-role Stereotypes

Differences between Sex & Gender

Androgyny

The Role of Chromosomes & Hormones

The Role of Chromosomes & Hormones

Atypical Sex Chromosome Patterns

Approaches & Gender Development

Kohlberg's Theory of Gender Development

Gender Schema Theory

The Psychodynamic Explanation of Gender

Social Learning Theory & Gender Development

The Influence of Culture & Media on Gender Development

Atypical Gender Development

Gender Identity Disorder

Cognition & Development: Option Topic (Section B)

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget's Theory

Piaget's Stages of Intellectual Development

Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development

Vygotsky's Theory

Baillargeon's Explanation of Infant Abilities

Baillargeon's Theory

Social Cognition

Selman's Theory

Theory of Mind

Mirror Neurons

Schizophrenia: Option Topic (Section C)

Classification & Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Positive & Negative Symptoms: Diagnosis & Classification of Schizophrenia

Issues in the Diagnosis & Classification of Schizophrenia

Explanations of Schizophrenia

Biological: The Genetic Basis of Schizophrenia

Biological: Neural Correlates of Schizophrenia

Psychological: Family Dysfunction Theories of Schizophrenia

Psychological: Cognitive Explanation of Schizophrenia

Treatment & Management of Schizophrenia

Drug Therapy for Schizophrenia

Psychological Therapies: CBT & Family Therapy

Token Economies for Schizophrenia

The Interactionist Approach to Schizophrenia

The Diathesis-Stress Model of Schizophrenia

Treatment According to the Interactionist Model

Eating behaviour: Option Topic (Section C)

Explanations for Food Preferences

Evolutionary Explanations for Food Preferences

Learning Theory Explanations for Food Preferences

Neural & Hormonal Mechanisms in the Control of Eating Behaviour

The Role of Neural & Hormonal Mechanisms in Eating Behaviour

Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa

Biological Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa

Psychological Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa: Family Systems Theory

Psychological Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa: Social Learning Theory

Psychological Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa: Cognitive Theory

Explanations for Obesity

Biological Explanations for Obesity

Psychological Explanations for Obesity

Explanations for the Success & Failure of Dieting

Stress: Option Topic (Section C)

The Physiology of Stress

The Role of Stress in Illness

The Physiological Response to Stress

Sources of Stress

Life Changes

Measuring Stress

How is Stress Measured?

Individual Differences in Stress

Personality Types

Managing & Coping with Stress

Drug Therapy

Non-drug Therapies

Gender Differences in Coping with Stress

The Role of Social Support in Coping with Stress

Aggression: Option Topic (Section D)

Neural, Hormonal & Genetic Mechanisms in Aggression

Neural & Hormonal Mechanisms in Aggression

Genetic Factors in Aggression

The Ethological & Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression

The Ethological Explanation of Aggression

Evolutionary Explanations of Human Aggression

Social Psychological Explanations of Human Aggression

The Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Social Learning Theory of Aggression

De-Individuation & Aggression

Instutitional Aggression in the Context of Prisons

Dispositional & Situational Explanations of Aggression in Prisons

Media Influences on Aggression

The Effects of Computer Games on Aggression

Desensitisation, Disinhibition & Cognitive Priming in Aggression

Forensic Psychology: Option Topic (Section D)

Offender Profiling

The Top-Down Approach to Offender Profiling

The Bottom-Up Approach to Offender Profiling

Biological Explanations of Offending Behaviour

Atavistic Form

Genetic & Neural Explanations of Offending Behaviour

Psychological Explanations of Offending Behaviour

Eysenck's Theory of Criminal Personality

Kohlberg's Theory

Cognitive distortions

Differential Association Theory

Psychodynamic Explanations

Dealing with Offending Behaviour

Custodial Sentencing

Behaviour Modification in Custody

Anger Management

Restorative Justice

Addiction: Option Topic (Section D)

Describing Addiction

What is Addiction?

Risk Factors in the Development of Addiction

Biological Risk Factors

Psychological & Social Risk Factors

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine Addiction & Brain Neurochemistry

The Learning Theory of Nicotine Addiction

Explanations for Gambling Addiction

The Learning Theory of Gambling Addiction

The Cognitive Theory of Gambling Addiction

Reducing Addiction

The Use of Drug Therapy for Addiction

Behavioural Intervention Therapies

Applying Models of Behaviour Change

The Theory of Planned Behaviour

Proschaska's Model of Behaviour Change

Study tools

• AQA A Level Psychology · Exam Questions
• AQA A Level Psychology · Past Papers

Related links

• A Level Psychology · Revision Notes
• A Level Psychology · Exam Questions
• A Level Psychology · Past Papers