GCSE Psychology Topics by Exam Board: Full List

As a GCSE Psychology student, locating the information you require about the exam board you are studying can be challenging. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the GCSE psychology topics covered by the following exam boards: AQA, OCR and Pearson Edexcel. This way, you will know exactly what to learn and where to look for the best exam board specific revision materials.

AQA GCSE Psychology Topics

AQA GCSE Psychology is divided into eight topics:

1. Memory

2. Perception

3. Development

4. Research methods

5. Social influence

6. Language, thought and communication

7. Brain and neuropsychology

8. Psychological problems

1. Memory

This topic explores how memories are stored and what kinds of memories are processed in the brain. You will learn several key research studies and theories that explain why our memories are not always accurate and the implications this has in real life. 

Topics include:

• Processes of Memory

• Structures of Memory

• Memory as an Active Process

• Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Memory
  

2. Perception

This topic explores depth perception and whether we are born with an innate ability to perceive depth and distance or whether it is learnt from past experience. You will learn a range of visual illusions and the reasons why our brain can be tricked by them. 

The perception topic includes several key research studies and theories that delve into a range of factors that can affect our perception.

Topics include:

• Sensation and Perception

• Visual Cues and Constancies

• Visual Illusions

• Theories of Perception

• Factors Affecting Perception

3. Development

This topic covers how children’s knowledge, thinking and intelligence change as they get older. This topic is dominated by Piaget’s classic research on cognitive development, and you will explore how education has developed, partly due to Piaget’s ideas. 

Another key element of this topic is the impact that mindsets (growth and fixed), praise and learning styles have on cognitive development. 

Topics include:

• Early Brain Development

• Piaget’s Theory of Development

• The Effects of Learning on Development

4. Research Methods

Research methods is arguably the most important part of this course, as you need to know how to design and conduct research and how to analyse and interpret the data collected from research studies to draw conclusions. 

It is recommended that you carry out practical (and ethical!) research activities to help you get to grips with the different research techniques psychologists use when conducting research, so that you can ace this part of the course. 

Topics include:

• Hypotheses, Variables and Research Procedures

• Designing Research Methods

• Sampling, Ethics, Reliability and Validity

• Data Handling: Computation and Descriptive Statistics

• Data Handling: Types, Interpretation and Display of Data

5. Social Influence

This topic explores how social and personality factors affect the likelihood of conforming to group pressure and the likelihood of obeying an authority figure. You will learn about Asch’s line study and Milgram’s classic study of obedience.

You will also learn how social and personality factors affect our willingness to help someone who is in an emergency in public, as well as the reasons for pro-social and anti-social behaviour in crowds.

Topics include:

• Conformity

• Obedience

• Pro-social Behaviour

• Crowd and Collective Behaviour

6. Language, Thought and Communication 

This topic delves into the relationship between language and thought and whether our ability to use language depends on the development of thought and understanding first or the other way around.

You will learn about the differences between human and animal communication as well as the functions of eye contact, what your body language reveals, and how there are cultural differences in personal space.

Topics include:

• Language and Thought

• Human and Animal Communication

• Non-Verbal Communication

• Explanations of Non-Verbal Behaviour

7. Brain and Neuropsychology

This biology-dominated topic explores the structure and function of the nervous system, including the fight or flight mechanism. You will also learn about the different types of neurons in the body and brain, including synaptic transmission and the release of neurotransmitters. 

There are several key research studies and theories in this topic that show how different areas of the brain are responsible for distinct functions.

Topics include:

• Structure and Function of the Nervous System

• Neuron Structure and Function

• Structure and Function of the Brain

• An Introduction to Neuropsychology

8. Psychological Problems 

This topic explores the characteristics of good mental health and the social and individual effects of mental health problems. You will learn about depression and addiction in depth, including the clinical characteristics of each disorder, the theories behind why the disorders develop, and the different treatments available. 

Topics include:

• An Introduction to and the Effects of Mental Health

• Depression

• Addiction

What is covered in AQA GCSE Psychology Papers 1 & 2?

Revision Resources for AQA GCSE Psychology

If you’re looking for revision resources for the AQA GCSE Psychology course, the experts at Save My Exams have meticulously combed through the AQA GCSE Psychology specification to ensure that the revision notes, exam questions and past papers we provide are perfectly aligned with the exam board’s requirements.

• AQA GCSE Psychology Revision Notes 

• AQA GCSE Psychology Past Papers

OCR GCSE Psychology Topics

OCR GCSE Psychology is divided into seven topics:

1. Criminal psychology

2. Development

3. Psychological problems

4. Social influence

5. Memory

6. Sleep and dreaming

7. Research methods

 Brain and neuropsychology content is embedded within the topics above.

1. Criminal psychology

This topic covers different types of crime and how the incidence of crime is measured. You will learn some key research studies and theories that explain why people commit crimes and the role of rehabilitation and punishment in reducing criminal and anti-social behaviour. 

Topics include:

• Different Types of Crime

• The Social Learning Theory of Criminality

• Eysenck’s Criminal Personality Theory

• The Changing Nature of Punishment

2. Development

This topic covers the stages of development from pre-natal to adulthood and explores how brain structure and function change as we age. This topic includes Piaget’s classic research on cognitive development, Dweck’s mindset theory and Willingham’s learning theory and how their ideas have been applied to education. 

Topics include:

• Stages of Development

• The Development of Brain Structure and Functions

• Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• The Role of Learning on Development

• The Changing Role of Education 

3. Psychological Problems 

This topic explores the definitions of and prevalence of mental health problems as well as their social and individual effects. You will learn about schizophrenia and clinical depression in depth, including the clinical characteristics of each disorder, the theories behind why the disorders develop, and the different treatments available. 

Topics include:

• An Introduction to and the Effects of Mental Health

• Schizophrenia

• Depression

• The Development of Treatments

4. Social Influence

This topic examines how personality and social factors influence the possibility of exhibiting pro-social or anti-social behaviour, conformity to group pressure, and obedience to authority figures.

You will learn some key studies in this area along with how minority and majority influence affect social change in terms of mental health stigma and discrimination. 

Topics include:

• Conformity

• Obedience

• Crowd and Collective Behaviour

• Social Change

5. Memory

This topic explores how memories are stored and forgotten and how the brain works in the formation of memories. You will learn several key research studies and theories that explain why our memories are not always accurate and the techniques used for recall. 

Topics include:

• Brain Structure and Functions in the Formation of Memories

• Structure and Process of the Multi-store Model of Memory

• Structure and Process of the Theory of Reconstructive Memory

• Techniques Used for Recall

6. Sleep and Dreaming

This topic covers the features and benefits of sleep as well as the brain structures involved in sleep and dreaming. You will learn key research studies and theories that explain why we dream and you will learn about the treatments for insomnia. 

Topics include:

• The Functions, Features and Benefits of Sleep

• The Nature of Dreaming

• Theories of Dreaming

• Development of Treatments for Insomnia

7. Research Methods

Research methods is a key element of this course; you need to know how to design and conduct investigations and how to analyse and interpret the data collected from research studies to draw conclusions. 

It is recommended that you carry out practical (and ethical!) research activities to help you get to grips with the different research techniques psychologists use when conducting research. 

Topics include:

• Hypotheses, Variables and Research Procedures

• Designing Research Methods

• Sampling, Ethics, Reliability and Validity

• Data Handling: Computation and Descriptive Statistics

• Data Handling: Types, Interpretation and Display of Data

• Sources of Bias

What is covered in OCR GCSE Psychology Papers 1 & 2?

Revision Resources for OCR GCSE Psychology

If you’re looking for revision resources for the OCR GCSE Psychology course, the experts at Save My Exams have combed through the specification to ensure that the past papers we provide are perfectly aligned with the exam board’s requirements.

• OCR GCSE Psychology Past Papers

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topics

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology is divided into compulsory and optional topics:

1. Development

This topic covers early brain development and includes Piaget’s classic research on cognitive development, Dweck’s mindset theory and Willingham’s learning theory and how their ideas have been applied to education. 

Topics include:

• Early Brain Development

• Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• The Effects of Learning on Development

• Understanding the Development of Morality

2. Memory

This topic explores information processing of memories and the features of short- and long-term memory. You will learn several key research studies and theories that explain how our memories work and why they are not always accurate.

Topics include:

• Structure and Process of Memory Formation

• Structure and Process of the Multi-store Model of Memory

• The Theory of Reconstructive Memory

• Understanding the Reductionism and Holism Debate

3. Psychological Problems 

This topic explores the prevalence of mental health problems as well as the social and individual effects of them. You will learn about addiction and unipolar depression in depth, including the clinical characteristics of each disorder, the theories behind why the disorders develop, and the different treatments available. 

Topics include:

• An Introduction to and the Effects of Mental Health Problems

• Addiction

• Unipolar Depression

• The Development of Treatments

• The Nature and Nurture Debate

4. Brain and Neuropsychology

This biological topic explores the structure and function of the nervous system. You will also learn about the different types of neurons in the body and brain, including synaptic transmission and the release of neurotransmitters. 

There are several key research studies and theories on this topic that show how different areas of the brain are responsible for distinct functions and the impact that neurological damage has on these functions.

Topics include:

• Structure and Function of the Nervous System

• Neuron Structure and Function

• Structure and Function of the Brain

• The Impact of Neurological Damage on Cognitions and Behaviour

5. Social Influence

This topic examines how personality and social factors influence the possibility of bystander intervention, conforming to group pressure, and obeying authority figures. You will learn about the effect of collective behaviour, including pro-social and anti-social behaviour as well as social and cultural issues in psychology.

Topics include:

• Conformity

• Obedience

• Crowd and Collective Behaviour

• Bystander Intervention

6. Criminal psychology (optional topic)

This topic covers some key research studies and theories that explain why people commit crimes and the role of rehabilitation and punishment in reducing criminal and anti-social behaviour. 

Topics include:

• Learning Theories of Crime

• Eysenck’s Criminal Personality Theory

• The Effect of Punishment on Recidivism

7. The self  (optional topic)

This topic explores what makes you who you are. You will learn some key research studies and theories that will help you understand how you develop your sense of identity and self-esteem. You will also learn the different ways that personality can be measured.

Topics include:

• Concepts of the Self

• The Humanistic Theory of the Self

• The Trait Theory of Personality

8. Perception (optional topic)

This topic explores depth perception and whether we are born with an innate ability to perceive depth and distance or whether it is learnt from past experience. You will learn a range of visual illusions and the reasons why our brain is tricked by them. 

The perception topic includes several key research studies and theories that delve into a range of factors that can affect our perception.

Topics include:

• Visual Cues and Constancies

• Visual Illusions

• Theories of Perception

• Factors Affecting Perception

9. Sleep and Dreaming (optional topic)

This topic covers the features and benefits of sleep as well as the brain structures involved in sleep. You will learn key research studies and theories that explain why we dream and you will learn about the symptoms and explanations of sleep disorders, such as insomnia and narcolepsy. 

Topics include:

• The Functions, Features and Benefits of Sleep

• The Internal and External Influences on Sleep

• Theories of Dreaming

• Explanations of Sleep Disorders

10. Language, Thought and Communication (optional topic)

This topic delves into the relationship between language and thought and whether our ability to use language depends on the development of thought or whether thinking and language are separate. 

You will learn about the similarities and differences between human and animal communication as well as the characteristics and explanations of non-verbal communication.

Topics include:

• Language and Thought

• Human and Animal Communication

• Non-Verbal Communication

11. Research Methods

Research methods is a key element of this course, as you need to know how to design and conduct investigations and how to analyse and interpret the data collected from research to draw conclusions. 

It is recommended that you carry out practical (and ethical!) research activities to help you get to grips with the different research techniques psychologists use when conducting research. 

Topics include:

• Hypotheses, Variables and Research Procedures

• Designing Research Methods

• Sampling, Ethics, Reliability and Validity

• Data Handling: Computation and Descriptive Statistics

• Data Handling: Types, Interpretation and Display of Data

What is covered in Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology Papers 1 & 2?

Revision Resources for Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology

If you’re looking for revision resources for the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology course, the experts at Save My Exams have combed through the specification to ensure that the past papers we provide are perfectly aligned with the exam board’s requirements.

• Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology Past Papers

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References

AQA (2021) GCSE Psychology Specification (8182), Version 1.1: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/p28bar15/green/a1264fbdd0f9ec6d8d1c4d2c0008d32e83fd3f8b.pdf  Accessed 5 November 2024

OCR (2024) GCSE (9-1) Psychology Specification (J203), Version 1.6: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/309306-specification-accredited-gcse-psychology-j203.pdf Accessed 6 November 2024

Pearson Edexcel (2016) GCSE (9-1) Psychology Specification (1PS0), Issue 1: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Psychology/2017/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/GCSE-Psychology-draft-specification.pdf  Accessed 6 November 2024