Category Archives: Psychology

Want Issues and Debates Made Easier? 

This interactive Workshop with Dr Steve Taylor, University of London & shortcuts tv, is focused exclusively on making Issues & Debates in Psychology more accessible to students & illustrating them with up-to-date research examples (such as, epigenetics for the interaction of nature/nurture).

It will cover:

  • Nature/Nurture
  • Free Will & Determinism
  • Reductionism
  • Psychology as Science
  • Individual & Situational Psychology
  • Ethics & Ethical Issues
  • Socially Sensitive Research
  • Ethnocentrism
  • Bias in Psychology

Exam Guidance:   i) what examiners are looking for   ii) exam question practice    iii) transferable skills: bringing issues & debates into other questions. (Workshops will be AQA, OCR, Edexel or WJEC specific.)

Handouts: provide interactive materials and clear summaries of key studies used.  

Free:  5 Minute Revision Videos on each of the Issues & Debates covered. 

What Teachers Say 

He was incredibly engaging. Definitely booking again! 
Amy Speechley, St Gregory’s College

Steve’s visit was loved by all the students. It encouraged them to want more.
Sue Martin, Farnham College

Steve was engaging and had the students’ attention the whole time.
Priya Bradshaw Aquinas College

We hope to ensure that this is an annual event and we look forward to seeing Steve next year. He was amazing! 
Jackie Stanbury, Kirkham Grammar School 

Cost (inclusive)

Half day:  £300
Full day:  £500

Contact:    steve@shortcutstv.com

Check out our Psychology filmswww.shortcutstv.com

Why do Psychology teachers take part-time qualifications from the University of Cambridge?

We all tend to have our own reasons for approaching each course we take and each additional qualification we work towards.

Some courses can cover an aspect of a syllabus that one is teaching and which has not been central to one’s studies in the past. Some take participants into the world of further study, and some involve original research.

And then the status and credibility of the awarding body is also important, not just for the quality of the teaching and the work, but also in terms of how the qualification will look on our CV should we wish to apply for a new post at some time in the future.

This coming academic year the University of Cambridge is offering part-time courses in cognitive psychology, philosophy and social sciences starting this October. Brief details are given below, and more information is available on our website.

The Certificate in Cognitive Psychology course opens with a review of the history, core themes, and methods in the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour and reviews the historical dominance of behaviourism, the shift to cognitive science, and the eventual adoption of the broader ‘cognitive neurosciences’.

Our second unit provides an introduction to the study of memory, language, and perception and introduces the core distinctions between different memory systems and their neural underpinnings.

The final unit introduces core topics in cognition, the notion of general intelligence, and neural mechanisms involved in domain general problem solving.

The Certificate in Philosophy I begins by addressing philosophical problems concerning time, space, possibility, and the relations between objects and their properties, considering such questions as: Is there a metaphysical difference between us and past people?

In the second unit we look at formal logic, the language within which we can formulate arguments clearly and test whether they are valid or invalid. At the same time we consider the philosophical issues raised by our formal language.

Finally we consider the two key areas within ethics: normative ethics and meta-ethics starting with what “goods” our ethical theories should promote, and ask (among other things) whether there are principles which determine what it is right to do, and, if so, what they are.

The Certificate in Social Sciences examines sociology, politics, and psychology as three different ways of exploring human behaviour. It opens by asking “What is sociology” and considers how it is relevant to modern social life.

It also considers politics and power and, in particular, the power exercised by the state over its citizens while introducing the key elements of political theory and tracing the evolution of the contemporary nation-state.

In the third unit we ask, “what is psychology and why should we study the human mind and behaviour?” We also consider the application of psychology within modern society and the different schools of thought that have developed since its inception.

The Advanced Diploma in Philosophy is a part-time research based course that offers the opportunity to undertake independent study based around a series of eight structured supervisions over two academic years. You can choose your own research topics and your research proposal is considered when you apply.

Alternatively if you’d like to dip your toe in the water or explore a specific topic, we also offer a range of short courses throughout the year.

You can find out more about all the above courses and apply online by 5 September on our website

Alternatively, you can contact me directly with specific enquiries on 01223 746 417 or email me at enquiries@ice.cam.ac.uk.

Paul Ireland
Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge, CB23 8AQ

AQA A-Level Psychology: Year 1 and AS

AQA A-Level Psychology: Year 1 and AS
#2 ‘How to do series’
Mathematics for Psychology Students
All examination Boards
New Specifications
From September 2015

CD-ROM: PowerPoints© (1O6 slides) plus photocopy friendly workbook (22 pages). All based on OFQUAL’s ‘Mathematical requirements and exemplification’. AS & Year 1 A-Level require similar content and any differences are clearly marked.  The presentation and workbook cover areas including:

  • Basic mathematical skills
  • Decimal / Standard form data
  • Fractions / Percentages / Ratios
  • Order of Magnitude
  • Estimating Range / Standard Deviation
  • Measures of Central Tendency
  • Graphs / Charts
  • Algebra
  • Probability / Significance
  • Statistical tests

Overall, at least 10% of the marks in assessments for Psychology will require the use of mathematical skills.

These skills will be to at least the standard of higher tier GCSE mathematics.

The author is a Chartered Psychologist, Member of the Royal Statistical Society, experienced teacher, lecturer and publisher.

This unique and extensive resource is designed for both experienced teachers and those new to teaching psychology. It is fully updated to match the new 2015 specification (first examination: AS 2016 and Year 1 A-level 2017).

Quite simply, all you need to pick-up and present with confidence.

106 Slides plus 22 page workbook  – Price £59.99 (excluding VAT) – Order Code: H19055

Once purchased, the CD can be freely copied and networked throughout the school!

To see sample pages please email info@classroom-resources.co.uk quoting the order code H19055.

You can order the A Level Psychology “How To Do” Series Mathematics for Psychology Students CD-ROM in any of these ways: 

  • On our website
  • By phone or fax on 0117 940 6409
  • By email (quoting a school order number) to info@classroom-resources.co.uk
  • By post to: Classroom Resources, 9 Logan Road, Bristol, BS7 8DU

What is the most effective way of helping students come to terms with the key issues in psychology?

The answer to the question is simple: for the students to undertake activities relating to the topics that they are studying. Topics which they may have touched on in everyday life, but which they have never considered in terms of academic study.

Through such activities the students can engage in independent learning, develop their application skills and evaluation skills, and judge their own progress using the success criteria linked to examiner comments and the skills needed at each level.

Seven separate areas are covered within this resource: Social Influence, Memory, Attachments, Research Methods, Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology, and Psychopathology

By way of example, the memory section of the resource starts with a sorting activity so that the students can clarify the difference between the multi-store model of memory and the working model of memory.  This is followed by a number of tasks to reinforce understanding of long-term memory types by relating them to real life examples.   And finally there is a section with activities on types of forgetting, looking at factors affecting the accuracy of eyewitness testimony and analysing and assessing cognitive interview techniques.

A similar level of depth is covered through each of the other topics.

There are sample pages at  http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/authordownloadsamples/T1839sample.pdf

AQA Psychology Teaching Resources – AS and Yr1 Level is published as a download so that you can immediately receive a copy onto your computer, from which you can print out pages for colleagues and students as often as you want.  You can also put it on your school learning platform so all staff can access the document – and indeed you can make it part of the induction documentation for new members of staff.

You can obtain AQA Psychology Teaching Resources – AS and Yr1 Level by going to http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=73&products_id=787

The price is £12 plus VAT (the VAT can be reclaimed in most cases by the school).

AQA Psychology Teaching Resources – AS and Yr1 Level is published by First and Best in Education, part of the Hamilton House group.  If you have any enquiries you can call 01536 399 011, or email sales@firstandbest.co.uk or write to us at First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH.

The full range of First and Best books can be seen at www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk

First and Best in Education
Earlstrees Road
Corby
UK
NN17 4HH

Website: www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk
Email: sales@firstandbest.co.uk

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Connecting with the human interest

Videos that will support your students’ understanding of the complex concepts in psychology and mental health lessons.

Using personal accounts in psychology lessons typically has far more of an impact on students’ understanding and the ability to retain information than dry statistics or book work.

This is because, for the most of us, we connect with the human interest.

In response to this, MHTV has produced a whole range of DVDs which contain personal accounts so that students are able to develop a greater understanding of the complex concepts they are required to learn in psychology and mental health lessons.

DVD titles include:

Psychological Defence Mechanisms for students who are required to understand defence mechanisms. It looks at denial, projection, regression, and repression.

Clinical Case Studies: Volume Four which explores four case studies of psychosis from symptoms to treatment, including symptoms of delusional perceptions, paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations.

And Phobia: Volume One – a case study exploring a severe avoidance behaviour that effects a person’s everyday life, including her relationships with others. The programme follows her successful treatment using psychological techniques.

You can order any of the above titles online at www.mentalhealthtv.co.uk or by email to info@mentalhealth.co.uk.

What’s more, by using the discount code save2015 when you order these titles, we will reduce the cost by 10%.