United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 10 Psychology.
This Year 10 Psychology curriculum introduces students to the fundamental principles of human behaviour and mental processes. Aligned with GCSE specifications, it explores key psychological concepts, research methods, and the application of psychological theories to everyday life.
01Memory and Cognition
Students explore how the human brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. The unit covers structural models of memory and the active nature of reconstructive memory.
Students will explore how information is encoded, stored, and retrieved in the human brain. They will evaluate different types of encoding and the factors that affect memory retention.
This topic introduces the Multi-store model of memory, distinguishing between sensory, short-term, and long-term memory. Students will analyse the capacity and duration of each store.
Students will investigate Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory and the concept of schemas. They will apply these ideas to understand the reliability of eyewitness testimonies.
02Perception
This unit differentiates between sensation and perception, examining how our brains interpret sensory data. Students will analyse visual illusions and debate theories of perceptual development.
Students will differentiate between sensation and perception, exploring how our brains interpret sensory information. They will examine the role of binocular and monocular depth cues.
This topic delves into visual illusions and how they trick the brain. Students will analyse examples such as the Müller-Lyer and Ponzo illusions to understand perceptual errors.
Students will compare Gibson's direct theory of perception with Gregory's constructivist theory. They will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of nature versus nurture in perceptual abilities.
03Development
Students will learn about cognitive and neurological development from early childhood through adolescence. The unit covers Piaget's stages and the impact of learning mindsets.
Students will learn about the development of the brain from early gestation through childhood. They will explore the functions of different brain areas and the impact of early experiences.
This topic covers Piaget's stages of cognitive development and the concepts of assimilation and accommodation. Students will evaluate the application of Piaget's theory in educational settings.
Students will explore Dweck's Mindset theory and Willingham's learning theory. They will discuss the differences between fixed and growth mindsets and the myth of learning styles.
04Research Methods
This unit equips students with the skills to design, conduct, and evaluate psychological research. It covers hypothesis formulation, experimental design, and ethical considerations.
Students will learn how to design psychological research by formulating testable hypotheses. They will identify independent, dependent, and extraneous variables in various scenarios.
This topic introduces different experimental designs, including independent groups and repeated measures. Students will also evaluate various sampling methods used to select participants.
Students will examine the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society (BPS). They will analyse historical case studies to understand the importance of informed consent and protection from harm.
05Social Influence
Students will investigate how individuals are affected by the presence and actions of others. The unit covers conformity, obedience to authority, and prosocial behaviour.
Students will explore why people conform to group pressures, referencing Asch's classic research. They will evaluate how dispositional factors like self-esteem influence conformity.
This topic investigates the psychology of obedience, focusing on Milgram's agency theory. Students will discuss how situational factors such as proximity and authority figures impact obedient behaviour.
Students will analyse bystander intervention and the factors that encourage or inhibit prosocial behaviour. They will also explore deindividuation and how behaviour changes within a crowd.