Psychology

9 

The student should meet all the criteria of a grade 8 and further be able to demonstrate their understanding, applicability and analysis techniques through structured writing. Writing should demonstrate coherent use of research/theory-based evidence, consistent use of key terminology and originality. Additionally, students should be able to ‘pick-and-mix’ suitable ideas/research/theories/analysis from across the mastery years psychology curriculum and use it as means to aid their critical analysis.      

8 

The student demonstrates relevant, comprehensive knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures, and apply these correctly to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts using accurate psychological terminology. Students use a range of mathematical skills relevant to research methods in psychology. Students critically analyse psychological information, constructing a sustained line of reasoning that leads to substantiated judgements. Students critically evaluate psychological ideas and research methodology, developing well-evidenced conclusions from competing viewpoints.  

7 

The student is confident with the use of research methods to analyse and evaluate research and theories. Can demonstrate understanding of the psychological content through examples and application (AO2). Can start to show some independent critical thinking by amalgamating knowledge and evaluation from across the specification.   

6 

The student is confident with the use of research methods to analyse and evaluate research and theories. Can demonstrate understanding of the psychological content through examples and application (AO2).   

5 

The student demonstrates mostly accurate and appropriate knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures, and applies these mostly correctly to familiar and unfamiliar contexts, using mostly accurate psychological terminology. The student uses some mathematical skills relevant to research methods in psychology, analyses psychological information, constructing an appropriate line of reasoning that leads to plausible judgments supported by some evidence.  The student evaluates psychological ideas and research methodology, developing plausible conclusions, supported by some evidence, including from competing viewpoints.  

4 

The student shows more confidence in analysing competing viewpoints and understanding their credibility to exam questions. The student is able to use basic research methods skills to evaluate given research/theories. However, analysis of content still lacks the critique via supporting/competing evidence. 

3 

The student meets the criteria of a grade 2 and demonstrates the ability to make some judgements by referring to empirical research. Evaluation is limited.   

2 

The student demonstrates basic psychological knowledge and understanding and applies a few concepts, terms and theories using some psychological terminology. The student uses some mathematical skills, makes judgements with some reference to evidence, and makes comments that demonstrate some awareness of competing viewpoints.  

1 

The student demonstrates basic psychological knowledge and comprehension. The student is working towards making in-depth judgements of theoretical viewpoints. Student may only feel comfortable in listing the factual information of the curriculum. 

SSA 

The student demonstrates some knowledge of psychological content. Gaps may be found in the comprehension of topics. Student may be able to answer questions that only refer to initial content learnt.   

SSB 

The student is working towards developing their psychological knowledge and is able to recall some key facts relating to psychology.

SSC 

The student attempts to link information learnt to real-life scenarios.