Psychology — Approaches and Perspectives

Exam board: AQA  |  Back to subjects

Board-Specific Note

AQA specification; content aligns with the national A-Level syllabus.

Learning Objectives

• Compare psychological approaches
• Evaluate the biological approach
• Understand behaviourism

Key Points

• Biological, cognitive, behaviourist, psychodynamic, humanistic
• Nature vs nurture
• Determinism vs free will

Lesson Plan (50 minutes)

1. Starter (5 min): Recall prior knowledge of approaches and perspectives with quick questions.
2. Teaching (15 min): Work through each of the learning objectives, explaining principles step by step.
3. Key points review (5 min): Revisit the key points together, confirming understanding.
4. Worked example (10 min): Model the example question: What does the biological approach focus on?. Solution: Genes, brain structure and neurotransmitters
5. Practice (10 min): Students attempt the practice questions independently; circulate and support.
6. Plenary (5 min): Review answers and address misconceptions.

Homework

• Outline behaviourism
• Evaluate the cognitive approach
• Explain the nature-nurture debate

Assessment

Check practice answers against the model answer; use the built-in practice questions as formative assessment.