Head of Psychology: Mr M Angel
Psychology is the scientific study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact. Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivations behind it. Psychologists and psychological research have a big impact on all aspects of public life, particularly in areas such as education, health, the economy, industry, the media and government.

Course content
Examination board: AQA

– Social influence
– Memory
– Attachment
– Psychopathology
– Approaches in Psychology
– Biopsychology
– Research methods
– Issues and debates in psychology
– Relationships
– Schizophrenia
– Aggression

Students will be assessed by 3 written examinations.

Co-curricular
Students have the opportunity to attend Psychology conferences and lectures. They have attended joint Sydenham High and Goldsmiths University Psychology conferences hosted every other year either at school or at Goldsmiths University. Students have also had the chance to attend specialist lectures on Forensic Psychology and a guest lecture from Elizabeth Loftus, world renowned academic specialist in Eyewitness Testimony and False Memory Syndrome. Year 12 students also attended the Us and Them Symposium at Dulwich College. In addition speakers come into school, the most recent being Mark Hancock from the Wave Project.

University and beyond
Interest in studying Psychology has grown enormously in recent years. Not only is Psychology a fascinating subject to study, but it also prepares graduates for a very wide range of careers. Some of these have obvious connections with Psychology but Psychology also provides a useful training for a much wider range of career options. These include: market research; social work; teaching; nursing; advertising; sales; media and broadcasting; personnel management and even the Police and the Armed Forces.