specification overview
OCR GCSE Psychology (J203) is a single-tier linear qualification with two 1h 30m written papers. Paper 1 (Studies and Applications 1) covers criminal psychology, development, psychological problems and research methods; Paper 2 (Studies and Applications 2) covers social influence, memory, sleep and dreaming and research methods. Brain and neuropsychology content is embedded across the seven content topics rather than assessed as a standalone topic. Each paper is 90 marks, worth 50%.
subject content
1. Criminal psychology
Paper 1- Theories: Social Learning Theory (Cooper and Mackie, 1986) and Eysenck's Criminal Personality Theory
- Applications: crime prevention, punishment and rehabilitation
2. Development
Paper 1- Piaget's theory of cognitive development; Dweck's mindset theory
- Key study: Blackwell, Trzesniewski and Dweck (2007) on mindset
3. Psychological problems
Paper 1- Clinical depression and schizophrenia: theories, treatments and evaluations
- Key studies: Daniel et al. (1991) on schizophrenia; Tandoc et al. (2015) on depression
4. Social influence
Paper 2- Situational vs dispositional explanations of conformity, obedience and crowd behaviour
- Key studies: Bickman (1974) on obedience; NatCen (2011) on the 2011 riots
5. Memory
Paper 2- Multi-store model and Reconstructive Memory (schemas, leading questions)
- Key studies: Wilson, Kopelman and Kapur (2008, Clive Wearing); Braun, Ellis and Loftus (2002)
6. Sleep and dreaming
Paper 2- Freudian Theory of Dreaming; Activation Synthesis Theory
- Key studies: Freud (1918) 'The Wolfman'; Williams et al. (1992) on dream bizarreness
7. Research methods
Both papers- Experimental and non-experimental methods, sampling, ethics
- Data handling, correlation, presentation of results
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Studies and Applications in Psychology 1, J203/01) | Criminal psychology, development, psychological problems and research methods (with embedded brain and neuropsychology content) | 1h 30m | 90 | 50% | Multiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response, application questions. Includes synoptic assessment |
| Paper 2 (Studies and Applications in Psychology 2, J203/02) | Social influence, memory, sleep and dreaming and research methods (with embedded brain and neuropsychology content) | 1h 30m | 90 | 50% | Multiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response, application questions. Includes synoptic assessment |
OCR is distinctive in specifying a named 'research study' for each theory (e.g. Bickman 1974, Wilson/Kopelman/Kapur 2008, Braun/Ellis/Loftus 2002, Freud 1918 'Wolfman'). Learn each with background, method, results, conclusions and criticisms. Brain and neuropsychology content is embedded across all seven topics rather than assessed as a standalone topic. Application questions test how psychology applies to real-life scenarios.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures. | 35% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures. | 35% |
| AO3 | Analyse and evaluate psychological information, ideas, processes and procedures to make judgements and draw conclusions. | 30% |
key tips for success
Learn OCR's specified research studies cold
OCR specifies a named research study for each theory: Bickman (1974) on obedience, NatCen (2011) on the 2011 riots, Wilson/Kopelman/Kapur (2008) on the Clive Wearing multi-store case, Braun/Ellis/Loftus (2002) on reconstructive memory, Freud (1918) 'The Wolfman' on dreaming, Williams et al. (1992) on activation synthesis, Cooper and Mackie (1986) on social learning, Heaven (1996) on delinquency and personality, Piaget (1952) and Blackwell et al. (2007) on mindset, Daniel et al. (1991) on schizophrenia, Tandoc et al. (2015) on depression. Learn each with background, method, results, conclusions and criticisms.
Master research methods
Research methods is a named section of both Paper 1 and Paper 2, not a Paper 2 focus. Paper 1 asks you to design an investigation; Paper 2 asks you to respond to a novel source. Learn experimental design, sampling, ethics, correlation, data handling.
Practise application scenarios
OCR gives scenarios (e.g. 'a student who won't listen in class') and asks how psychology applies. Practise identifying relevant concepts and applying them.
Learn Piaget cold
Piaget's stages come up in Development topic. Learn all 4 stages with typical ages, key concepts (schema, assimilation, accommodation), and evaluation.
Learn brain structure and function (embedded)
Brain and neuropsychology is embedded across every topic rather than assessed on its own. Expect brain content in memory (hippocampus, amnesia), sleep (pineal gland, melatonin, limbic system), social influence (hippocampal volume, prefrontal cortex) and criminal (dopamine, arousal). Learn to draw a labelled diagram (lobes, cerebellum, brainstem, hemispheres).
Structure extended-response essays
Both papers have extended-response questions. Reward: intro (define terms), 3 developed points with evidence, considered evaluation. Practise until automatic.
Where to next
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