Psychology | 9990 AS Level | May 2025 Exams | Live Class by Azeem Iqbal

We will cover the following topics in the live classes:

AS Level Content

The AS Level course consists of approaches, issues and debates and research methodology that underpin the study of psychology. 

These fundamental aspects of psychology are taught and assessed through 12 compulsory core studies and the approaches, issues and debates and research methodology should be considered for each study as relevant.

The AS Level core studies have been chosen to give learners a broad range of topic areas as well as knowledge of research methodology. The research methodology is described on pages 20–23.

Each of the approaches is supported by three core studies presented below in alphabetical order. This is not a recommended teaching order, they can be taught in any order. Some core studies could be considered in the context of a number of approaches.

Biological

 • Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)

 • Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences)

 • Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)

Cognitive

 • Andrade (doodling)

 • Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)

 • Pozzulo et al. (line-ups)

Learning

 • Bandura et al. (aggression)

 • Fagen et al. (elephant learning)

 • Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)

Social

 • Milgram (obedience)

 • Perry et al. (personal space)

 • Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)

AS Level issues and debates

At AS Level, the issues and debates that candidates will need to consider in relation to each of the core studies, where appropriate, are:

 • the application of psychology to everyday life

 • individual and situational explanations

 • nature versus nurture

 • the use of children in psychological research

 • the use of animals in psychological research.

3.1.1 The core studies

Biological approach

 Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)

 Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences)

 Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)

Cognitive approach

 Andrade (doodling)

 Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)

 Pozzulo et al. (line-ups)

Learning approach

 Bandura et al. (aggression)

 Fagen et al. (elephant learning)

 Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)

Social approach

 Milgram (obedience)

 Perry et al. (personal space)

 Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)

3.1.2 Research methodology

 Experiments 

 Self-reports

 Case studies

 Observations

 Correlations

 Longitudinal studies

 Aims and hypotheses

 Variables

 Controlling of variables 

 Types of data

 Sampling of participants 

 Ethics

 Validity

 Reliability and replicability

 Data analysis