6 topics · 72 free flashcards
A-Level Psychology flashcards
Free revision cards for students aged 16 to 18 in the UK preparing for university, sorted by topic, with a quick quiz on every page.
About A-Level Psychology
A-Level Psychology covers a broad range of topics, from how memory works and why people conform, to the biological basis of behaviour and how mental disorders are understood and treated. The challenge lies in the sheer variety of content: students must learn detailed studies, competing theories, and evaluation points across very different areas of psychology, while also developing a strong grasp of research methods that can be applied across every topic.
Flashcards suit psychology revision particularly well because so much of the course depends on accurate recall of researcher names, study details, key terms, and chains of evaluation. Active recall forces you to retrieve information rather than passively re-read it, which strengthens long-term memory. Spaced repetition ensures you return to tricky material at the right intervals, helping you retain a large volume of content across many topics without cramming everything the night before an exam.
Flashcards by topic
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Social influence
- · What is conformity in social psychology?
- · What is the difference between compliance and internalisation as types of conformity?
- · What is identification as a type of conformity?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Memory
- · What are the three memory stores in the multi-store model?
- · What is the capacity and duration of short-term memory?
- · How does information move from STM to LTM in the multi-store model?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Attachment
- · What is attachment in developmental psychology?
- · What does learning theory say about why attachments form?
- · What is Bowlby's concept of monotropy?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Psychopathology
- · What is the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality?
- · Give one limitation of the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality.
- · What does 'deviation from social norms' mean as a definition of abnormality?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Research methods
- · What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?
- · What is operationalisation in psychological research?
- · What is the difference between reliability and validity?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Biopsychology
- · What are the three main types of neuron and their roles?
- · What is the resting potential of a neuron?
- · Describe what happens at a synapse during neurotransmission.
What you need to master
- Students need to know the key studies in each topic area accurately, including the researcher, method, findings, and conclusions.
- Understanding and applying theoretical explanations is essential, as exams require students to compare and contrast competing perspectives rather than simply describe one view.
- Strong evaluation skills are needed, meaning students must be able to assess the strengths and limitations of studies and theories using psychological and methodological reasoning.
- Research methods knowledge must be thorough and flexible, as questions can ask students to design studies, interpret data, or critique methodology in any topic context.
- Extended writing skills are vital, particularly the ability to construct a coherent, well-evidenced argument in response to essay-style questions under timed conditions.
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A-Level Psychology revision questions
How much detail do I need to know about each study?
You need to know the aim, procedure, findings, and conclusions of core studies, as well as at least two or three evaluative points. Vague answers such as 'a study found that memory can be affected' will not earn marks. Examiners expect you to name researchers, give specific figures where relevant, and explain what the results actually mean for the theory being discussed.
Is research methods really that important if I want to focus on the content topics?
Research methods is genuinely one of the most important areas to revise thoroughly. Questions on methodology appear not only in dedicated sections but also embedded within questions on every other topic. Understanding concepts such as operationalisation, sampling, validity, and statistical testing will help you evaluate studies across the whole course and pick up marks in places many students lose them.
How do I write a good essay in psychology?
A strong psychology essay presents a clear line of argument rather than a list of points. Start by outlining the theory or explanation, then evaluate it using evidence, methodological critique, and alternative explanations. Make sure your evaluation is elaborated, explaining why a limitation actually matters rather than just stating it. Practising timed essays and reviewing mark schemes will help you understand what a developed, coherent response looks like.
How should I split my revision time between topics?
Avoid spending all your time on topics you find interesting and neglecting others. Use past papers to identify which topics appear most frequently and which you find most difficult, then weight your revision accordingly. Research methods deserves consistent attention throughout your revision period rather than being left until the end. Rotating between topics using spaced repetition prevents you from forgetting earlier material as you move through the course.
Other courses
Written for general A-Level revision. Exam boards and schools differ, so check your own specification for exactly what you need to know. Lerno is not affiliated with any exam board.