year 12 psychologists explore neuroscience

Psychology has long been a highly subscribed, hugely popular A level option at Urmston Grammar, with many students going on to pursue it at degree level (both undergraduate and postgraduate) at Russell Group Universities, such as Manchester, York, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, and King's College, London.

Some of the current Year 12 Psychology cohort are pictured above and below in each of their classes over the last week, taking part in sessions on the Brain Hat, delivered by Head of Social Sciences and Psychology teacher Mrs Dooley.

Psychology is an accredited Science subject, and its study at A Level has facilitated a significant number of our students securing places on degrees in Medicine, Dentistry, and Neuroscience, as well as in the further study of the discipline itself, at prestigious universities.

The Brain Hat is a core component of the course, as it is a renowned and widely distributed educational tool, that is utilised not only by Psychology students, but by Neuroscientists, and even a brain imaging company.

Here Mrs Dooley explains its importance to learning:

"The Brain Hat serves as a visual aid to help students grasp the concept of brain localisation: specific functions are localised in certain areas of the brain, for example Broca's and Wernicke's areas which are in the left hemisphere, and are responsible for language processing.

Additionally, it highlights the lateralisation of the brain, with the right hemisphere typically dominant in visuospatial tasks like drawing and facial recognition.

By wearing the Brain Hat, students can better visualise and understand these complex concepts, facilitating their learning and comprehension of the brain's structure and specialised functions".

These invaluable sessions are integral to the course and provide a sound foundation for progression to the next phase of A Level study in the subject in Year 13.

With huge thanks to Mrs Dooley and our Year 12 students for sharing this insight into A level Psychology at UGS.