Cambridge IGCSE Psychology

Course Content

Areas of Study in iGCSE Psychology EXAM YEARS 2027-2029

Memory and Forgetting 44 lessons

Atkinson and Shiffrins Multistore Model 13 lessons

1 Introduction to Multistore Model

2 Sensory Register and Attention

3 Short-term Memory Features

4 Long-term Memory Features

5 Serial Position Effect

6 Primacy and Recency Effects

7 Forgetting in the Multistore Model

8 Displacement and Decay

9 Access Problems in LTM

10 Murdocks Serial Position Study

11 Arguments for Multistore Model

12 Arguments against Multistore Model

13 Application of Multistore Model

Craik and Lockharts Levels of Processing Model 9 lessons

1 Introduction to Levels of Processing Theory

2 Structural Processing (Visual Features)

3 Phonemic Processing (Auditory Features)

4 Semantic Processing (Meaning)

5 Arguments for Levels of Processing Model

6 Craik and Tulving Study Analysis

7 Arguments against Levels of Processing Model

8 Encoding Specificity Principle

9 Application of Levels of Processing to Real Life

Key Concepts of Memory 7 lessons

1 Introduction to Memory and Information Processing

2 Encoding, Storage and Retrieval

3 Features of Memory Stores

4 Input, Capacity, Duration and Access

5 Types of Memory: Declarative and Procedural

6 Understanding Forgetting and Amnesia

7 Retrograde and Anterograde Amnesia

Motivated Forgetting 6 lessons

1 Psychodynamic Theory of Forgetting

2 Structure of Personality: Id, Ego, Super-ego

3 Conscious, Pre-conscious and Unconscious Mind

4 Defence Mechanisms

5 Repression and Suppression

6 Application of Psychodynamic Theory

Role of the Brain in Memory 9 lessons

1 Localisation of Function in the Brain

2 The Limbic System

3 Role of the Amygdala

4 Role of the Hippocampus

5 The Cerebellum and Procedural Memory

6 HM Amnesia Case Study (Milner et al.)

7 Arguments for Brain Areas in Memory

8 Arguments against Brain Localisation

9 Application of Brain Research

Prosocial Behaviour 44 lessons

Bandura Social Learning Theory 15 lessons

1 Social Learning Theory Introduction

2 Four Processes: Attention and Retention

3 Four Processes: Reproduction and Motivation

4 Types of Models

5 Vicarious Reinforcement

6 Observation of Prosocial Behaviours

7 Imitation of Prosocial Models

8 Prosocial Media Use

9 Modelling and Media

10 Parental Mediation

11 Empathy Development

12 Prot et al. Prosocial Media Study

13 Arguments for Social Learning Theory

14 Arguments against Environmental Focus

15 Application of Social Learning Theory

Biological Explanation of Prosocial Behaviour 11 lessons

1 Neurotransmitters and Behaviour

2 Role of Serotonin

3 Role of Oxytocin

4 Brain Areas: Prefrontal Cortex

5 Brain Areas: Amygdala in Empathy

6 Heritability Concept

7 Twin Studies: MZ and DZ Twins

8 Rushton Heritability Study

9 Arguments for Biological Explanation

10 Arguments against Genetic Determinism

11 Application of Biological Research

Key Concepts of Prosocial Behaviour 5 lessons

1 Defining Prosocial Behaviour

2 Development with Age

3 Examples: Helping, Sharing, Caring

4 Individual Factors in Prosocial Behaviour

5 Situational Factors in Prosocial Behaviour

Social Identity Theory of Prosocial Behaviour 13 lessons

1 Social Identity Concept

2 Tajfel and Turner Theory

3 Social Categorisation Process

4 Social Identification Process

5 Social Comparison Process

6 Ingroups and Outgroups

7 Group Membership and Self-esteem

8 Shared Identity and Helping

9 Ingroup Favouritism

10 Levine et al. Helping Behaviour Study

11 Arguments for Social Identity Theory

12 Arguments against Group-only Explanations

13 Application of Social Identity Theory

Language Development 13 lessons

Biological Explanation of Language Acquisition 6 lessons

1 Language Centres in the Brain

2 Brocas Area and Speech Production

3 Wernickes Area and Speech Understanding

4 Chomskys Biological Theory

5 Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

6 Universal Grammar and Critical Period

Key Concepts of Language Development 7 lessons

1 Defining Language Systems

2 Pre-linguistic Stage

3 Babbling Stage

4 One-word Stage

5 Two-word Stage

6 Telegraphic Stage

7 Multi-word (Post-telegraphic) Stage

Visual Perception 55 lessons

Gibsons Direct Theory of Perception 14 lessons

1 Gibsons Direct Theory Introduction

2 Bottom-up Processing

3 Role of Nature (Innate Factors)

4 Information from Senses

5 Perception as Survival Mechanism

6 Optic Flow

7 Motion Parallax

8 Invariants: Linear Perspective

9 Invariants: Texture Perspective

10 Affordances in Environment

11 Gibson and Walk Visual Cliff Study

12 Arguments for Direct Theory

13 Arguments against Ignoring Culture

14 Application of Direct Theory

Gregorys Constructivist Theory 14 lessons

1 Gregorys Constructivist Theory Introduction

2 Top-down Processing

3 Role of Nurture (Environment)

4 Schemas in Perception

5 Inferences from Information

6 Perceptual Hypotheses

7 Perceptual Set Concept

8 Cultural Factors in Perceptual Set

9 Motivation and Emotion Effects

10 Expectation Effects

11 Haber and Levin Familiarity Study

12 Arguments for Constructivist Theory

13 Arguments against Ignoring Nature

14 Application of Constructivist Theory

Key Concepts of Visual Perception 14 lessons

1 Sensation vs Perception

2 The Five Senses

3 Role of Occipital Lobe

4 Visual Constancies: Shape

5 Visual Constancies: Size

6 Visual Constancies: Colour

7 Depth Cues: Relative Brightness

8 Depth Cues: Texture Gradient

9 Depth Cues: Relative Size and Superimposition

10 Depth Cues: Height in Plane

11 Gestalt Principles: Figure-Ground

12 Gestalt Principles: Similarity and Proximity

13 Gestalt Principles: Closure and Continuity

14 Application of Perception Concepts

Visual Illusions and Culture 13 lessons

1 Types of Visual Illusions

2 Ambiguous Figures: Leepers Lady

3 Fictions: Kanizsa Triangle

4 Distortions: Muller-Lyer Illusion

5 Impossible Figures: Penrose Triangle

6 Relative Size: Ebbinghaus Illusion

7 Gestalt Principles in Illusions

8 Cultural Influences on Illusions

9 Attention Differences Across Cultures

10 Bremner et al. Culture and Illusions Study

11 Arguments for Cultural Influence

12 Arguments for Universal Perception

13 Application of Illusion Research

Sleep and Dreams 51 lessons

Hobson & McCarley's Activation-Synthesis Theory 10 lessons

1 Brain Regions in Dreaming

2 Role of Thalamus in Dreams

3 Role of Amygdala in Dreams

4 Activation-Synthesis Theory Explained

5 Sensory and Motor Blockade

6 Random Activation and Synthesis

7 Williams et al. Bizarreness Study

8 Arguments for Activation-Synthesis

9 Arguments against Random Dreams

10 Application of Activation-Synthesis Theory

Key Concepts of Sleep 18 lessons

1 Biological Rhythms Introduction

2 Circadian Rhythms and Sleep-Wake Cycle

3 Ultradian Rhythms

4 Types of Sleep: REM and nREM

5 Characteristics of Sleep Stages

6 Understanding Dreams

7 Measuring Sleep: EEG, EMG, EOG

8 Dream Reporting Methods

9 Exogenous Cues (Zeitgebers)

10 Light and Social Cues

11 Endogenous Pacemakers

12 SCN, Pineal Gland and Melatonin

13 Jetlag and Biological Rhythms

14 Shiftwork and Sleep Disruption

15 Sleep Disorders: Insomnia

16 Sleep Disorders: Sleep Paralysis

17 Sleep Disorders: Sleepwalking

18 Application of Sleep Research

Psychodynamic Theory of Dreaming 14 lessons

1 Parts of the Mind in Dreams

2 Manifest and Latent Dream Content

3 Wish Fulfilment Theory

4 Mechanisms of Dreamwork

5 Condensation in Dreams

6 Displacement in Dreams

7 Secondary Elaboration

8 Dream Analysis Techniques

9 Free Association Method

10 Symbol Analysis

11 Iorio et al. Dreams and Trauma Study

12 Arguments for Psychodynamic Theory

13 Arguments against Dream Interpretation

14 Application of Dream Analysis

Restoration Theory of Sleep 9 lessons

1 Introduction to Restoration Theory

2 nREM Sleep and Physical Restoration

3 REM Sleep and Psychological Restoration

4 Role of Amygdala in Sleep

5 Sleep Patterns Across Lifespan

6 Robinson et al. Sleep Restriction Study

7 Arguments for Restoration Theory

8 Arguments against Restoration Theory

9 Application of Restoration Theory

Motivation and Needs 53 lessons

Hulls Drive Reduction Theory 11 lessons

1 Biological Drives Concept

2 Sympathetic Nervous System

3 Parasympathetic Nervous System

4 Biological Arousal States

5 Role of Biological Instincts

6 Environmental Cues and Fixed-action Patterns

7 Hulls Drive Reduction Theory

8 Homeostasis Importance

9 Primary and Secondary Drives

10 Optimal Arousal

11 Application of Drive Reduction Theory

Key Concepts of Motivation 9 lessons

1 Defining Motivation

2 Extrinsic Motivation

3 Intrinsic Motivation

4 Understanding Needs

5 Maslows Hierarchy: Physiological Needs

6 Maslows Hierarchy: Safety Needs

7 Maslows Hierarchy: Love/Belonging Needs

8 Maslows Hierarchy: Esteem Needs

9 Maslows Hierarchy: Self-actualisation

Motivation to Exercise 10 lessons

1 Deci and Ryans Self-determination Theory

2 Competence Need

3 Relatedness Need

4 Autonomy Need

5 Self-determination and Exercise

6 Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Motivation in Exercise

7 Calvo et al. Sports Persistence Study

8 Arguments for Self-determination Theory

9 Environmental Barriers to Exercise

10 Application of Self-determination Theory

Positive Reinforcement in Education 10 lessons

1 Positive Reinforcement Concept

2 External Rewards Influence

3 Shaping Behaviour

4 Token Economies in Education

5 Peer Feedback Systems

6 Verbal and Non-verbal Praise

7 Boniecki and Moore Classroom Study

8 Arguments for Positive Reinforcement

9 Arguments about Environmental Factors

10 Application in Educational Settings

Psychodynamic Motivation and Marketing 13 lessons

1 Parts of the Mind in Marketing

2 Structure of Personality in Marketing

3 Unconscious Desires and Identification

4 Products with Symbolic Meaning

5 Defence Mechanisms in Marketing

6 Regression in Advertising

7 Rationalisation in Consumer Behaviour

8 Advertising Appeals: Nostalgia

9 Advertising Appeals: Morality

10 Merchant et al. Nostalgic Advertising Study

11 Arguments for Psychodynamic Marketing

12 Arguments about Unconscious Measurement

13 Application of Marketing Psychology

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Areas of Study in iGCSE Psychology EXAM YEARS 2027-2029

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