OCR GCSE Psychology
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course overview
The OCR GCSE Psychology specification covers 22 topics with 252 learning objectives (J203). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 22 topics
- 4 study pages
- 252 learning objectives
Verified courseQuestions and notes checked against the official specification.
- 413
- verified practice questions
- 83
- verified teaching notes
- 22
- topics
- 5
- audio lessons
Your exams
- Studies and applications in psychology 1Monday, 10 May 2027, PM
- Studies and applications in psychology 2Monday, 17 May 2027, PM
Always confirm dates and times with your exam centre.
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studies and applications in psychology 1 | 90 min | 90 | 50% |
| Studies and applications in psychology 2 | 90 min | 90 | 50% |
Explore your topics
22 topics
Studies and applications in psychology 110 topics
Key concepts
Component 01: Criminal Psychology - Key Concepts3 specification points covering Different types of crime including: violent; drug related; acquisitive; sexual; and anti-social offences, Criminal behaviour…9 objectivesTheories and explanations
Component 01: Criminal Psychology - Theories/Explanations11 specification points covering The Social Learning Theory of Criminality: identification with role models; the role of observation and imitation; the…33 objectivesApplication
Component 01: Criminal Psychology - Application2 specification points covering The role of rehabilitation in reducing criminal/anti-social behaviour; and increasing pro-social behaviour; including…6 objectivesKey concepts
Component 01: Development - Key Concepts3 specification points covering Stages of development; pre-natal; childhood; adolescence; and adulthood, The development of brain structures and functions;…9 objectives · 1 study pageTheories and explanations
Component 01: Development - Theories/Explanations4 specification points covering Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: The four invariant stages of development: sensori-motor; pre-operational;…12 objectives · 1 study pageApplication
Component 01: Development - Application2 specification points covering How Piaget’s ideas have been applied to education through the use of key stages, readiness, active learning and the concept…6 objectivesKey concepts
Component 01: Psychological Problems - Key Concepts2 specification points covering An introduction to mental health: ways of defining mental health, including the mental health continuum; the current…6 objectivesTheories and explanations: Schizophrenia
Component 01: Psychological Problems - Theories/Explanations: Schizophrenia5 specification points covering The clinical characteristics of schizophrenia as outlined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Key…17 objectivesTheories and explanations: Clinical Depression
Component 01: Psychological Problems - Theories/Explanations: Clinical Depression5 specification points covering The clinical characteristics of clinical depression as outlined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Key…15 objectivesApplication
Component 01: Psychological Problems - Application3 specification points covering The use of anti-psychotics and anti-depressants to treat schizophrenia and clinical depression and how they improve mental…9 objectives
Studies and applications in psychology 29 topics
Key concepts
Component 02: Social Influence - Key Concepts3 specification points covering Conformity including majority influence., Collective and crowd behaviour including pro-social and anti-social behaviour.,…9 objectives · 1 study pageTheories and explanations
Component 02: Social Influence - Theories/Explanations4 specification points covering The effect of situational factors (other people and social) on behaviours: majority influence on conformity; collective and…12 objectivesApplication
Component 02: Social Influence - Application2 specification points covering How minority influence affects social change in relation to changing attitudes and behaviour towards, increasing awareness…6 objectivesKey concepts
Component 02: Memory - Key Concepts3 specification points covering The stages of information processing: input; encoding; storage; retrieval; and output, Types of forgetting: decay;…9 objectivesTheories and explanations
Component 02: Memory - Theories/Explanations4 specification points covering The structure and process of the Multi-store Model of memory: sensory store, short-term memory and long-term memory;…12 objectivesApplication
Component 02: Memory - Application2 specification points covering The use of cues, repetition and avoiding overload in advertisements and the use of autobiographical advertising, The…6 objectivesKey concepts
Component 02: Sleep and Dreaming - Key Concepts3 specification points covering The functions, features and benefits of sleep: healthy brain; physical repair; emotional stability; stages of the sleep…9 objectivesTheories and explanations
Component 02: Sleep and Dreaming - Theories/Explanations4 specification points covering The Freudian Theory of Dreaming: the unconscious mind; the role of repression; the concept of wish fulfilment; manifest and…12 objectives · 1 study pageApplication
Component 02: Sleep and Dreaming - Application2 specification points covering Features of insomnia, the role of the nervous system and its management through relaxation techniques and the role of the…6 objectives
Research Methods3 topics
Planning research
Research Methods - Planning Research5 specification points covering Hypotheses: Null and alternative hypotheses; Hypotheses to predict differences, correlations, or no patterns., Variables:…16 objectivesDoing research
Research Methods - Doing Research6 specification points covering Experiments: Laboratory, Field, Natural., Interviews: Structured, Unstructured., Questionnaires (Surveys): Open questions,…18 objectivesAnalysing research
Research Methods - Analysing Research5 specification points covering Types of Data: Quantitative data, Qualitative data, Primary data, Secondary data, Strengths of each type of data.,…15 objectives
About this course
About OCR GCSE Psychology
OCR GCSE Psychology offers a fascinating exploration of the human mind and behaviour, guided by real-world examples and engaging research. You will study six core topic areas—Criminal Psychology, Development, Psychological Problems, Social Influence, Memory, and Sleep and Dreaming—learning about key theories, classic studies, and their practical applications. The course emphasises how psychology can explain and address everyday issues, from why people commit crimes to how children develop their thinking.
A standout feature of this specification is its strong focus on research methods. You will not only learn about famous experiments but also develop essential scientific skills: designing your own investigations, analysing data, and evaluating research ethically. This hands-on approach builds a foundation for further study in psychology and equips you with critical thinking skills valued in many careers.
The course is structured into two clear components. Component 1 examines the six topic areas through psychological theories, studies, and applications. Component 2 delves deeper into the methods psychologists use, giving you the tools to understand how research is planned, conducted, analysed, and critiqued. This integrated structure helps you see the bigger picture of how psychological knowledge is built and applied.
Assessment Structure
The OCR GCSE Psychology qualification is assessed through two written exams, each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 90 marks, accounting for 50% of the GCSE. There is no coursework or practical assessment. Paper 1, 'Studies and Applications in Psychology', covers the six core topics (Criminal Psychology, Development, Psychological Problems, Social Influence, Memory, and Sleep and Dreaming) through a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-writing questions. Paper 2, 'Research Methods', focuses on designing, analysing, and evaluating psychological research, drawing on material from the core topics. Both papers are externally marked and taken at the end of the course.
Why Choose OCR?
- Distinctive and engaging topics: Unlike some other exam boards, OCR includes unique areas like Criminal Psychology and Sleep and Dreaming, which students often find highly relevant and motivational. These topics link directly to real-world professions such as forensic psychology and health science.
- Strong emphasis on research methods: OCR dedicates an entire paper to research methods, giving you rigorous training in how psychological studies are carried out. This develops transferable skills in critical analysis, data handling, and scientific inquiry that are excellent preparation for A-levels and beyond.
- Clear and straightforward assessment: With only two exams of equal weighting and no coursework, the assessment structure is transparent and manageable. You know exactly what to expect, and the blend of question types allows you to demonstrate both knowledge and deeper understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics do I study in OCR GCSE Psychology?
How many exams are there and what do they cover?
Is there any coursework in OCR GCSE Psychology?
What’s the difference between OCR and AQA GCSE Psychology?
How should I revise for the OCR GCSE Psychology exams?
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures
Apply knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures
Analyse and evaluate psychological information, ideas, processes and procedures to make judgements and draw conclusions
Exam Structure
Studies and applications in psychology 1
1h 30m
Duration
90
Marks
50%
Weighting
Studies and applications in psychology 2
1h 30m
Duration
90
Marks
50%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Treats every offence against a person as violent; check whether force or threatened force is actually present before choosing violent.
- •Confuses acquisitive with drug-related offences when money is involved; focus on whether the aim is property or financial gain rather than the substance.
- •Assumes anti-social behaviour must always be a criminal offence; recognise that it can breach norms without being criminal in itself.
- •Chooses a type from the name of the scenario alone; match the specific defining feature described in the question.
- •Treats crime as a fixed natural fact; recognise that laws and norms are created by societies and can change.
- •Confuses norms with laws; explain that norms are shared expectations while laws are formal rules, and deviation from norms may be labelled anti-social.
- •Assumes one culture's definition applies everywhere; use an example showing the same act treated differently across cultures.
- •Ignores the role of culture and discusses only individual behaviour; link the definition of crime to cultural context.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Read the scenario and underline the key action before selecting a type, so the defining feature drives your choice.
- •Keep one memorable example per type ready, such as burglary for acquisitive and graffiti for anti-social.
- •Eliminate options that describe the wrong defining feature, then confirm the remaining option fits the whole scenario.
- •Use the phrase social construct and immediately explain it in your own words to secure the definition.
- •Anchor your answer with one concrete cross-cultural example rather than a vague claim that cultures differ.
- •Link deviation from norms explicitly to labelling as criminal or anti-social to cover both parts of the statement.
- •Read the question to see whether it asks about one source or a comparison, and answer that focus.
- •Use the terms official statistics, self-report and dark figure precisely.
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