1 · Psychology 9990

Cambridge International AS & A Level

Psychology 9990

Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.

Examinations 2024–2026 · Syllabus Overview

2 · How the course is organised

AS: study all four approaches through 12 compulsory core studies, plus research methodology and issues and debates. Full A Level adds two of the four specialist options. Each chosen option includes all five listed topic areas; the other options are alternatives.

Use the syllabus for examinations 2024–2026. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.

3 · AS · Approaches and core studies · 1

All four required. AS1–AS4 are presentation sequence labels; the approaches are unnumbered.

AS1 Biological
Study Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams), Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences), and Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans).

AS2 Cognitive
Study Andrade (doodling), Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test), and Pozzulo et al. (line-ups).

4 · AS · Approaches and core studies · 2

All four required. AS1–AS4 are presentation sequence labels; the approaches are unnumbered.

AS3 Learning
Study Bandura et al. (aggression), Fagen et al. (elephant learning), and Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia).

5 · AS · Approaches and core studies

All four required. AS1–AS4 are presentation sequence labels; the approaches are unnumbered.

AS4 Social
Study Milgram (obedience), Perry et al. (personal space), and Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans).

6 · A Level · 1 Clinical Psychology · 1

Choose two of the four specialist options. This is one option, not compulsory for everyone.

1.1 Schizophrenia
Study diagnostic features, explanations and treatments.

1.2 Mood (affective) disorders: depressive disorder (unipolar) and bipolar disorder
Explore explanations and treatments for the specified mood disorders.

7 · A Level · 1 Clinical Psychology · 2

Choose two of the four specialist options. This is one option, not compulsory for everyone.

1.3 Impulse control disorders
Examine features, explanations and treatment approaches.

8 · A Level · 1 Clinical Psychology

Choose two of the four specialist options. This is one option, not compulsory for everyone.

1.4 Anxiety disorders and fear-related disorders
Explore the specified conditions, their explanations and treatments.

1.5 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Examine diagnostic features, explanations and treatments.

9 · A Level · 2 Consumer Psychology · 1

Choose two of the four specialist options.

2.1 The physical environment
Explore how consumer settings influence behaviour.

2.2 The psychological environment
Examine psychological influences within consumer environments.

10 · A Level · 2 Consumer Psychology · 2

Choose two of the four specialist options.

2.3 Consumer decision-making
Study how people make consumption choices.

11 · A Level · 2 Consumer Psychology

Choose two of the four specialist options.

2.4 The product
Explore psychological responses to products.

2.5 Advertising
Examine how advertising influences consumers.

12 · A Level · 3 Health Psychology · 1

Choose two of the four specialist options.

3.1 The patient–practitioner relationship
Study communication and interactions in healthcare.

3.2 Adherence to medical advice
Explore why people follow or do not follow advice.

13 · A Level · 3 Health Psychology · 2

Choose two of the four specialist options.

3.3 Pain
Examine psychological approaches to pain and its management.

14 · A Level · 3 Health Psychology

Choose two of the four specialist options.

3.4 Stress
Explore stress, measurement and management approaches.

3.5 Health promotion
Study ways to encourage health-related behaviour change.

15 · A Level · 4 Organisational Psychology · 1

Choose two of the four specialist options.

4.1 Motivation to work
Explore explanations of work motivation.

4.2 Leadership and management
Study leadership and management in organisations.

16 · A Level · 4 Organisational Psychology · 2

Choose two of the four specialist options.

4.3 Group behaviour in organisations
Examine how groups influence workplace behaviour.

17 · A Level · 4 Organisational Psychology

Choose two of the four specialist options.

4.4 Organisational work conditions
Explore the relationship between work conditions and behaviour.

4.5 Satisfaction at work
Study job satisfaction and its implications.

18 · Skills you will develop

For each AS core study connect aims, procedure, results and conclusions with methods, ethics, strengths and limitations. Develop research methodology and issues-and-debates skills throughout, including the specified studies for chosen A Level options.

19 · Keep the syllabus beside you

– Use the official syllabus for 2024–2026.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.

[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/634461-2024-2026-syllabus.pdf)

The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.

Topic check 1 · Find the right area

Which option topic focuses on why patients follow medical advice?

– 2.5 Advertising
– 3.2 Adherence to medical advice
– 4.1 Motivation to work

Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure

True or false: Every A Level learner must take all four specialist options.

Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title

Explore stress, measurement and management approaches.

Complete the missing word in this topic title: 3.4 ____

Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus

Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.

Draggable labels: AS1 Biological; 2.5 Advertising; 4.5 Satisfaction at work

– Study Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams), Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences), and Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans). → [drop zone]
– Examine how advertising influences consumers. → [drop zone]
– Study job satisfaction and its implications. → [drop zone]

Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas

Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:

– Study Andrade (doodling), Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test), and Pozzulo et al. (line-ups).
– Study communication and interactions in healthcare.

Selectable text:

AS2 Cognitive / AS1 Biological / 3.1 The patient–practitioner relationship / AS3 Learning