Psychology 0266
About Course
Cambridge IGCSE Psychology (0266) is designed for learners typically aged 14–16, but it can be taken at any age. The qualification encourages students to think like psychologists by exploring human behaviour, mental processes and research methods. It develops both knowledge and transferable skills such as interpretation, application and analysis.Â
The course emphasises understanding psychological theories and explanations across core topics such as memory, perception, motivation and social behaviour. Students are exposed to named psychological studies that support learning and insight into real-world behaviour.Â
Learning progresses from core concepts and methods to the application and evaluation of psychological theory. Students gain familiarity with research approaches used in psychology, equipping them with foundational academic skills useful for further study.Â
Assessment prepares learners for real exam conditions through two externally marked papers that cover knowledge and understanding as well as application and analysis across the syllabus content.
Course Content
Syllabus Overview – Psychology 0266 (IGCSEâ„¢)
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Course Introduction
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Textbooks and resources
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Set your study goals and strategy
Module 01: Memory & forgetting
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1.1 Key concepts
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1.2 Craik & Lockhart’s levels of processing (LoP) model of memory
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1.3 Atkinson & Shiffrin’s multistore model (MSM) of memory
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1.4 Motivated forgetting
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1.5 Role of the brain in memory & forgetting
Module 02: Sleep & dreams
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2.1 Key concepts
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2.2 Restoration theory of sleep
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2.3 Hobson & McCarley’s activation-synthesis theory of dreaming
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2.4 Psychodynamic theory of dreaming
Module 03: Prosocial behaviour
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3.1 Key concepts
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3.2 Biological explanation of prosocial behaviour
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3.3 Social identity theory of prosocial behaviour
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3.4 Bandura’s social learning theory of prosocial behaviour
Module 04: Visual perception
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4.1 Key concepts
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4.2 Gibson’s direct theory of perception
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4.3 Gregory’s constructivist theory of perception
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4.4 Visual illusions & culture
Module 05: Motivation & needs
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5.1 Key concepts
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5.2 Hull’s drive reduction theory of motivation
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5.3 Positive reinforcement in education
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5.4 Psychodynamic motivation & marketing
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5.5 Motivation to exercise
Module 06: Language development
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6.1 Key concepts
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6.2 Biological explanation of language acquisition
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6.3 Learning theory of language development
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6.4 Piaget’s cognitive theory of language development
Module 07: Research methods
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7.1 Experimental method
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7.2 Non-experimental method: observations
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7.3 Non-experimental method: questionnaires & interviews
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7.4 Non-experimental method: case studies
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7.5 Sampling
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7.6 Validity & reliability
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7.7 Ethical guidelines
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7.8 Role of the researcher, materials and procedure
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7.9 Dealing with data
Course recap & IGCSE exam success guidelines
Past question papers and solutions
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November 2025 – Question papers and solutions