Nicola Heath, Psychology Subject Advisor

In this blog, I’ll explore the importance of incorporating a diverse range of topics in psychology qualifications to enhance students’ understanding of the world around them and prepare them for future endeavours, including higher education. I’ll highlight contemporary issues in our refreshed specification, planned for 2026, such as racial bias and artificial intelligence, and demonstrate how these updates will help students connect their learning to real-world challenges. 

Please note, our refreshed A Level Psychology has not yet been accredited by Ofqual. Draft specifications and sample assessment materials have been published to enable teachers to have early sight, but changes may be required as part of the accreditation process and the proposed first teach date may change. We can give no assurances the proposed qualification will be accredited for September 2026.

Introduction

Psychology isn’t just about the mind – it’s about understanding the world around us, and that world is constantly changing. As a relatively new discipline, psychology has rapidly adapted to address emerging social, technological, and cultural changes. While maintaining a broad curriculum is essential, updating content to reflect contemporary society is equally important. 

Our refreshed A Level Psychology (H569) has been submitted to Ofqual, and we are working with them to ensure that it’s accredited in time for our planned first teach in September 2026. As part of this development, we’ve updated our content to ensure it’s modern, engaging and relevant, while also reducing the volume of material overall to make the course manageable for both teachers and students. 

Based on feedback, we were selective with new additions, ensuring they were contemporary and enriching. Four new studies were included across three topics in component 03, mental health, environmental psychology, and sport and exercise psychology.

Why real-world issues matter in psychology education

Psychology is a vast subject that can be applied to numerous everyday situations, offering important insights and solutions. Our A Level Psychology offers a diverse range of topics, enabling students to apply their learning to various aspects of their lives, including what they watch and read. For instance, students will explore topics such as obedience, memory, mental health, crime and intelligence; all of which offer some understanding of issues in today’s world. 

Psychological theories, areas and perspectives offer a broad picture of how to explain different phenomena. For example, behaviourism emphasises the impact of external factors on behaviour, which can be directly applied to topical issues such as enforcing school rules or the influence of harmful content. It is crucial for students to see how what they’re studying can be applied to societal issues like public policy, mental health care, and the criminal justice system. 

As well as this, incorporating examples they can relate to, and media sources that they can engage with, helps students understand the relevance of what they are learning. For example using articles or news/documentary clips brings the theory to life. To help with this, you can use clips from the Educational Recording Agency (ERA), who have mapped content to our new speciation, or look at our X account, @OCR_Psychology, where we regularly share relevant articles and media you can use in your classroom. 

Studying a variety of topics at A Level allows students to regularly apply their knowledge to real-world examples, enhancing their understanding and fostering a passion for the subject. Connecting theories to practical applications and developing skills and knowledge are key components of studying at this level and beyond, such as at university.

Key contemporary issues and features in the new A Level

Our refreshed A Level Psychology features four new contemporary studies that will engage students and offer a glimpse into how psychology is constantly evolving and addressing modern issues and experiences. These are:

• Racial bias in psychology. Students learn about how African Americans are more frequently diagnosed with schizophrenia, while white Americans are more often diagnosed with mood disorders like bipolar disorder. The key study explores the importance of clinical judgment and the potential biases that can arise even when using standardised diagnostic criteria. It reveals that cultural and racial factors can influence the diagnostic process, leading to significant implications for mental health treatment and outcomes. This study is particularly relevant for students as it highlights the growing awareness and understanding of systemic issues in society. 
• AI in mental health. With a forward-focused approach to mental health support, students will learn about cutting edge technology and how AI can support people with depression and anxiety. The key study explores the use of Tess, an AI chatbot, to deliver Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other integrative mental health interventions to college students. It demonstrates how AI can provide cost-effective, accessible, and engaging support for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. This study highlights innovative approaches in psychology, the potential of AI in mental health care, and the importance of integrating technology with therapeutic practices. 
• Green spaces and wellbeing. This study investigates the impact of viewing green spaces on psychological and physiological wellbeing. Findings revealed that viewing green spaces significantly increased relaxation and positive mood states compared to urban spaces. This study is particularly relevant for students as it highlights the importance of incorporating green spaces in urban planning to enhance mental health and wellbeing and demonstrates the restorative effects of nature even when viewed from a distance which they can use to support their own wellbeing. 
• Audience effects in sport. Using the unique context of football matches played without spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers revealed that while the absence of spectators eliminates referee bias and reduces home teams’ match dominance, the home advantage itself does not disappear entirely. This study is particularly relevant for students as it highlights the complex interplay of psychological and environmental factors in sports performance, the role of social pressure on decision-making, and the resilience of home advantage even in the absence of direct crowd support.

Conclusion

Our updated A Level has been designed to help students understand important psychological ideas and how they apply to real life. By looking at current issues, students can see why what their learning matters. The course will prepare them for further studies in psychology, develop the important critical analysis skills they need to succeed in higher education, and give them an increased awareness of the world around them.

Stay connected

Find out more about the exciting and interesting topics in our refreshed A Level Psychology. 

If you have any questions, you can email us at psychology@ocr.org.uk, call us on 01223 553998 or message us on X (formerly Twitter) @OCR_Psychology You can also sign up to subject updates to keep up-to-date with the latest news, updates and resources.

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use the expression of interest form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the author

Nicola joined OCR in 2022 as the Subject Advisor for Psychology. Prior to joining OCR, she taught psychology for over 10 years and has had various other responsibilities in that time, including being Head of Year and Subject Leader for PSHE. Nicola has a personal interest in mental health and wellbeing and enjoys reading, baking and spending time outdoors to relax.

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• Five key changes we are making to our A Level Psychology, and why