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 Reading for AS Psychology
**The new AS textbook for the WJEC spec is now on sale and can be ordered through FOLENS (publisher). The first three chapters can be downloaded for FREE from their webiste***
 
This course will require you to be actively reading outside the lessons. At A-level, the higher grades can be achieved by independent reading of further material. For some students, the activities and information from the lesson will not be enough to gain a high grade at A-level. The course is designed to engage students in independent study (it is what your 'free' lessons are for!). Below is a list of textbooks and websites that should help you. I will often put links on the relevant pages for further reading but you should try and buy at least one textbook and you will certainly need a research methods textbook throughout the AS and the A2 units if the course.
 Suggested reading for AS
 
 You would be better with a basic Introductory texbook in Psychology as any decent one will cover the approaches and the research methods in depth and will cover many of the core studies too. The advantage of buying one of these books is that is will be useful in A2 as well. Look for books that cover the four approaches and research methods - if it also has chapters on relationships, abnormal or atypical psychology and forensic/criminal psychology then it will be more useful for you. The most important factor is how easy YOU find the book to read. For this reason, I will not recommend any one book but I do recommend that you visit a decent bookshop and browse through the books before you buy. I have a large selection of Intro books that I will bring in for those of you who cannot get to a major book store.
 Things to look for in any textbook
Make sure that the language is written in a style that you find easy to read - an unopened textbook is a waste of money!
Look in the index for the following:
Psychodynamic/psychoanalytical approach; behaviourist approach; cognitive approach; biological approach; research methods; obedience; conformity; stress and health; relationships; forensic psychology/ criminal psychology.
Take the time to read a few pages in  a couple of these topics - if you are bored after a few minutes DO NOT buy it!
 
 Essential reading for the A-level
 If you do not buy an Introductory textbook with a good chapter on research methods, you will need a good Research Methods textbook, which will be useful throughout AS and A2. You need to find a book that you like the style of and is accessible to you. Books I would recommend are below but I strongly recommend that you browse before you buy - I have copies for you to look at.
Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology by Hugh Coolican. This book is a little advanced and will not suit all students.
Research methods and data analysis in Psychology  by Derek Langdridge. This book is a quite advanced.
Learning to use statistical tests in psychology by Judith Greene and Manuela D'Oliviera. This book is probably the most 'student friendly' book I have come across and includes lots of exercises (with answers) to test yourself as you are going along.
 
 
 
 
 Useful websites
Most websites that will come up after a search for A level Psychology will be aimed at the more popular AQA-A specification. A lot of this information is useless to you but the Approaches and Research Methods sections of any website should be helpful.
I will give you specific sites to visit for each topic we study. I will post more helpful website addresses on here as I find them.