Psychology GCSE through Mind Maps

Subject: Psychology
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14 - 16
Order Number: 19005

Psychology GCSE shows, through the use of Mind Maps, all the key Psychology topics necessary for GCSE. Pupils are shown the build-up of over 15 topics to their fully mind-mapped conclusion. This offers the teacher a variety of choices e.g. the final map could be passed round, allowing pupils to add on anything dictated, comment on the topics or 'disassemble' the map into a number of smaller maps for each branch shown. Alternatively the very first map could be passed round and pupils allowed to build on it. Teachers can give the original map to one group of pupils and the final map to another group. Will the first group develop their map to reach something similar to the final one? This resource allows teachers flexibility in the delivery of the subject, without the preparation, thus saving precious time and allowing for discussion rather than dictation and therefore greater learning. The aim of this resource is to facilitate and encourage discussion and at the same time allow for class participation at a variety of levels - be it in the initial map, stages towards full development or the final mind map itself. Each topic has a minimum of three mind maps - with the complex topics having approximately 10 maps developed throughout. These maps may also be blown up to A3 or A2 size to serve as posters on classroom walls. By using Psychology GCSE through Mind Maps pupils are encouraged to discuss the maps which are amusingly designed with the key points emphasised by the use of appropriate pictures.

Topics include stress, attachment, prejudice, aggression, morality, cognitive development, sex and gender and social influence. Using Mind Maps as an educational tool is particularly useful with pupils who are dyslexic as research shows that dyslexic children progress faster when maps are used. This technique will also be of great use where pupils' first language is not English.