Download Lesson plan: AQA: Aggression

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Volume 22, Number 2, November 2016
Lesson plan
AQA: Aggression
Matt Jarvis
The big picture
AQA 4.3.8 Aggression
Aggression is an option in AQA A-level psychology. This lesson assumes no prior
study of aggression but a working knowledge of issues and debates.
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Learning
objectives
To practise sketching graphs (numeracy)
To improve understanding of technical terms around aggression (literacy)
To practise working in groups (employability)
To promote awareness of issues and debates, nature/nurture and
determinism
To improve ability to produce AO1 answers on the aggression topic
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Starter activity
Technical terms quiz: students define aggression, genes, hormones,
nature/nurture, determinism and neural mechanisms
Lesson activities
1
Topic of aggression is introduced with a short brainstorm on examples of
human aggression. A good definition of aggression is teased out from this.
2
Whole class watches the following: www.tinyurl.com/hmt9omx
3
The class is then split into two groups tasked with preparing a debate on
nature/nurture and aggression. One group or groups use the McDermott
article to put forth a ‘nature’ perspective while the other group or groups
look at ‘nurture’ with a particular emphasis on social learning theory.
4
Each group presents their evidence and provides the other group(s) with a
resource covering the AO1 content for that approach.
5
Extension: in different groups students prepare thoughts on A3 paper
regarding the implications of the MAOA gene and social learning research
for:
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Nature/nurture debate
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Freedom-determinism debate
Plenary
Discussion of the implications of a deterministic genetic basis for aggression for
rule of law: what does McDermott’s article suggest about criminal responsibility for
violent crime?
Homework task
This is a flipped assessment task. Learners prepare an AO1 question on the role
of the MAOA gene in aggression.
Assessment
opportunities (if
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Targeted questions in starter
Teacher assessment of participation in group task
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appropriate)
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Teacher assessment of responses to plenary
Preparation for formal exam-style assessment in homework task
Differentiation (if
appropriate)
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Targeting of questions in starter
Allocation to groups for presentation tasks
Teacher and peer prompts and targeted elaboration questions in
response to presentation exercise
Extension task provides stretch and challenge
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This resource is part of PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW, a magazine written for A-level students by subject experts.
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