📘 A-Level Psychology: Cognition & Development Study Guide

Unlock one of the most fascinating areas of A-level Psychology with this complete Cognition & Development Study Guide — designed specifically for AQA students.

This resource breaks down complex ideas about how children think, learn, and understand the world into clear, concise sections to help you feel confident and exam-ready.

✨ What’s Inside?

✅ Concise Summaries – Covers all key Cognition & Development topics from the AQA specification, including:

• Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• Piaget’s Theory of Intellectual Development

• Vygotsky’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• Baillargeon’s Explanation of Infant Abilities

• Selman’s Levels of Perspective Taking

• Theory of Mind

• Mirror Neurons

  
  

✅ Research Studies Simplified – Each core study (e.g., McGarrigle & Donaldson, Baillargeon, Baron-Cohen) is clearly explained — including the aim, method, findings, and what they reveal about cognitive development.

✅ Evaluation Points for Every Lesson – Includes carefully selected strengths and weaknesses for each theory, making AO3 revision structured and easy to memorise.

✅ Exam Tip: PEECL Structure – Learn how to transform evaluation points into full, developed PEECL paragraphs. Includes a worked example and guidance on how to integrate counterarguments for top-band AO3 marks.

✅ AQA Examiner Insights – Every lesson features short, targeted exam tips based on real examiner feedback, helping you avoid common mistakes and apply knowledge effectively in essays.

✅ Visual Revision – Includes beautifully designed diagrams and illustrations (no unnecessary text!) to help visual learners grasp difficult concepts like schemas, scaffolding, and object permanence.

💡 Perfect for: Students aiming for A–A* grades who want psychology made simple, structured, and visually engaging.