AS/A2
Modular Psychology
Information and guidance for teachers
CURRICULUM LINKS
AQA Psychology
3.1 Early Social Development
3.3 Relationships
3.3 Aggression
This modular Psychology session will take the form of 2 modules with
interlinking points. Teachers have the choice of 2 from the 5 modules outlined
in this primer in order to tailor the session to their learners’ needs.
Last updated: December 2015
Tigers face the imminent threat of
extinction in the wild
MODULE 1: ATTACHMENT AND PARENTAL CARE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this workshop all students will be able to:
• understand why we study attachment in Primates
Most students will be able to:
• link John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth with attachment theory
• appreciate the differences between parental care of humans and non-human
primates
Some students will be able to:
• define Bowlby’s attachment theory and the 4 types of attachement
LESSON PLAN
Using examples from Chester Zoo’s animal collection learners will be introduced
to Attachment and Parental care in non-human primates with reference to:
• Bowlby’s Attachment theory and Ainsworth’s strange situation experiment
• Harlow’s 50’s wire mother experiment.
• Attachment and Parental care in Chimpanzees and Orang-utans
The Sumatran Orang-utan shows strong
levels of attachment
MODULE 2: ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this workshop all students will be able to:
• Define the different types of conditioning.
Most students will be able to:
• Define Ivan Pavlov’s conditioning experiments.
• Appreciate the benefits of training zoo animals.
Some students will be able to:
• Give examples of a species specific form of enrichment and explain the
reasoning behind it.
LESSON PLAN
Using examples from Chester Zoo’s animal collection learners will be introduced
to concept of conditioning including:
• Ivan Pavlov and his dogs’ experiment.
• The evolution of phobias.
• Operant conditioning.
Learners will also investigate Animal Welfare by:
• Studying the training done using operant conditioning.
• Looking at imprinting and how it’s dealt with by keepers.
• Looking at forms of enrichment both environmental and physical.
Physical enrichment for S
the Spectacled Bea
MODULE 3: COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this workshop all students will be able to:
• Appreciate the different forms of courtship displays
Most students will be able to:
• Give the biological definition of fitness.
• Give an example of a type of courtship behaviour shown by a specific
species.
Some students will be able to:
• Link mate choice with the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics.
LESSON PLAN
Learners will be introduced to biological fitness and the theory of Sexual
selection.
In the form of an activity, students will investigate the variation among
courtship behaviours with examples of a few different species.
Using examples from Chester Zoo’s collection, learners will look at Courtship
behaviour in different species.
Male Mandrills have brightly
coloured cheeks
MODULE 4: EVOLUTION OF HUMAN INTELLIGENCE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this workshop all students will be able to:
• Understand the theories behind the development of human intelligence
Most students will be able to:
• Give examples of the factors that affect the development of human
intelligence.
Some students will be able to:
• Explore the link between Machiavellian behaviour and social learning
with regards to intelligence in non-human primates.
LESSON PLAN
Learners will be introduced to the concept of human intelligence. Through looking
at Evolution, using skulls and the animals in the zoo collection investigate our
closest living relatives and reasons why we study them.
Using examples from Chester Zoo’s animal collection, learners will look at the
many signs of intelligence in non-human animals, with particular reference to
Chester Zoo’s primate collection.
Boris, Chester Zoo’s oldest Chimpanzee is
extremely intelligent.
MODULE 5: SOCIAL STRUCTURES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this workshop all students will be able to:
• Define the different types of social structures.
Most students will be able to:
• Give examples of the benefits and costs of both being solitary and a
social.
• Define each of the major forms of mating strategy.
Some students will be able to:
• Investigate why certain species employ particular mating strategies.
LESSON PLAN
With reference to the animals in Chester Zoo’s animal collection, learners will be
introduced to the different social structures seen in the animal kingdom. Using a
number of activities, learners will look at a number of aspects of group living
from division of labour to dominance.
Learners will also look at the varying mating strategies of different groups of
primates, referring to the animals within Chester Zoo’s collection wherever
possible.
Meerkats live in Social groups.
Serval climbing onto a
feeding platform.
IMPORTANT NOTE – ARTEFACT CONTACT
Some Discovery Workshops MAY include a selection of bio-artefacts. Please
inform us in advance of any allergies or phobias that may be affected by this.
An antibacterial foam hand wash will be offered to all students at the end of
the session. In order for this to be effective, teachers are asked to ensure that
all students have clean hands on arrival at the Education Centre.
SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR VISIT
PLAN A ROUTE
•
Species discussed during the workshop (module dependant), that can be seen
here at Chester Zoo, include:
Chimpanzee, Orangutan (Realm of the Red Ape), Ring-tailed Lemur, Mandrill, Lar
Gibbon, Eastern Pygmy Marmoset (Miniature Monkeys), Flamingo, Lion, Tiger,
Cheetah, Painted Dogs, Serval, Asian Elephant, Giraffe, Capuchin, Weaver bird,
Lilac Breasted Roller (Tsavo Bird Aviary)