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GCSE Psychology Revision

Brain & Neuropsychology

The nervous system, neurons and synapses, brain structures and how brain damage affects behaviour.

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How do neurons pass signals to each other?

Brain & Neuropsychology is a core part of GCSE Psychology. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

CNSCentral nervous system: brain and spinal cord.
PNSPeripheral NS: nerves outside CNS.
Somatic NSVoluntary movement and sensory input.
Autonomic NSAutomatic control of organs and glands.
Sympathetic NSFight-or-flight branch of autonomic NS.
Parasympathetic NSRest-and-digest branch of autonomic NS.
Sensory neuronCarries signals from receptors to the CNS.
Motor neuronCarries signals from CNS to muscles.
Relay neuronLinks sensory and motor neurons in CNS.
Synaptic transmissionChemical signal crossing the synapse.
Endocrine systemNetwork of glands releasing hormones.
AdrenalineHormone driving the fight-or-flight response.
Reflex arcFast pathway: receptor, relay, effector.
EffectorMuscle or gland that performs the response.

What your exam board covers

Where Brain & Neuropsychology sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

AQABrain and neuropsychologySpec 8182

Part of: Paper 2 — Social context and behaviour

Source: AQA GCSE Psychology (8182) specification — Subject content, accessed 23 June 2026.

EdexcelTopic 4: The brain and neuropsychologySpec 1PS0
  • Structure and function of the brain
  • Lateralisation of function in the hemispheres
  • Neurons, synapses and the central nervous system
  • Impact of neurological damage on cognition and behaviour
  • Key studies: Damasio et al. (1994); Sperry (1968)
  • Issues and debates: how psychology has changed over time

Source: Pearson Edexcel GCSE Psychology (1PS0) specification, accessed 23 June 2026.

Learn Brain & Neuropsychology step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:

Other boards:OCR

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

How do neurons pass signals to each other?✗ By touching directly and passing electricity across.   ✓ Chemically, across a gap called the synapse.
Which side of the body does the left hemisphere control?✗ The left (same) side.   ✓ The right (opposite/contralateral) side.

Practise Brain & Neuropsychology — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie▶ Reveal Race▶ Connections Grid▶ Falling Words▶ Word Web

See all 22 games in the Revision Arcade →

More GCSE Psychology topics

Memory & PerceptionDevelopment & AttachmentSocial InfluenceMental Health & TherapyLanguage, Thought & CommunicationCriminal PsychologySleep & DreamingResearch Methods
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100 AI Prompts for GCSE Psychology

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Teaching GCSE Psychology? Free interactive lessons to set as class work, homework or cover. No student login. AQA · Edexcel