Psychology 0266
Explore behaviour and mental processes through research methods and studies. Evaluate evidence and apply psychological explanations to the topics in your route.
What you'll cover
- Paper 1
- Paper 2
- Both papers
Published syllabus exam years: 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE Psychology 0266 syllabus map
2027–2029 Syllabus · Version 3
7 of 7 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
All seven sections of Cambridge IGCSE Psychology 0266 Version 3 are mapped to original teaching and staged practice. The lessons include all 18 required named-study findings. Practice supports recall and application but does not award an official grade, mark extended responses to Cambridge standards, simulate timed papers or include human teacher review. Use official Cambridge materials and your school for final exam preparation.
The course follows Version 3 and its named-study summaries for 2027–2029. Confirm availability in your administrative zone and exam-series entry with Cambridge and your school.
Choose your paper route
- Paper 1 routePaper 1 · 90 marks · 1 hour 30 minutes · 53%
Memory, sleep, prosocial behaviour and experimental-method practice. The official paper includes an extended response in one of the first three sections.
- Paper 2 routePaper 2 · 80 marks · 1 hour 20 minutes · 47%
Visual perception, motivation, language development and non-experimental-method practice. The official paper includes an extended response in one of the first three sections.
View syllabus coverage
All seven syllabus sections and their numbered objectives are linked to original teaching and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice. All 18 compulsory named studies are summarised in their theory lessons using the official study guide. Named-study strengths and weaknesses are not taught as assessment requirements; evaluate validity, reliability and ethics in the research-methods lessons. Mean, median, mode and range are practised as selections and interpretations because candidates are not expected to calculate them. Written answers are self-checked; the site does not award Cambridge grades or replace official papers, examiner feedback or teacher review.
Paper 1
- Memory and forgetting1
- Sleep and dreams2
- Prosocial behaviour3
Paper 2
- Visual perception4
- Motivation and needs5
- Language development6
Both papers
- Research methods7Experiments: variables and operational definitionsExperiments: designs, groups and controlsObservations: recording behaviour consistentlyQuestionnaires, interviews and case studiesSampling, validity and reliabilityEthical guidelines in psychological researchPlan a study: researcher, materials and procedureTables, averages, range and bar-chart conclusions
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- Paper 1 · Topics 1–3 and experimental methodPaper 1 · 17 lessonsMemory: encoding, stores and levels of processingThe multistore model and serial positionMotivated forgetting and psychodynamic ideasBrain systems, memory and HM amnesiaSleep rhythms, measurement and sleep disordersRestoration theory and sleep restrictionActivation–synthesis theory of dreamingPsychodynamic theory of dreamingProsocial behaviour and biological influencesSocial identity and in-group helpingSocial learning, prosocial behaviour and mediaExperiments: variables and operational definitionsExperiments: designs, groups and controlsSampling, validity and reliabilityEthical guidelines in psychological researchPlan a study: researcher, materials and procedureTables, averages, range and bar-chart conclusions
The official examination assesses Topics 1–3 and experimental-method outcomes 7.1 plus shared sampling, research quality, ethics, procedure and data content in 7.5–7.9. Site practice is not a timed or officially graded paper.
- Paper 2 · Topics 4–6 and non-experimental methodsPaper 2 · 18 lessonsSensation, perception and visual cuesGibson’s direct theory and depth perceptionGregory’s constructivist theory and familiarityVisual illusions, Gestalt and cultural experienceMotivation, needs and Hull’s drive reduction theoryPositive reinforcement in educationPsychodynamic motivation and marketingSelf-determination and motivation to exerciseLanguage development: communication and stagesBiological language acquisition and the critical periodLearning theory and language developmentPiaget’s cognitive theory of language developmentObservations: recording behaviour consistentlyQuestionnaires, interviews and case studiesSampling, validity and reliabilityEthical guidelines in psychological researchPlan a study: researcher, materials and procedureTables, averages, range and bar-chart conclusions
The official examination assesses Topics 4–6 and non-experimental outcomes 7.2–7.4 plus shared sampling, research quality, ethics, procedure and data content in 7.5–7.9. Site practice is not a timed or officially graded paper.
Lessons and worked examples
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- 01
Memory: encoding, stores and levels of processing
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Not started - 02
The multistore model and serial position
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Motivated forgetting and psychodynamic ideas
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Not started - 04
Brain systems, memory and HM amnesia
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Not started - 05
Sleep rhythms, measurement and sleep disorders
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Not started - 06
Restoration theory and sleep restriction
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Not started - 07
Activation–synthesis theory of dreaming
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Not started - 08
Psychodynamic theory of dreaming
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Not started - 09
Prosocial behaviour and biological influences
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Not started - 10
Social identity and in-group helping
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Not started - 11
Social learning, prosocial behaviour and media
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Not started - 12
Sensation, perception and visual cues
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Not started - 13
Gibson’s direct theory and depth perception
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Not started - 14
Gregory’s constructivist theory and familiarity
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Not started - 15
Visual illusions, Gestalt and cultural experience
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Not started - 16
Motivation, needs and Hull’s drive reduction theory
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Not started - 17
Positive reinforcement in education
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Not started - 18
Psychodynamic motivation and marketing
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Not started - 19
Self-determination and motivation to exercise
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Not started - 20
Language development: communication and stages
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Not started - 21
Biological language acquisition and the critical period
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Not started - 22
Learning theory and language development
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Not started - 23
Piaget’s cognitive theory of language development
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Not started - 24
Experiments: variables and operational definitions
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Not started - 25
Experiments: designs, groups and controls
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Not started - 26
Observations: recording behaviour consistently
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Not started - 27
Questionnaires, interviews and case studies
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Not started - 28
Sampling, validity and reliability
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Not started - 29
Ethical guidelines in psychological research
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Not started - 30
Plan a study: researcher, materials and procedure
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Tables, averages, range and bar-chart conclusions
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