Updated for AQA 2025 Spec – Teaching from SEPTEMBER 2025 onwards

This resource is designed for teaching Characteristics of Depression under the AQA A-Level Psychology (2025 Specification). It has been fully updated to meet the revised requirements, which expect students to describe and apply the behavioural, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of depression, and to recognise how these features are classified using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.

If you’re looking for the 2019 specification version of this topic, please visit my shop.

This fully editable lesson introduces students to the clinical characteristics of depression, supporting the development of strong AO1 and AO2 skills through clear explanations, applied examples, and diagnostic-based activities. The resource also includes engaging videos, Think, Pair, Share discussions, and a reflection on how depression affects the whole person.

What’s Included:

• Fully Editable Lesson Slides – Covers all characteristics in detail (behavioural, emotional, cognitive) with concise explanations, DSM-5 references, and accessible examples. Includes retrieval questions, Think, Pair, Share tasks, two short video clips, and a model AO2 exam-style question with a 3-mark model answer.

• Think, Pair, Share Activities – Interactive prompts throughout the lesson encourage students to explore the complexity of depression, such as why small setbacks feel overwhelming and how depression affects thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

• Application Task (AO2 Focus) – Students apply the DSM-5 criteria to identify depressive symptoms in an applied case example, developing their ability to recognise and explain clinical features.

• Summary Worksheet – Printable or digital worksheet allowing students to summarise the three symptom categories (behavioural, emotional, cognitive) using definitions and examples from the lesson.

• Exam Practice Questions – A set of short-answer exam-style questions assessing understanding of the characteristics of depression and application to a clinical scenario, with space for self or peer marking.

• Plenary & Reflection Discussion – Encourages students to consider why two people with depression may have different experiences or diagnoses, linking to cultural and individual differences.

How This Resource Reflects the 2025 Specification Changes:

• Fully aligned with AQA 2025 content under Clinical Psychology and Mental Health

• Covers updated sub-topic: The Characteristics of Depression

• Supports AO1 and AO2 skills with description and application opportunities

• Incorporates DSM-5 diagnostic criteria as required in the 2025 specification

• Encourages awareness of individual and cultural variation in mental health

• Provides ready-to-teach content for classroom delivery, independent study, revision, or cover lessons