Updated for AQA 2025 Spec – Teaching from SEPTEMBER 2025 onwards

This resource is designed for teaching Characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 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 OCD, 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 OCD, supporting the development of strong AO1 and AO2 skills through clear explanations, applied examples, and diagnostic-based activities. The resource also includes engaging tasks, Think, Pair, Share discussions, and a reflection on how OCD 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, a video clip, and a model AO2 exam-style task based on a clinical case.

• Think, Pair, Share Activities – Interactive prompts throughout the lesson encourage students to explore the complexity of OCD, including why compulsions are difficult to stop and how intrusive thoughts impact functioning.

• Application Task (AO2 Focus) – Students apply their knowledge to a realistic case study (Marcus), identifying and explaining behavioural, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of OCD.

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

• Exam Practice Questions – A set of exam-style questions assessing understanding of OCD characteristics, including multiple-choice and short-answer formats.

• Plenary & Reflection Discussion – Encourages students to reflect on why OCD is often misunderstood or trivialised and consider the real impact of the disorder.

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 OCD
• Supports AO1 and AO2 skills through structured description and application opportunities
• Incorporates DSM-5 diagnostic criteria as required in the 2025 specification
• Encourages awareness of misconceptions and promotes accurate, respectful language around mental health
• Provides ready-to-teach content for classroom delivery, independent study, revision, or cover lessons