THE EXAMTHE EXAM

• All questions are compulsory.

• The answer booklet dictates how much you write.

• Your answers are clipped when they are marked.

THE EXAMTHE EXAM• One extended writing question

where QOWC marks are allocated.

• 72 marks for the whole paper in 90 minutes i.e. about 1 ¼ minutes per mark

– 4 mark question = 5 minutes

• Injunctions …– outline, describe– explain … – discuss or describe + evaluate

Can I use bullet points?

Can I use bullet points?

Questions are set from the specification.

Don’t rely on textbooks.

For each topic be aware of POSSIBLE questions.

Use past papers.

Write your own questions.

GETTING INTO THE MIND OF THE PRINCIPAL EXAMINER

GETTING INTO THE MIND OF THE PRINCIPAL EXAMINER[RESEARCH INTO]

[DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION]

Types of conformity, including internalisation and compliance

Obedience, including Milgram’s work

The multi-store model, including the concepts of encoding, capacity and duration.

QT 1 Simple selectionQT 1 Simple selection

Only 50% of students got

this right.

Only 50% of students got

this right.

If you tick too many your

answer is null and void.

If you tick too many your

answer is null and void.

QT 2 Short descriptionQT 2 Short description

Make sure you write the right

amount.

Make sure you write the right

amount.

(a) What is meant by the term attachment? (2 marks)

……………………………………………………………….

Cognitive interviews have been developed to improve witness recall. Identify and explain two techniques used in the cognitive interview.

(3 marks + 3 marks)

(a) Explain what is meant by internalisation in the context of

conformity? (2 marks)

……………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………….

(b) Explain what is meant by compliance in the context of

conformity? (2 marks)

Outline the main features of the multi-store model of memory. ……………………………………………………………….

QT 3 Longer descriptionQT 3 Longer description

What are the implications for social change of

research into social influence?

……………………………………………………………….

Describe how social influence has contributed to our understanding of social change.

…………………………………………………………………………………..

6 marks 6 marks

Outline one or more ways to improve memory. ……………………………………………………………….

4 marks 4 marks

Describe personality factors that have been shown to influence the way people respond to stress. ………………………………………………………………. 5 marks 5 marks

Some students

wrote about WMM??

Some students

wrote about WMM??

Good AO1 is DETAILEDThe devil is in the detail• ‘Repression is when you don’t

remember certain events.’

• More detail: ‘Repression is when you don’t remember traumatic events.’

• Even more detail: ‘According to Freud (1918) repression is when you don’t remember traumatic events.’

• ‘Repression is when you don’t remember certain events.’

• More detail: ‘Repression is when you don’t remember traumatic events.’

• Even more detail: ‘According to Freud (1918) repression is when you don’t remember traumatic events.’

Good AO1 is is just the right length

Outline the behavioural approach to psychopathology. (6 marks)

Explain what is meant by informational social influence. (3 marks)

Describe how one research study investigated workplace stressors. (4 marks)

Outline the behavioural approach to psychopathology. (6 marks)

Explain what is meant by informational social influence. (3 marks)

Describe how one research study investigated workplace stressors. (4 marks)

10

Why it works

• Produces a précis of text.

• Gives you the coat pegs.

• Ensures you learn just the right amount (notnot too much or too little).

• Produces a précis of text.

• Gives you the coat pegs.

• Ensures you learn just the right amount (notnot too much or too little).

A prècis is a summary where one cuts out less important

material leaving the key bits. golden nuggets.

A prècis is a summary where one cuts out less important

material leaving the key bits. golden nuggets.

Why it works

YOU select your points Levels of processing theory E.g. Mandler (1967) Processing increases recall. Processing increases understanding. Cues help recall (cue retrieval

theory). Organises your exam answer. Revise by rehearsal (MSM) and

elaborating the points (leads to enduring memories).

Outline one study of the effects of disruption of attachment.

Describe what research has shown about he effect of age on witnesses on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

Outline how Ainsworth studied types of attachment.

Outline how one research study investigated the accuracy of eyewitness testimony (EWT).

Outline and evaluate research into the effects of anxiety on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

QT 4 Research studiesQT 4 Research studies

WHAT

HOW

SHOW

3 marks 3 marks

4 marks 4 marks

12 marks 12 marks

4 marks 4 marks

Outline what research has shown about the effects of day care on children’s aggressive behaviour.

6 marks 6 marks

QT 5 Applying knowledgeQT 5 Applying knowledgeDuring the last few months, Paula has suffered from headaches and colds, and has been having difficulty sleeping. She decided to keep a diary and found that her headaches, colds and sleep problems were associated with experiences such as having too much homework, losing house keys and being stuck in traffic.

Use your knowledge of psychology to explain why Paula might be feeling unwell.

3 marks for elaboration (theory and/or studies)

3 marks for elaboration (theory and/or studies)

4 marks 4 marks

Two pronged attack:•Answer the question•Give the psychology

Two pronged attack:•Answer the question•Give the psychology

1 mark for basic statement of relationship between daily hassle and stress.

1 mark for basic statement of relationship between daily hassle and stress.

QT 5 Applying knowledgeQT 5 Applying knowledgeA student teacher finds it very difficult to remember pupils’ names. She decides to look in a psychology book to find some useful strategies for improving her memory.

Outline one strategy the student teacher could use, and explain why this might improve her memory for pupils’ names.

Candidates often selected a memory technique that was not appropriate for names or not linked to names e.g. method of loci.

Candidates often selected a memory technique that was not appropriate for names or not linked to names e.g. method of loci.

Mr Harris is about to move his business into a brand new building. He is very keen to create a healthy working environment and reduce workplace stress. In this way he hopes to improve productivity and reduce absenteeism.

What advice would you give Mr Harris? Use your knowledge of psychological research in this area. (6 marks)

Jan 2010

Exam question for you

How does the behaviour of securely attached infants differ from that of insecurely attached infants? (4 marks)

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

QT 6 DifferencesQT 6 Differences

Candidates can look at one difference in detail.

Or more than one difference more briefly.

Candidates can look at one difference in detail.

Or more than one difference more briefly.

But candidates who only describe insecure or secure attachment get a maximum of 1 mark.

A further 1 mark if the comparison is implicit.

But candidates who only describe insecure or secure attachment get a maximum of 1 mark.

A further 1 mark if the comparison is implicit.

How does the behaviour of securely attached infants differdiffer from that of insecurely attached infants? (4 marks)

If an infant is securely attached then their behaviour is a lot different from those who have an insecure attachment. If you are securely attached then you will seek proximity and distress when you are separated you are also likely to be easily calmed down.If you are insecurely attached then you will show no signs of distress when separated and make it seem as though you have no care.

If an infant is securely attached then their behaviour is a lot different from those who have an insecure attachment. If you are securely attached then you will seek proximity and distress when you are separated you are also likely to be easily calmed down.If you are insecurely attached then you will show no signs of distress when separated and make it seem as though you have no care.

Securely attached infants cry when the caregiver leaves the room but are easily soothed when reunited. Insecure avoidant infants take little interest when the caregiver leaves and continue with what they were doing. Securely attached infants seek close bodily contact whereas anxious insecure infants seek and reject intimacy. Securely attached infants also explore from a safe base whereas insecure avoidant infants are more clingy.

Securely attached infants cry when the caregiver leaves the room but are easily soothed when reunited. Insecure avoidant infants take little interest when the caregiver leaves and continue with what they were doing. Securely attached infants seek close bodily contact whereas anxious insecure infants seek and reject intimacy. Securely attached infants also explore from a safe base whereas insecure avoidant infants are more clingy.

QT 7 Criticisms, and strengths and weaknesses

QT 7 Criticisms, and strengths and weaknesses

The three point ruleThe three point rule

Outline one limitation of the behavioural approach to

psychopathology. (2 marks)

Outline one weakness of defining abnormality in terms of mental health. (3 marks)

Outline one criticism of investigating cultural variations in

attachment using the ‘Strange Situation’.(3 marks).

ELABORATING COMMENTARY

THREE POINT RULE…. State your criticism

(“What is it?”)

Evidence (“How do I know that?”)

Explain it (e.g. “Why is this a good or bad thing?”)

THREE POINT RULE…. State your criticism

(“What is it?”)

Evidence (“How do I know that?”)

Explain it (e.g. “Why is this a good or bad thing?”)

Weak AO2• This study can be criticised

because it lacks ecological validity.

Coherently elaborated AO2This study can be criticised …• …it lacks ecological validity,• …becausebecause photographs were used

instead of real people.• This means that the findings

cannot be generalised beyond the particulars of this study.

Weak AO2• This study can be criticised

because it lacks ecological validity.

Coherently elaborated AO2This study can be criticised …• …it lacks ecological validity,• …becausebecause photographs were used

instead of real people.• This means that the findings

cannot be generalised beyond the particulars of this study.

Extended writing questionsExtended writing questions

QT 8 Short essaysQT 8 Short essaysDiscuss the emotion-focused approach to coping with stress. (8 marks)

Discuss one or more physiological methods of stress management. (10 marks)

Why did many candidates wrote about psychological methods …?

Were they stressed?

Why did many candidates wrote about psychological methods …?

Were they stressed?

QT 9 Long essaysQT 9 Long essaysOutline and evaluate research into the effects of anxiety on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. (12 marks)

Psychologists have put forward different explanations of attachment, such as learning theory and Bowlby’s theory.

Discuss one or more explanations of attachment. (12 marks)

Outline and evaluate

Discuss

Quotations

Outline and evaluate

Discuss

Quotations

THE ESSAY QUESTIONSDescription (AO1)

Marks Detail Knowledge and understanding

Selection of appropriate material

Presentation of information

6 Accurate and reasonably detailed

Sound Appropriate Clear and coherent

5-4 Generally accurate, less detailed

Relevant Some evidence Appropriate

3-2 Basic Some relevant Little evidence Appropriate1 Very

brief/flawedVery little Largely or wholly inappropriate

THE ESSAY QUESTIONSEvaluation (AO2)

Marks Use of material

Range of issues and/or evidence

Expression of ideas , specialist terms, spelling etc

6 Effective Broad range in reasonable depth or narrower range in greater depth

Clear and good range, few errors

5-4 Not always effective

range in limited depth or narrower range in greater depth

Reasonable, some errors

3-2 Basic Superficial consideration of restricted range

Lacks clarity, some specialist terms, errors

1 Rudimentary Just discernible Poor, few specialist terms

Effective AO2

SHOCK HORROR!

There is no such thing as AO2, only material that is used as AO2.

ConsiderConsider

ALL AO1

• Bandura suggested that people learning through observation and vicarious reinforcement.

• He conducted a study with the Bobo doll where children observed a model and then were tested to see if they imitated the model.

ALL AO1

• Bandura suggested that people learning through observation and vicarious reinforcement.

• He conducted a study with the Bobo doll where children observed a model and then were tested to see if they imitated the model.

AO1 and AO2

• Bandura suggested that people learning through observation and vicarious reinforcement.

• This was supported by a study he conducted with the Bobo doll where children observed a model and then were tested to see if they imitated the model.

AO1 and AO2

• Bandura suggested that people learning through observation and vicarious reinforcement.

• This was supported by a study he conducted with the Bobo doll where children observed a model and then were tested to see if they imitated the model.

To make AO2 effective use THE AO2 ‘VOCABULARY’

• However …• On the other hand …• This suggests that…• So we can see that…• This would imply…• A consequence would be…• An advantage of this is…

• However …• On the other hand …• This suggests that…• So we can see that…• This would imply…• A consequence would be…• An advantage of this is…

• An alternative explanation could be…

• This is supported by…• This is challenged by…• Not everyone reacts the same

way, for example…• There may be cultural

variations…• This has been applied to…

• An alternative explanation could be…

• This is supported by…• This is challenged by…• Not everyone reacts the same

way, for example…• There may be cultural

variations…• This has been applied to…

There is substantial There is substantial research evidence to support research evidence to support the claim that the claim that violence is a reaction to the deprivation imposed by institutions violence is a reaction to the deprivation imposed by institutions such as prisons. For example, McCorkle such as prisons. For example, McCorkle et al.et al. (1995) found that (1995) found that overcrowding in prisons significantly increased peer violence. overcrowding in prisons significantly increased peer violence. This knowledge This knowledge has been applied has been applied in the treatment of violent in the treatment of violent offenders in UK prisons (Wilson, 2005). Wilson lowered offenders in UK prisons (Wilson, 2005). Wilson lowered overcrowding and other environmental ‘pollutants’ (noise and overcrowding and other environmental ‘pollutants’ (noise and heat) associated with prison deprivation, achieving a significant heat) associated with prison deprivation, achieving a significant decrease in violence.decrease in violence.However,However,, , research in this area research in this area has not produced reliable has not produced reliable resultsresults, , with other studies in prisons (e.g. Nijman, 1997) failing with other studies in prisons (e.g. Nijman, 1997) failing to decrease violence levels with lower levels of overcrowding. to decrease violence levels with lower levels of overcrowding. This suggests that This suggests that deprivation alone cannot fully account for deprivation alone cannot fully account for institutional aggression in prison populations.institutional aggression in prison populations.

If you leave it out, it’s not AO2

• This was a laboratory study using a doll as the target of aggression.

• This study may not tell us much about real life aggression because it was conducted in a laboratory using a doll as the target of aggression.

• People in collectivist cultures are more helpful than those in individualist cultures.

• There are important cultural variations, people in collectivist cultures are more helpful than those in individualist cultures. This suggests that altruism is not innate.

Statement

Statement

Effective criticism

Effective criticism

And don’t forget …

elaborated, SEXy AO2

QT 10 Research methodsQT 10 Research methods

Not the same as research

studies!

QT 10 Research methodsQT 10 Research methods

What conclusions about the effectiveness of different therapies can you draw from the bar chart? (4 marks)

Every mark counts

THINK ON YOUR FEET