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Psychology A Level paper 2 essay plans

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Discuss the behaviourist approach in psychology. (16 marks)

A - The basic assumption of the behaviourist approach is that all behaviour is learnt from the environment , and that we are born with a blank slate and learn through association of stimulus responses, behaving similarly to animals. - Classical conditioning - Pavlov conditioned dogs to associate the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with food (unconditional stimulus), resulting in dogs producing a salivation response (conditioned response) at the sound of a bell (conditioned stimulus) even when no food was present. - He demonstrated that repeated exposure to an event leads to a learnt and uncontrollable behaviour, and is used to explain the acquisition of phobias and development of attachments . - Operant conditioning - Skinner created the Skinner box and examined operant conditioning on rats and pigeons, and found that behaviour is a result of learning through the consequences of our actions - Positive reinforcement - when a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence (award), it is more likely to be repeated. For example, when a rat pressed the lever, it would be rewarded with a food pellet, and this voluntary behaviour is repeated to receive the reward again. - Negative reinforcement - when a behaviour is followed by the removal of an unpleasant consequence, it is more likely to be repeated. For example, the rats learnt to go straight to the lever to switch off the electrical current when placed in the Skinner box, as the consequence of escaping the electric current ensures that they would repeat the action. - Punishment - when behaviour is followed by unpleasant consequences, less likely to be repeated.

A - Contributed to psychology as a science - Experimental methods used by Pavlov and Skinner rejected the earlier emphasis on introspection and encouraged research that focused on more objective dimensions of behaviour. This emphasis on the scientific method has led to an increasingly valid and reliable understanding of human behaviour. - These methods helped psychology gain credibility and status as a scientific discipline, attracting more funding and research opportunities, and contributed significantly to the still-developing recognition of psychology as a science. - Influential in encouraging the use of animals as research subjects - They believed that the learning process in humans and animals are very similar, thus Pavlov conducted research using dogs, and Skinner used rats and pigeons. By using non-human animals in research, it allows experiments to have more control over the process, without demand characteristics or individual differences influencing findings. - However, critics argue that using animals is unethical as there is less concern about protection from harm for non-human subjects. Moreover, results cannot be extrapolated and generalised to human behaviour. For example, Skinner’s operant conditioning theory may provide an understanding of rat behaviour, but little about human behaviour. - Many real-world applications (mental illness, therapy, addiction) - It has contributed to our modern understanding of human mental illness. For example, phobias are found to be the result of unpleasant learning experiences. Thus, this understanding helped psychologists develop therapies, such as systematic desensitisation, that attempts to re-condition a patient’s fear response. - Moreover, addictions such as gambling can be better understood through operant conditioning, as rewards of gamling could be seen to reinforce destructive behaviour. - This shows that the behaviourist approach has many real-world applications in the understanding and treatment of atypical behaviour. - Limited view on origins of behaviour - Behaviourists ignore alternative levels of explanation, such as the role of cognition and emotional factors influencing behaviour. However, Skinner rebutted that for behaviour to be investigated scientifically, it has to be directly measurable and observable, which cognitions are not. - However, taking an interactionist approach may be a more balanced and holistic view of behaviour by taking into account all aspects that affect human behaviour.

Discuss the social learning theory approach in psychology. (16 marks)

A - The basic assumption is that behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation of role models and their behaviour. Unlike the behaviourist approach, the SLT recognises the importance of cognitive mediational processes, and rejects the idea that learning is purely the result of a stimulus-response loop. - By considering someone as a ‘role model’, there is identification, which is associating with the qualities and characteristics of role models to become more like them. Identification can be made more likely with role models of similar age, gender, profession etc. - 4 mediational processes - Attention - only those who pay close attention to the behaviour will imitate - Retention - only those who remember the behaviour will imitate - Reproduction - assess own ability/ competence as to whether they can reproduce same actions - Motivation - expect to receive the same positive reinforcements for imitating behaviour observed - Imitation is made more likely through vicarious reinforcement, where observed behaviour is rewarded. - In Bandura’s bobo doll experiment, it was found that children who saw the aggressive model produced more aggressive acts. Boys imitated same-sex models more than girls, and girls imitated more physical aggression when they saw male models, and more verbal aggression when they saw female models. Thus, it shows that aggressive behaviour can be learnt through observation and imitation of a model.

A - Research support - Fox and Bailenson found that humans were more likely to imitate computer-generated ‘virtual humans’ who were similar to themselves. - Rushton and Campbell found that same-sex modelling significantly increased the number of female observers who agreed to and donated blood. - Myers found that vicarious learning increased the effectiveness of workplace teams. - These studies demonstrated support for different aspects of SLT, including modelling and vicarious reinforcement, thus adding credibility to the theory. - Low internal validity - Bandura conducted the experiment in a laboratory, which is artificial and a strictly-controlled setting. Thus, there may be demand characteristics, where the children picked up cues from the environment, guessed the aim of the investigation and adjusted their behaviour. - Participants may have been acting aggressively towards the Bobo doll because they thought that was what was expected of them, rather than it being a genuine and new learnt behaviour, thus there is low internal validity as it does not reflect the way participants behave in real life. - Great application to real-world issues - SLT has been long used in explaining criminal behaviour throughout the years, and has also been used to examine the effectiveness of advertising. Andsager et al. found that ‘identification with a character or example may increase the likelihood that the audiences will model behaviour presented in an anti-alcohol message’. Thus, this shows that the principles of SLT can be used to provide a positive impact on promotional health campaigns, and indirectly help combat problem behaviours eg. alcoholism. - Issue of causality - It is unclear if people learn behaviour from models, or if they actively seek out models who exhibit behaviour or attitudes they already favour. For example, young people who already hold deviant values and attitudes are more likely to be associated with similarly-inclined peers because they are more fun to be with. Thus, the reinforcement of ‘deviant’ behaviour is a two-way process, and not necessarily the result of SLT itself. - Moreover, SLT does not explain complex behaviours such as gender development. Children are exposed to a wide range of influences when growing up, and these different influences interact in a complex way. Thus, it is difficult to distinguish behaviours that develop because of SLT from many other factors, thus posing an issue for the SLT of behaviour. - Incomplete explanation - The theory does not explain why boys imitated physical aggression behaviour more than girls. This highlights how other factors, such as biological factors (eg. testosterone), must be involved. It also does not consider the influence of free will and moral values. - However, it is still a more complete explanation of human behaviour compared to the behaviourist explanation as it considers cognitive factors in learning.

Discuss the humanistic approach in psychology. (16 marks)

A - The basic assumption is that each individual exerts free will , with a focus on holism and the whole person and their subjective experiences , rather than breaking it down into individual components. Humanists see people through a positive light as inherently good, and that we are not a product of our genes, but of our decisions. - Maslow suggests that individuals ‘work up’ the hierarchy of needs and are motivated to achieve progression through the levels , from basic physiological needs (air, food, water, clothing), to safety and security (employment, health), to love and belonging (friends, family, sexual partner), to self-esteem (confidence, achievement, respect) and ultimately self-actualisation (spirituality, creativity, acceptance of the world as it is), which is where one experiences feelings of euphoria, and can relax and do whatever they desire without pressure, fear or inhibitions. - Rogers emphasised a focus on the self , and self-acceptance where individuals are only congruent when there is consistency between the perceived self (how you see yourself) and ideal self (how you would like to be seen). When there is a gap, one may be incongruent , which can lead to negative feelings of self-wort h and the use of defence mechanisms to protect themselves from such negative feelings. - Rogerian counselling therapy focused on closing the gap of incongruence by either raising the perceived self or lowering the ideal self, thus allowing the individual to recognise both their psychological limits and strengths, achieving a realistic balance. - Client-centred therapy , where individuals take positive steps towards resolving their issues, gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and ultimately achieve self-actualisation. - Therapists provide unconditional positive regard rather than setting conditions of worth by accepting and being empathetic and understanding of their condition, thus patients can move towards their ideal self and how they want to behave, rather than how they feel they should behave.

A - Unscientific in nature - Unlike other approaches (eg. biological approach), the approach rests on abstract concepts , such as the ID, which cannot be empirically measured. For example, whether someone has congruence or not is difficult to concretely measure. - It lacks empirical evidence (first handed research), which is a key feature of science. The approach rejects scientific methods to investigate human behaviour, and cannot show cause and effect relationships, and is thus considered unscientific. - However, humanists believe that the approach does not have to be scientific, and reject the idea that behaviour can be scientifically studied. Whilst biology has its influence, understanding the human condition in full can be done so by rejecting scientific investigation and focus on holism and free will, rather than being reductionist, thus it does not matter whether or not it is scientific. - Real world application - counselling psychology - Very influential, as Roger has helped us understand ourselves and self-improvement through counselling psychology, such as working towards congruence and self-awareness. This has been a useful theory that has laid the foundation for modern client-centred therapy. - However, it is difficult to test as it may have high face validity (appears to be accurate) but there may be other underlying factors that may indirectly affect results. For example, it is difficult to test whether a patient recovers solely because of counselling or might have had mediation or change in mindset on life, thus it is difficult to test its true effectiveness . - Cultural bias - focus on the self - Maslow’s hierarchy of needs focuses on self and personal growth, where the bottom 2 tiers are universal for everyone, but the top 3 tiers only apply to those in Western cultures and individualistic countries, with the ideal that one should have their own esteem, confidence, and aim to be self-actualised. This is not applicable to those in collectivist cultures , as they focus on family and group , and esteem is not seen in the same way. - Thus, it shows that it is not culturally appropriate to all countries, and may not explain all human behaviour, but only those from cultures which place greater value on the self. - Unrealistic view of human nature - The humanistic approach focuses on ‘growth-oriented’ behaviour, whilst ignoring an individual’s capacity for self-destruction and other more sinister aspects of human behaviour. - Thus, critics argue that the focus on self-development overlooks possible situational forces that may provide a more realistic explanation of everyday human behaviour.

Discuss the influence humanism has on society (8 marks)

• Humanism has a significant impact on society as it encourages a positive perspective on human behaviour. It views people in a positive light, focusing on what they can achieve.
• For business Humanism is useful in helping employers to create an environment that is the most beneficial for them. If a person has each level of needs met they will be more effective in the workplace. For example, ensuring physiological and safety needs are met are vital for then being able to function fully at a social level. Furthermore, if an employee feels they are in a group and belong, but also have esteem needs met, through bonus systems for example, then they will be even more effective in the workplace.
• Furthermore, Humanism has led to the development of counselling Psychology which is helpful in treating mood disorders. Therapists can use unconditional positive regards with their patients, which for a person with depression may well be life changing. As opposed to relying on medication or having to reflect on their own thinking, they can engage in a more positive and uplifting therapy. Rogerian concepts such as congruence are also very useful as patients can achieve a better match between their ideal and actual self. This occurs through either lowering the ideal self or raising the way they see themselves.
• Finally, unconditional positive regards can be used as an effective classroom management technique. Some students do not respond to praise/punishment type behavioural techniques which are commonly used, instead they are more suited to humanistic principles that remove conditions of worth. This is particularly important for children who have had conditions placed on them by other adults.

Biopsychology

Explain the process of synaptic transmission. (4 marks) - Electrical impulses (action potentials) reach the presynaptic terminal and trigger release of neurotransmitters - Neurotransmitters cross the synapse from vesicles and combine with receptors on the postsynaptic membrane - Stimulation of postsynaptic receptors by neurotransmitters result in either excitation (depolarisation) or inhibition (hyperpolarisation) of the postsynaptic membrane

Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse. (3 marks) - The synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on the presynaptic membrane - The receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane - It is the binding of the neurotransmitter to the receptor which enables information to be passed on to next neuron - Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean they can only go from high to low concentration, so can only travel from the presynaptic to the postsynaptic membrane

Give one difference between the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. (1 mark) - ANS is involuntary whereas the SNS is under conscious control - ANS controls smooth muscles and glands whereas SNS controls skeletal muscles

Describe the structure of the nervous system. (6 marks)

The nervous system is divided into two components, the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the spinal cord and the brain , which is involved in simple reflex actions and higher order thinking. The PNS transmits information to and from the CNS, and includes the somatic nervous system, which controls skeletal muscles , and the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary processes such as homeostasis and body temperature. The autonomic nervous system is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is involved in the fight or flight mechanism and the parasympathetic nervous system is involved in returning the body back to a ‘normal’ resting state after dangerous situations.

Discuss research into lateralisation of brain function. (16 marks)

Hemispheric lateralisation is the idea that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and that certain mental processes and behaviour are controlled by one hemisphere but not both. Speech and language is controlled by the left hemisphere, and visual motor tasks are controlled by the right . The two hemispheres are connected through the corpus callosum, which facilitates interhemispheric communication.

Broca’s area is in the left frontal lobe and is responsible for the production of speech. Damage to this area in the left hemisphere may cause Broca’s aphasia , resulting in slow and inarticulate speech , and difficulty with words such as ‘it’ and ‘the’. For example, the patient Tan was unable to produce any coherent words and could only say ‘Tan’. Wernicke’s area is responsible for language comprehension and producing fluent language. Damage to this area causes Wernicke’s aphasia , which is the production of fluent sentences that are meaningless .

The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, such as the right arm and legs, whilst the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, such as the left arm and legs. The somatosensory, motor, visual and auditory areas are controlled by both hemispheres.

Sperry and Gazzaniga investigated lateralisation using 11 split-brain patients, who all had undergone a surgery where the corpus callosum, that connects the two hemispheres, was cut, which meant that their hemispheres did not communicate and worked independently. They all carried on with life as normal. Patients had split visual fields, and were asked to complete simple tasks, such as drawing or saying a word. Information entering the left eye is processed by the ‘mute’ right hemisphere, thus patients were unable to say what they saw, but could pick the item up or draw it with their left hand . He was able to find that the left hemisphere is dominant in speech and language, whilst the right was dominant for visual-motor tasks, suggesting lateralisation of function.

However, there is limited applicability and reliability in this research. As this was only a treatment for severe epilepsy used for a limited period of time, the sample size was small (11 patients), producing limited data that could not be generalised to the wider population without the condition. Moreover, not all the patients had the corpus callosums split differently , and patients may have taken different medications for a prolonged time before the surgery, thus results may not be internally reliable as there are other extenuating factors that may have affected results.

It can be argued that differences in language abilities are due to inherent gender differences . Females have proportionally larger Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas than males, which may explain why they are better at forming sentences, communication and expression, resulting in different degrees of hemispheric lateralisation depending on gender. However, there may be neuroplasticity where there is compensation and reorganisation, suggesting that perhaps lateralistion is not fixed and that the brain can adapt following damage to certain areas.

Moreover, this theory is biologically reductionist , and does not consider other influences on behaviour. It may be too simplistic to claim that there is strict hemispheric lateralisation. For example, although there are specific centres in the brain for language, language is more complex than simple production and comprehension, and other complex processes are involved, such as meaning, communication, multiple languages, internal monologues etc. This shows that language utilises many areas of the brain in both hemispheres, thus may not have strict lateralisation.

In addition, it ignores the plasticity of the brain and functional recovery following brain trauma. Even with massive damages to the left hemisphere, recovery, even in the language centres, can happen, leading to an eventual improvement in language production. The brain can also compensate for lost function through neural reorganisation, regeneration and unmasking. For example, Turk et al. discovered a patient who suffered damage to the left hemisphere but developed the capacity to speak in the right hemisphere, eventually leading to the ability to speak about the information presented to either side of the brain. This suggests that strict hemispheric lateralisation is not the case as the brain has the potential to adapt functions to undamaged parts following damage to certain areas. The extent of functional recovery also depends on individual patients, as those with greater resilience and motivation to work hard in therapy can make a better recovery, thus showing that there may be multiple factors affecting cognitive recovery.

Discuss plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma. (16 marks)

Plasticity is the brain’s ability to c ompensate for lost function and to adapt to new experiences because of damage from accidents, bleeding, infection or diseases, indirectly causing swelling of the brain. The brain is able to functionally recover through neural regeneration , specifically neuronal unmasking , where dormant synapses can be used to allow new connections. Neural reorganisation also occurs, which is where there is a transfer of functions to other undamaged areas for recovery of such functions.

Recovery often depends on factors such as gender, age and profession, but there are therapies such as brain stimulation or physiotherapy that can also enhance recovery. For example, children have greater capacity for neural reorganisation than adults, as it is less effective in older brains, which explains why adults find change more demanding than young people.

There is support from the case study of Phineas Gage, who experienced an accident at the age of 25, in which an iron rod went through his skull, damaging most of his frontal lobe. However, he was still able to maintain most functions despite the massive brain damage. He had a loss of function in his left hemisphere, but later redeveloped his language skills . This shows how neuroplasticity can allow functions to be repositioned to other areas following damage, and that young people have better plasticity and faster neural reorganisation.

There are studies supporting the idea of neuroplasticity. Kuhn found an increase in grey matter in various regions of the brain after participants played violent video games for 30 minutes a day over two months, highlighting the relationship between aggression and video games. Moreover, Davidson found that Buddhist monks who meditated regularly had greater activation of gamma waves that coordinate neural activity, compared to students with no meditation experience, highlighting the importance of mindfulness . These studies reinforce the brain’s ability to adapt to a wide range of new experiences, be it gaming or meditation.

In Maguire et al., it was found that the more time spent as a taxi driver, the larger the posterior hippocampal volume for London taxi drivers. This shows that as taxi drivers have huge amounts of maps and locations to learn, the brain in the particular area has changed to meet the demand, thus highlighting how human behaviour can influence the structure of the brain. Such findings provide great real world application as it shows how the brain can change and adapt with repeated behaviour, which can be useful for students or those in certain careers that require significant memorisation skills.

Research into neuroplasticity provides great application for the scientific use of stem cells . Undifferentiated cells can become specified cells to provide specific functions needed, which can work alongside the brain’s plasticity to support functional recovery from trauma. Currently, it has been found that stem cells provided to rats after brain trauma showed clear development of neuron-like cells in the area of injury. This demonstration of the ability to create new neural connections using neurons from stem cells can aid future research into the possible use in bone marrow for patients with a wide range of neural damage, thus possibly improving the quality of life of patients following accidents or contracting diseases.

In a brain study at the University of Oxford , 785 people who tested positive for Covid-19 were tested, and these patients lost 1% of parahippocampal gyrus, a key region for smell . However, it was found that these brain changes are partially reversible, as the brain is plastic, which means it can reorganise and heal itself to some extent, even in older people. This shows that past research into brain plasticity is useful and applicable even in the current pandemic, allowing us to further investigate methods of how we can artificially support such brain plasticity to fully enhance recovery.

Research Methods

Discuss features of science. Refer to one or more examples of psychological research in your answer. (8 marks) - Objectivity and the imperial method - Replicability and falsifiability - For example, Freud’s psychodynamic approach is unfalsifiable - Theory construction and hypothesis testing - Paradigms and paradigm shifts - For example behaviourism in 1920s onwards, 1970s paradigm shift to the cognitive revolution

Outline the major features of science. (6 marks)

- Modern Psychology uses many scientific concepts. Theories are constructed , then to provide support

For these, testable predictions known as hypotheses are made. these are then tested using empirical ,, first hand, methods. psychology moves in paradigm and paradigm shifts , thoughts and ideas can, completely shift, the evolution of psychology as a science is not linear. for example, bowlby causes a, shift in thinking on attachment., - furthermore, research is made replicable. this is a key feature of science as it allows for others to do, the research and create more data to reject or support hypotheses. it also holds psychologists to account, when they conduct research, as they have to be transparent in their methods., - objectivity is also important, this means free from bias. this is a key feature of science and it is, important for psychologists to be free from their own opinions when conducting research. to achieve, this, double blind procedures are often used, for example, if conducted an interview, the psychologist, would not do this themselves, but employ someone to do it for them, only telling them the aims of the, researcher afterwards. this helps to avoid bias and remain objective., - finally, concepts must be falsifiable to remain part of the scientific nature of psychology. this means,, to be proven right it must be possible for concepts to be proven wrong. freud’s concepts of the, personality have been criticised for not being falsifiable as they are abstract and cannot be measured, or, proved wrong. some therefore disregard some psychodynamic ideas as unscientific..

Give three reasons why the research used a related t-test in a study. (3 marks) - A difference between 2 sets of data is predicted - The data is of interval/ ratio level - A repeated measures design has been used

What is meant by a Type II error? Explain why psychologists normally use the 5% level of significance in their research. ( marks) - A type II error would occur when a real difference in the data is overlooked as it is wrongly accepted as not being significant, accepting the null hypothesis in error (a false negative) - (When the researcher accepts that there is no correlation between the variables even though the alternative hypothesis is correct) (When the researcher believes that the relationship between the variables is not significant when it is) - The 5% level is used as it strikes a balance between the risk of making the Type I and II errors

What is meant by a pilot study? Explain one possible reason why the psychologist decided to conduct a pilot study for this investigation. (3 marks) - A pilot study is a small-scale investigation conducted before research - To identify whether there needs to be any modification to the design (eg. whether interview questions were sufficiently relevant to the content of the study) - To identify whether it would be feasible/ operationalisable to conduct the study on the topic

What is meant by qualitative data? Give one strength of collecting qualitative data. (2 marks) - Non-numerical/ descriptive data - Participants can talk in detail without restriction to certain topics - Researchers can develop a deeper understanding on content for better result manipulation

Describe the process and purposes of peer review. (6 marks) - Process - Other psychologists check the research report before deciding whether it could be published - Independent scrutiny by others in a similar field - Work is considered in terms of its validity, significance, originality - Assessment of appropriateness of methods and designs used - Reviewer can accept the manuscript as it is, accept with revisions, suggest the author to make revisions and resubmits, or reject without the possibility of re-submission - Editors make the final decision whether to accept or reject research report based on reviewers’ comments/ recommendations - Research proposals submitted to panel and assed for merit - Purpose - To ensure quality and relevance of research eg. methodology, data analysis etc. - To ensure accuracy of findings - To evaluate proposed designs (in terms of aim, quality and value of research) for research funding

Explain how the reliability of a content analysis could be assessed. (4 marks) - Test-retest reliability - Content analysis repeated on a second occasion with the same data by the same researcher - Compare results of the 2 separate analysis - Calculate the correlation between the 2 ratings - Generally accept 0 correlation (accept 0.7-0) between 2 tests - Inter-rater reliability - Use a second researcher to work with the original researcher - Read interviews (separately) and devise a system/ a set of categories together - Tally the occurrences separately and compare tally charts - Calculate the correlation between the 2 ratings - Generally accept 0 correlation (accept 0.7-0) between 2 tests

Explain what is meant by ‘significant at p<0’. (2 marks) - This means that the difference in the results of the two conditions is significant at 0 level. - This means that less than 5% (1 in 20) likelihood (probability) that the difference was due to chance/ due to something other than the IV.

Explain how the researcher could assign matched participants to either Group A or B. (3 marks) - Top two participants with the highest questionnaire scores can be paired, with the next two highest scores be paired and so on until all participants are put into 10 pairs - One student from each pair would be randomly allocated to a different condition of the experiment, so that there are 10 participants in each group.

Explain a strength of using matched-pairs design rather than a repeated-measures design. (2 marks) - Reduce order effects as participants only take part in one condition - Thus improving validity of results

Explain what it means for a test to have high concurrent validity. (2 marks) - When there is close agreement between the data produced by the new test compared to the established test - Close agreement is indicated if the correlation between the two sets of data produced by the two tests exceeds +0.

The researcher knew which participants were in each experimental group. Explain how this could affect the validity of the study. (4 marks) - Investigator bias, where the researcher may consciously or unconsciously influence responses given by the participants, eg. by smiling more, using a more pleasant tone etc., which would make the participant more likely to rate themselves happier. - Thus, the increased happiness could be due to investigator bias rather than the change of the IV, invalidating the results.

When calcuclating S values → find the number of positive and negative differences (one column of numbers minus the other), the lower value of the two = S value! (REMEMBER TO IGNORE ZEROS!! IF THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE WITHIN EACH PAIR, DON'T COUNT IT AS A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DIFFERENCE)

ALWAYS link back to the stem of the question (aka state the point in general, and make up an example of how this applies to the situation given!!!!)

Design a study 12 markers

• Mention aim, a specific IV and DV, how they are allocated (eg. random allocation with names in a hat)
• Make up a task related to psychology (eg. ask psychology students to draw a psychodynamic approach mind map)
• Find the mean of the two conditions and compare results
• Plot a bar chart with categorical variables of X and Y (with xx on the x-axis, and xx on the y-axis)
• Calculate the standard deviation of the two conditions to comment on spread of data of the two conditions to see if the impact of the IV on the DV was consistent or not
• Multiple Choice

Subject : Psychology

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AQA A Level Psychology Approaches essay plans

Subject: Psychology

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

9 March 2021

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This is essays plans/revisions sheets for all Approaches. This provides AO1 and AO3. This is from the most recent specification (from 2015)

Essays can be adapted in any form however most points are contextualised ( with examples and explanations) This set up as PEEL. I received an A. I hope this helps.

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Approaches in Psychology

Sihan G. ★ 5.0 (2)

University of cambridge - ba natural sciences (specialised in psychology).

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This topic is included in A-level Paper 2 for AQA Psychology.

• Definitions
• Detailed Notes
• Essay Plans
• Example Essay - Humanistic Approach
• Humanistic Theory of Behaviour
• The Bobo Beatdown
• The Difference Between Classical and Operant Conditioning
• How to Train a Brain
• Classical Conditioning – Phobias
• The Little Albert Experiment
• Media and Eating Disorders in Fiji
• Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development
• Applications of Social Learning Theory to Health and Social Care
• Psychotherapy – Sigmund Freud
• Approaches in Psychology: Cognitive
• Approaches in Psychology: Biological
• Approaches in Psychology: Psychodynamic
• Approaches in Psychology: Comparison of Approaches

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• Humanistic Psychology MCQ MS
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• Humanistic Psychology MS
• Humanistic Psychology
• Learning Approaches MCQ MS
• Learning Approaches MCQ
• Learning Approaches MS
• Learning Approaches
• Origins of Psychology MCQ MS
• Origins of Psychology MCQ
• Origins of Psychology MS
• Origins of Psychology
• Psychodynamic Approach MCQ MS
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