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Summary A-level OCR Psychology Core studies model answers
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Core Studies - Model AnswersDV in Maguire - volume of grey matter in the hippocampus
One way in which the taxi drivers were matched is by their age. Another way is by gender
One strength of the data collected is that it is quantitative so it is easy to measure and
compare. This is useful as it allows the researchers to see the difference between the
volume of grey matter in the taxi drivers.
A repeated measures design in Chaney was used as participants took part in both
conditions to see the adherence of children when using a regular inhaler compared to when
they used the Funhaler.
A strength of using the repeated measures design is that there are no pp variables that act
as extraneous variables so adherence to a certain inhaler cannot be attributed to the
personality of the child or the family’s support.
Kohlberg’s study can be considered ethnocentric as it is based in America and has a sample
of 12 American boys. This cannot be generalised to people of other countries and cultures
as they may have different morals and values and the stories may be more relevant to
some cultures than others. However, it can be argued that five other cultures studied this
research to support the universality of the theory, so it can be generalised to other cultures
to some extent. Therefore, Kohlberg’s research is considered ethnocentric as there is still a
Western bias in the overall sample.
Grant’s study is considered reliable as it has a highly standardised procedure. We can see
this through the conditions of pps wearing headphones regardless of the condition they
were in, in order to reduce any extraneous variables
One conclusion drawn from this study is that studying and testing in the same environment
leads to enhanced performance in recall through access to relevant cues.
Moray’s apparatus
A tape recorder that was modified w/ two amplifiers to give independent outputs going into
either earpiece on a pair of headphones
A weakness of using a laboratory experiment in this research is that it lacked ecological
validity because it is unrealistic to have 2 messages relayed in such a controlled way.
,The passengers' response times were measured when a confederate posed as a person in
need by staggering and then collapsing by either appearing drunk or disabled.
Levine’s study found that there was a small relationship between walking speed and
overall helping, with pp in faster cities being slightly less likely to help.
Also found that there were no significant differences in helping behaviour in the 2
conditions.
This study can be classed as a quasi as the independent variable of helping behaviour was
naturally occurring
Hancock - how does it change our understanding of individual, social, or cultural diversity
Hancock was able to demonstrate that it is possible to measure behaviour to establish
factors that cause individual differences fairly. This contemporary study allowed more
specific behaviours to be measured to understand abnormal behaviour. Hancock et al
focused on 52 men who were in prison for murder and were therefore not able to tell us
more about social diversity as a whole but about a particular group of people who are likely
to have similar backgrounds. The study did enable Hancock et al to explain an important
issue in society and potentially reduce future offending. He focused on prisoners in Canada
and therefore does not offer further insight into cultural diversity overall, it does extend out
understanding from America - the usual country of study.
2 principles of the developmental area
Behaviour may be learned and develop on an individual bases
Early experiences may not impact until later on in life
Development may happen in predetermined stages
How does Lee et al relate to principles + concepts of developmental area
Change + development goes on throughout our lifetime + never stops: early indications in
Lee show that morality develops w/ age and w/ experience so since these both change over
time, moral development may be ongoing
Behaviour may be learnt and developed on an individual basis: as evidenced by cross-
cultural differences in moral development which follow different experiences.
Development may be driven by nature i.e. maturation process: within cultures, evidence
show morality changes with age and this is a universal finding
Strengths + weaknesses of developmental
Strength - better understand of how people develop has the potential to improve lives
It considers both nature + nurture, and how they both impact on development
, Weaknesses - too deterministic, like Kohlberg
It has too much reliance on kids like in Lee et al - relies on their ability to articulate, easily
influenced
Ethical issues in terms of reliance on children as pps
Longitudinal research can result in attrition
Individual/situational debate using research
The individual debate is the idea that behaviour results from personality and factors that
are internal to a person. The situational side is the idea that behaviour is a response to the
situation a person finds themselves in and is therefore a product of external factors.
Socially sensitive research
Ideas which are controversial and can often risk stereotyping. Prejudice and discrimination
This article is considered socially sensitive as it is bringing forward the idea that
homosexual people are abnormal or mentally ill and they should therefore change that
about themselves through painful procedures in order to fit in.
Chaney et al’s study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Funhaler in
improving the adherence to asthma medication for children. It used operant conditioning, in
which the Funhaler was a more fun alternative to their standard inhaler, which reinforced
them to use it more. This can relate to the article as we can see a behaviour change. For
example, the role of condition in the article was used to stop people being gay. ‘Curing’
homosexuality was done through giving patients electric shocks upon seeing pictures of
naked men. The negative emotions they associated with this then resurfaced when they
saw a similar scenario in real life, which steered them away from homosexuality. However,
unlike Chaney’s study, it is not very effective as the feelings often come back after a period
of time.
Free will/determinism
Free will - the idea that ppl are un control of their destiny and make conscious decisions
that affect their behaviour
Determinism - the idea that behaviour is determined by forces beyond the persons control
which can be both internal and external
This can be applied to the article as it suggests that sexual behaviour can be changed,
which links in with the free will side as homosexual feelings change depending on positive
or negative reinforcement
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