AQA PSYCHOLOGY A-LEVEL PAPER 2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024 - 25
Wilhelm Wundt ANS - - First Psychologist
- First Lab in Germany
- Experimental Conditions
- Structuralism and Introspection
Introspection ANS - Person Gains knowledge about their mental state by examining their conscious
thoughts and feelings
Empiricism ANS - Knowledge is derived from sensory experience, characterised by the use of the
scientific method
Scientific Method ANS - The investigative methods that are:
- Objective
- Systematic
- Reliable
Evaluation of Wundt ANS - - methods were unreliable as it relied on non-observable
- Introspection is not accurate because people are often unaware of are behaviours
Evaluation of the Scientific Approach ANS - - its objective and systematic
- Rely on determinism
- Self corrective
- Create non-naturalistic environments
- Human behaviour is not always observable to the rules of science
,Classical Conditioning ANS - Pavlov - When a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an
unconditional stimulus so that it takes on the properties on the stimulus and is able to produced a
conditioned response
Classical Conditioning steps ANS - UCS -> UCR
NS -> No Response
UCS+NS -> UCR
CS -> CR
Features of CC ANS - - If time interval is too great between conditioning it does not work
- CR will become extinct in the absence of the UCS after a while
- If extinct and paired again they pair more quickly (Spontaneous Recovery)
- Stimulus generalisation, CR is created to things similar to CS
Operant Conditioning ANS - Skinner - Learning through reinforcement or punishment, a behaviour is
more likely if followed by a desirable concequence
Positive Reinforcement ANS - Behaviour Produces a response that is desirable
Negative Reinforcement ANS - Doing something to stop unpleasant response
Reinforcement ANS - Strengthening a response
Punishment ANS - An unpleasant consequence following a behaviour
Features of Classical Conditioning ANS - - Scheduling reinforcement makes it stronger
- Punishment
,Evaluation of Classical Conditioning ANS - - Applications in treatment of phobias
- Animal Research cannot be generalised to humans because they have different needs to learn
Evaluation of Operant Conditioning ANS - - Use of experimental method
- Animal Research cannot be generalised to humans
Modelling ANS - Individuals learn behaviour be observing others
Imitation ANS - Copying a models behaviour
Identification ANS - Individual adopts attitudes and behaviours of a model because they want to be like
them
Vicarious Reinforcement ANS - Individuals learn about the likely consequences by observing a model's
experiences and adjust their behaviour to obtain the same experience
The Role of the meditational Processes ANS - Observer forms a mental representation pf the behaviour
displayed of the model and the probable consequences it will also happen to them
Evaluation of Social Learning Theory ANS - - Applications in human behaviour
- research support (Bandura)
- Problems with causality, it may not be observing but rather people already have this a try to find
people similar
- Approach disregards other potential influences like gender
Bandura Procedures ANS - Children were exposed to aggressive or non aggressive models interacting
with a bobo doll
Bandura Findings ANS - Children who had aggressive models were aggressive to the doll
, Children who had non-aggressive models were not aggressive to the doll
Cognitive ANS - Refers to mental processes such as perception, memory and reasoning
Schema ANS - A cognitive framework that helps us organise and interpret information
Why are Schemas useful? ANS - They help us make sense of new information by filling in gaps
Theoretical Models ANS - Pictorial representations of cognitive processes based on research evidence
Computer Model ANS - Computer analogy of input process storage output to represent the human
cognitive
Cognitive Neuroscience ANS - non-invasive imaging techniques such as PET and fMRI scans to help
psychologists understand how the brain works
PET ANS - Positron emission tomography
fMRI ANS - Functional Magnetic Resonance imaging
Evaluation of the Cognitive Approach ANS - - Applications in social cognition, dysfunctional behaviour
- Scientific
- Computer models are to simplistic for a human mind, and at the same time suggest that we never
forget or never make mistakes
- ignores emotion and motivation (tells us how not why)
- Lack ecological validity
Biological Approach ANS - Views humans as biological organisms and provides biological explanations
for all psychological functioning
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