AQA A level Psychology - Paper 1 topicsQuestions
And Answers 2025/2026
Statistical infrequency - CORRECT ANSWER-Number of times it is observed
Different/rare = abnormal
E.g. IDD - average IQ 85-115, only 2% below 70
Statistical infrequency - real life applications - CORRECT ANSWER-All MI
assessments include comparison to statistical norms
IDD demonstrates how it can be used
Useful in clinical assessment
Statistical infrequency - unusual characteristics can be positive - CORRECT
ANSWER-Statistically abnormal but may not need treatment
E.g. IQ of 130 not undesirable
Should never be used alone to make diagnosis
Statistical infrequency - not everyone benefits from labels - CORRECT ANSWER-
Happy/fulfilled life
Low IQ, not distressed/unemployed = not necessary
May negatively affect how others view them/how they view themselves
,Deviation from social norms - CORRECT ANSWER-Abnormality based on social
context (different than expected)
Collected judgement on 'correct'
Few behaviours universally abnormal (cultural context)
Historical differences e.g. homosexuality
APD: failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour
Deviation from social norms - not sole explanation - CORRECT ANSWER-APD:
place for deviation from social norms in thinking what is abnormal
Other factors: e.g. distress to other people from APD (a failure to function
adequately)
Never sold reason for defining abnormality
Deviation from social norms - cultural relativism - CORRECT ANSWER-
Ethnocentrism: one person may judge someone from another culture as
abnormal using their own cultural standards
Hearing voices acceptable in some cultures
Problems for people living outside of own cultural group
Deviation from social norms - could lead to human rights abuse - CORRECT
ANSWER-Systematic abuse of human rights
,Drapetomania (black slaves trying to escape) + nymphomania (women attracted
to working class men) = used for social control
Argued that some modern classifications abuse right to be different
Failure to function adequately - CORRECT ANSWER-Cannot cope with everyday
life
E.g. maintain job/relationships/hygiene
Rosenhan & Seligman: signs
1. No longer conform to interpersonal rules
2. Experience personal distress
3. Behave irrationally/dangerously
IDD: must be clear signs that they are unable to cope for diagnosis
Failure to function adequately - patient's perspective - CORRECT ANSWER-Difficult
to assess distress
Acknowledges experience of patient is important
Captures experiences of those who need help
Failure to function adequately - same as deviation from social norms - CORRECT
ANSWER-Really failing to function or just deviating?
Alternative lifestyles/extreme sports = maladaptive behaviour
, Treat as 'failures' = limit freedom
Failure to function adequately - subjective judgement - CORRECT ANSWER-
Patients may say they are distressed but judged as not
Ways of making judgement as objective as possible (Global Assessment of
Functioning Scale)
Do they have the right to make the judgement?
Deviation from ideal mental health - CORRECT ANSWER-Change emphasis - what
makes normal/psychologically healthy
Identify who deviates
Jahoda (1958) criteria
1. No symptoms/distress
2. Rational/perceive ourselves rationally
3. Self actualise
4. Cope with stress
5. Realistic view of world
6. Good self esteem / lack guilt
7. Independent of others
8. Successfully worklove/enjoy leisure
Overlap of explanations
And Answers 2025/2026
Statistical infrequency - CORRECT ANSWER-Number of times it is observed
Different/rare = abnormal
E.g. IDD - average IQ 85-115, only 2% below 70
Statistical infrequency - real life applications - CORRECT ANSWER-All MI
assessments include comparison to statistical norms
IDD demonstrates how it can be used
Useful in clinical assessment
Statistical infrequency - unusual characteristics can be positive - CORRECT
ANSWER-Statistically abnormal but may not need treatment
E.g. IQ of 130 not undesirable
Should never be used alone to make diagnosis
Statistical infrequency - not everyone benefits from labels - CORRECT ANSWER-
Happy/fulfilled life
Low IQ, not distressed/unemployed = not necessary
May negatively affect how others view them/how they view themselves
,Deviation from social norms - CORRECT ANSWER-Abnormality based on social
context (different than expected)
Collected judgement on 'correct'
Few behaviours universally abnormal (cultural context)
Historical differences e.g. homosexuality
APD: failure to conform to lawful and culturally normative ethical behaviour
Deviation from social norms - not sole explanation - CORRECT ANSWER-APD:
place for deviation from social norms in thinking what is abnormal
Other factors: e.g. distress to other people from APD (a failure to function
adequately)
Never sold reason for defining abnormality
Deviation from social norms - cultural relativism - CORRECT ANSWER-
Ethnocentrism: one person may judge someone from another culture as
abnormal using their own cultural standards
Hearing voices acceptable in some cultures
Problems for people living outside of own cultural group
Deviation from social norms - could lead to human rights abuse - CORRECT
ANSWER-Systematic abuse of human rights
,Drapetomania (black slaves trying to escape) + nymphomania (women attracted
to working class men) = used for social control
Argued that some modern classifications abuse right to be different
Failure to function adequately - CORRECT ANSWER-Cannot cope with everyday
life
E.g. maintain job/relationships/hygiene
Rosenhan & Seligman: signs
1. No longer conform to interpersonal rules
2. Experience personal distress
3. Behave irrationally/dangerously
IDD: must be clear signs that they are unable to cope for diagnosis
Failure to function adequately - patient's perspective - CORRECT ANSWER-Difficult
to assess distress
Acknowledges experience of patient is important
Captures experiences of those who need help
Failure to function adequately - same as deviation from social norms - CORRECT
ANSWER-Really failing to function or just deviating?
Alternative lifestyles/extreme sports = maladaptive behaviour
, Treat as 'failures' = limit freedom
Failure to function adequately - subjective judgement - CORRECT ANSWER-
Patients may say they are distressed but judged as not
Ways of making judgement as objective as possible (Global Assessment of
Functioning Scale)
Do they have the right to make the judgement?
Deviation from ideal mental health - CORRECT ANSWER-Change emphasis - what
makes normal/psychologically healthy
Identify who deviates
Jahoda (1958) criteria
1. No symptoms/distress
2. Rational/perceive ourselves rationally
3. Self actualise
4. Cope with stress
5. Realistic view of world
6. Good self esteem / lack guilt
7. Independent of others
8. Successfully worklove/enjoy leisure
Overlap of explanations
