AQA A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY Question Paper & Mark
Scheme (Merged) [VERIFIED] Approved or Better
Revision With A Grade Pass Of A+
2026/2027 Frequently Most Tested Questions
and 100% Accurate From Past papers | Graded
A+ , Reviewed and Updated | 100% Guarantee
Pass | Latest Exam and Newest Version!!!
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
A psychologist is defining abnormality using the statistical infrequency definition. Which
of the following behaviours would be considered abnormal according to this definition?
a. An IQ score of 100
b. An IQ score below 70
c. An IQ score between 85 and 115
d. An IQ score of 95
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality as behaviours that are extremely rare in the
population. IQ scores are normally distributed with a mean of 100 and a standard
deviation of 15. An IQ score below 70 (two standard deviations below the mean) occurs
in very few people and may result in a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder.
Options A, C, and D represent scores within or near the normal range and are not
considered statistically rare.
,A student is evaluating the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality. Which of the
following is a strength of this definition?
a. It considers the patient's subjective experience
b. It has real-life clinical application
c. It distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviours
d. It avoids cultural bias
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Statistical infrequency has real-life clinical application because mental health
assessments routinely compare patients to statistical norms, making this definition
practical and objective. Option A is a strength of failure to function adequately. Option C
is incorrect because statistical infrequency does not distinguish between desirable and
undesirable rare behaviours. Option D is incorrect because cultural factors can influence
what is considered statistically rare.
A psychologist is using the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality. Which
of the following is a limitation of this definition?
a. It lacks clinical application
b. It is culturally relative and can lead to human rights abuses
c. It ignores the patient's subjective experience
d. It cannot be applied to real-life situations
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Deviation from social norms is culturally relative because behaviours acceptable in one
culture may be labelled abnormal in another. Historically, this definition has been
misused to control populations and limit human rights. Option A is incorrect because
this definition does have clinical application. Option C is incorrect because subjective
experience is not the primary focus of this definition. Option D is incorrect because this
definition is applied in clinical settings.
, A patient is unable to cope with everyday demands of life, including maintaining
personal hygiene and holding down a job. Which definition of abnormality best
describes this presentation?
a. Statistical infrequency
b. Deviation from social norms
c. Failure to function adequately
d. Deviation from ideal mental health
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Failure to function adequately (FFA) defines abnormality as being unable to cope with
everyday demands of life. This includes distress, irrational behaviour, danger to
self/others, and breakdown of interpersonal functioning. Option A relates to statistical
rarity. Option B relates to violating social rules. Option D relates to not meeting criteria
for optimal psychological functioning.
According to Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health, which of the following is one of
the six criteria?
a. Statistical normality
b. Social conformity
c. Self-actualisation
d. Avoidance of distress
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Jahoda's six criteria for ideal mental health include: positive self-attitude, self-
actualisation, resistance to stress, personal autonomy, accurate perception of reality, and
adaptation to the environment. Option A is not a Jahoda criterion. Option B relates to
deviation from social norms. Option D is not one of Jahoda's criteria.
A patient with a phobia of spiders experiences panic and avoidance when confronted
with spiders. Which of the following is a behavioural characteristic of phobias?
Scheme (Merged) [VERIFIED] Approved or Better
Revision With A Grade Pass Of A+
2026/2027 Frequently Most Tested Questions
and 100% Accurate From Past papers | Graded
A+ , Reviewed and Updated | 100% Guarantee
Pass | Latest Exam and Newest Version!!!
DEFINITIONS OF ABNORMALITY
A psychologist is defining abnormality using the statistical infrequency definition. Which
of the following behaviours would be considered abnormal according to this definition?
a. An IQ score of 100
b. An IQ score below 70
c. An IQ score between 85 and 115
d. An IQ score of 95
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Statistical infrequency defines abnormality as behaviours that are extremely rare in the
population. IQ scores are normally distributed with a mean of 100 and a standard
deviation of 15. An IQ score below 70 (two standard deviations below the mean) occurs
in very few people and may result in a diagnosis of intellectual disability disorder.
Options A, C, and D represent scores within or near the normal range and are not
considered statistically rare.
,A student is evaluating the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality. Which of the
following is a strength of this definition?
a. It considers the patient's subjective experience
b. It has real-life clinical application
c. It distinguishes between desirable and undesirable behaviours
d. It avoids cultural bias
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Statistical infrequency has real-life clinical application because mental health
assessments routinely compare patients to statistical norms, making this definition
practical and objective. Option A is a strength of failure to function adequately. Option C
is incorrect because statistical infrequency does not distinguish between desirable and
undesirable rare behaviours. Option D is incorrect because cultural factors can influence
what is considered statistically rare.
A psychologist is using the deviation from social norms definition of abnormality. Which
of the following is a limitation of this definition?
a. It lacks clinical application
b. It is culturally relative and can lead to human rights abuses
c. It ignores the patient's subjective experience
d. It cannot be applied to real-life situations
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Deviation from social norms is culturally relative because behaviours acceptable in one
culture may be labelled abnormal in another. Historically, this definition has been
misused to control populations and limit human rights. Option A is incorrect because
this definition does have clinical application. Option C is incorrect because subjective
experience is not the primary focus of this definition. Option D is incorrect because this
definition is applied in clinical settings.
, A patient is unable to cope with everyday demands of life, including maintaining
personal hygiene and holding down a job. Which definition of abnormality best
describes this presentation?
a. Statistical infrequency
b. Deviation from social norms
c. Failure to function adequately
d. Deviation from ideal mental health
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Failure to function adequately (FFA) defines abnormality as being unable to cope with
everyday demands of life. This includes distress, irrational behaviour, danger to
self/others, and breakdown of interpersonal functioning. Option A relates to statistical
rarity. Option B relates to violating social rules. Option D relates to not meeting criteria
for optimal psychological functioning.
According to Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health, which of the following is one of
the six criteria?
a. Statistical normality
b. Social conformity
c. Self-actualisation
d. Avoidance of distress
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Jahoda's six criteria for ideal mental health include: positive self-attitude, self-
actualisation, resistance to stress, personal autonomy, accurate perception of reality, and
adaptation to the environment. Option A is not a Jahoda criterion. Option B relates to
deviation from social norms. Option D is not one of Jahoda's criteria.
A patient with a phobia of spiders experiences panic and avoidance when confronted
with spiders. Which of the following is a behavioural characteristic of phobias?
