MARK SCHEME – AS PSYCHOLOGY – 7181/1 – JUNE
2023
AQA
AS
PSYCHOLOGY
7181/1
Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology
Mark scheme
June 2023
2
, MARK SCHEME – AS PSYCHOLOGY – 7181/1 – JUNE
2023
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
Step 1 Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in
the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it
meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With
practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the
lower levels of the mark scheme.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within
the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be
placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
with the standardised examples to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the
example. You can then use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark
on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
3
, MARK SCHEME – AS PSYCHOLOGY – 7181/1 – JUNE
2023
Section A
Social Influence
0 1 Outline informational social influence as an explanation for conformity.
[3 marks]
Marks for this question: AO1 = 3
3 marks for a clear, coherent and detailed outline of informational social influence as an explanation for
conformity, using appropriate terminology.
2 marks for a less detailed outline.
1 mark for a muddled or limited outline.
Possible content:
going along with the majority through acceptance of new information
occurs because of a desire to be right/correct
occurs in ambiguous/difficult/novel situations
conforming for cognitive reasons
leads to internalisation
a permanent change in view/behaviour.
Credit other relevant content including the use of examples to illustrate informational social influence.
0 2 A teacher asked her class for a volunteer to talk to future A-level students. The
teacher asked Sarah first, but she refused. The teacher then asked Emily to help.
Use your knowledge of resistance to social influence to explain Emily’s likely response
to the teacher’s request.
[3 marks]
Marks for this question: AO2 = 3
3 marks for a clear, coherent and detailed explanation with explicit links to the scenario, using
appropriate terminology.
2 marks for a less detailed explanation where application might be implicit.
1 mark for a muddled or limited explanation.
Social Support Possible content:
Emily resists the teacher because she is influenced by Sarah’s refusal
Sarah acts as social support/presence of a role model which makes Emily feel confident to also refuse
Locus of control Possible content:
Emily resists Sarah’s influence because of her own internal locus of control
Emily’s internal LOC makes Emily feel confident in making her own decisions, ignoring Sarah’s
behaviour.
For full marks the answer must refer to Emily being more likely to refuse/resist the teacher OR Sarah.
Credit answers where both alternatives are suggested.
4
2023
AQA
AS
PSYCHOLOGY
7181/1
Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology
Mark scheme
June 2023
2
, MARK SCHEME – AS PSYCHOLOGY – 7181/1 – JUNE
2023
Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
Step 1 Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in
the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it
meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With
practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the
lower levels of the mark scheme.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within
the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be
placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.
Step 2 Determine a mark
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
with the standardised examples to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the
example. You can then use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark
on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
3
, MARK SCHEME – AS PSYCHOLOGY – 7181/1 – JUNE
2023
Section A
Social Influence
0 1 Outline informational social influence as an explanation for conformity.
[3 marks]
Marks for this question: AO1 = 3
3 marks for a clear, coherent and detailed outline of informational social influence as an explanation for
conformity, using appropriate terminology.
2 marks for a less detailed outline.
1 mark for a muddled or limited outline.
Possible content:
going along with the majority through acceptance of new information
occurs because of a desire to be right/correct
occurs in ambiguous/difficult/novel situations
conforming for cognitive reasons
leads to internalisation
a permanent change in view/behaviour.
Credit other relevant content including the use of examples to illustrate informational social influence.
0 2 A teacher asked her class for a volunteer to talk to future A-level students. The
teacher asked Sarah first, but she refused. The teacher then asked Emily to help.
Use your knowledge of resistance to social influence to explain Emily’s likely response
to the teacher’s request.
[3 marks]
Marks for this question: AO2 = 3
3 marks for a clear, coherent and detailed explanation with explicit links to the scenario, using
appropriate terminology.
2 marks for a less detailed explanation where application might be implicit.
1 mark for a muddled or limited explanation.
Social Support Possible content:
Emily resists the teacher because she is influenced by Sarah’s refusal
Sarah acts as social support/presence of a role model which makes Emily feel confident to also refuse
Locus of control Possible content:
Emily resists Sarah’s influence because of her own internal locus of control
Emily’s internal LOC makes Emily feel confident in making her own decisions, ignoring Sarah’s
behaviour.
For full marks the answer must refer to Emily being more likely to refuse/resist the teacher OR Sarah.
Credit answers where both alternatives are suggested.
4
