AQA A level Psychology - Paper 1 topics WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+

AQA A level Psychology - Paper 1 topics WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+ Statistical infrequency - 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 - 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 - Statistically abnormal but may not need treatment E.g. IQ of 130 not undesirable 2 | P a g e Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved. Should never be used alone to make diagnosis Statistical infrequency - not everyone benefits from labels - 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 - 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 - APD: place for deviation from social norms in thinking what is abnormal 3 | P a g e Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved. 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 - 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 - 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 - Cannot cope with everyday life E.g. maintain job/relationships/hygiene Rosenhan & Seligman: signs 4 | P a g e Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved. 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 - 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 - Really failing to function or just deviating? Alternative lifestyles/extreme sports = maladaptive behaviour Treat as 'failures' = limit freedom Failure to function adequately - subjective judgement - Patients may say they are distressed but judged as not 5 | P a g e Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved. 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 - 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 leisu