AQA A-Level Psychology Paper 1 Exam Prep
2025/2026: Verified Questions & A+ Graded
Answers to Pass First Time
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY - answer-abnormality is defined as those
behaviours that are extremely rare, i.e. any behaviour that is found in very few
people is regarded as abnormal.
e.g. IQ - statistically unusual if below 70. diagnosed w/ intellectual disability
disorder
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS - answer-behaviour that is different from
the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
these congnitions can be seen before condition develops, suggesting Beck may
be right about faulty cognition leading to depression.
STRENGTH OF BECK: PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO THERAPY - answer-Beck's
explanation forms basis for CBT which identifies and challenges elements of
negative triad.
strength of the explanation as it translates well into a therapy.
,LIMITATION OF BECK: DOES NOT EXPLAIN ALL ASPECTS OF DEPRESSION -
answer-some depressed patients are deeply angry and Beck cannot explain
this. some experience hallucinations, bizzare beliefs or the delusion that they
are a zombie.
Beck's theory cannot always explain all cases of depression - just focuses on
one aspect of the disorder - reductionist
LIMITATION OF ELLIS: PARTIAL EXPLANATION - answer-reactive depression
follows activating event - but some forms arise for no apparent reason.
Ellis' explanation only applies to some kinds of depression
LIMITATION OF COG EXPLANATION FOR DEPRESSION: COGNITIONS MAY NOT
CAUSE ALL ASPECTS OF DEPRESSION - answer-cognitive primacy: emotions are
influenced thro' cognitions
however other explanations of depression see emotions such as anxiety as
stored (like physical energy) to emerge some time after causal event.
casts doubt on cognitive root of depression as it does not explain all aspects of
disorder.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) - answer-patient and therapist work
together to clarity problems and clarify where negative/irrational thoughts
which will benefit from change might be. these thoughts are challenged by the
patient taking an active role in their treatment.
,abnormality based on social context
example: antisocial personality disorder (formerly psychopathy) - failure to
conform to lawful and culturally normal behaviour. psychopaths are abnormal
because they deviate from social norms/standards.
STRENGTH OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY: REAL LIFE APPLICATION - answer-all
assessment of patients w/ mental disorders includes comparison to statistical
norms.
thus a useful part of clinical assessment.
LIMITATION OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY: UNUSUAL ≠ BAD - answer-IQ
scores of >130 are also statistically abnormal, but people with this are not
diagnosed w/ a disorder like those who have IQ<70.
limitation because this means it should never be used alone to make a
diagnosis
LIMITATION OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY: NOT EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM A
LABEL - answer-if someone is happy and fulfilled, there is no benefit from
being labelled as abnormal - could cause a negative view of self and others.
, LIMITATION OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS: CULTURALLY RELATIVE -
answer-different cultures label people differently - creates problems for
people from one culture living w/i another culture
creates cultural bias in assessment
LIMITATION OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES -
answer-too much reliance on this method of assessment and lead to
systematic abuse of human rights, for example diagnosing people with
conditions for trying to escape slavery or being attracted to working-class
people - diagnoses used for control.
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY - answer-occurs when someone is unable
to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living.
no longer conforming to interpersonal rules, experience personal distress,
behave irrationally or dangerously.
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH - answer-occurs when someone
does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health. can overlap w/ failure
to function adequately
JAHODA (1958) - answer-Six conditions of ideal mental health:
(1) positive self attitude
(2) self actualisation - realising your potential, being fulfilled.
(3) resistance to stress
2025/2026: Verified Questions & A+ Graded
Answers to Pass First Time
STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY - answer-abnormality is defined as those
behaviours that are extremely rare, i.e. any behaviour that is found in very few
people is regarded as abnormal.
e.g. IQ - statistically unusual if below 70. diagnosed w/ intellectual disability
disorder
DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS - answer-behaviour that is different from
the accepted standards of behaviour in a community or society
these congnitions can be seen before condition develops, suggesting Beck may
be right about faulty cognition leading to depression.
STRENGTH OF BECK: PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO THERAPY - answer-Beck's
explanation forms basis for CBT which identifies and challenges elements of
negative triad.
strength of the explanation as it translates well into a therapy.
,LIMITATION OF BECK: DOES NOT EXPLAIN ALL ASPECTS OF DEPRESSION -
answer-some depressed patients are deeply angry and Beck cannot explain
this. some experience hallucinations, bizzare beliefs or the delusion that they
are a zombie.
Beck's theory cannot always explain all cases of depression - just focuses on
one aspect of the disorder - reductionist
LIMITATION OF ELLIS: PARTIAL EXPLANATION - answer-reactive depression
follows activating event - but some forms arise for no apparent reason.
Ellis' explanation only applies to some kinds of depression
LIMITATION OF COG EXPLANATION FOR DEPRESSION: COGNITIONS MAY NOT
CAUSE ALL ASPECTS OF DEPRESSION - answer-cognitive primacy: emotions are
influenced thro' cognitions
however other explanations of depression see emotions such as anxiety as
stored (like physical energy) to emerge some time after causal event.
casts doubt on cognitive root of depression as it does not explain all aspects of
disorder.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) - answer-patient and therapist work
together to clarity problems and clarify where negative/irrational thoughts
which will benefit from change might be. these thoughts are challenged by the
patient taking an active role in their treatment.
,abnormality based on social context
example: antisocial personality disorder (formerly psychopathy) - failure to
conform to lawful and culturally normal behaviour. psychopaths are abnormal
because they deviate from social norms/standards.
STRENGTH OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY: REAL LIFE APPLICATION - answer-all
assessment of patients w/ mental disorders includes comparison to statistical
norms.
thus a useful part of clinical assessment.
LIMITATION OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY: UNUSUAL ≠ BAD - answer-IQ
scores of >130 are also statistically abnormal, but people with this are not
diagnosed w/ a disorder like those who have IQ<70.
limitation because this means it should never be used alone to make a
diagnosis
LIMITATION OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY: NOT EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM A
LABEL - answer-if someone is happy and fulfilled, there is no benefit from
being labelled as abnormal - could cause a negative view of self and others.
, LIMITATION OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS: CULTURALLY RELATIVE -
answer-different cultures label people differently - creates problems for
people from one culture living w/i another culture
creates cultural bias in assessment
LIMITATION OF DEVIATION FROM SOCIAL NORMS: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES -
answer-too much reliance on this method of assessment and lead to
systematic abuse of human rights, for example diagnosing people with
conditions for trying to escape slavery or being attracted to working-class
people - diagnoses used for control.
FAILURE TO FUNCTION ADEQUATELY - answer-occurs when someone is unable
to cope with ordinary demands of day-to-day living.
no longer conforming to interpersonal rules, experience personal distress,
behave irrationally or dangerously.
DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH - answer-occurs when someone
does not meet a set of criteria for good mental health. can overlap w/ failure
to function adequately
JAHODA (1958) - answer-Six conditions of ideal mental health:
(1) positive self attitude
(2) self actualisation - realising your potential, being fulfilled.
(3) resistance to stress
