AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California
Evaluate the biological approach -correct answer :) - The biological approach implies
clearly that our genes can be adapted to fix unwanted behaviours. This has been fully
taken advantage of and many real life applications are now used because of it, drugs
in particular are used world wide because of a biological approach to explaining
psychological behaviours. SSRI for example has been proven to reduce symptoms for
depression
:) - It takes a very scientific approach to prove theories, particularly making use of the
experimental method. These take place in highly controlled environments so that
other researchers can then easily repeat the experiments to check for consistent
findings, increasing the validity of the results.
:( - It is a reductionist approach, it reduces our complex human behaviour down to a
few separate components that work together such as genes, hormones and
neurotransmitters. For example someone with depression it would explain it only via
a fault in one of these factors whereas it should really take a wholistic approach by
looking at both that and also environmental factors.
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California
:( - There is a danger of genetic explanations for going too far in the sense that in the
future there may be worldwide genetic screening for genes that may increase
likelihood of criminal activity or anti social behaviour this would then lead to a
discrimination against certain types of people. However on the contrary genes are
not this simple and it is impossible to say this gene will cause this as other factors
must be looked at as well.
Outline the psychodynamic approach -correct answer Pyshco refers to the mind and
dynamic refers to change or activity. So therefore this approach emphasizes the
active nature of mental processes and their role in shaping personality and behaviour.
It was developed by Freud and assumes that:
1) Human behaviour has unconscious course we are not aware of
2) From birth we have a need to fulfil biological motivations such as food and shelter
3) Childhood experiences influence our development of personality
There are three levels of consciousness:
Conscious - where we are aware at any given time
Preconscious - this is made up of memories that we can recall when we want
Unconscious - this is made up of memories fears and desires which make up anxiety
and thus have been repressed
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California
There are also three parts of the personality:
ID - stands for our inner desires and is the basic animal part of our personalty that
contains sexual and aggressive needs. It wants to be satisfied by whatever means
possible
Ego - this exists in both the conscious and unconscious parts o the mind and acts as a
rational part which develops within the first three years, it mediates between the two
Superego - this takes our morals into consideration and tells us that we cant do
certain things by making us feel guilty
If an individual is faced with a situation that they are unable to deal with then
defence mechanisms will come in and try to unconsciously deal with the problem in
different ways, these may be:
Repression - this involves the ego stopping unwanted thoughts such as being
mugged, you may not be able to recall the event
Denial - this is where a threatening or unwanted reality is simply ignored and blocked
from conscious awareness
Displacement - this is directed onto something else such as another person or an
object
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California
Evaluate the biological approach -correct answer :) - The biological approach implies
clearly that our genes can be adapted to fix unwanted behaviours. This has been fully
taken advantage of and many real life applications are now used because of it, drugs
in particular are used world wide because of a biological approach to explaining
psychological behaviours. SSRI for example has been proven to reduce symptoms for
depression
:) - It takes a very scientific approach to prove theories, particularly making use of the
experimental method. These take place in highly controlled environments so that
other researchers can then easily repeat the experiments to check for consistent
findings, increasing the validity of the results.
:( - It is a reductionist approach, it reduces our complex human behaviour down to a
few separate components that work together such as genes, hormones and
neurotransmitters. For example someone with depression it would explain it only via
a fault in one of these factors whereas it should really take a wholistic approach by
looking at both that and also environmental factors.
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California
:( - There is a danger of genetic explanations for going too far in the sense that in the
future there may be worldwide genetic screening for genes that may increase
likelihood of criminal activity or anti social behaviour this would then lead to a
discrimination against certain types of people. However on the contrary genes are
not this simple and it is impossible to say this gene will cause this as other factors
must be looked at as well.
Outline the psychodynamic approach -correct answer Pyshco refers to the mind and
dynamic refers to change or activity. So therefore this approach emphasizes the
active nature of mental processes and their role in shaping personality and behaviour.
It was developed by Freud and assumes that:
1) Human behaviour has unconscious course we are not aware of
2) From birth we have a need to fulfil biological motivations such as food and shelter
3) Childhood experiences influence our development of personality
There are three levels of consciousness:
Conscious - where we are aware at any given time
Preconscious - this is made up of memories that we can recall when we want
Unconscious - this is made up of memories fears and desires which make up anxiety
and thus have been repressed
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California
There are also three parts of the personality:
ID - stands for our inner desires and is the basic animal part of our personalty that
contains sexual and aggressive needs. It wants to be satisfied by whatever means
possible
Ego - this exists in both the conscious and unconscious parts o the mind and acts as a
rational part which develops within the first three years, it mediates between the two
Superego - this takes our morals into consideration and tells us that we cant do
certain things by making us feel guilty
If an individual is faced with a situation that they are unable to deal with then
defence mechanisms will come in and try to unconsciously deal with the problem in
different ways, these may be:
Repression - this involves the ego stopping unwanted thoughts such as being
mugged, you may not be able to recall the event
Denial - this is where a threatening or unwanted reality is simply ignored and blocked
from conscious awareness
Displacement - this is directed onto something else such as another person or an
object
