GCSE (9–1) PSYCHOLOGY — May 2025 PAST PAPER: Studies and Applications in
Psychology 2 Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J203/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) Psychology Studies and Applications in Psychology 2 Paper (OCR
J203/02) provides a fully merged resource that combines the complete examination paper with its
official mark scheme. This integrated format allows learners to understand precisely how each
question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting the standards required for
high-band performance. This component assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of
psychological concepts, theories, and research in areas such as memory, social influence,
development, and psychological disorders. Candidates are expected to analyse and evaluate
research methods, interpret data, apply theory to practical scenarios, and construct well-supported,
coherent responses. By presenting each question alongside detailed marking guidance, the resource
strengthens analytical, evaluative, and applied psychology skills. It supports structured and precise
answers, reinforces understanding of research methodology, and provides targeted revision for the
2026 OCR GCSE Psychology (Studies and Applications in Psychology 2) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Social Influence
1
(a) Identify the brain region that has a major influence on a person’s morality.
A Cerebellum
B Hippocampus
C Hypothalamus
D Pre-frontal cortex
Your answer [1]
(b) Identify the personality type that has a major influence on a person’s obedience.
A High authoritarian
B High extraversion
C High neuroticism
D High psychoticism
Your answer [1]
(c) Identify where the NatCen (2011) study into the August riots was conducted.
A England
B New Jersey, USA
C New York, USA
D Russia
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Complete the table to show whether the situational factor increases, decreases or has no effect
on the social behaviour.
Write increases or decreases or has no effect in the table.
Situational Factor Social Behaviour Effect
Larger size of majority Conformity ............................................................
Presence of authority figures Obedience ............................................................
[2]
3 Using an example, outline what deindividuation means.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
4 Taylor and Alex want to raise awareness of the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental
health. They want to do this at the local community centre.
Explain two ways in which minority influence could be used to help reduce mental health stigma
and discrimination. You must refer to the source in your answer.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
5 Bickman’s (1974) study investigated obedience and the social power of a uniform.
(a) Identify one feature of the sample in this study.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Explain one weakness of opportunity sampling as used in Bickman’s (1974) study.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
6 While watching a recording of a riot following an international sports competition, Ali observed the
following types of people:
Type X: aggressively damages public properties.
Type Y: observes what is happening without participating.
Type Z: steals food items from shops.
Using the source:
(a) Identify the category of people found in the NatCen (2011) study into the August riots to which
Type X people would belong.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Identify the category of people found in the NatCen (2011) study into the August riots to which
Type Z people would belong.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Explain one criticism of using dispositional factors to explain people’s participation in riots
following an international sports competition.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
© OCR 2025
Psychology 2 Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J203/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) Psychology Studies and Applications in Psychology 2 Paper (OCR
J203/02) provides a fully merged resource that combines the complete examination paper with its
official mark scheme. This integrated format allows learners to understand precisely how each
question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting the standards required for
high-band performance. This component assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of
psychological concepts, theories, and research in areas such as memory, social influence,
development, and psychological disorders. Candidates are expected to analyse and evaluate
research methods, interpret data, apply theory to practical scenarios, and construct well-supported,
coherent responses. By presenting each question alongside detailed marking guidance, the resource
strengthens analytical, evaluative, and applied psychology skills. It supports structured and precise
answers, reinforces understanding of research methodology, and provides targeted revision for the
2026 OCR GCSE Psychology (Studies and Applications in Psychology 2) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Social Influence
1
(a) Identify the brain region that has a major influence on a person’s morality.
A Cerebellum
B Hippocampus
C Hypothalamus
D Pre-frontal cortex
Your answer [1]
(b) Identify the personality type that has a major influence on a person’s obedience.
A High authoritarian
B High extraversion
C High neuroticism
D High psychoticism
Your answer [1]
(c) Identify where the NatCen (2011) study into the August riots was conducted.
A England
B New Jersey, USA
C New York, USA
D Russia
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Complete the table to show whether the situational factor increases, decreases or has no effect
on the social behaviour.
Write increases or decreases or has no effect in the table.
Situational Factor Social Behaviour Effect
Larger size of majority Conformity ............................................................
Presence of authority figures Obedience ............................................................
[2]
3 Using an example, outline what deindividuation means.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
4 Taylor and Alex want to raise awareness of the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental
health. They want to do this at the local community centre.
Explain two ways in which minority influence could be used to help reduce mental health stigma
and discrimination. You must refer to the source in your answer.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
5 Bickman’s (1974) study investigated obedience and the social power of a uniform.
(a) Identify one feature of the sample in this study.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Explain one weakness of opportunity sampling as used in Bickman’s (1974) study.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
6 While watching a recording of a riot following an international sports competition, Ali observed the
following types of people:
Type X: aggressively damages public properties.
Type Y: observes what is happening without participating.
Type Z: steals food items from shops.
Using the source:
(a) Identify the category of people found in the NatCen (2011) study into the August riots to which
Type X people would belong.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Identify the category of people found in the NatCen (2011) study into the August riots to which
Type Z people would belong.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Explain one criticism of using dispositional factors to explain people’s participation in riots
following an international sports competition.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
© OCR 2025
