AQA Psychology Approaches exam
questions and answers16
which of the following statements about evolution is false?
A evolution involves adapting to the environment
B evolution involves breeding of those of best able to survive
C evolution involves common genetic material between species
D evolution involves changes in behaviour from one generation to the next [1] - ANSWERS-D
A phenotype is the result of the combined effect of .... Shade one box only.
A neurotransmitters and environment.
B inheritance and environment.
C genetic makeup and neurotransmitters.
D genotype and evolution. [1] - ANSWERS-B
what is meant by genotype? [1] - ANSWERS-refers to the genes an individual posseses
what is meant by phenotype? [1] - ANSWERS-refers to the observable traits or characteristics
shown by an individual, these traits or characteristics are due to the combined effects of genes
and environment
A recent study showed that Alzheimer's disease may be partly inherited. John's father suffered
from Alzheimer's disease. John is keen to get genetically tested to see if he will develop
Alzheimer's disease. Explain why John's genotype will not reveal whether he will suffer from
Alzheimer's disease. [4] - ANSWERS-the genetic test reveals the genotype not the phenotype •
John's genotype will only reveal his set of genes (not their interaction with the environment) • a
,genetic test will only reveal if he is predisposed to suffering Alzheimer's disease but will not
reveal whether he will develop/suffer from the disorder
In a study of tooth decay, researchers checked the dental records of 100 pairs of identical twins.
They recorded the number of fillings for each twin and found the following data:
Twin pairs with the same number of fillings Twin pairs with different number of fillings
48 52
Use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to explain the data in the table above. [4] -
ANSWERS-The genotype for tooth decay is the same for all the twin pairs as they are all
MZ/identical so for each pair their teeth would be expected to decay in exactly the same way. •
The fact that some twin pairs have different decay to each other (52) indicates their phenotypes
differ and something other than genes affected tooth decay e.g. diet/brushing teeth
Rita and Holly are identical twins who were separated at birth. When they finally met each
other at the age of 35, they were surprised at how different their personalities were. Rita is
much more social and out-going than Holly. Use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to
explain this difference in their personalities [4] - ANSWERS-ble Content: • Holly and Rita have
identical genotype as they are MZ twins. • They have the predisposition to develop the same
personalities as each other unless another factor(s) intervenes. • For them to have developed
different personalities over time, this must have been influenced by being in different
environments. • Their phenotypes - personalities achieved - are different, presumably because
Rita was encouraged to be sociable and lively and Holly was not.
Outline the behaviourist approach. Compare the behaviourist approach with the biological
approach. [16] - ANSWERS-basic assumptions of the behaviourist approach • the concept /
theory of classical conditioning • Pavlov's research • the concept / theory of operant
conditioning • Skinner's research.
ocus on environmental causes and experience vs focus on internal influences (nature vs
nurture). Discussion of the interactionist approach • approaches to treatment (e.g. flooding vs
drug therapy) • use of scientific methods • the issue of determinism • the issue of reductionism
• use of animal experiments and extrapolation
, which of the following statements about the cognitive approach is false?
shade one box only
A inferences about internal mental processes are made on the basis of behaviour
B internal mental processes are studied scientifically
C mental processes are studied directly by making inferences
D theoretical and computer models are used to help explain mental processes [1] - ANSWERS-C
which of the following best describes the aim of cognitive neuroscience?
shade one box only
A to relate mental processes to brain structures
B to relate theoretical models to mental processes
C to use biological terms to explain behaviour
D to use computers to explain mental processes [1] - ANSWERS-A
We use schema when we process information from the world around us.
Explain one reason why using schema might be useful when processing information from the
world around us, and explain one reason why using schema might not be useful when
processing information from the world around us. [4] - ANSWERS-schema help us predict what
will happen in our world based on our experiences
schema enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly
schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information
schema can lead to perpetual errors or inaccurate memories
Give two assumptions of the cognitive approach. For each assumption, illustrate your answer
with reference to a topic in psychology. Use a different topic for each assumption [4] -
ANSWERS-thought acts as meditational processes between stimulus and behavioural response;
questions and answers16
which of the following statements about evolution is false?
A evolution involves adapting to the environment
B evolution involves breeding of those of best able to survive
C evolution involves common genetic material between species
D evolution involves changes in behaviour from one generation to the next [1] - ANSWERS-D
A phenotype is the result of the combined effect of .... Shade one box only.
A neurotransmitters and environment.
B inheritance and environment.
C genetic makeup and neurotransmitters.
D genotype and evolution. [1] - ANSWERS-B
what is meant by genotype? [1] - ANSWERS-refers to the genes an individual posseses
what is meant by phenotype? [1] - ANSWERS-refers to the observable traits or characteristics
shown by an individual, these traits or characteristics are due to the combined effects of genes
and environment
A recent study showed that Alzheimer's disease may be partly inherited. John's father suffered
from Alzheimer's disease. John is keen to get genetically tested to see if he will develop
Alzheimer's disease. Explain why John's genotype will not reveal whether he will suffer from
Alzheimer's disease. [4] - ANSWERS-the genetic test reveals the genotype not the phenotype •
John's genotype will only reveal his set of genes (not their interaction with the environment) • a
,genetic test will only reveal if he is predisposed to suffering Alzheimer's disease but will not
reveal whether he will develop/suffer from the disorder
In a study of tooth decay, researchers checked the dental records of 100 pairs of identical twins.
They recorded the number of fillings for each twin and found the following data:
Twin pairs with the same number of fillings Twin pairs with different number of fillings
48 52
Use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to explain the data in the table above. [4] -
ANSWERS-The genotype for tooth decay is the same for all the twin pairs as they are all
MZ/identical so for each pair their teeth would be expected to decay in exactly the same way. •
The fact that some twin pairs have different decay to each other (52) indicates their phenotypes
differ and something other than genes affected tooth decay e.g. diet/brushing teeth
Rita and Holly are identical twins who were separated at birth. When they finally met each
other at the age of 35, they were surprised at how different their personalities were. Rita is
much more social and out-going than Holly. Use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to
explain this difference in their personalities [4] - ANSWERS-ble Content: • Holly and Rita have
identical genotype as they are MZ twins. • They have the predisposition to develop the same
personalities as each other unless another factor(s) intervenes. • For them to have developed
different personalities over time, this must have been influenced by being in different
environments. • Their phenotypes - personalities achieved - are different, presumably because
Rita was encouraged to be sociable and lively and Holly was not.
Outline the behaviourist approach. Compare the behaviourist approach with the biological
approach. [16] - ANSWERS-basic assumptions of the behaviourist approach • the concept /
theory of classical conditioning • Pavlov's research • the concept / theory of operant
conditioning • Skinner's research.
ocus on environmental causes and experience vs focus on internal influences (nature vs
nurture). Discussion of the interactionist approach • approaches to treatment (e.g. flooding vs
drug therapy) • use of scientific methods • the issue of determinism • the issue of reductionism
• use of animal experiments and extrapolation
, which of the following statements about the cognitive approach is false?
shade one box only
A inferences about internal mental processes are made on the basis of behaviour
B internal mental processes are studied scientifically
C mental processes are studied directly by making inferences
D theoretical and computer models are used to help explain mental processes [1] - ANSWERS-C
which of the following best describes the aim of cognitive neuroscience?
shade one box only
A to relate mental processes to brain structures
B to relate theoretical models to mental processes
C to use biological terms to explain behaviour
D to use computers to explain mental processes [1] - ANSWERS-A
We use schema when we process information from the world around us.
Explain one reason why using schema might be useful when processing information from the
world around us, and explain one reason why using schema might not be useful when
processing information from the world around us. [4] - ANSWERS-schema help us predict what
will happen in our world based on our experiences
schema enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly
schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information
schema can lead to perpetual errors or inaccurate memories
Give two assumptions of the cognitive approach. For each assumption, illustrate your answer
with reference to a topic in psychology. Use a different topic for each assumption [4] -
ANSWERS-thought acts as meditational processes between stimulus and behavioural response;
