Social influence 1 – MARK SCHEME
1 [AO1 = 4]
(a) D
(b) C
(c) B
(d) A
[Total 4 marks]
2 [AO3 = 2]
One strength of conducting research in a laboratory is that it allows the experimenter to
control the variables, such as group size and difficulty of the task. This manipulation of the IV
allows conclusions to be drawn about cause and effect, and what the variables are that
influence conformity. One mark for identification of the strength and a further mark for
elaboration.
[Total 2 marks]
3 [AO3 = 4]
There are several reasons why people obey:
Presence of legitimate authority
Authority takes responsibility for consequences
Gradual commitment
Personality factors (eg authoritarian personality)
Being in the agentic state
Situational factors (eg role of buffers).
For each explanation, 1 mark for a basic answer and a further mark for elaboration. For
example, one reason people obey is due to gradual commitment (1 mark). This is where you
are told to do something small and gradually the orders become more extreme but by then
you can’t say no (further mark for elaboration).
[Total 4 marks]
4 [AO3 = 6]
Students may refer to one methodological and one ethical issue, or two ethical or two
methodological issues.
There are a range of ethical issues that can be considered during the experiment.
Protection from harm – participants were clearly distressed.
While participants were in fact given the right to withdraw initially it was made very
difficult for them to do so during the experiment. Students can only gain credit for
right to withdraw if this is explained.
Deception – participants were deceived at several stages of the study
1 [AO1 = 4]
(a) D
(b) C
(c) B
(d) A
[Total 4 marks]
2 [AO3 = 2]
One strength of conducting research in a laboratory is that it allows the experimenter to
control the variables, such as group size and difficulty of the task. This manipulation of the IV
allows conclusions to be drawn about cause and effect, and what the variables are that
influence conformity. One mark for identification of the strength and a further mark for
elaboration.
[Total 2 marks]
3 [AO3 = 4]
There are several reasons why people obey:
Presence of legitimate authority
Authority takes responsibility for consequences
Gradual commitment
Personality factors (eg authoritarian personality)
Being in the agentic state
Situational factors (eg role of buffers).
For each explanation, 1 mark for a basic answer and a further mark for elaboration. For
example, one reason people obey is due to gradual commitment (1 mark). This is where you
are told to do something small and gradually the orders become more extreme but by then
you can’t say no (further mark for elaboration).
[Total 4 marks]
4 [AO3 = 6]
Students may refer to one methodological and one ethical issue, or two ethical or two
methodological issues.
There are a range of ethical issues that can be considered during the experiment.
Protection from harm – participants were clearly distressed.
While participants were in fact given the right to withdraw initially it was made very
difficult for them to do so during the experiment. Students can only gain credit for
right to withdraw if this is explained.
Deception – participants were deceived at several stages of the study
