Cambridge International AS & A Level
* 7 2 9 1 1 0 7 1 9 8 *
PSYCHOLOGY 9990/21
Paper 2 Research Methods May/June 2023
1 hour 30 minutes
You must answer on the question paper.
No additional materials are needed.
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 60.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (RW) 318179/2
© UCLES 2023 [Turn over
, 2
Section A
Answer all questions in this section.
1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘ecological validity’. You may use an example in your answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................... [2]
2 In the study by Laney et al. (false memory), different types of items were used in the various
questionnaires. Two of the items included:
• rating items on a scale of 1–8 (from ‘definitely did happen’ to ‘definitely did not happen’)
• multiple choice items where participants circled a price they would pay for different foods, e.g.
$1.90, $2.50, or ‘would never buy’.
(a) Explain whether these items are both open questions, both closed questions, or one of each.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) Laney et al. used a ‘critical item’ in the profile and in a questionnaire given to the experimental
group.
Explain what is meant by a ‘critical item’, using the example from Laney et al.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
© UCLES 2023 9990/21/M/J/23
, 3
3 In the study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions), a repeated measures design was used.
(a) Explain what is meant by a ‘repeated measures design’. Include an example from Canli et al.
in your answer.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) Explain one strength of using a repeated measures design.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
4 Explain two ways in which the procedure was standardised in the study by Yamamoto et al.
(chimpanzee helping).
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© UCLES 2023 9990/21/M/J/23 [Turn over
* 7 2 9 1 1 0 7 1 9 8 *
PSYCHOLOGY 9990/21
Paper 2 Research Methods May/June 2023
1 hour 30 minutes
You must answer on the question paper.
No additional materials are needed.
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 60.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (RW) 318179/2
© UCLES 2023 [Turn over
, 2
Section A
Answer all questions in this section.
1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘ecological validity’. You may use an example in your answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................... [2]
2 In the study by Laney et al. (false memory), different types of items were used in the various
questionnaires. Two of the items included:
• rating items on a scale of 1–8 (from ‘definitely did happen’ to ‘definitely did not happen’)
• multiple choice items where participants circled a price they would pay for different foods, e.g.
$1.90, $2.50, or ‘would never buy’.
(a) Explain whether these items are both open questions, both closed questions, or one of each.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) Laney et al. used a ‘critical item’ in the profile and in a questionnaire given to the experimental
group.
Explain what is meant by a ‘critical item’, using the example from Laney et al.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
© UCLES 2023 9990/21/M/J/23
, 3
3 In the study by Canli et al. (brain scans and emotions), a repeated measures design was used.
(a) Explain what is meant by a ‘repeated measures design’. Include an example from Canli et al.
in your answer.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) Explain one strength of using a repeated measures design.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
4 Explain two ways in which the procedure was standardised in the study by Yamamoto et al.
(chimpanzee helping).
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© UCLES 2023 9990/21/M/J/23 [Turn over
