Paper 3 AQA a level Psychology predictions
Based on recent trends and expert analyses, here are some informed predictions for AQA A-
Level Psychology Paper 3 (7182/3) for 2025. These are grounded in historical patterns and
topic rotation but remember, they’re educated guesses—not guarantees.
Section A: Issues and Debates
This section is compulsory and often revisits core debates. Recent years have seen questions
on topics like androcentrism and gender bias.
Given the rotation, areas such as ethical implications, idiographic vs. nomothetic approaches,
or free will vs. determinism might be due for examination. It’s advisable to review these
topics thoroughly.
3 predicted 2025-style AQA A-Level Psychology Issues and Debates questions, with
model plans, exemplar answers, and a breakdown of how to approach each for top
marks:
1. Discuss ethical implications of research in psychology.
Refer to at least one example of a study in your answer.
(16 marks)
How to Answer:
• Define ethical implications
• Explain socially sensitive research
• Use one example (e.g. Bowlby, Milgram, or Raine)
• Discuss strengths and limitations of conducting this kind of research
Exemplar Answer (A-grade style):
, Ethical implications refer to the potential impact that psychological research may have on
individuals and wider society. This includes effects on public policy, how certain groups are
viewed, and the participants themselves.
Socially sensitive research, as defined by Sieber and Stanley, is research that could have
consequences for the participants or the group being studied. A classic example is Milgram’s
study on obedience, where participants believed they were harming another person. While the
study revealed important insights into authority and obedience (especially relevant to
atrocities like the Holocaust), it raised ethical concerns including deception, lack of informed
consent, and psychological harm.
Despite ethical issues, such studies can be valuable. Milgram’s findings have been used to
train professionals to understand authority pressure. Yet, critics argue that researchers have a
responsibility to minimize harm and should avoid stigmatising vulnerable groups.
In conclusion, while ethically sensitive research can provide societal benefits, psychologists
must balance scientific advancement with their duty to protect participants and wider society
from harm.
Top Tips:
• Use at least one study in depth.
• Include evaluation: ethical pros and cons.
• Link to the BPS Code of Ethics where relevant.
2. Discuss the idiographic and nomothetic approaches in
psychology.
(16 marks)
How to Answer:
• Define both approaches
• Give examples of each
• Evaluate with strengths & limitations
• Discuss their usefulness and integration
Exemplar Answer:
The idiographic approach focuses on studying individuals in depth, often using qualitative
methods like case studies. In contrast, the nomothetic approach aims to establish general laws
of behaviour, usually through quantitative research and large samples.
Based on recent trends and expert analyses, here are some informed predictions for AQA A-
Level Psychology Paper 3 (7182/3) for 2025. These are grounded in historical patterns and
topic rotation but remember, they’re educated guesses—not guarantees.
Section A: Issues and Debates
This section is compulsory and often revisits core debates. Recent years have seen questions
on topics like androcentrism and gender bias.
Given the rotation, areas such as ethical implications, idiographic vs. nomothetic approaches,
or free will vs. determinism might be due for examination. It’s advisable to review these
topics thoroughly.
3 predicted 2025-style AQA A-Level Psychology Issues and Debates questions, with
model plans, exemplar answers, and a breakdown of how to approach each for top
marks:
1. Discuss ethical implications of research in psychology.
Refer to at least one example of a study in your answer.
(16 marks)
How to Answer:
• Define ethical implications
• Explain socially sensitive research
• Use one example (e.g. Bowlby, Milgram, or Raine)
• Discuss strengths and limitations of conducting this kind of research
Exemplar Answer (A-grade style):
, Ethical implications refer to the potential impact that psychological research may have on
individuals and wider society. This includes effects on public policy, how certain groups are
viewed, and the participants themselves.
Socially sensitive research, as defined by Sieber and Stanley, is research that could have
consequences for the participants or the group being studied. A classic example is Milgram’s
study on obedience, where participants believed they were harming another person. While the
study revealed important insights into authority and obedience (especially relevant to
atrocities like the Holocaust), it raised ethical concerns including deception, lack of informed
consent, and psychological harm.
Despite ethical issues, such studies can be valuable. Milgram’s findings have been used to
train professionals to understand authority pressure. Yet, critics argue that researchers have a
responsibility to minimize harm and should avoid stigmatising vulnerable groups.
In conclusion, while ethically sensitive research can provide societal benefits, psychologists
must balance scientific advancement with their duty to protect participants and wider society
from harm.
Top Tips:
• Use at least one study in depth.
• Include evaluation: ethical pros and cons.
• Link to the BPS Code of Ethics where relevant.
2. Discuss the idiographic and nomothetic approaches in
psychology.
(16 marks)
How to Answer:
• Define both approaches
• Give examples of each
• Evaluate with strengths & limitations
• Discuss their usefulness and integration
Exemplar Answer:
The idiographic approach focuses on studying individuals in depth, often using qualitative
methods like case studies. In contrast, the nomothetic approach aims to establish general laws
of behaviour, usually through quantitative research and large samples.
