2026 AQA A-level PSYCHOLOGY 7182/2 PAPER 2
PSYCHOLOGY IN CONTEXT – COMPLETE QUESTION PAPER
EXAM INFORMATION
| Component | Details |
|--||
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Qualification | A-level |
| Subject | Psychology |
| Paper | Paper 2 – Psychology in Context |
| Code | 7182/2 |
| Date | June 2023 |
| Time | 2 hours |
| Total Marks | 96 |
PAPER STRUCTURE
| Section | Topic | Marks |
||-|-|
| Section A | Approaches in Psychology | 24 marks |
| Section B | Biopsychology | 24 marks |
| Section C | Research Methods | 48 marks |
SECTION A – APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY (Questions 01-06)
Question 01
Which two of the following statements are correct about the behaviourist approach? [2 marks]
A) Behaviour is determined by unconscious conflicts
B) Behaviour can be explained in terms of classical and operant conditioning
C) Only observable behaviour should be studied
D) The approach emphasises the role of free will
,Answer: B and C
Rationale: The behaviourist approach focuses on observable behaviour and emphasises
conditioning (Pavlov – classical; Skinner – operant). Unconscious conflicts are part of the
psychodynamic approach; free will is emphasised by humanistic psychology.
Question 02
Identify the type of conditioning demonstrated in each scenario. [4 marks]
02.1 A student works hard in class to receive praise from the teacher.
Answer: Operant conditioning (positive reinforcement)
Rationale: The student’s behaviour (working hard) is strengthened by the addition of a pleasant
stimulus (praise).
02.2 A dog learns to salivate when it hears a bell that has been repeatedly rung before feeding.
Answer: Classical conditioning
Rationale: The bell (neutral stimulus) becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with
food (unconditioned stimulus).
02.3 A child has a tantrum and the parent gives in, buying a toy. The child’s tantrums increase.
Answer: Operant conditioning (positive reinforcement)
Rationale: The child’s behaviour (tantrum) is reinforced by receiving a toy (pleasant
consequence).
02.4 A rat presses a lever to switch off an electric shock.
Answer: Operant conditioning (negative reinforcement)
, Rationale: The behaviour (pressing the lever) is strengthened by the removal of an aversive
stimulus (electric shock).
Question 03
Outline the role of the therapist in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as a treatment for
depression. [4 marks]
Answer: The therapist helps the client identify and challenge irrational thoughts (e.g., negative
automatic thoughts). The therapist uses techniques such as Socratic questioning and
behavioural activation. The therapist also sets homework (e.g., thought records, behavioural
experiments) to test irrational beliefs. The relationship is collaborative, not directive; the
therapist acts as a guide to help the client develop more rational thinking patterns.
Rationale: CBT is based on the cognitive approach; it aims to change maladaptive thoughts and
behaviours.
Question 04
Outline one limitation of the humanistic approach in psychology. [2 marks]
Answer: The approach is not reductionist (accounts for whole person) but is less scientific
(difficult to test or measure concepts like self‑actualisation). It also has limited application in
treating severe mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) and may be culturally biased
(individualism vs collectivism). Practical applications (e.g., client‑centred therapy) are limited for
some populations.
Rationale: Any valid limitation with explanation is acceptable.
Question 05
Discuss the contribution of Ivan Pavlov to the development of behaviourism. [6 marks]
Answer: Pavlov’s research on classical conditioning showed how neutral stimuli become
conditioned through association. His famous experiment with dogs demonstrated that a bell
(neutral stimulus) paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) produced salivation (conditioned
response). This was the first systematic study of learning and influenced later behaviourists
(e.g., Watson, Skinner). Pavlov’s work established that behaviour could be explained through
PSYCHOLOGY IN CONTEXT – COMPLETE QUESTION PAPER
EXAM INFORMATION
| Component | Details |
|--||
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Qualification | A-level |
| Subject | Psychology |
| Paper | Paper 2 – Psychology in Context |
| Code | 7182/2 |
| Date | June 2023 |
| Time | 2 hours |
| Total Marks | 96 |
PAPER STRUCTURE
| Section | Topic | Marks |
||-|-|
| Section A | Approaches in Psychology | 24 marks |
| Section B | Biopsychology | 24 marks |
| Section C | Research Methods | 48 marks |
SECTION A – APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY (Questions 01-06)
Question 01
Which two of the following statements are correct about the behaviourist approach? [2 marks]
A) Behaviour is determined by unconscious conflicts
B) Behaviour can be explained in terms of classical and operant conditioning
C) Only observable behaviour should be studied
D) The approach emphasises the role of free will
,Answer: B and C
Rationale: The behaviourist approach focuses on observable behaviour and emphasises
conditioning (Pavlov – classical; Skinner – operant). Unconscious conflicts are part of the
psychodynamic approach; free will is emphasised by humanistic psychology.
Question 02
Identify the type of conditioning demonstrated in each scenario. [4 marks]
02.1 A student works hard in class to receive praise from the teacher.
Answer: Operant conditioning (positive reinforcement)
Rationale: The student’s behaviour (working hard) is strengthened by the addition of a pleasant
stimulus (praise).
02.2 A dog learns to salivate when it hears a bell that has been repeatedly rung before feeding.
Answer: Classical conditioning
Rationale: The bell (neutral stimulus) becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with
food (unconditioned stimulus).
02.3 A child has a tantrum and the parent gives in, buying a toy. The child’s tantrums increase.
Answer: Operant conditioning (positive reinforcement)
Rationale: The child’s behaviour (tantrum) is reinforced by receiving a toy (pleasant
consequence).
02.4 A rat presses a lever to switch off an electric shock.
Answer: Operant conditioning (negative reinforcement)
, Rationale: The behaviour (pressing the lever) is strengthened by the removal of an aversive
stimulus (electric shock).
Question 03
Outline the role of the therapist in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as a treatment for
depression. [4 marks]
Answer: The therapist helps the client identify and challenge irrational thoughts (e.g., negative
automatic thoughts). The therapist uses techniques such as Socratic questioning and
behavioural activation. The therapist also sets homework (e.g., thought records, behavioural
experiments) to test irrational beliefs. The relationship is collaborative, not directive; the
therapist acts as a guide to help the client develop more rational thinking patterns.
Rationale: CBT is based on the cognitive approach; it aims to change maladaptive thoughts and
behaviours.
Question 04
Outline one limitation of the humanistic approach in psychology. [2 marks]
Answer: The approach is not reductionist (accounts for whole person) but is less scientific
(difficult to test or measure concepts like self‑actualisation). It also has limited application in
treating severe mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) and may be culturally biased
(individualism vs collectivism). Practical applications (e.g., client‑centred therapy) are limited for
some populations.
Rationale: Any valid limitation with explanation is acceptable.
Question 05
Discuss the contribution of Ivan Pavlov to the development of behaviourism. [6 marks]
Answer: Pavlov’s research on classical conditioning showed how neutral stimuli become
conditioned through association. His famous experiment with dogs demonstrated that a bell
(neutral stimulus) paired with food (unconditioned stimulus) produced salivation (conditioned
response). This was the first systematic study of learning and influenced later behaviourists
(e.g., Watson, Skinner). Pavlov’s work established that behaviour could be explained through
