A-Level Psychology 2026 — Complete Revision
Guide & Prac ce Ques ons Prepare
1. Which research method involves observing behaviour in a controlled environment while
manipulating an independent variable?
A. Naturalistic observation
B. Laboratory experiment
C. Correlational study
D. Structured interview
Answer: B. Laboratory experiment
Rationale: A laboratory experiment takes place in a controlled setting and allows the researcher
to manipulate the independent variable while measuring its effect on the dependent variable.
2. In an experiment, what is the dependent variable?
A. The variable deliberately changed by the researcher
B. The variable kept constant
C. The variable measured by the researcher
D. The variable that cannot be controlled
Answer: C. The variable measured by the researcher
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome that researchers measure to determine
whether changes in the independent variable have an effect.
3. Which sampling method gives every member of the target population an equal chance of
being selected?
A. Opportunity sampling
B. Volunteer sampling
C. Random sampling
D. Systematic sampling
Answer: C. Random sampling
,Rationale: Random sampling involves selecting participants so that each member of the target
population has an equal probability of being chosen.
4. A researcher wants to investigate whether hours of sleep are related to examination
performance. Which method would be most appropriate?
A. Correlation
B. Laboratory experiment
C. Case study
D. Content analysis
Answer: A. Correlation
Rationale: A correlation can determine whether two variables, such as sleep duration and
examination performance, are associated without requiring the researcher to manipulate either
variable.
5. What does a correlation coefficient of +0.85 indicate?
A. A strong positive relationship
B. A weak positive relationship
C. A strong negative relationship
D. No relationship
Answer: A. A strong positive relationship
Rationale: A correlation coefficient close to +1 indicates a strong positive relationship, meaning
that higher scores on one variable tend to be associated with higher scores on the other.
6. Which part of the brain is most strongly associated with the formation of new explicit
memories?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Cerebellum
D. Medulla
Answer: B. Hippocampus
,Rationale: The hippocampus plays an important role in forming and consolidating new explicit
memories, particularly episodic memories.
7. According to the multi-store model of memory, which memory store has the longest
duration and potentially unlimited capacity?
A. Sensory register
B. Short-term memory
C. Long-term memory
D. Echoic memory
Answer: C. Long-term memory
Rationale: The multi-store model proposes that long-term memory has a potentially unlimited
capacity and can retain information for very long periods.
8. Which type of long-term memory involves remembering how to perform a learned skill?
A. Episodic memory
B. Semantic memory
C. Procedural memory
D. Sensory memory
Answer: C. Procedural memory
Rationale: Procedural memory stores knowledge of skills and procedures, such as riding a
bicycle or typing.
9. Which explanation of forgetting suggests that information is lost because competing
memories interfere with its retrieval?
A. Decay theory
B. Interference theory
C. Repression theory
D. Trace displacement theory
Answer: B. Interference theory
Rationale: Interference theory proposes that memories can disrupt one another, making
previously stored information more difficult to retrieve.
, 10. What is retroactive interference?
A. Older information interferes with newer information
B. Newer information interferes with older information
C. Emotional information prevents encoding
D. Sensory information prevents retrieval
Answer: B. Newer information interferes with older information
Rationale: Retroactive interference occurs when newly learned information makes it more
difficult to recall previously learned information.
11. Which attachment type is typically associated with a child who shows little distress
when their caregiver leaves and avoids the caregiver on reunion?
A. Secure attachment
B. Insecure-avoidant attachment
C. Insecure-resistant attachment
D. Disorganised attachment
Answer: B. Insecure-avoidant attachment
Rationale: Insecure-avoidant children tend to show limited proximity-seeking and may avoid or
ignore the caregiver following separation.
12. According to Bowlby's theory, what is the primary purpose of attachment?
A. To increase intelligence
B. To promote exploration without protection
C. To provide protection and increase survival
D. To develop language abilities
Answer: C. To provide protection and increase survival
Rationale: Bowlby proposed that attachment has an evolutionary function because maintaining
proximity to a caregiver increases an infant's chances of survival.
13. Which hormone is particularly associated with social bonding and attachment?
Guide & Prac ce Ques ons Prepare
1. Which research method involves observing behaviour in a controlled environment while
manipulating an independent variable?
A. Naturalistic observation
B. Laboratory experiment
C. Correlational study
D. Structured interview
Answer: B. Laboratory experiment
Rationale: A laboratory experiment takes place in a controlled setting and allows the researcher
to manipulate the independent variable while measuring its effect on the dependent variable.
2. In an experiment, what is the dependent variable?
A. The variable deliberately changed by the researcher
B. The variable kept constant
C. The variable measured by the researcher
D. The variable that cannot be controlled
Answer: C. The variable measured by the researcher
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome that researchers measure to determine
whether changes in the independent variable have an effect.
3. Which sampling method gives every member of the target population an equal chance of
being selected?
A. Opportunity sampling
B. Volunteer sampling
C. Random sampling
D. Systematic sampling
Answer: C. Random sampling
,Rationale: Random sampling involves selecting participants so that each member of the target
population has an equal probability of being chosen.
4. A researcher wants to investigate whether hours of sleep are related to examination
performance. Which method would be most appropriate?
A. Correlation
B. Laboratory experiment
C. Case study
D. Content analysis
Answer: A. Correlation
Rationale: A correlation can determine whether two variables, such as sleep duration and
examination performance, are associated without requiring the researcher to manipulate either
variable.
5. What does a correlation coefficient of +0.85 indicate?
A. A strong positive relationship
B. A weak positive relationship
C. A strong negative relationship
D. No relationship
Answer: A. A strong positive relationship
Rationale: A correlation coefficient close to +1 indicates a strong positive relationship, meaning
that higher scores on one variable tend to be associated with higher scores on the other.
6. Which part of the brain is most strongly associated with the formation of new explicit
memories?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Cerebellum
D. Medulla
Answer: B. Hippocampus
,Rationale: The hippocampus plays an important role in forming and consolidating new explicit
memories, particularly episodic memories.
7. According to the multi-store model of memory, which memory store has the longest
duration and potentially unlimited capacity?
A. Sensory register
B. Short-term memory
C. Long-term memory
D. Echoic memory
Answer: C. Long-term memory
Rationale: The multi-store model proposes that long-term memory has a potentially unlimited
capacity and can retain information for very long periods.
8. Which type of long-term memory involves remembering how to perform a learned skill?
A. Episodic memory
B. Semantic memory
C. Procedural memory
D. Sensory memory
Answer: C. Procedural memory
Rationale: Procedural memory stores knowledge of skills and procedures, such as riding a
bicycle or typing.
9. Which explanation of forgetting suggests that information is lost because competing
memories interfere with its retrieval?
A. Decay theory
B. Interference theory
C. Repression theory
D. Trace displacement theory
Answer: B. Interference theory
Rationale: Interference theory proposes that memories can disrupt one another, making
previously stored information more difficult to retrieve.
, 10. What is retroactive interference?
A. Older information interferes with newer information
B. Newer information interferes with older information
C. Emotional information prevents encoding
D. Sensory information prevents retrieval
Answer: B. Newer information interferes with older information
Rationale: Retroactive interference occurs when newly learned information makes it more
difficult to recall previously learned information.
11. Which attachment type is typically associated with a child who shows little distress
when their caregiver leaves and avoids the caregiver on reunion?
A. Secure attachment
B. Insecure-avoidant attachment
C. Insecure-resistant attachment
D. Disorganised attachment
Answer: B. Insecure-avoidant attachment
Rationale: Insecure-avoidant children tend to show limited proximity-seeking and may avoid or
ignore the caregiver following separation.
12. According to Bowlby's theory, what is the primary purpose of attachment?
A. To increase intelligence
B. To promote exploration without protection
C. To provide protection and increase survival
D. To develop language abilities
Answer: C. To provide protection and increase survival
Rationale: Bowlby proposed that attachment has an evolutionary function because maintaining
proximity to a caregiver increases an infant's chances of survival.
13. Which hormone is particularly associated with social bonding and attachment?
