AQA A-Level Psychology 2026 Comprehensive
Study Materials – AQA Advanced Level
Psychology (7182) Practice Exam 2026/2027
Practice Questions & Study Guide | Complete
Exam-Style Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers & Rationales (Reliable Answers) |
Latest Updated Version | Instant Download
PDF
Question 1
A researcher investigates conformity by asking participants to
judge the length of a target line while confederates
unanimously give an incorrect answer. Which explanation of
conformity is most directly demonstrated when a participant
privately believes the group is correct and changes their answer
because they believe the group possesses useful information?
A. Normative social influence
B. Informational social influence
,C. Compliance
D. Identification
Answer: B. Informational social influence
Rationale: Informational social influence occurs when an
individual accepts information from other people as evidence
about reality, particularly when a situation is ambiguous,
difficult or when the individual believes other group members
are more knowledgeable. The key feature is that the person
changes their view because they genuinely believe the group
may be correct. Normative social influence instead involves
conformity arising from the desire to gain social approval or
avoid rejection. Compliance refers to outwardly conforming
while privately disagreeing, whereas identification involves
adopting behaviour or attitudes because of an attractive or
valued group or person.
Question 2
In Milgram's obedience research, which combination most
directly explains why an ordinary participant may continue
administering apparently harmful electric shocks?
A. Deindividuation and social loafing
B. Agentic state and legitimacy of authority
,C. Internalisation and minority influence
D. Informational social influence and cognitive dissonance
Answer: B. Agentic state and legitimacy of authority
Rationale: The agentic state explanation proposes that people
may perceive themselves as acting on behalf of an authority
figure rather than as personally responsible for their actions.
Legitimacy of authority explains why an individual may accept
another person as having the right to give orders, especially
when that person occupies a recognised position of authority.
These concepts are central to Milgram's explanation of
obedience. The other options concern different psychological
processes and do not provide the specified explanation of
obedience.
Question 3
A student wants to investigate whether increasing task
difficulty affects conformity. Which design would provide the
clearest test of this variable?
A. Compare conformity when participants work individually
with conformity when they work in groups
B. Compare conformity on easy and difficult perceptual tasks
while keeping group size and unanimity constant
C. Compare conformity between males and females without
, changing the task
D. Compare participants who have high and low self-esteem
Answer: B. Compare conformity on easy and difficult
perceptual tasks while keeping group size and unanimity
constant
Rationale: The independent variable is task difficulty, so the
researcher must manipulate task difficulty directly. Holding
group size and unanimity constant reduces the likelihood that
differences in conformity are caused by other variables. This
design therefore provides a more controlled test of the
proposed relationship. The other options manipulate or
measure variables other than task difficulty and consequently
would not directly test the stated hypothesis.
Question 4
A minority group wants to influence a majority's attitudes over
time. Which combination would be most consistent with
minority influence research?
A. Consistency, commitment and flexibility
B. Obedience, compliance and punishment
C. Anonymity, diffusion and deindividuation
D. Social loafing, group polarisation and conformity
Answer: A. Consistency, commitment and flexibility
Study Materials – AQA Advanced Level
Psychology (7182) Practice Exam 2026/2027
Practice Questions & Study Guide | Complete
Exam-Style Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers & Rationales (Reliable Answers) |
Latest Updated Version | Instant Download
Question 1
A researcher investigates conformity by asking participants to
judge the length of a target line while confederates
unanimously give an incorrect answer. Which explanation of
conformity is most directly demonstrated when a participant
privately believes the group is correct and changes their answer
because they believe the group possesses useful information?
A. Normative social influence
B. Informational social influence
,C. Compliance
D. Identification
Answer: B. Informational social influence
Rationale: Informational social influence occurs when an
individual accepts information from other people as evidence
about reality, particularly when a situation is ambiguous,
difficult or when the individual believes other group members
are more knowledgeable. The key feature is that the person
changes their view because they genuinely believe the group
may be correct. Normative social influence instead involves
conformity arising from the desire to gain social approval or
avoid rejection. Compliance refers to outwardly conforming
while privately disagreeing, whereas identification involves
adopting behaviour or attitudes because of an attractive or
valued group or person.
Question 2
In Milgram's obedience research, which combination most
directly explains why an ordinary participant may continue
administering apparently harmful electric shocks?
A. Deindividuation and social loafing
B. Agentic state and legitimacy of authority
,C. Internalisation and minority influence
D. Informational social influence and cognitive dissonance
Answer: B. Agentic state and legitimacy of authority
Rationale: The agentic state explanation proposes that people
may perceive themselves as acting on behalf of an authority
figure rather than as personally responsible for their actions.
Legitimacy of authority explains why an individual may accept
another person as having the right to give orders, especially
when that person occupies a recognised position of authority.
These concepts are central to Milgram's explanation of
obedience. The other options concern different psychological
processes and do not provide the specified explanation of
obedience.
Question 3
A student wants to investigate whether increasing task
difficulty affects conformity. Which design would provide the
clearest test of this variable?
A. Compare conformity when participants work individually
with conformity when they work in groups
B. Compare conformity on easy and difficult perceptual tasks
while keeping group size and unanimity constant
C. Compare conformity between males and females without
, changing the task
D. Compare participants who have high and low self-esteem
Answer: B. Compare conformity on easy and difficult
perceptual tasks while keeping group size and unanimity
constant
Rationale: The independent variable is task difficulty, so the
researcher must manipulate task difficulty directly. Holding
group size and unanimity constant reduces the likelihood that
differences in conformity are caused by other variables. This
design therefore provides a more controlled test of the
proposed relationship. The other options manipulate or
measure variables other than task difficulty and consequently
would not directly test the stated hypothesis.
Question 4
A minority group wants to influence a majority's attitudes over
time. Which combination would be most consistent with
minority influence research?
A. Consistency, commitment and flexibility
B. Obedience, compliance and punishment
C. Anonymity, diffusion and deindividuation
D. Social loafing, group polarisation and conformity
Answer: A. Consistency, commitment and flexibility
