AQA A-Level Psychology 2026 Paper 1, 2 and 3
Exam Prep – AQA Advanced Level Psychology
(7182) Practice Exam 2026 Practice Questions
& Study Guide | Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Correct Detailed Answers &
Rationales (Reliable Answers) | Latest
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PAPER 1 — INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
1. Social Influence
1. A student initially disagrees with the majority opinion
during a group discussion but eventually changes their private
belief and genuinely accepts the group's view. Which type of
conformity is most clearly demonstrated?
A. Compliance
B. Internalisation
C. Identification
D. Obedience
Internalisation occurs when an individual genuinely accepts the
group's position both publicly and privately. It represents a
,deeper form of conformity than compliance, where the person
changes their outward behaviour but does not necessarily
change their private beliefs. Identification involves adopting
behaviour or attitudes because of an association with a group,
whereas obedience involves following an explicit order from an
authority figure.
2. According to Asch's research into conformity, which
combination would generally be expected to increase
conformity?
A. A unanimous group of two and a very easy task
B. A unanimous group of eight and an extremely difficult task
C. A unanimous majority of around three or more people and
a moderately ambiguous task
D. A divided majority and an extremely easy task
Asch found that conformity increased as majority size increased
up to a relatively small group, with three or more confederates
producing substantial conformity. Task difficulty can also
increase conformity because ambiguity makes people more
likely to rely on others for information. A unanimous majority is
particularly important because the presence of a dissenting ally
can substantially reduce conformity.
,3. Milgram's concept of the agentic state helps explain
obedience because it proposes that a person:
A. becomes less aware of the authority figure
B. develops an authoritarian personality
C. sees themselves as an agent carrying out another person's
wishes
D. becomes completely independent of social influence
The agentic state describes a psychological shift in which an
individual perceives themselves as an agent acting on behalf of
a legitimate authority rather than as personally responsible for
the consequences of their behaviour. This helps explain why
people may carry out actions they would normally regard as
unacceptable when instructed by an authority figure.
4. Which finding from Milgram's research provides evidence
that situational variables can affect obedience?
A. Participants differed according to intelligence
B. Participants with authoritarian personalities always obeyed
C. Obedience varied when the proximity and location of the
authority were changed
D. Obedience was unaffected by the presence of other people
Milgram found that obedience was affected by situational
factors. For example, obedience fell when the experimenter was
, less physically present and when the study was conducted in a
less prestigious setting. Such findings support situational
explanations because they demonstrate that changes in the
immediate social environment can alter obedience.
5. Which factor is most directly associated with resisting
majority social influence?
A. Unanimity of the majority
B. Increased ambiguity
C. Greater perceived authority
D. Social support from another dissenter
Social support can reduce conformity because the individual no
longer feels that they are the only person disagreeing with the
majority. Having another person express an independent view
can increase confidence and make resistance easier. This
demonstrates that conformity is influenced not only by majority
pressure but also by the presence of supportive others.
2. Memory
6. Which feature of short-term memory is most consistent
with the multi-store model?
Exam Prep – AQA Advanced Level Psychology
(7182) Practice Exam 2026 Practice Questions
& Study Guide | Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Correct Detailed Answers &
Rationales (Reliable Answers) | Latest
Updated Version | Instant Download PDf
PAPER 1 — INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
1. Social Influence
1. A student initially disagrees with the majority opinion
during a group discussion but eventually changes their private
belief and genuinely accepts the group's view. Which type of
conformity is most clearly demonstrated?
A. Compliance
B. Internalisation
C. Identification
D. Obedience
Internalisation occurs when an individual genuinely accepts the
group's position both publicly and privately. It represents a
,deeper form of conformity than compliance, where the person
changes their outward behaviour but does not necessarily
change their private beliefs. Identification involves adopting
behaviour or attitudes because of an association with a group,
whereas obedience involves following an explicit order from an
authority figure.
2. According to Asch's research into conformity, which
combination would generally be expected to increase
conformity?
A. A unanimous group of two and a very easy task
B. A unanimous group of eight and an extremely difficult task
C. A unanimous majority of around three or more people and
a moderately ambiguous task
D. A divided majority and an extremely easy task
Asch found that conformity increased as majority size increased
up to a relatively small group, with three or more confederates
producing substantial conformity. Task difficulty can also
increase conformity because ambiguity makes people more
likely to rely on others for information. A unanimous majority is
particularly important because the presence of a dissenting ally
can substantially reduce conformity.
,3. Milgram's concept of the agentic state helps explain
obedience because it proposes that a person:
A. becomes less aware of the authority figure
B. develops an authoritarian personality
C. sees themselves as an agent carrying out another person's
wishes
D. becomes completely independent of social influence
The agentic state describes a psychological shift in which an
individual perceives themselves as an agent acting on behalf of
a legitimate authority rather than as personally responsible for
the consequences of their behaviour. This helps explain why
people may carry out actions they would normally regard as
unacceptable when instructed by an authority figure.
4. Which finding from Milgram's research provides evidence
that situational variables can affect obedience?
A. Participants differed according to intelligence
B. Participants with authoritarian personalities always obeyed
C. Obedience varied when the proximity and location of the
authority were changed
D. Obedience was unaffected by the presence of other people
Milgram found that obedience was affected by situational
factors. For example, obedience fell when the experimenter was
, less physically present and when the study was conducted in a
less prestigious setting. Such findings support situational
explanations because they demonstrate that changes in the
immediate social environment can alter obedience.
5. Which factor is most directly associated with resisting
majority social influence?
A. Unanimity of the majority
B. Increased ambiguity
C. Greater perceived authority
D. Social support from another dissenter
Social support can reduce conformity because the individual no
longer feels that they are the only person disagreeing with the
majority. Having another person express an independent view
can increase confidence and make resistance easier. This
demonstrates that conformity is influenced not only by majority
pressure but also by the presence of supportive others.
2. Memory
6. Which feature of short-term memory is most consistent
with the multi-store model?
