AQA A-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
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Question 1
A student privately accepts a group's answer to a difficult
question because they believe the group possesses information
they do not. Which explanation of conformity is most directly
illustrated?
A. Normative social influence
B. Compliance
C. Informational social influence
D. Internalisation
Answer: C. Informational social influence
Informational social influence occurs when a person looks to
others for guidance because they believe other people have
more accurate information. It is particularly likely when a task is
difficult, ambiguous or unfamiliar. The individual may genuinely
,accept the group's position as correct, rather than merely
conforming publicly. Normative social influence, in contrast, is
primarily concerned with gaining social approval or avoiding
rejection. Internalisation describes the outcome in which a
person genuinely accepts a group's position as their own belief,
while compliance refers to outwardly conforming without
necessarily changing one's private belief.
Question 2
In Asch's conformity research, which combination of variables
was found to affect conformity?
A. Group size, unanimity and task difficulty
B. Gender, age and personality
C. Proximity, location and uniform
D. Commitment, flexibility and consistency
Answer: A. Group size, unanimity and task difficulty
Asch investigated conformity using a line-judgement task and
demonstrated that situational variables influenced the extent to
which participants conformed. Group size affected conformity
up to a point, while the presence of a unanimous majority
increased conformity substantially. Task difficulty also
influenced conformity because uncertainty can increase reliance
on other people. Proximity, location and uniform were
,associated with Milgram's research into obedience, whereas
consistency, commitment and flexibility are important concepts
in minority influence.
Question 3
A person refuses to obey an unreasonable instruction from a
senior employee after another colleague also refuses. Which
explanation of resistance to social influence is most directly
relevant?
A. Social support
B. Deindividuation
C. Informational social influence
D. Authoritarian personality
Answer: A. Social support
Social support can enable individuals to resist conformity or
obedience because the presence of another dissenter reduces
the pressure to accept the majority's position or obey an
authority figure. A dissenter can provide confidence that
resistance is possible and socially acceptable. Deindividuation
concerns reduced self-awareness and altered behaviour in
group situations. Informational social influence generally
increases conformity when people regard others as a source of
information. Authoritarian personality is a dispositional
, explanation for obedience rather than an explanation of
resistance.
Section 2: Memory
Question 4
Which component of the working memory model is primarily
responsible for temporarily storing and rehearsing verbal and
auditory information?
A. Central executive
B. Phonological loop
C. Episodic buffer
D. Visuo-spatial sketchpad
Answer: B. Phonological loop
The phonological loop deals with auditory and verbal
information. It consists of a phonological store, which briefly
holds sound-based information, and an articulatory process
involved in subvocal rehearsal. The visuo-spatial sketchpad
handles visual and spatial information, while the central
executive coordinates the activities of the other components
and allocates attentional resources. The episodic buffer
integrates information from different sources and links it with
information from long-term memory.
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 student privately accepts a group's answer to a difficult
question because they believe the group possesses information
they do not. Which explanation of conformity is most directly
illustrated?
A. Normative social influence
B. Compliance
C. Informational social influence
D. Internalisation
Answer: C. Informational social influence
Informational social influence occurs when a person looks to
others for guidance because they believe other people have
more accurate information. It is particularly likely when a task is
difficult, ambiguous or unfamiliar. The individual may genuinely
,accept the group's position as correct, rather than merely
conforming publicly. Normative social influence, in contrast, is
primarily concerned with gaining social approval or avoiding
rejection. Internalisation describes the outcome in which a
person genuinely accepts a group's position as their own belief,
while compliance refers to outwardly conforming without
necessarily changing one's private belief.
Question 2
In Asch's conformity research, which combination of variables
was found to affect conformity?
A. Group size, unanimity and task difficulty
B. Gender, age and personality
C. Proximity, location and uniform
D. Commitment, flexibility and consistency
Answer: A. Group size, unanimity and task difficulty
Asch investigated conformity using a line-judgement task and
demonstrated that situational variables influenced the extent to
which participants conformed. Group size affected conformity
up to a point, while the presence of a unanimous majority
increased conformity substantially. Task difficulty also
influenced conformity because uncertainty can increase reliance
on other people. Proximity, location and uniform were
,associated with Milgram's research into obedience, whereas
consistency, commitment and flexibility are important concepts
in minority influence.
Question 3
A person refuses to obey an unreasonable instruction from a
senior employee after another colleague also refuses. Which
explanation of resistance to social influence is most directly
relevant?
A. Social support
B. Deindividuation
C. Informational social influence
D. Authoritarian personality
Answer: A. Social support
Social support can enable individuals to resist conformity or
obedience because the presence of another dissenter reduces
the pressure to accept the majority's position or obey an
authority figure. A dissenter can provide confidence that
resistance is possible and socially acceptable. Deindividuation
concerns reduced self-awareness and altered behaviour in
group situations. Informational social influence generally
increases conformity when people regard others as a source of
information. Authoritarian personality is a dispositional
, explanation for obedience rather than an explanation of
resistance.
Section 2: Memory
Question 4
Which component of the working memory model is primarily
responsible for temporarily storing and rehearsing verbal and
auditory information?
A. Central executive
B. Phonological loop
C. Episodic buffer
D. Visuo-spatial sketchpad
Answer: B. Phonological loop
The phonological loop deals with auditory and verbal
information. It consists of a phonological store, which briefly
holds sound-based information, and an articulatory process
involved in subvocal rehearsal. The visuo-spatial sketchpad
handles visual and spatial information, while the central
executive coordinates the activities of the other components
and allocates attentional resources. The episodic buffer
integrates information from different sources and links it with
information from long-term memory.
