AQA A-Level Psychology Paper 2
Questions and Verified Answers
Psychology - Correct Answer-the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes
Science - Correct Answer-The means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and
objective investigation
Introspection by Wundt - Correct Answer-A systematic method used to study the mind by
breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and
sensations
Emergence of psychology - Correct Answer-Watson questioned the subjectiveness of
introspection - variety between person to person made it hard to establish general
principles
Behaviourist approach - Correct Answer-A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what
is observable and in terms of learning
Classical conditioning - Correct Answer-Learning by association
Operant conditioning - Correct Answer-Learning where behaviour is shaped and
maintained by consequences
Reinforcement - Correct Answer-A consequence of behaviour that increases the
likelihood of that behaviour being repeated
Assumptions of behaviourist approach - Correct Answer-- assumes everything about
human behaviour is learnt through experience (classical or operant conditioning)
- relies on lab experiments
- animals have same basic processes that govern learning and so can be replaced as
experimental subjects
Pavlov's research - Correct Answer-Pavlov presented a bell (NS) with food (UCS), which
caused the dog to salivate (UCR). Eventually, the dog associated the sound of the bell
and food so the sound of the bell (CS) would cause the dog to salivate (CR) -
demonatrating the learning of innate reflex behaviours in animals
,Skinner's research - Correct Answer-He suggested that learning is an active process
whereby humans and animals operate on their environment eg, the skinner box
Positive reinforcement - Correct Answer-Rewards when a certain desirable behaviour is
performed
Negative reinforcement - Correct Answer-When an animal or human avoids something
unpleasant
Punishment - Correct Answer-An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
Behaviourist approach - limit - Correct Answer-Doesn't take into account any biological
aspects and so is deterministic
Behaviourist approach - application - Correct Answer-Treatment to phobias through
systematic desensitisation through classical conditioning
Behaviourist approach - research support - Correct Answer-Influential in the development
of psychology as a scientific discipline
Social learning theory - Correct Answer-A way of explaining behaviour that includes both
direct and indirect reinforcement
Imitation - Correct Answer-Copying the behaviour of others
Identification - Correct Answer-When as observer associates themselves with a role
model and wants to be like the role model
Modelling - Correct Answer-Imitating the behaviour of a role model
Vicarious reinforcement - Correct Answer-Reinforcement that is not directly experienced
but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
Mediational processes - Correct Answer-Cognitive factors that influence learning and
come between stimulus and response
Assumptions of social learning theory - Correct Answer-- learning occurs through
observation and imitation of others in a social context
- learning occurs directly and indirectly
, Role of mediational processes identified by Bandura - Correct Answer-1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Motor reproduction
4. Motivation
Social learning theory - limit - Correct Answer-Underestimates the influence of biological
factors - boys were found to be more aggressive
Social learning theory - application - Correct Answer-Applied to token economy systems
in prison - help to rehabilitate prisoners to lower recidivism
Social learning theory - research support - Correct Answer-Bandura's bobo doll
experiment - adult hit doll with hammer
Cognitive approach - Correct Answer-How mental processes affect behaviour
Internal mental processes - Correct Answer-'Private' operations of the mind such as
perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
Schema - Correct Answer-A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence
cognitive processing - developed from experience
Inference - Correct Answer-Process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions
about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour
Cognitive neuroscience - Correct Answer-The scientific study of biological structures that
underpin cognitive processes
Assumptions of the cognitive approach - Correct Answer-- internal mental processes
should be studies scientifically
Theoretical models - Correct Answer-Information processing approach - where
information flows through the cognitive system (multi-store model)
Computer models - Correct Answer-Mind compared to a computer - similarities in the way
information is coded and use in artificial intelligence
Application of cognitive neuroscience - Correct Answer-Used in computer-generated
models that are designed to 'read' the brain- brain fingerprinting
Questions and Verified Answers
Psychology - Correct Answer-the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes
Science - Correct Answer-The means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and
objective investigation
Introspection by Wundt - Correct Answer-A systematic method used to study the mind by
breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and
sensations
Emergence of psychology - Correct Answer-Watson questioned the subjectiveness of
introspection - variety between person to person made it hard to establish general
principles
Behaviourist approach - Correct Answer-A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what
is observable and in terms of learning
Classical conditioning - Correct Answer-Learning by association
Operant conditioning - Correct Answer-Learning where behaviour is shaped and
maintained by consequences
Reinforcement - Correct Answer-A consequence of behaviour that increases the
likelihood of that behaviour being repeated
Assumptions of behaviourist approach - Correct Answer-- assumes everything about
human behaviour is learnt through experience (classical or operant conditioning)
- relies on lab experiments
- animals have same basic processes that govern learning and so can be replaced as
experimental subjects
Pavlov's research - Correct Answer-Pavlov presented a bell (NS) with food (UCS), which
caused the dog to salivate (UCR). Eventually, the dog associated the sound of the bell
and food so the sound of the bell (CS) would cause the dog to salivate (CR) -
demonatrating the learning of innate reflex behaviours in animals
,Skinner's research - Correct Answer-He suggested that learning is an active process
whereby humans and animals operate on their environment eg, the skinner box
Positive reinforcement - Correct Answer-Rewards when a certain desirable behaviour is
performed
Negative reinforcement - Correct Answer-When an animal or human avoids something
unpleasant
Punishment - Correct Answer-An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
Behaviourist approach - limit - Correct Answer-Doesn't take into account any biological
aspects and so is deterministic
Behaviourist approach - application - Correct Answer-Treatment to phobias through
systematic desensitisation through classical conditioning
Behaviourist approach - research support - Correct Answer-Influential in the development
of psychology as a scientific discipline
Social learning theory - Correct Answer-A way of explaining behaviour that includes both
direct and indirect reinforcement
Imitation - Correct Answer-Copying the behaviour of others
Identification - Correct Answer-When as observer associates themselves with a role
model and wants to be like the role model
Modelling - Correct Answer-Imitating the behaviour of a role model
Vicarious reinforcement - Correct Answer-Reinforcement that is not directly experienced
but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
Mediational processes - Correct Answer-Cognitive factors that influence learning and
come between stimulus and response
Assumptions of social learning theory - Correct Answer-- learning occurs through
observation and imitation of others in a social context
- learning occurs directly and indirectly
, Role of mediational processes identified by Bandura - Correct Answer-1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Motor reproduction
4. Motivation
Social learning theory - limit - Correct Answer-Underestimates the influence of biological
factors - boys were found to be more aggressive
Social learning theory - application - Correct Answer-Applied to token economy systems
in prison - help to rehabilitate prisoners to lower recidivism
Social learning theory - research support - Correct Answer-Bandura's bobo doll
experiment - adult hit doll with hammer
Cognitive approach - Correct Answer-How mental processes affect behaviour
Internal mental processes - Correct Answer-'Private' operations of the mind such as
perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
Schema - Correct Answer-A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence
cognitive processing - developed from experience
Inference - Correct Answer-Process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions
about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour
Cognitive neuroscience - Correct Answer-The scientific study of biological structures that
underpin cognitive processes
Assumptions of the cognitive approach - Correct Answer-- internal mental processes
should be studies scientifically
Theoretical models - Correct Answer-Information processing approach - where
information flows through the cognitive system (multi-store model)
Computer models - Correct Answer-Mind compared to a computer - similarities in the way
information is coded and use in artificial intelligence
Application of cognitive neuroscience - Correct Answer-Used in computer-generated
models that are designed to 'read' the brain- brain fingerprinting
