AQA_2024: A-level Psychology - Paper 3
Issues and Options in Psychology.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
PSYCHOLOGY
Paper 3 Issues and options in psychology
Monday 3 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page Answer Book.
You may use a calculator.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7182/3.
In Section A, you should answer all questions.
In Section B, choose one topic. Answer all questions on the topic you choose.
In Section C, choose one topic. Answer all questions on the topic you choose.
In Section D, choose one topic. Answer all questions on the topic you choose.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 96.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
, For A-level Psychology Paper 3 (Issues and Options in Psychology), focus on the following key
areas:
1. Issues and Debates:
Nature vs. Nurture: Debate whether behaviour is influenced more by genetics or
environment.
Free Will vs. Determinism: Whether behaviour is determined by internal/external factors or
free will.
Reductionism vs. Holism: Understanding whether behaviour is best explained by breaking
it down or as a whole.
Ethics: Key ethical guidelines like informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to
withdraw.
2. Option 1: Relationships:
Attraction: Theories like matching hypothesis, social exchange, and evolutionary
perspectives.
Breakdown: Duck’s phase model and factors in relationship breakdown (e.g., infidelity).
3. Option 2: Gender:
Development: Biological (chromosomes, hormones) and social influences (social learning,
gender schema theory).
Gender Dysphoria: Causes and treatments.
4. Option 3: Cognition and Development:
Piaget: Stages of cognitive development.
Vygotsky: Role of social interaction in cognitive growth.
Cognitive Disorders: Conditions like autism.
5. Option 4: Schizophrenia:
Symptoms: Positive (e.g., hallucinations) and negative (e.g., apathy) symptoms.
Treatments: Drugs (antipsychotics) and psychological therapies (CBT).
6. Option 5: Eating Behaviour:
Biological and Social Influences: Hormones, brain structures, and social factors.
Eating Disorders: Causes and treatments for anorexia and bulimia.
7. Option 6: Forensic Psychology:
Offender Profiling: Techniques used for profiling criminals.
Causes of Crime: Biological and psychological explanations.
Treatment: Rehabilitation programs for offenders.
This summary focuses on the core concepts and areas for revision.
IB/G/Jun24/G4004/E12 7182/3
, 2
Section A
Issues and debates in psychology
Answer all questions in this section.
Read the examples in Table 1 then answer Questions 01 and 02.
Table 1
Angie is a psychologist who believes that phobias are affected by unconscious forces.
Bibi is a psychologist who believes that phobias are best treated holistically.
Carlo is a psychologist who believes that phobias are influenced by both nature
and nurture.
Dalia is a psychologist who believes that phobias can be explained in terms of
conditioning theory.
Emma is a psychologist who believes that phobias can be reduced to the levels of
cells and chemicals.
0 1 Which psychologist believes in interactionism? Write the correct name in your
answer book.
[1 mark]
0 2 Which psychologist believes in environmental reductionism? Write the correct name in
your answer book.
[1 mark]
0 3 What is meant by ethnocentrism in psychology?
[2 marks]
0 4 Outline two limitations of ethnocentrism.
[4 marks]
IB/G/Jun24/7182/3
, 3
0 5 Maria is a successful gymnast. Her mother was also an athlete and encouraged Maria
throughout her childhood, taking her to practice sessions before school from the age
of 5 years.
Maria is being interviewed about her success as a gymnast. In the interview she says,
‘I don’t know if I am like my mum or not. Wherever it came from, I always had a strong
motivation to succeed. Maybe I didn’t really have much choice. I was destined to be
a gymnast.’
Discuss determinism in psychology. Refer to Maria in your answer.
[16 marks]
Turn over for Section B
Turn over ►
IB/G/Jun24/7182/3
Issues and Options in Psychology.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
PSYCHOLOGY
Paper 3 Issues and options in psychology
Monday 3 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page Answer Book.
You may use a calculator.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7182/3.
In Section A, you should answer all questions.
In Section B, choose one topic. Answer all questions on the topic you choose.
In Section C, choose one topic. Answer all questions on the topic you choose.
In Section D, choose one topic. Answer all questions on the topic you choose.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 96.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
, For A-level Psychology Paper 3 (Issues and Options in Psychology), focus on the following key
areas:
1. Issues and Debates:
Nature vs. Nurture: Debate whether behaviour is influenced more by genetics or
environment.
Free Will vs. Determinism: Whether behaviour is determined by internal/external factors or
free will.
Reductionism vs. Holism: Understanding whether behaviour is best explained by breaking
it down or as a whole.
Ethics: Key ethical guidelines like informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to
withdraw.
2. Option 1: Relationships:
Attraction: Theories like matching hypothesis, social exchange, and evolutionary
perspectives.
Breakdown: Duck’s phase model and factors in relationship breakdown (e.g., infidelity).
3. Option 2: Gender:
Development: Biological (chromosomes, hormones) and social influences (social learning,
gender schema theory).
Gender Dysphoria: Causes and treatments.
4. Option 3: Cognition and Development:
Piaget: Stages of cognitive development.
Vygotsky: Role of social interaction in cognitive growth.
Cognitive Disorders: Conditions like autism.
5. Option 4: Schizophrenia:
Symptoms: Positive (e.g., hallucinations) and negative (e.g., apathy) symptoms.
Treatments: Drugs (antipsychotics) and psychological therapies (CBT).
6. Option 5: Eating Behaviour:
Biological and Social Influences: Hormones, brain structures, and social factors.
Eating Disorders: Causes and treatments for anorexia and bulimia.
7. Option 6: Forensic Psychology:
Offender Profiling: Techniques used for profiling criminals.
Causes of Crime: Biological and psychological explanations.
Treatment: Rehabilitation programs for offenders.
This summary focuses on the core concepts and areas for revision.
IB/G/Jun24/G4004/E12 7182/3
, 2
Section A
Issues and debates in psychology
Answer all questions in this section.
Read the examples in Table 1 then answer Questions 01 and 02.
Table 1
Angie is a psychologist who believes that phobias are affected by unconscious forces.
Bibi is a psychologist who believes that phobias are best treated holistically.
Carlo is a psychologist who believes that phobias are influenced by both nature
and nurture.
Dalia is a psychologist who believes that phobias can be explained in terms of
conditioning theory.
Emma is a psychologist who believes that phobias can be reduced to the levels of
cells and chemicals.
0 1 Which psychologist believes in interactionism? Write the correct name in your
answer book.
[1 mark]
0 2 Which psychologist believes in environmental reductionism? Write the correct name in
your answer book.
[1 mark]
0 3 What is meant by ethnocentrism in psychology?
[2 marks]
0 4 Outline two limitations of ethnocentrism.
[4 marks]
IB/G/Jun24/7182/3
, 3
0 5 Maria is a successful gymnast. Her mother was also an athlete and encouraged Maria
throughout her childhood, taking her to practice sessions before school from the age
of 5 years.
Maria is being interviewed about her success as a gymnast. In the interview she says,
‘I don’t know if I am like my mum or not. Wherever it came from, I always had a strong
motivation to succeed. Maybe I didn’t really have much choice. I was destined to be
a gymnast.’
Discuss determinism in psychology. Refer to Maria in your answer.
[16 marks]
Turn over for Section B
Turn over ►
IB/G/Jun24/7182/3
