2024_AQA AS Psychology Paper 1 Introductory Topics in Psychology (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Monday 13 May 2024

2024_AQA AS Psychology Paper 1 Introductory Topics in Psychology (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Monday 13 May 2024 Please write clearly in block capitals. Centre number Surname Forename(s) Candidate signatu re Candidate number I declare this is my own work. AS PSYCHOLOGY Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology Monday 13 May 2024 Materials For this paper you may use:  a calculator. Instructions Afternoon  Use black ink or black ball-point pen.  Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.  Answer all questions. Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes For Examiner’s Use Section Mark A B C  You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages. TOTAL  If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).  Do all rough work in this 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 72.  You will be assessed on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. AS Psychology: Paper 1 Introductory Topics in Psychology: Exam Preview sections This paper covers key introductory topics in psychology, focusing on foundational areas of psychological research and theory. You will be assessed on your understanding of the scientific methods and core areas in psychology, including approaches, methods, and specific topics like memory, development, and social influence. Key Areas Covered: 1. Social Influence: o Conformity and Obedience: Key studies, such as Asch’s conformity experiments and Milgram’s obedience study, exploring why individuals conform to social norms or obey authority figures. o Social Roles: Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment and how social roles influence behavior. o Resistance to Social Influence: Factors that help individuals resist peer pressure, including locus of control and social support. 2. Memory: o Models of Memory: The multi-store model (Atkinson & Shiffrin) and the working memory model (Baddeley & Hitch), focusing on how memory is processed and stored. o Types of Memory: Short-term memory, long-term memory, and the processes involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information. o Forgetting: Theories of forgetting, such as interference theory and retrieval failure. o Eyewitness Testimony: The reliability of eyewitness testimony and factors affecting it, such as leading questions and anxiety. 3. Attachment: o Types of Attachment: Ainsworth’s Strange Situation, including the different attachment types (secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant). o Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory: The importance of a primary attachment figure and the concept of a "monotropy" in attachment theory. o Impact of Early Attachment: How early attachment influences later social and emotional development, and the effects of disrupted attachment. 4. Approaches in Psychology: o Biological Approach: Focus on genetic influences, brain structure, and neurotransmitters. o Cognitive Approach: Study of mental processes like memory, perception, and problem-solving. o Behaviorist Approach: The idea that behavior is learned through conditioning (classical and operant). o Psychodynamic Approach: Freud’s theories on the unconscious mind, defense mechanisms, and early childhood experiences. o Humanistic Approach: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow’s emphasis on self-actualization and personal growth. 5. Research Methods: o Key Research Designs: Experimental methods, correlational studies, and observational techniques. o Sampling and Ethical Considerations: Understanding different sampling methods (random, stratified, etc.) and ethical issues in psychological research (informed consent, confidentiality, deception). o Data Analysis: The use of descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, and mode, and inferential statistics like the significance test. IB/G/Jun24/G4002/V9 7181/1 2 Do not write outside the box Section A IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 Social Influence Answer all questions in this section. 0 1 Outline how two variables investigated by Asch affected conformity. [4 marks] Extra space 3 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 0 2 Explain two ethical limitations of Asch’s investigations into conformity. [4 marks] Extra space 0 3 Suggest two reasons why Asch’s conformity investigations could be considered to be unrealistic. [4 marks] Extra space 4 Do not write outside the box IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 0 4 Studies of social influence are often criticised for using volunteer sampling to select participants. Explain how you could use a different sampling technique to select participants. [2 marks] 0 5 Outline flexibility as a factor in minority influence. [2 marks] 5 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 0 6 Two sixth-form students, Mimi and Asif, noticed other students dropping their rubbish on the school playground. They decided to launch a campaign to reduce littering at their school. Describe the roles of consistency and commitment in minority influence. Explain how Mimi and Asif could demonstrate consistency and commitment as part of their campaign. [8 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer. 6 Do not write outside the box IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 Extra space 7 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 Turn over for Section B 24 8 Do not write outside the box Section B IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 Memory Answer all questions in this section. Only one answer per question is allowed. For each question completely fill in the circle alongside the appropriate answer. CORRECT METHOD WRONG METHODS If you want to change your answer you must cross out your original answer as shown. If you wish to return to an answer previously crossed out, ring the answer you now wish to select as shown. 0 7 Which component of the working memory model is responsible for verbal rehearsal? Shade one box only. [1 mark] A Central executive B Episodic buffer C Phonological loop D Visuo-spatial sketchpad 0 8 The sensory register is a component of the multi-store model of memory. Describe the sensory register. [3 marks] 9 Do not write outside the box A psychologist investigated the effect of anxiety on the accuracy of memory. She Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 obtained a volunteer sample of 50 psychology students by putting up a poster on the college noticeboard. She showed the students two short films. Condition 1: the film showed a violent crime (high-anxiety condition). Condition 2: the film showed a comedy sketch (low-anxiety condition). After watching the film in Condition 1, each student completed a questionnaire with 40 closed questions about events in the film. This was repeated for Condition 2. The median number of correct and incorrect answers for each film was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1 The median number of correct and incorrect answers for the two films High-anxiety condition Low-anxiety condition The median number of correct answers 16 32 The median number of incorrect answers 24 8 What can the psychologist conclude from the results in Table 1? Justify your answer. [2 marks] 0 9 10 Do not write outside the IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 [4 marks] box 1 1 The psychologist used closed questions on the questionnaire. Explain one reason why it might have been better to use open questions rather than closed questions on the questionnaire. [2 marks] 1 2 The psychologist was concerned that the number of correct answers recalled would be affected by the participants taking part in both conditions of the experiment. Explain one way the psychologist could deal with this problem. [2 marks] 1 0 Explain one strength and one limitation of using volunteer sampling in this study. 11 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 1 3 Briefly evaluate research into post-event discussion as a factor that affects the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. [2 marks] 1 4 Discuss interference as an explanation for forgetting. [8 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer. 12 Do not write outside the IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 box Extra space 13 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 24 Turn over for Section C 14 Do not write outside the box Section C IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 Attachment Answer all questions in this section. 1 5 Briefly describe Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation. [3 marks] 1 6 Holly is now 6 years old. Since the age of 6 months she has lived in five different foster care homes. A couple has decided to adopt Holly but they are worried about her ability to form a good relationship with them. They also have concerns regarding her progress at school. Her last school report said she was disruptive in class, had been involved in a fight and had performed poorly in the end-of-year tests. Explain how Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation might be applied to Holly. [6 marks] 15 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 Extra space Turn over for the next question 16 Do not write outside the box IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 1 7 Dave says, “The way in which children and their carers form attachments is different all over the world. Fortunately, most children do form secure attachments. However, in some cultures, studies have shown there can be very different types of insecure attachments between children and their carers.” Using one example of cultural variations in attachment, explain Dave’s comments about insecure attachments. [2 marks] 1 8 Give one limitation of van Ijzendoorn’s research into cultural variations in attachment. [1 mark] 17 Do not write outside the box Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/7181/1 1 9 Discuss learning theory as an explanation of attachment. [12 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer.