AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California, Berkeley
Evaluate the cognitive approach -correct answer :) - Research done into the cognitive
approach has allowed for real life applications to surface because of it. The cognitive
approach so psychopathology has been used to explain how much of a dysfunctional
brain is due to faulty thinking processes and thus this lead to the therapy known as
cognitive behavioural therapy which helps patients with OCD and depression.
:) - The cognitive approaches emphasis on scientific methods is definitely a strength
of it as it allows for rigorous testing and thus detailed conclusions that are based off
of cause and effect relationships rather than introspection and assumptions.
:( - The approach has been criticised for being too reductionist when comparing the
brain to a computer system, it is hard to say that our brain revolves around a simple
input, process and output model when we have many things that a computer doesn't
such as free will, emotions and motivational factors.
:( - Many studies done in cognitive psychology are done in a lab and although as
stated earlier this can be seen as a huge benefit, it can also be looked at from a
different perspective. It makes the studies very unrealistic and thus the reactions or
the way humans behave in these studies may not represent real life.
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California, Berkeley
Outline the bioogical approach -correct answer The biological approach assumes
three points:
-Human behaviour can be explained by looking at biological factors such as genes,
hormones, evolution and the nervous system
-In theory we can remove unwanted behaviour could be removed
-Experimental research on animals can inform us about human behaviour as we share
a very high percentage of biological genes
The genotype of a person is the physical genes that they have whereas the phenotype
is the characteristics that their genes produce for example hair and eye colour.
Many biological areas of our body have an influence on our behaviour.
The nervous system carries messages from one part of the body to another via
neurons, many aspects of behaviour are under neuronal control including breathing
eating and sexual behaviour.
The brain, the largest part of this is the cerebral cortex which is responsible for many
of the higher order functions such as thought and language, it is divided into two
halves with each having a different specialisation.
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California, Berkeley
Neurochemistry in our body also plays a role in our behaviour
Neurotransmitters have many roles in the body, one of which is to trigger nerve
impulses in the sensory brain to tell our brain to react to it. Dopamine is an excitatory
neurotransmitter that is associated with our drive or motivation.
Hormones are similar to neurotransmitters but have much more powerful long lasting
effects and travel in the blood. They are produced in the endocrine glands such as the
pituitary gland.
Outline a twin study in regards to the biological approach -correct answer Gottesman
conducted a meta-analyis of 40 twins and found that having an identical twin with
schizophrenia gave you a 48% chance of developing the condition, this dropped
down to 17% in non identical. He concluded that schizophrenia has a strong genetic
basis.
Evaluate the biological approach -correct answer :) - The biological approach implies
clearly that our genes can be adapted to fix unwanted behaviours. This has been fully
taken advantage of and many real life applications are now used because of it, drugs
in particular are used world wide because of a biological approach to explaining
psychological behaviours. SSRI for example has been proven to reduce symptoms for
depression
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California, Berkeley
Evaluate the cognitive approach -correct answer :) - Research done into the cognitive
approach has allowed for real life applications to surface because of it. The cognitive
approach so psychopathology has been used to explain how much of a dysfunctional
brain is due to faulty thinking processes and thus this lead to the therapy known as
cognitive behavioural therapy which helps patients with OCD and depression.
:) - The cognitive approaches emphasis on scientific methods is definitely a strength
of it as it allows for rigorous testing and thus detailed conclusions that are based off
of cause and effect relationships rather than introspection and assumptions.
:( - The approach has been criticised for being too reductionist when comparing the
brain to a computer system, it is hard to say that our brain revolves around a simple
input, process and output model when we have many things that a computer doesn't
such as free will, emotions and motivational factors.
:( - Many studies done in cognitive psychology are done in a lab and although as
stated earlier this can be seen as a huge benefit, it can also be looked at from a
different perspective. It makes the studies very unrealistic and thus the reactions or
the way humans behave in these studies may not represent real life.
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California, Berkeley
Outline the bioogical approach -correct answer The biological approach assumes
three points:
-Human behaviour can be explained by looking at biological factors such as genes,
hormones, evolution and the nervous system
-In theory we can remove unwanted behaviour could be removed
-Experimental research on animals can inform us about human behaviour as we share
a very high percentage of biological genes
The genotype of a person is the physical genes that they have whereas the phenotype
is the characteristics that their genes produce for example hair and eye colour.
Many biological areas of our body have an influence on our behaviour.
The nervous system carries messages from one part of the body to another via
neurons, many aspects of behaviour are under neuronal control including breathing
eating and sexual behaviour.
The brain, the largest part of this is the cerebral cortex which is responsible for many
of the higher order functions such as thought and language, it is divided into two
halves with each having a different specialisation.
, AQA A Level Psychology Approaches
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
100% Correct Verified Answers [Grade A] –
University of California, Berkeley
Neurochemistry in our body also plays a role in our behaviour
Neurotransmitters have many roles in the body, one of which is to trigger nerve
impulses in the sensory brain to tell our brain to react to it. Dopamine is an excitatory
neurotransmitter that is associated with our drive or motivation.
Hormones are similar to neurotransmitters but have much more powerful long lasting
effects and travel in the blood. They are produced in the endocrine glands such as the
pituitary gland.
Outline a twin study in regards to the biological approach -correct answer Gottesman
conducted a meta-analyis of 40 twins and found that having an identical twin with
schizophrenia gave you a 48% chance of developing the condition, this dropped
down to 17% in non identical. He concluded that schizophrenia has a strong genetic
basis.
Evaluate the biological approach -correct answer :) - The biological approach implies
clearly that our genes can be adapted to fix unwanted behaviours. This has been fully
taken advantage of and many real life applications are now used because of it, drugs
in particular are used world wide because of a biological approach to explaining
psychological behaviours. SSRI for example has been proven to reduce symptoms for
depression
