TMA05 D120 PArT A EncounTEring Psychology in conTExT ThE
oPEn univErsiTy AcTuAl ExAM 2026/2027 – coMPlETE ExAM-sTylE
QuEsTions wiTh DETAilED rATionAlEs | 100% vErifiED – PAss
guArAnTEED – A+ grADED
Question 1. According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), what are the four core areas
of psychology that the D120 module introduces?
A) Clinical, Educational, Forensic, and Health Psychology
B) Social, Cognitive, Developmental, and Biological Psychology
C) Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Behavioral, and Evolutionary Psychology
D) Organizational, Sport, Environmental, and Community Psychology
**Answer: B) Social, Cognitive, Developmental, and Biological Psychology**
rATionAlE: The D120 module is designed to introduce students to the four core areas of
psychology as outlined by the British Psychological Society: social psychology (how we relate
to others), cognitive psychology (mental processes), developmental psychology (change
across the lifespan), and biological psychology (the brain and body). These domains form the
foundation for understanding how psychological theory applies to real-world contexts .
---
**Question 2**
Tajfel and Turner's Social Identity Theory proposes that in-group favouritism arises primarily
from:
A) Competition over limited material resources
B) The need for positive self-esteem derived from group membership
C) Childhood attachment experiences with primary caregivers
D) Genetic predispositions toward group living
**Answer: B) The need for positive self-esteem derived from group membership**
, rATionAlE: Social Identity Theory argues that individuals derive part oftheir self-concept
from the groups to which they belong. To enhance self-esteem, people naturally favour their
in-group and may devalue out-groups, even when group assignments are arbitrary. This
distinguishes it from Realistic Conflict Theory, which emphasizes competition over resources .
---
**Question 3**
In a TMA05 Part A scenario about community conflict, a youth worker observes that tension is
not about scarce jobs but about "identity." This observation aligns most closely with which
psychological theory?
A) Realistic Conflict Theory
B) Social Identity Theory
C) Attachment Theory
D) Behaviourism
**Answer: B) Social Identity Theory**
rATionAlE: When conflict arises from perceived threats to group identity rather than
material resources, Social Identity Theory provides the most relevant framework. It explains
how in-group/out-group distinctions can fuel tension even without objective competition.
Realistic Conflict Theory would emphasize competition over limited resources, which the
youth worker explicitly denies .
---
**Question 4**
What is the primary focus of Block 2 in the D120 module, "Emotion and Mental Health"?
A) Psychological research applied to the criminal justice system
B) The relationship between the brain and behaviour
C) Grounding emotional states in the psychology of emotion and their links to mental health
D) How psychology informs our understanding of magic and performance
oPEn univErsiTy AcTuAl ExAM 2026/2027 – coMPlETE ExAM-sTylE
QuEsTions wiTh DETAilED rATionAlEs | 100% vErifiED – PAss
guArAnTEED – A+ grADED
Question 1. According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), what are the four core areas
of psychology that the D120 module introduces?
A) Clinical, Educational, Forensic, and Health Psychology
B) Social, Cognitive, Developmental, and Biological Psychology
C) Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Behavioral, and Evolutionary Psychology
D) Organizational, Sport, Environmental, and Community Psychology
**Answer: B) Social, Cognitive, Developmental, and Biological Psychology**
rATionAlE: The D120 module is designed to introduce students to the four core areas of
psychology as outlined by the British Psychological Society: social psychology (how we relate
to others), cognitive psychology (mental processes), developmental psychology (change
across the lifespan), and biological psychology (the brain and body). These domains form the
foundation for understanding how psychological theory applies to real-world contexts .
---
**Question 2**
Tajfel and Turner's Social Identity Theory proposes that in-group favouritism arises primarily
from:
A) Competition over limited material resources
B) The need for positive self-esteem derived from group membership
C) Childhood attachment experiences with primary caregivers
D) Genetic predispositions toward group living
**Answer: B) The need for positive self-esteem derived from group membership**
, rATionAlE: Social Identity Theory argues that individuals derive part oftheir self-concept
from the groups to which they belong. To enhance self-esteem, people naturally favour their
in-group and may devalue out-groups, even when group assignments are arbitrary. This
distinguishes it from Realistic Conflict Theory, which emphasizes competition over resources .
---
**Question 3**
In a TMA05 Part A scenario about community conflict, a youth worker observes that tension is
not about scarce jobs but about "identity." This observation aligns most closely with which
psychological theory?
A) Realistic Conflict Theory
B) Social Identity Theory
C) Attachment Theory
D) Behaviourism
**Answer: B) Social Identity Theory**
rATionAlE: When conflict arises from perceived threats to group identity rather than
material resources, Social Identity Theory provides the most relevant framework. It explains
how in-group/out-group distinctions can fuel tension even without objective competition.
Realistic Conflict Theory would emphasize competition over limited resources, which the
youth worker explicitly denies .
---
**Question 4**
What is the primary focus of Block 2 in the D120 module, "Emotion and Mental Health"?
A) Psychological research applied to the criminal justice system
B) The relationship between the brain and behaviour
C) Grounding emotional states in the psychology of emotion and their links to mental health
D) How psychology informs our understanding of magic and performance
