AS Exam Questions + Mark Scheme JUNE 2022 Flashcards
Explain the process of synaptic transmission.
4 MARKS
- Electrical impulses (action potentials) reach the presynaptic terminal
- Electrical impulses (action potentials) triggers release of neurotransmitters from
synaptic vesicles - Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft
- Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
Ian is telling his friend that he was nearly involved in a car accident. “I was driving box
home when a branch fell in the road. My heart started to beat very fast and my mouth
went dry. I slammed on the brakes and avoided hitting the branch. As I drove away,
it took some time for my heart rate to come back down to normal.”
Outline the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response. Refer to Ian’s experiences
in your answer.
6 MARKS
- Adrenaline is secreted via the adrenal medulla due to the stressful situation (fear of hitting the branch.) The adrenaline triggers the sympathetic nervous system.
- The adrenaline has immediate psychological and physical effects on Ian - his heart rate increases due to adrenaline.
- Other responses include increased blood pressure and flow and decreased digestion. Salivation response will decrease which makes Ian’s mouth go dry.
- Due to adrenaline, Ian’s muscles tense and this leads to a fast response and allows him to hit the breaks fast enough.
- After passing the danger, Ian realises the branch is no longer dangerous. Therefore the adrenaline levels fall.
- Less adrenaline means the parasympathetic nervous system is triggered. This works to lowering Ian’s increased heart rate and increasing salivation till they become normal rates.
Briefly outline how Pavlov investigated Classical Conditioning.
3 MARKS
- Pavlov’s study included watching a dog’s salivation response over time to the same routine of food being served.
- At first, the ‘bell’ is the neutral stimulus and the ‘food’ was the unconditioned stimulus that provides an unconditioned response of ‘salivation’
- Over time, the dog realised that bell = food, therefore the ‘bell’ became the conditioned stimulus and showed a conditioned response of ‘salivation.’ Therefore showing the principles of Classical Conditioning.
Grace’s room is always messy. Her older sister, Lily, keeps her room very tidy.
The next time Lily tidies her room, the girls’ mother gives Lily five pounds.
Using your knowledge of social learning theory, explain why Grace might be more
likely to tidy her room in the future.
5 MARKS
- Grace might identify and relate with her older sister and see her as a role model.
- Through observational learning, Grace pays attention to her sister’s behaviour of cleaning her room.
- Vicarious reinforcement - Grace pays attention to the reward Lily receives and this motivates her to retain this information and use it in the future for a reward.
- Grace will begin to imitate the behaviours shown by Lily in an effort to recieve the same reward.
- In the long run, (internalisation) Grace will begin to tidy her room as she WANTS to be tidy.
Outline what is meant by cognitive neuroscience.
4 MARKS
- The scientific study of the brain and neurological structures.
- To develop understandings of private, internal mental processes of the mind.
- This can be used to further develop other technologies such as scanning techniques and medications.
- Scanning techniques include PET scans and MRIs. These can show functions of each section of the brain.
Briefly explain one strength of the cognitive approach in psychology.
2 MARKS
- One strength of the cognitive approach is that it has many real world applications. This means key knowledge can be applied in real life and help develop real life treatments.
- Examples include contributions to the field of AI, contributions to effective treatments such as CBT, and improving eyewitness testimony accuracy / reliability.
Rita is talking to her therapist about her phobia of dogs.
“I am terrified of dogs. When I see one, I cannot move until it has walked away.
I cannot go to my friend’s house any longer because she has two dogs and I shake
when they come near me. I try not to leave the house in case I see one on the street.”
Give two behavioural characteristics of phobias that would be seen in someone who
has a phobia of dogs. Refer to Rita in your answer.
4 MARKS
- One behavioural characteristic of phobias includes the avoidance of the phobic stimulus due to extreme fear.
- Rita is displaying avoidance here as she is avoiding quality time at her friend’s house, due to extreme fear. She is also avoiding leaving her house in case she interacts with a dog.
- Another behavioural characteristic of phobias is endurance.
- Rita shows endurance via her ‘freeze’ response towards the dog. She freezes due to fear, in an effort to keep an eye on the dog and not provoke it.
Explain how a therapist could use systematic desensitisation to treat Rita’s phobia
of dogs.
4 MARKS
- At first, the therapist should teach Rita how to relax - this could include meditation, breathing techniques, etc. You cannot be in fear and relaxing at the same time (Reciprocal Inhibition.)
- Together, the therapist and Rita should make a list of different conditions around the phobic stimulus.
- These should then be ranked by Rita in terms of fear - starting with the least anxiety inducing and building up. This creates a Phobia Hierarchy.
- The therapist should slowly expose Rita to each stage of the hierarchy, only moving onto the next stage once Rita is fully relaxed and comfortable. Over time, she won’t fear dogs anymore.
Describe one cognitive explanation of depression.
4 MARKS
- One cognitive explanation includes Beck’s theory.
- Beck states that depression arises due to negative self schemas. These are negative packages of information about ones own self. This leads to a lowered self esteem and mood.
- Cognitive biases lead to faulty processing within the brain which leads to maintaining the negative self schemas.
- This leads to the ‘Negative Triad’ where negative views of ones self, the world and future is formed. This in turn leads to depression and lowered self esteem, mood.
CAN MENTION ELLIS’ ABC MODEL Explain in same amount of detail.
Outline and evaluate statistical infrequency and deviation from ideal mental health asa definitions of abnormality.
12 MARKS (PLAN)
PLAN
*Key Terms/ Figures = Marie Jahoda, mean averages, 3 deviations, self actualisation, stress resistence, self positivity and autonomy.
*Definitions of both = S.I - Abnormality is behaviour that falls out of the mean - usually 3 S.Ds above/below. Rare, unique.
D.I.M.H - Absence of signs of stable mental health - Jahoda’s checklist.
*Strengths = S.I. - Objective, factual and takes into account whole populations.
D.I.M.H. - Useful as lacking areas identified and areas to improve are shown.
*Weaknesses = S.I. - The criteria is way too hard to achieve and unrealistic - most people would be considered ‘abnormal.’ The criteria is ethnocentric and focuses on western cultures.
A psychologist investigated the relationship between stress and illness at a local school. The psychologist placed an advert on the staffroom noticeboard. Ten teachers contacted the psychologist offering to complete the psychologist’s questionnaire. In the questionnaire stress levels were measured on a scale from 1 to 10, with a higher score indicating greater stress. The questionnaire also asked how many days they had been absent from work due to sickness in the previous six months.
Write a suitable operationalised non-directional hypothesis for this investigation.
3 MARKS
- There will be a
significant correlation (relationship) - Between stress level on a scale of 1–10
- And number of days absent
(from work) due to sickness in the previous 6 months.
A psychologist investigated the relationship between stress and illness at a local
school. The psychologist placed an advert on the staffroom noticeboard. Ten teachers contacted the psychologist offering to complete the psychologist’s
questionnaire.
In the questionnaire stress levels were measured on a scale from 1 to 10, with a
higher score indicating greater stress. The questionnaire also asked how many days
they had been absent from work due to sickness in the previous six months.
Identify the sampling method used in this investigation.
1 MARK
Volunteer Sampling
*Mark scheme also accepts self selected sampling but volunteer is the key term.
FIGURE 1 SHOWS STRESS LEVELS GOING UP AS NUMBER OF DAYS OFF SICK GOES UP
What does the graph in Figure 1 suggest about the relationship between stress and
illness?
2 MARKS
- There is a positive relationship/correlation between stress and days off sick.
- This suggests that as stress levels increase so do the number of days off work due to sickness.
FIGURE 1 SHOWS STRESS LEVELS GOING UP AS NUMBER OF DAYS OFF SICK GOES UP
Explain why the psychologist could not conclude that stress caused illness on the basis
of the data in Figure 1.
3 MARKS
- The data displayed shows a correlational relationship (found via a correlation study) between stress and illness.
- Correlational studies involve no manipulation of the IV.
- Correlational data doesn’t show a causal relationship directly - the IV may have changed due to other factors.
In a follow-up study, the psychologist asked the same ten teachers to take part in an box experiment to compare two strategies designed to encourage relaxation and lower
heart rate.
Condition 1: Five of the teachers were given meditation techniques to complete every
day for a week.
Condition 2: The other five teachers were given a healthy diet to follow for a week.
Each teacher’s heart rate was measured at the start of the week and at the end of the
week.
Outline how a psychologist could have obtained informed consent when conducting
a follow-up study.
3 MARKS
- Tell the teachers they would need to complete meditation or healthy diet for a week
- Tell them they would have their heart rate measured at the beginning and end of the week
- Explain they have the right to withdraw - explain their other rights such as confidentiality and ensure that their information will not be shared unless absolutely necessary.
- Ask for agreement/obtain a signature.
