exam mock revision past paper bit of everything

Question 1

Explain why a histogram would not be an appropriate way of displaying the means

Answer 1

1 mark for explaining either you need to have continuous data or scores for each participant in
order to draw a histogram.
Plus
1 mark for identifying that the data represents two separate conditions (with music/without music).
Accept categorical/nominal.

Question 2

Describe the process and purposes of peer review.

Answer 2

• other psychologists check the research report before deciding whether it could be published * independent scrutiny by other psychologists working in a similar field
* work is considered in terms of its validity, significance and originality
* assessment of the appropriateness of the methods and designs used
• reviewer can accept the manuscript as it is, accept with revisions, suggest the author makes revisions and re-submits or reject without the possibility of re-submission
• editor makes the final decision whether to accept or reject the research report based on the reviewers’ comments/recommendations
• research proposals are submitted to panel and assessed for merit.
  Purposes
• to ensure quality and relevance of research, eg methodology, data analysis etc
* to ensure accuracy of findings
* to evaluate proposed designs (in terms of aims, quality and value of the research) for
  research funding.

Question 3

Explain why John’s genotype will not reveal whether he will suffer from Alzheimer’s

Answer 3

the genetic test reveals the genotype not the phenotype 


John’s genotype will only reveal his set of genes (not their interaction with the environment) 


a genetic test will only reveal if he is predisposed to suffering Alzheimer’s disease but will 
not reveal whether he will develop/suffer from the disorder 


environmental factors may contribute to the disorder (it depends on an interaction between 
inherited factors and the environment).


Question 4

Describe the structure of the personality according to the psychodynamic approach.

Answer 4

personality is made up of 3 parts; the id, ego and superego. This point is essential for 4 
marks. 

elaboration regarding the components
t
he id: Focuses on self (selfish), irrational and emotional, deals with feelings and 
needs, seeks pleasure/hedonistic (reference to ‘pleasure principle), formed from 
birth-18mo, unconscious part of the mind 


the ego: Rational, balancing the id and superego, reference to ‘reality principle’, 
formed between 18mo-3yrs, conscious part of the mind 


the superego: Reference to ‘morality principle’, acts as the conscience or moral 
guide, based on parental and societal values, formed between 3-6yrs, unconscious 
part of the mind




experience/conflicts in childhood shape the development of the 3 parts affecting how a 
person behaves 


Question 5

Explain the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 5

• electrical impulses (action potentials) reach the presynaptic terminal
* electrical impulses (action potentials) trigger release of neurotransmitters (or named
  example)
* neurotransmitters cross the synapse from vesicles
* neurotransmitters combine with receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
* stimulation of postsynaptic receptors by neurotransmitters result in either excitation
  (depolarisation) or inhibition (hyperpolarisation) of the postsynaptic membrane.

Question 6

Explain one disadvantage of obtaining quantitative data in this study.

Answer 6

1 mark for an accurate, relevant disadvantage of quantitative data eg lacks detail (which may
decrease validity of findings) etc

Question 7

explain why using stratified sampling might improve this study

Answer 7

• stratified sampling increases representation/generalisation by sampling many subsets of students
• stratified sampling reduces research bias as the subsets of students are selected randomly.

Question 8

the psychologist used counterbalancing in the follow up study discuss the purpose of counterbalancing

Answer 8

the purpose of counterbalancing is to reduce order effects in a study.

this can be done by making half the participants do condition A first and the other half do condition B first.

therefore helping to reduce fatigue for example making people do worse in the second task they complete

this leads to order effects to be distributed evenly across both conditions

Question 9

double bind method

Answer 9

overcomes investigators effect

Question 10

single bind method

Answer 10

reduced demand chartoertics as particpants as participants don’t know what condition they are in