how to answer exam questions

Question 1

what are the evaluation points ?

Answer 1

• Holistic/reductionist
• Deterministic
• individual differences
• Practical applications
• controlled/scientific
• research support
• alternative explanations

Question 2

how to write an A03 scientific paragraph

Answer 2

• one advantage is that the research was controlled
• for example extraneous variables were controlled since it was conduected in the scientific environemnt of a lab
• This means tha twe can be confident that the manipulation of the IV influenced the DV
• then link back to study
• so for example in asch - we can be sure he is measuring how the minority conform to majority
• this strengthens the validity

Question 3

a03 practical applications template

Answer 3

• one advantage is that the research has practical applications
• for example, if we know … then we can do this
• this aims to (help, treat or whatever)
• This is an advantage because…
• this means it is a useful theory

Question 4

a03 for reductionism

Answer 4

• one disadvantage is that its reductionist
• for example it reduces the complexity of … to …
• This is a problem because it is more likely a combination of factors influence … rather than … alone. This may call into question the validity of the .. as a whole

Question 5

a03 for determinism

Answer 5

• a disadvantage is that theory is determnistic
• for eaxmple, it argues that our .. is determined by … and so are out of our control
• this is a problem because people may feel they have a sense of free will and autonomy wether they develop/become … , this means some psychologist would question the valdiity of the theory since ie neglects free will.

Question 6

template for research support A03

Answer 6

• ONE ADVANTAGE OF
• FOR EXAMPLE
• THIS SUGGESTS THAT … THIS MEANS THAT … HAS HIGHER VALIDITY

Question 7

a03 template for alternative explanations

Answer 7

Point - One disadvantage with the behaviourist explanation of phobias is that there are alternative theories
Example – For example, some psychologists may argue that phobias are genetic in nature
Explanation – This is a problem because there is research to suggest that phobias may be genetic, which calls into question how far they are caused by conditioning. Therefore, some psychologists would question the validity of the behaviourist explanation.