Paper 1 Exam Q’s

Question 1

describe how zimbardo investigated conformity to social roles? (4m)

Answer 1

• set up mock prison in basement of stanford uni
• selected psychologically stable sample from group of volunteers
• randomly assigned them to roles prisoner or guards
• observational study
• allowed guards to have power over the prisoners to see how they conform to their roles and how severe they would behave
• study planned to run for 2 weeks but had to stop after 6 days

Question 2

using knowledge of social influence processes in social change explain why fewer people are using single use plastic items?

Answer 2

• conformity:
  ISI- evidence that it harms environment - convinces people
  NSI- norm is to care, people want to fit in
• minority influence processes: influence of celebs or campaigns using consistency, flexibility n commitment (augmentation principle)

snowball effect!!! gradual change over time

• obedience: laws and rules have changed

Question 3

why would a researchers questionnaire produce primary data and suggest one limitation of primary data?

Answer 3

• collected the data first hand from participants and specifically for the study
• cost time and effort

Question 4

explain how validity of a researchers questionnaire could be improved?

Answer 4

compare 2 studies and note differences, remove problematic items (leading ones etc)

Question 5

discuss legitimacy of authority as an explanation of obedience? (8m)

Answer 5

• when a person recognised their own and others positions in a societal hierarchy
• recognise the authorities figures right to issue a demand
• increased by symbols of authority eg uniform

eval:
- bickman
- cultural differences in respect and responses to authority
- explanation cant account for rates of disobedience in studies (must be dispositional factors too)

Question 6

evaluate the central exec? (4)

Answer 6

• vague and untestable altho its the component in overall charge
• may be divided into sub components
• some psychologists say its unsatisfactory and baddley himself says altho its most important its also most unknown

Question 7

evaluate the procedure known as the ‘strange situation’? 5

Answer 7

• high predictive validity (bailey)
• high reliability and inter observer (+0.94) trained observers and coding system
• low internal (measure child temperament)
• socially sensitive - blames mother and self fulfilling prophecy
• culture bound- imposed etic