hij Teacher Support GCSE Psychology 4180 Preparing to Teach Unit 2 Understanding Other People Specimen Answers In the candidates responses which follow, any spelling or grammatical errors in the original scripts have been left in. Spring 2009
SECTION A: LEARNING 1 (a) Outline what is meant by the term learning. (2 marks) AOs by definition or may be by example. Possible answer: Learning is a (relatively permanent) change in behaviour () which is due to experience (). AO1 = 2 marks Candidate C A relatively perment new piece of information or knowledge to do something. Very poor attempt. Candidate D A semi-permanent change in behaviour due to experience. Good enough. 2 marks Candidate F A new skill or information brought about by experience. And practised untill it is learnt. 2 marks Both marks are for the first sentence. The second sentence earns nothing. Candidate G Learning is when you know how to do something that you previously didn t. In other words, a change in behaviour (). klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 1
1 (c) Read the following letter which appeared in the problem page of a popular magazine: Dear Jo, My daughter Abbie won t go to sleep. I put her to bed and then go downstairs. After a few minutes she gets up. She says she is scared so I let her watch television with me. Then she is happy. Why can t I get her to stay in bed? Yours sincerely, Mrs B Skinner 1 (c) What is meant by positive reinforcement? Refer to the letter in your answer. (3 marks) AOs by definition or may be by example. Possible answer: Positive reinforcement strengthens behaviour () by providing consequences that are rewarding (). AO2 mark for reference to the article Possible answer: Abbie s mother is providing positive reinforcement by allowing her to watch television when she gets out of bed. AO1 = 2 marks AO2 = Candidate A Giving a positive consequence strengthen behaviour (good or bad) Mrs Skinner is rewarding Abbie for not staying in bed by letting her watch TV, therefore Abbie will continue to get up as she knows she can watch TV. 3 marks One mark for positive consequence and one mark for strengthen behaviour. One mark for reference to the letter. Candidate D Positive reinforcement means being rewarded for certain behaviour. The woman could give the girl a sticker on a sticker chart every night that she stays in bed. for reference to reward. Candidate G Positive reinforcement is when something positive is done to help someone leaen to do something. The woman puts the girl to sleep but then lets her watch television if she doesn t stay upstairs. She should only let her watch TV if she goes to bed with no fuss afterwards this is positive reinforcement. No marks for saying positive. Reference to article only just gets the. 2 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
Candidate J Where you reward the child in order for them to do something, in this case she is watching TV so she will go to bed. for reward reference. However reference to article does not make sense. 1 (e) Explain one ethical implication of using flooding to treat phobias. (3 marks) Any relevant ethical implication can receive credit. Possible answer: It is difficult to give participants the right to withdraw (). This is because with flooding the patient must face their most feared situation (). The therapist may have to act against the wishes of the patient () AO3 =3 marks Candidate B It is unethical to make someone scream until they are exhausted as this may cause health issues e.g. fainting. One valid point has been made. Candidate C It is unethical to use flooding to make some face a fear as it could course them to faint or passout. It could also stay with them forever and course mental problems later in life. One valid point has been made. Candidate E Flooding is sometimes considered unethical as it can cause distress for the participant and therefore it ignores the ethical issue of participant protection. 2 marks Two valid points made. Good attempt at a difficult question. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3
SECTION B: SOCIAL INFLUENCE 2 (c) Outline what is meant by the term deindividuation. (2 marks) AOs by definition or may be by example. Possible answer: Deindividuation means the loss of personal responsibility () when we are part of a crowd (). AO1= 2 marks Candidate J Where you would do something that you wouldn t normally do because you are in a crowd. 2 marks Good enough for 2 marks at GCSE level. 2 (d) Describe and evaluate one study in which bystander intervention was investigated. Include in your answer the method used in the study, the results obtained, the conclusion drawn and an evaluation of the study described. (use continuous prose) (6 marks) Any appropriate study can receive credit, for example Latane & Darley, Piliavin, etc. AO1: up to 3 marks for a clear description of a correct study. Possible answer: A confederate collapsed in a carriage of the New York subway. In one condition he appeared to be blind. In another condition he appeared to be drunk. If he appeared to be blind he was helped almost every time but if he appeared to be drunk, he was helped less than 50% of the time. It was concluded that bystanders will help in an emergency if the cost of helping is low. AO3: up to 3 marks for appropriate evaluation. Evaluation marks can be earned in several ways: Candidates could simply state three criticisms (positive and/or negative). Other answers could focus on one criticism with detailed elaboration that adds at least two more elements of clarification to the answer. Candidates could also state two criticisms with a brief elaboration of one of these adding an additional point of clarification. Possible answer: This study was unethical because the participants did not give their consent. They may also have been distressed by what they witnessed. Another possible answer: The study was ecologically valid because it occurred in a natural setting. However, the study was conducted in 1969 it might not reflect behaviour in the 21 st century. AO1 = 3 marks AO3 = 3 marks 4 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the quality of written communication. 6 or 5 marks For 6 marks, there is a clear description and evaluation of a relevant study reflecting the detail of the possible answer in the mark scheme. For 5 marks, both description and evaluation are present but one of these features is slightly lacking in detail. The answer is well-structured with effective use of sentences and/or paragraphs. There are few spelling and punctuation errors. 4 or 3 marks For 4 marks, both description and evaluation of a relevant study have been attempted but lacks the detail of the possible answer in the mark scheme. For 3 marks, either clear description or clear evaluation is present that reflects the detail of the possible answer in the mark scheme. The answer has some structure with appropriate use of sentences. There are some spelling and punctuation errors. 2 or For 2 marks, there is a brief description and/or evaluation of a relevant study. For the answer is muddled. No relevant content There is little evidence of structure in terms of correct use of sentences. There are frequent spelling and punctuation errors. Candidate A The aim was to see if people are more likely to help people they feel they have something in common with. A confederate was made to wear a man united shirt & then to fall in front of the Liverpool fans several times & also the man u fans, the results showed us that the confederate was helped every time by man united fans and not once by the Liverpool fans. We can conclude that people only help somebody when they feel they have something in common or belong to the same group. This study could be said to be unethical as participants do not know they are taking part in an experiment. 5 marks AO1: max 3 marks. AO2: 2 marks. QWC is good enough for top band. Candidate B To see if people are more or less likely to help those they have something in common with. A man fell down 10 times wearing different football shirts in front of different supporters. People helped when they were wesring the same shirt. You are more likely to help those you have something in common with. Evaluation People are less likely to help those they don t have anything in common with. A critism of this is participant deception. 4 marks AO1: max 3 marks. 1 x AO2 mark. Total 4 marks. QWC OK for this band of marks. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 5
Candidate E Latane and Darley conducted an experiment where a participant was asked to fill in a questionnaire in a room with another person and then without another person. The room began to fill with steam, which looked like smoke. When with someone else it to longer for the participant to say there was smoke than when they were alone. This study used the repeated measures experimental design and so the participants may have realised they were part of an experiment and this would have effected the results. 3 marks AO1: 3 marks. AO3 attempt incorrect. QWC OK for this band of marks. Candidate F To see if people help others if they think they have nothing in common with them. Person in a man u shirt falls in front of 12 man u fans and 12 Liverpool fans. Man U fans gave help every time. Liverpool fans didn t give any help. Bystanders are more likely to help if they can physically see they have something in common. This test may be unfair as it is based around football fans, they are likely to not like each other. Two random people may have nothing in common but help each other. 5 marks AO1: 3 marks. AO2: 2 marks. QWC OK for this band of marks. Candidate G The aim was to find out whether people who supported a certain football team would help someone who supports a different team in an emergency. A confederate wearing a Man U shirt stood outside a university, he then fell over in front of a number of Man U fans & a number of Liverpool fans. All of the Man U fans helped him up. All of the Liverpool fans didn t help him up. The conclusion was that people will not help a supporter of a different team in an emergency. One criticism is that the study too place at one university. The people at this university could feel higher competition between the two teams, they could of had a match recently which dramatically effected their feelings towards the other team. 4 marks AO1: 3 marks. AO3: 2 marks. Total 5 marks but QWC only qualifies for band 2, therefore the answer earns 4 marks. Candidate J You can be an example to children and show that affection is the good thing to do instead of using aggression on and towards people. As children imitate models (parents, higher authority) it should be shown by the authoritised people that aggression is wrong also you could use positive reinforcement if a child is good towards someone, like token economy. Such as sticker charts. 2 marks Muddled answer containing more than one way of reducing aggression. Band 3. 6 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
2 (e) Outline one practical implication of the findings of studies of bystander intervention. (2 marks) Any appropriate practical implication can receive credit. Possible answer: In an emergency, the behaviour of others can affect bystander intervention (). Therefore it is important to act as a model of helping for other bystanders (). AO2 = 2 marks Candidate F If you are hurt, go to a crowded place as you are more likely to find someone willing to help you. Shows complete misunderstanding of the issue. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 7
SECTION C: SEX AND GENDER 3 (a) Two fathers were discussing the behaviour of their young children. William: I think boys and girls behave differently just because of their biology. Gareth: I don t agree, I think the differences are psychological. 3 (a) (i) What is meant by the term sex identity? Refer to the conversation above in your answer. (2 marks) AO by definition or may be by example. Possible answer: Sex identity is the biological status of being male or female (). AO2 mark for reference to the conversation. Possible answer: In the conversation William is referring to sex identity (). AO1 = AO2 = Candidate C Sex identity is how you feel on the inside. Like Gareth said its psychological. Typical GCSE type of confusion. Candidate D A persons sex identity is biological, it depends on what genitals they have. AO1:. No reference to conversation. Candidate G Sex identity means what your genitals are. As William says, it is because of biology. Whether they have male genitals or female genitals. 2 marks Good answer. 8 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
3 (a) (ii) What is meant by the term gender identity? Refer to the conversation above in your answer. (2 marks) AO by definition or may be by example. Possible answer: Gender identity is our understanding of what it means to be male or female (). AO2 mark for reference to the conversation. Possible answer: In the conversation Gareth is referring to gender identity (). AO1 = AO2 = Candidate C Gender identity is biological e.g. what they look like and what genetals they have, just like William said. Typical GCSE type confusion. Candidate D Gender identity is how somebody feels psycholigally, in their mind. AO1:. No reference to conversation. Candidate G Gender identity means what you feel you are psychologically. Gareth is correct, some people could have male genitals but still think they are a girl. 2 marks Good answer. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 9
3 (d) David is five years old. When he was younger he was very loving towards his mother but now he wants to be like his father. How would the psychodynamic theory explain David s gender development? (3 marks) The psychodynamic approach provides a wide choice of options for 3 marks, including the Oedipus complex, sexual desire for mother, fear of castration, identifying with father, adopting father s behaviour, etc. Possible answer: David being very loving towards his mother might be the result of his Oedipus complex (). To resolve this, he identifies with his father () and adopts his father s behaviour (). AO2 =3 marks Candidate C When David was younger had sexual desires for his mother in his unconscious mind. He got scared that his dad would find out and castrate him. So he started to copy things his dad would do. 3 marks Three valid points made. OK at GCSE level. Candidate F The Oedipus complex. Acc. To Freud s theory, David has developed unconscious sexual desires for his mother, but is scared that his father will find out & punish him so he uses his father as a model and copies him. 3 marks Three valid points made. 10 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
SECTION D: AGGRESSION 4 (a) (i) Describe one study in which the development of aggressive behaviour was investigated. Include in your answer the reason why the study was conducted, the method used, the results obtained and the conclusion drawn. (4 marks) Any relevant study can receive credit, the most likely being Bandura. Possible answer: Bandura wanted to see if children learn aggressive behaviour by imitating the behaviour of same sex role models. In the study, children watched adults behaving aggressively towards a large inflatable doll (Bobo doll). More children imitated a same-sex adult than an adult of the opposite sex. Bandura concluded that children are more likely to imitate the aggressive behaviour if the models are of the same sex. 4 marks: A clear description of a relevant study containing all four required elements. 3 marks: A reasonable description of a recognisable study although one element may be missing. 2 marks: A description of a recognisable study that is either very brief or has more than one element missing. : A muddled description of a recognisable study. AO1 = 4 marks Candidate A To see if children are more likely to copy aggressive behaviour from the same sex when shown it. 6 conditions. Male showing aggression, no acknowlegment of a doll and also being nice to the doll, & the same behaviours but female. Child is shown these behaviours from both models & then given Bobo doll. Children who saw aggressive behaviour copied the same sex model and showed aggression toward the Bobo. Children are more likely to copy behaviour shown by the same sex. 3 marks Reasonable description of a recognisable study. Same sex reference is accurate but method is a bit odd. Candidate D To see if children copy aggressive behaviour. An adult showed aggressive behaviour to a Bobo doll, the children were then allowed to play with it. The children copied the behaviour. If children see aggression, they will copy it. 2 marks Less than reasonable description of a recognisable study. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 11
Candidate F To see if young children copy aggresive behaviour shown by a model adult and non-model adult. Children watched adults be aggressive towards a bobo doll, it was either a same or opposit sex model. The children normally copied the aggressive behaviour if they had watched a same sex model. Children can develop aggresive behavior by witnessing model adults doing it. 3 marks Reasonable (but not clear) description of a recognisable study. Candidate L To find out whether aggression is caused by social influence. Children observed models with a bobo doll. In one condition, they were hitting and punching the doll. In the other condition they were stroking and hugging the doll. Children usually imitated what they saw. Aggression is caused by observation and imitation. Muddled, inaccurate description. There is no reported research where hugging took place. 4 (c) Using your knowledge of psychology describe and evaluate one way of reducing aggression. (use continuous prose). (6 marks) AO1: up to 3 marks for a clear description of one way that aggression might be reduced. Possible answer: Aggression can be reduced by channelling it into acceptable activities such as playing sport. Freud has even argued that simply watching competitive sport reduces aggression. AO3: up to 3 marks for appropriate evaluation. Evaluation marks can be earned in several ways: Candidates could simply state three criticisms (positive and/or negative). Other answers could focus on one criticism with detailed elaboration that adds at least two more elements of clarification to the answer. Candidates could also state two criticisms with a brief elaboration of one of these adding an additional point of clarification. Possible answer: Some research contradicts the benefits of sport for the reduction of aggression. People who watched high contact sports became more aggressive whereas those who watched swimming did not. Another possible answer: Physical contact in sports seems to increase aggression. Aggressive models cannot be removed from society. The media have often been blamed for providing models for aggressive behaviour. AO1 = 3 marks AO3 = 3 marks 12 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the quality of written communication. 6 or 5 marks For 6 marks, there is a clear description and evaluation of one way of reducing aggression reflecting the detail of the possible answer in the mark scheme. For 5 marks, both description and evaluation are present but one of these features is slightly lacking in detail. The answer is well-structured with effective use of sentences and/or paragraphs. There are few spelling and punctuation errors. 4 or 3 marks For 4 marks, both description and evaluation of one way of reducing aggression have been attempted but lacks the detail of the possible answer in the mark scheme. For 3 marks, either clear description or clear evaluation is present that reflects the detail of the possible answer in the mark scheme. The answer has some structure with appropriate use of sentences. There are some spelling and punctuation errors. 2 or For 2 marks, there is a brief description and/or evaluation of how aggression might be reduced. For the answer is muddled. No relevant content There is little evidence of structure in terms of correct use of sentences. There are frequent spelling and punctuation errors. Candidate A On way of reducing aggression is negative reinforcement, for example everytime the person displays aggressive behaviour they are given an unpleasant consequence e.g. taking privilidges away etc, to weaken their aggressive behaviour. This is a good way of reducing aggression as it is relatively simple and does not bring the person to any harm, however it could cause distress, therefore is partially unethical. Muddled answer. Does not make sense. Negative reinforcement strengthens behaviour. Candidate F After his first study Bandura wanted to see if he could make the children play nicely with the doll. Children watched the same model play with the doll nicely, showing it affection. The children who had copied the aggressive behaviour also copied the nice behaviour. Aggression can be reduced in children by observation of a same sex model. This study can be used in real life to teach children to play nicely with each other and share. 3 marks Not a clear or accurate description and a weak attempt at evaluation. QWC OK for this band of marks. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 13
Candidate G A way of reducing aggression would be to use observation and imitation. If their was an aggressive person, everyone around them could be very nice to each other. The aggressive person would see this and imitate the behaviour. 2 marks Third band of marks. Very basic answer but candidate does try to apply knowledge to real life. SECTION E: RESEARCH METHODS 5 (a) Describe one way the psychologist could have chosen a random sample of patients who experienced flooding. (2 marks) Any correct way of selecting a random sample should receive credit. Possible answer: The psychologist could have chosen the sample by putting all the names of the patients receiving flooding into a container () and the first 10 names drawn from the container would become the sample (). AO2=2 marks Candidate D Put names in a bowl and chosen some out at random. Cannot use the word random to define random. Candidate E She could have asked who was willing to try the treatment and then pulled their names out of a hat. Describes opportunity sampling. Candidate K The psychologist could put all their names in a hat and random pull 10 of them out. for the hat but the word random cannot be used in the answer. 14 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm
5 (e) Outline what is meant by a case study. (2 marks) AOs by definition or may be by example. Possible answer: A case study is an in-depth investigation () of one person (). AO1 = 2 marks Candidate C Case study is enougher term for experiment. No marks but an interesting word! 5 (h) The psychologist decided to interview participants who said they felt better than before. 5 (h) (i) Write one closed question the psychologist could have asked the participants in the interview. () Any appropriate closed question can receive credit. Possible answer: Would you recommend this form of treatment to other people with a phobia? AO2 = Candidate E Were you distressed or not during the flooding? Appropriate answer. Candidate H What did you feel like after the flooding? Good example of GCSE level confusion. klm Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 15
5 (h) (ii) Write one open question the psychologist could have asked the participants in the interview. () Any appropriate open question can receive credit. Possible answer: In what way do you feel better? AO2 = Candidate E How did you feel about your phobia before the flooding? Appropriate answer. Candidate H Did the treatment help you in any way? Good example of GCSE level confusion. 16 Copyright 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm